Lost and Found, the Virginia Synod youth event for 7th and 8th graders was held November 22-23 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Convention Center in Lynchburg. This year nearly 200 youth and adult participants got to witness and live out the theme "You’re Welcome" based on Romans 15:7, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

This year’s planning group made up by Mackenzie Anderson (Trinity, Newport News), Lukas Fick (College, Salem), Riley Houtz (Christ, Roanoke), Sarah Lambert (Christ the King, Richmond), and Ryan Mertz (Epiphany, Richmond) worked with Pastor Dave Delaney to plan nearly every element of the weekend. This year the planning group focused on how God calls us to be welcoming to others and how much richer our lives are when we overcome the fear of change and work to welcome others with open arms. This focus set and guided the entire weekend, from the theme, t-shirt designs, as well as the creative skits the group performed for those in attendance.

The congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hampton, Virginia is looking for a kidney donor for a daughter of the congregation, Erika Johnson. Erika was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, almost 20 years ago and her kidney function has declined over the years. Erika is the daughter of Jack Nussen, who served as the pastor at St. Paul’s from 1978-1983, and Judith Green, who serves as the current Secretary of the board for Lutheran Family Services of Virginia. Erika, who currently resides in Cary, North Carolina, has deep roots in the congregation. “It’s always wonderful to see Erika when she visits family for holidays. It’s not every day that you get to chat with a PK (pastor’s kid) from the same congregation!” said Pastor Tim Crummitt.

Erika has a long road ahead. Her best option is a kidney from a living donor. Unfortunately, it is up to Erika and her family to find a donor. If you or a family member are willing to potentially save a life, please reach out! There is absolutely no cost for the donor, Erika, her family, and her insurance will cover all the costs.

For more information, please visit erikaneedsakidney.com where you can learn about whether you might be a potential donor for Erika or even someone else in need!

Sermons are available one month prior to the Sunday service they are to be shared during. View all the sermons shared  on the Virginia Synod website.

Luther Seminary invites you to use the 2019 Advent devotional, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" for personal or congregational use this Advent. This year's contributing authors are:

To download the devotional, click here.

Christmas is coming up fast. With all the things you have to do for your church, keeping the buzz going on social media shouldn’t be one of them. Church Marketing Sucks has created a free social media Advent calendar to help you!

It’s 25 social graphics featuring Bible verses and a countdown to Christmas.

To view and download the Advent Social Media calendar, click here.

Prepare now for Advent! Invite your neighbors to worship with customizable social media graphics, posters, door hangers and more, available in English and Spanish. To view these communications resources, click here.

Winter Celebration is our annual weekend retreat for youth in grades 9 through 12 and their adult advisors. We have Large Group and Small Group gatherings that consist of singing, comedy, worship, faith sharing and presentations on our event theme. On Saturday afternoon during Free Time we will also hold out annual Talent Show and in the evenings you will have time to relax in your Cottage and talk with other youth and adults from your congregation and other congregations about how Winter Celebration is going. December 16th is the deadline for early registration! For more information and to register, click here.

In 2019 and 2020, the ELCA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the church’s decision to ordain women, the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women of color, and the 10th anniversary of the church’s decision to remove barriers to ministry for persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships. Congregations are encouraged to recognize and honor these anniversaries throughout the year. Resources, including Bible studies, banners, worship materials and more, are available. Read more about the anniversaries and download resources.

Quiet Day, December 2

Come, let's take a second (2nd) for renewal. 10am to 2pm will be dedicated to calming, quieting, centering reflection. We'll begin with orientation and meditation in the Upper Room (located in the Cabin Village) led by Rev. Heidi David-Young, then conclude in the same way. Both indoor and outdoor spaces will be available. Bring lunch to eat at your leisure; no cost to participate and no RSVP needed. Get Driving Directions

Summer Camp 2020

Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love endures forever. God's faithfulness continues for all generations. -Psalm 100:5 Get ready for another amazing summer! Registration is now open for Summer 2020 camps at Caroline Furnace. Sign up for your week by December 10 and receive a special Christmas gift! Learn More and Register

Are you (or someone you know) interested in serving as a Camp Counselor? The summer season is May 29 to August 9. Base pay is $2,000 plus lodging and meals, with higher pay for experience at any camp, years in college, and certifications. Flexible academic internships are available. Every week is a new adventure! Apply Online

Pastor Liz Yates, retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastor, is hosting a visit booked through Bethlehem, Palestine, GoDeeper Tours www.godeepertours.com to Israel-Palestine. This tour company is directed by Boulos (Paul) Aqleh, member and keyboardist at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

The visit will center in Bethlehem with day trips from there and a night in Tiberias in northern Israel. We will visit Bethlehem- including Christmas Lutheran, Nativity Church, and Tent of Nations. For more information about this trip click here.

Christ The King Lutheran Church is seeking an experienced Christian musician who will encourage others in their faith through musical leadership and by example.

For a complete position description, click here.

Interested candidates send cv and salary requirements to jaimeecbernard@gmail.com.

Grace Lutheran Church, Chesapeake is seeking a part time Minister of Music. The position is currently an average of 10 hours per week—including time for planning, practice, rehearsal, Sunday morning worship, and occasional holiday/special services. We are a liturgical church with both contemporary and traditional worship services. The Minister of Music is responsible for choosing (in partnership with the Pastor) appropriate music for all worship services and directing the praise team, hand bell choir, and possibly a traditional choir. The Minister of Music must be a professional musician who is proficient on the piano (preferably also proficient on the organ) and in leading congregational singing in a variety of styles. Some administration and computer skills are needed to coordinate with office staff when working off-site (ex: Google Drive, Sundays & Seasons website, etc.), submit reports to the Church Council, prepare newsletter/bulletin articles/announcements, and ensure copyright compliance. Above all, we are looking for a leader who loves God and God’s people, and who is willing to share their God-given musical gifts with the congregation and encourage others to do the same.

Visit www.gracelutheranchesapeake.org/minister-of-music-search for full job description.

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and references electronically to: Pastor Leslie Weber at PastorLeslie@GraceLutheranChesapeake.org.

College Evangelical Lutheran Church (Salem, Virginia) seeks applications for a part-time Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries. The weekly working hours will average 20 hours per week with the understanding that some weeks may require more than 25 hours and some weeks fewer than 20 hours. Scheduling will be determined by the Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries in consultation with the Pastor.

For a complete position description, click here.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé, and names and contact information of three (3) references to LuAnn Yates electronically to: LuAnn Yates, Personnel Ministry Team Chair yateslax@comcast.net. Applications are currently being reviewed. For additional information about College Lutheran Church, go to www.collegelutheran.org.

This position is located in Fredericksburg VA. It would work for a student who is participating in distance learning at your campus and looking for a field education site or a place to explore youth and family ministry. This part-time position/internship offers $1000 per month stipend. We are equidistant between Alexandria VA and Richmond VA – about 50 miles.

For a complete position description, and application information, click here.

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