Power in the Spirit Online
Power in the Spirit took shape last week as a fully online event hosted for free for anyone who wanted to take part. From Monday, July 6, through Friday, July 10, Power in the Spirit provided a full week of study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and artwork through daily devotional content emailed out to participants, as well as workshops and vespers worship services hosted in the evening by Zoom video conferencing. This year’s event theme was the Holy Spirit, exploring the scriptural images of God’s Spirit, and how this Spirit continues to be at work in our world today.
Living Water Lutheran Church Awarded Grant, Gives $1,000 to Healthy Harvest Food Bank
For years, Living Water in Kilmarnock has collected non-perishable food items at Sunday worship services, and delivered the items on a monthly basis to Healthy Harvest Food Bank in Warsaw (Richmond County). However, when in-person worship services stopped suddenly in mid-March, the collection of food items came to a halt. Yet with the unemployment and business losses brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, the number of local people turning to the Food Bank for assistance was increasing.

Thanks in part to the Virginia Synod's Daily Bread matching grant for feeding ministries, as well as generous c ongregational donations Living Water has been able to donate $1,000 to the food bank to continue to the food bank's work.
Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story idea? Send it to Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org  and make sure to follow our
Announcements
Office of the Bishop Summer Sermon Series
The Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop has begun providing gospel readings and sermons this summer, and will continue through  August 30, 2020  for use in all congregations. The sermons will be shared on the  Synod's website  as well as on our  Facebook Page  each Sunday.
Being Church in Times of Crisis Zoom
Join ELCA Coaching for this weekly online gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. On Wednesday, July 15, we are honored to have the Rev. Dr. Lawrence J. Clark, II, and the Rev. Dr. Richard N. Stewart with us to share The Untold Story of Black Lutheran History.

Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160
Caroline Furnace Updates

Summer Camps have been ordered by the state of Virginia to remain closed for now. However, Outdoor Ministry is so much more than Summer Camp. We have focused on our mission of faith, education, and renewal by hiring and investing in our full summer staff, no matter the outcome of the summer. This has allowed us to be prepared for a number of alternatives. Thank you for your patience, grace, and continued support as we adapt to new challenges. We continue to find hope in our 2020 theme verse, Psalm 100:5, that says, “Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love endures forever. God’s faithfulness continues for all generations.”

Quick Highlights:
  • Family Rentals - The Farmhouse, Cabin Village, and Sukkah Village are open for Family Rentals in July and August. 14 days of pre-screening are required for all participants. Both the Farmhouse and Sukkah Village are optional no-contact retreat spaces. We can host a maximum of 5 family groups (of 10 or less) on property at once, so spaces are limited and first come, first served. 2020 Summer Camp families get priority booking until June 30. Regular booking now open.
  • Adventure Weekends are scheduled for this fall/winter, September 18-20, October 30-November 1, and February 5-7. Until further notice, lodging is limited to one group per cabin. Tent camping is also available. Contact Julie at (540) 449-0012 or julie@carolinefurnace.org to reserve your Adventure Weekend cabin.
  • Camper families who registered for Summer Camp 2020 will get priority registration for Summer Camp 2021, from October 1 to 15. Payment options will include ‘pay now’ and payment plans that can be scheduled for later. Stay tuned for our Summer Camp 2021 schedule to be released by September 15!
Job Opportunities
Job Opportunities can now be found on the Virginia Synod website at vasynod.org/job-opportunities If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org.