Virtual "Tongues of Fire" 5K
The Virginia Synod invites you to join us in your home or neighborhood for a Virtual 5k on Sunday May 31!

We all wish we could be together. It's at this time of year when we'd be excitedly preparing to gather as the Synod for our annual Synod Assembly. We're maybe feeling cooped up inside, so let's do something together to get moving! Let's safely steward our bodies as we share an event as the Body of Christ and join in prayer along the way.

How will this work?
  • Between now and May 31st form a team with your congregation, and name a team captain. Your team captain will register your roster and details. You can run, walk, jog, or even cheerlead as part of the 5K. If you plan to participate on your own, you will serve as your own team captain and can sign yourself up!
  • Cheerleaders will not physically compete but will root and pray for those participating the whole way! Dress up, make an encouraging sign, be a positive force for those competing on your team!
  • Between now and May 31st, limber up! Get some daily walking or jogging in. Start building up to completing 3.2 miles, or maybe beating your own personal record.
  • You can join in the conversation about your training on our Facebook Event page! Share how you're training, your personal training playlist, and what keeps you motivated as we prepare for May 31st.

For Race Day on May 31st:
You will be walking, jogging, running, or cheering along 3.2 miles in your own home or neighborhood. You can do that on your own course, on your treadmill, etc. You will have 24 HOURS TO COMPLETE your race (you may start at any time). Once finished, you will then report to your captain with your finishing time and any photos. Remember to drink water and be safe!

We will be sharing an opening litany prayer and a closing prayer for you to use at the start and finish lines later this month. Final Results and superlative awards will be shared in the Weekly Update the following Tuesday.

For more information on how to participate in the Virginia Synod 5k, visit www.vasynod.org/virginia-synod-5k
Church Together for the Sake of the World: Wifi for Minnick Students
In this unprecedented time of national health crisis, our mission partner, Lutheran Family Services of Virginia (LFSVA), is experiencing unique challenges as their Minnick School educators must provide instruction and support using distance learning for 200 + children with disabilities.

60% of their students qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch — meaning the families have little or no access to the internet for at-home learning. All of the students live with a disability such as autism or emotional disturbance which makes it challenging for them to find success in school. Virginia Synod’s goal is to provide WiFi access for 25 Minnick students for three months. As of April 29th, we have been able to provide for 5 students thanks to our synod's generosity.

LFSVA educators are innovating distance learning by producing lesson modules individualized for each student, grade level, SOLs remaining for the year, and for students graduating with an applied or standard diploma. In order to meet these assertive goals for instruction and learning, the teachers are providing:
  • both live and recorded video instruction
  • daily telephone connection for academic and behavioral support
  • written packets and educational websites recommended to enhance instruction

LFSVA's Minnick Schools are private day schools, licensed by the Department of Education. Highly trained educators help students in grades K-12 learn about positive behavior choices, how to make better decisions and how to respond to stressful and challenging situations, alongside a vibrant academic program meeting the requirements of 32 school districts. Public schools contract with LFSVA Minnick Schools when they can no longer meet the needs of these students in a traditional classroom.

Visit our website to learn how you and your congregation can become involved with this Synod-wide project. You can also learn more about this project on LFSVA's website.
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
ELCA Social Message Feedback Needed
The ELCA is preparing a social message on government and civic engagement. From March 20 to May 27, you are invited to provide feedback on how to strengthen the draft of the message. The draft of a “Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy” is available here. To offer feedback, please fill out this survey.
Luther Seminary Festival of Homiletics
The Festival of Homiletics is moving online! And because there’s no better time than our current crisis to learn how to “preach a new earth,” registration for the virtual conference is totally FREE! Join us May 18-22, online. On Demand access to all materials and info, costs $75. For more information, visit festivalofhomiletics.com
Join the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge
COVID-19 is threatening vulnerable communities, and Lutheran World Relief urgently needs cloth face masks to send to them. The cloth mask you sew in your living room will provide love and protection to a neighbor in need halfway around the world. How many will you make to help stop the spread? Sign up for more info. www.lwr.org/masks
Caroline Furnace Quick Updates
  • We are open for outdoor day use at our main property in Fort Valley. Check in/out at a station by the office door. Church leaders: You are welcome to come record worship videos here if you'd like!
  • We remain hopeful that Summer Camp will be unaffected by COVID-19 and are continuing with staff interviews and camper registrations. Any decisions on Summer Camp will be announced on May 15 once we have more info. View the Summer Camp digital catalog here. 
  • We are still booking rental groups for the Summer and Fall seasons! We recognize that our communities will be especially in need of time together on retreat as soon as it is safe to do so. Find rental availability here. 
  • Do you have a quilt group? We would like to share handmade quilts with our Farmhouse guests! This project has been especially well received due to the stay-at-home orders, and we already have a few quilts in the works. We are asking for full and twin size quilts.
  • Registration is open for Caroline Furnace programmed retreats through February 2021. This includes Adventure Weekends, Pre-Advent Retreat, Wild Women Retreat, and BeerReformation. View the Year at a Glance here.
  • Caroline Furnace remains closed to overnight groups. Individuals and single-household groups are welcome to come spend time outdoors at our main property from 9 to 5 each day. Be sure to read the details on our COVID-19 Updates page before you come.

We will share additional updates on our website at  www.carolinefurnace.org/covid19 . We appreciate your continued support of your outdoor ministry, even and especially during this time of uncertainty. We hope to see you again soon!
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.