Getting a phone call in the middle of the night is never a good thing. I remember the second time my father had open-heart surgery. It was a long procedure and a difficult one, and after it was done the doctor called us to his office and said, “There’s been some bleeding. We’ll let you know, but you should go home now and rest.” And so going home that night, I listened for a phone call in the middle of the night and was awakened only to find out it was morning and it was birds singing, not the phone ringing. My father had made it through the night, and in fact he did recover from the surgery.

This is the joy we feel at Easter, but magnified. All of the hope that had been dashed on Good Friday, the terrible pressure of grief, the terrible pressure of knowing there was no future in the world, only on Sunday to be greeted not by the ringing of a telephone announcing death but the loud clear singing of alleluias. This is the joy we have, and it’s a promise so strong that even when we do die, even when we do confront death, we have the hope and the assurance of eternal life.

Easter makes it possible for us, even at the grave, to sing alleluia. Christ is risen. Alleluia. Happy Easter, dear church.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton

Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

J une 7-8 will be our time to get together as the Virginia Synod to fellowship, learn about the wider church, do business, and worship. Our ELCA representative for this year's Synod Assembly will be the the  Rev. Dr. Sandy Chrostowski , Director for DEM (Director of Evangelical Mission) Relationships for the ELCA.

For more information and to register, visit:  www.vasynod.org/synod-assembly-2019

Young adults of the Virginia Synod are invited to the  Young Adult Retreat  weekend at Caroline Furnace on  May 10-12, 2019 ! Join us for an amazing weekend of worship and fellowship as we gather as a community to form connections and empower one another in our faith lives. For more information, and to register for the retreat,  click here .

Registration is limited, so encourage young adults in your congregation to sign up today!

If you have any questions, reach out to Pastor Dave Delaney at  delaney@vasynod.org  or 540-389-1000

Power in the Spirit is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, and fellowship.

To view this year's event packet with information on everything happening at this year's Power in the Spirit,  click here .

Join us  July 11-13  at Roanoke College for a conference with Lutherans for all across the state.   Register for Power in the Spirit online today!

All rostered ministers and seminarians of the Virginia Synod are invited to a retreat June 24-26, 2019 in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to meet with other clergy and leaders of the Episcopal Church as we continue to live into our full communion partnership. Our guest speakers are Dr. Timothy Wengert of Philadelphia Seminary and Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan of the Anglican Church in Canada. Both speakers will help us explore the theological impulses of our traditions (the “Crib” and the “Cross”) and how our distinctions help us understand our own traditions better. There will be time for conversation among participants as well as free time and activities. Pastors looking to explore this special partnership will be enriched by this retreat!

Registration Deadline is May 15, 2019. Save $10 by registering by April 30! For more information and to register for this event, click here.

Contact for more information: The Rev. Eric Moehring, the Rev. Terrie Sternberg, or the Rev. Viktoria Parvin.

Spring Open House: May 4th at 10:45 AM

Spring Work Weekend : April 12-14 in the Cabin Village

Quiet Days: April 2, May 2, October 2, December 2

Board Gaming Retreat :  April 26-28 at Buttonwood Lodge

Spring Open House: May 4

Pre-Advent Retreat : August 19-21 at Buttonwood Lodge

Call (540)-449-0012 or email   julie@carolinefurnace.org  to learn more!

A Palestinian-American Lutheran pastor who made news as a political candidate in Brooklyn two years ago is the subject of an award-winning documentary film that will be shown at the Lyric Theater in Blacksburg on the afternoon of Saturday, April 27. Admission is free and open to all. A conversation with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, profiled in the film “Father K,” and a reception will follow the 3 PM showing.

The presentation is co-sponsored by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, The Well (Lutheran Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech), the Virginia Tech Department of History, and the Lyric Theater.

For more information, contact Luther Memorial by calling 540-951-1000 or emailing luther@lmlc.org.

Explore and apply for opportunities available with the churchwide organization or global service on the ELCA Job Board at elca.atsondemand.com

LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2019 to the end of July 2020, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.

The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, outdoor ministry, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.

We gather each week for evening prayer, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in one of two residences: The Belfry, an apartment attached to our campus ministry center in Davis, CA, or The Priory, an apartment at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sacramento, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply—interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 31, 2019.

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or pastor@thebelfry.org for more information!

Grace & Glory Lutheran Church in Palmyra, is looking for a part-time (20 hours per week) Director of Music.

Qualifications:

Salary commensurate with experience. Please submit your cover letter and resume to admin@graceandglory.org

The youth and family intern will provide leadership in ministry to those in the first third of life while learning alongside the senior pastor and the volunteers that lead those ministries. The intern can expect to gain practical ministry experience through teamwork and leadership in the youth and family ministry program. This internship is year-round and has a two-year option. To apply, please send resume to ResurrectionLutheranFXBG@gmail.com For a full description of this position, click here.

Know a young adult who has what it takes to work at Summer Camp? They'll be signing up for 2 weeks of staff training and 8 weeks of varied outdoor adventure - May 31 to August 9. There are opportunities for select applicants to begin a couple weeks early and stay a week or two later. They can expect new experiences each week, to gain new skills, and to make friendships that will last a lifetime. They'll need an endless supply of energy, love, enthusiasm, patience and kindness. They must be able to share their faith story and encourage young people to grow in their own relationship with Jesus Christ. They must embrace the adventure of the outdoors and work well in a team. They must be willing to unplug from technology and focus on their relationship with God, nature, and the people around them. Academic Internships are available. Housing and meals are provided for the summer. Pay is based upon experience and certifications. Learn more and apply online.