This year, and this week especially, the ELCA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women! Let us give thanks to God!

Gracious and living God, we rejoice and give you thanks for your power on display throughout time and place, calling all kinds of people to be witnesses to your grace and power. We celebrate how the Spirit has blessed your church through the work of women and girls, including in this time and place. Guide us, as your people, into welcoming your prophets and teachers among us and hearing Christ’s good news through them. With gratitude, we pray. Amen. (from ELCA Worship Resources for "We Are Church, We Are Called 50+40+10")

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick put together a litany of thanksgiving for the 50-40-10 Commemorations. You're welcome to make use of it in your congregation as part of worship, as we continue to lift up and give thanks for the 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.

The Synod is excited to announce the re-formation of a World Hunger Team! This team provides visioning and resources for hunger ministries around the Synod, around the country, and around the world. The Team works as a partner with ELCA World Hunger, ELCA World Hunger supports projects in 43 U.S. states and territories and 62 countries, including the United States.

So far, there are three people sharing their gifts through the Virginia Synod World Hunger Team: Betsy Liljeberg (Apostles, Gloucester), Chuck Hays (Trinity, Moneta), Rebekah Schennum (Emanuel, Woodstock).

If you would like be part of this new team, please contact Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick ( bayerderrick@vasynod.org).

One way the World Hunger Team will support your congregation ministries is by providing articles which can be copied and pasted into your own communications. Here is an article about Hunger in the Time of Pandemic (from Apostles, Gloucester).

One way the World Hunger Team will support your congregation ministries is by providing articles which can be copied and pasted into your own communications. Here is an article about Hunger in the Time of Pandemic (from Apostles, Gloucester).

Lutheran Disaster Response has provided the Virginia Synod with a COVID-19 response grant to support congregations as they serve vulnerable and at-risk populations, e.g., older adults, people who are experiencing homelessness, and individuals and families with low-income, who have been impacted by COVID-19. 

In the Virginia Synod, the LDR COVID-19 grant awards will typically range from $400 and $800 and will be focused in the following areas:

Summer Feeding Programs for Children and Youth

Ministry with those Experiencing Homelessness

Direct Support for Feeding Ministries (pantry or hot meal programs)

Ministries providing Cleaning Supplies or Household Items

New Ministries that meet a Need that has Emerged because of COVID-19

The Synod plans to distribute an initial round of grants next week. Additional rounds of funding are available, so if you are interested in applying, please contact Pastor John Wertz, Jr. - wertz@vasynod.org for more information.

Our thoughts and prayers inform our actions. Join us on Thursday July 9 from 12:30 - 2 PM for “Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor” an online training event jointly hosted by The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to equip you. Both Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, plus advocacy leaders from both denominations, will be part of this time of exploring the nature of faith-based advocacy, the issues to which we can speak, and the ways we can make our voices heard. Rostered ministers, Lutherans, Episcopalians and friends are welcome to the free webinar and will leave with tools and inspiration to make a difference.

To register for this event, click here. Registration will remain open until capacity is reached for this Zoom hosted event.