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The Installation of Bishop Robert F. Humphrey
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Marking a new season of ministry in the life of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), more than 630 people gathered Sept. 9 at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro Virginia for the installation of
the Rev. Robert F. Humphrey
as the Virginia Synod’s bishop, the synod's first new bishop in 18 years.
The installation service had over 100 individuals process, as over 90 Rostered Minister of the Virginia Synod were present, along with five ELCA Bishops of Region eight and nine, and 12 ecumenical guests. A majority of Virginia Synod mission partners leadership were in attendance as well.
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Participants at the installation service showcased the vibrant congregations Bishop Humphrey has served at in Virginia, as well as the leadership within the Virginia Synod.
The Rev. Brett Davis
formerly served as co-pastor with Bishop Humphrey at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, and is currently serving at Georgetown Lutheran in Washington DC. For the service she provided the second reading of the day.
Evan Davis
, the Treasurer of the Virginia Synod, served as assisting minister for the service.
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Special music at Bishop Humphrey's installation was offered by a choir made up of members of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, and Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton.
Elizabeth Williams, the Minister of Music at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg served as the pianist, and
Mike Myers, the Choir Director and Organist at Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro served as Choir Director.
Members of the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Virginia Synod also participated in the service, including LYO Board president,
Isaac Wilson. Members of Synod Council, and members of the transition team also served in voluntary roles through the day- helping visitors on the bus route, parking, ushering, and more.
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
of the ELCA presided over the installation, and preached the sermon. She preached on the text John 21:15-19. In her sermon, Bishop Eaton looked to turning points in scripture, in the church, in the life of the Virginia Synod, and in the world. She also lifted up Bishop Humphrey’s desire for this service not to exist in a vacuum, reminding us,
"Nothing that we do as Christians, and nothing that we do as the Lutheran movement within the church, and nothing that we do as the church is something that is done in private, or something that we keep to ourselves. Your new bishop wanted to make sure that at the beginning of his Episcopal ministry we were clear that this is a message for the entire world and that Lutherans do not withdraw from the world, but we engage with it and we can engage in it because we are redeemed people who are forgiven and set free.”
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The installation began as
Blythe Scott
, Secretary of the Virginia Synod presented Bishop Humphrey to Bishop Eaton. Following with address and question, with readers
The Rev. Richard Bansemer
, Bishop Emeritus of the Virginia Synod,
The Rev. James Mauney
, Bishop Emeritus of the Virginia Synod,
The Rev. Herman Yoos
, Bishop, South Carolina Synod, and
Charles Downs
, Vice President of the Virginia Synod each read from scripture.
The kneeler used for the installation service was made by a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the first congregation that Bishop Humphrey served. The kneeler will reside in the office of the Bishop in Bittle Hall on the campus of Roanoke College.
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In brief remarks following the installation rite, Bishop Humphrey, expressed, "What a holy, amazing moment," he thanked his family, friends, the Virginia Synod ministerium, and God for this day, concluding, “So now, together we continue this critical race, that has been run throughout the history of the church. That's what this day is about." Humphrey served as presiding minister following the installation rite, changing into a chasuble that had previously been worn by his father in-law.
Following the service all were invited reception held at Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro. Guests there enjoyed the great weather, yummy food, and good company under tents on the front lawn.
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If you were not able to attend the service, you can view the full service on the Virginia Synod’s Vimeo account. To view the recorded video of the installation,
click here.
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If you were not able to attend the service, you can view photos on the Virginia Synod’s Flickr account. To view the installation photos,
click here.
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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
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Lutheran Disaster Response: Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma
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Now that the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Imra is coming fully into focus, we see that the need will be great and recovery will take many years.
Your gifts
to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “Hurricane Response – United States” at this time will be used in full (100 percent) in responding to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma until the response is complete.
You have an opportunity to make sure our neighbors are not forgotten.
The work of Lutheran Disaster Response is comprehensive and extensive. From when the news breaks to years after the headlines fade, from hurricanes in the United States to flooding in South Asia, we’re there – walking alongside disaster survivors and helping them recover and rebuild for as many years as it takes. LDR also invites you to be part of our multiple responses to disasters in the U.S. and around the world by making a gift to
Lutheran Disaster Response
where it's needed most.
If you’ve already given, thank you so much. Please continue to pray and stay connected through our
Facebook
page. You may also use this
bulletin insert
in your congregation to help spread the word.
Thrivent is matching gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response.
If you’re a member
, visit
Thrivent.com
and follow the instructions for personal donations.
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Virginia Synod's 5th Annual Week of Service
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The Virginia Synod Week of Service coincides with
“God’s Work, Our Hands”
Sunday, the ELCA Day of Service on September 10.
We have extended the opportunity to serve to accommodate varying schedules. Last year churches across the entire state of Virginia participated in the Week of Service.
All congregations are invited to reach out into their neighborhoods to become God’s hands and feet, to serve those in need and to share God’s compassion with the world. The Week of Service is an opportunity for everyone to intentionally invest time in service projects outside the walls of the church. Pick a project and prepare to serve others in the name of God’s love.
Remember to Tell Your Story!
Take pictures! You can show them to the members of your congregation who couldn’t participate. Don’t forget to send an email to
pilat@vasynod.org
with your photos and details about your project so that we can celebrate together as a Synod. Use
#VASynodServes
on social media so that you can connect with others in our Synod who are participating in the Week of Service.
For more information on the Week of Service
click here
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RSVP for ForwardingFaith Congregational Training!
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Does your congregation want to take part in the ForwardingFaith Campaign? Is your stewardship team looking for a training event, but doesn't know where to go? As part of the Forwarding Faith Campaign, we are offering 2-hour training sessions throughout the Virginia Synod to teach your stewardship team how to conduct a special gift appeal.
A part of this training provides materials and information on how to conduct the Forwarding Faith campaign in your congregation, but you can use everything you learn during the training session to conduct an appeal for a new air conditioning unit, parking lot paving, roof, outreach opportunity, or whatever your ministry needs to fund!
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Gathering of the Ministerium 2017
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Gathering of the Ministerium is where our rostered leaders can gather to meet, reconnect, worship, relax, learn, sing, pray and play together.
We are a church of great history as well as a church called in hopefulness into a blessed future. Join us as we gather from across the synod to discover how we live out this reality together.
This year's Gathering of the Ministerium will be held on
October 9-11, at
Registration deadline for Gathering of the Ministerium is August 31st 2017
Our presenter for this year is
Dr. Michael DeJonge an Associate Professor in Religious Studies at the University of South Florida (Tampa). Dr. DeJonge will present Bonhoeffer’s interaction with Luther and the tradition, especially in his reflections about ethical and political issues, such as peace and state of authority.
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Fall 2017 ACTS Course: The Christian's Call Today
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For Bonhoeffer, Christ is the definition of reality. Discipleship, then, is a call to become enveloped by that reality; therefore, the Christian's call is not to turn one's back on the world (enter the cloister) but to be God's presence in the world. In other words, our life in the world, which is lived out in the midst of families, friendships, work, and communities, is meant to display the presence and transformative work of God in the world. Because Bonhoeffer's faith led him to take the world seriously in all of its manifestations, Christian vocation is one that willingly stands up for one's neighbor and gets its hands dirty. Join other ACTS participants as together we explore and learn more about our Christian’s Call through this course.
This year's Fall ACTS course will be held on
October 7th and
November 4th.
For more information and to register for the Fall ACTS course,
click here
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Renew and Retreat: A Christian Formation Retreat
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Come to Camp Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center for a retreat which is specifically designed to support and equip both full-time and part-time professional and volunteer Children, Youth and Family Ministry staff. In addition to an educational component there will be ample time for networking and resource sharing, as well as relaxation, conversation and worship.
This year's Renew and Retreat will be held on
Tuesday October 3rd, 4:30 PM – Thursday October 5th, 10:00 AM
For more information and to register for Renew and Retreat,
click here
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Crumley Archives' 500th Anniversary Reformation Celebration
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You are invited to the Crumley Archives' 500th Anniversary Reformation Celebration on September 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Lineberger Library at LR-LTSS.
The evening will include a lecture by Dr. Russell Kleckley entitled, "From Salzburg to Ebenezer: The Georgia Salzburgers at the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom" and a reception to celebrate the Archives.
To view the Fall 2017 edition of the Crumley Archives' "Archival Survey",
click here
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Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA500
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All are welcomed to register and attend “Looking Back & Called Forward: ELCA500” the ELCA’s Reformation anniversary commemoration event on October 31in Washington, D.C. As a member of a surrounding area synod and congregation, you are invited to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The day’s event will include speakers and a service, held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will co-host and will be joined by co-hosts Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen, ELCA Vice President Bill Horne and Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod Bishop Richard Graham.
Registration is free, however, you will be responsible for your own travel and accommodations. Lunch is included in your registration.
Click here to reserve your seat.
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Home Health Clinical Services Director
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myPotential at Home—A National Lutheran Service has an exciting opening for a talented Registered Nurse with a home healthcare background to join our new home health operation, overseeing our growing footprint up the Shenandoah Valley into Staunton, Va. The Home Health Clinical Services Director will serve a key role in shaping the program and managing the care delivery and service experience of all clients in the comfort of their home. If you are looking for a fulfilling and stimulating leadership role that offers career growth, a flexible schedule, and excellent pay with generous benefits, apply today!
• $100K starting salary
• $5,000 sign-on bonus with additional bonus opportunities in year one
• Flexible day-shift position, weekends not required
• Continued learning encouraged with tuition reimbursement
• Willing to offer relocation assistance
For more information and to review the full job listing,
click here
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Stay Connected with the Virginia Synod:
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