Last week the Virginia Synod Vocations Conference took place at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in Lynchburg. The Vocations Conference is an event for folks curious about what professional ministry in the church is like to spend time with those who have experience within the church in order to better discern their own call. This year 10 inquirers, individuals discerning God’s call to public ministry in the church, and 13 candidates for ministry, individuals who have discerned a call to rostered ministry in the church and are engaged in the process of formation for leadership, were in attendance. These individuals were joined by their pastors and the Candidacy Committee to reflect and to ask questions concerning their call and gifts for ministry.

From August 27th through September 12th, a delegation from the Virginia Synod will be traveling to and visiting with our companion Synod in Papua New Guinea. The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, The Rev. Michael Church, Diane Giessler, and Matthew Wertman will all travel to meet and learn from our siblings in Papua New Guinea.

We plan to share updates through the trip on our Facebook and Instagram accounts of the delegation's travels in Papua New Guinea, so stay tuned!

We pray for their safe travel, for the connections and friendships they make during their time away, and the partnership our Lutheran church has across the globe.

21st Century Tools for Ministry: Digital Media and Ministry   is a workshop co-sponsored by the Virginia Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Virginia focused on equipping lay and rostered leaders for ministry in the 21st Century.

Our  workshop leader  will be Sarah Stonesifer who works in  Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary  as the Manager of Operations and Digital Missioner. She focuses on digital engagement, resources and training for thoughtful, innovative Christian formation for all ages.

Church leaders have been reinventing the best ways to communicate, teach, and preach since the earliest days of Christian community. In this workshop, we’ll explore the 21st century tools for ministry, how we can maintain healthy boundaries and genuine connection at the same time, while engaging in the work of the Jesus Movement. Ministry leaders will walk away inspired to be digital evangelists and hearing authentic ways to connect, ending the evening equipped with tools and resources. This workshop is recommended for anyone already engaged in the use of digital media in ministry or those desiring to learn.

The  cost  per person is $15 and dinner, snacks, and refreshments are all included. To register, click here .

For more information, please email Pastor John Wertz, Jr at:  wertz@vasynod.org .

Play, Pray, Play, October 1-3

Come find renewal in and through God's creation! Begin with a day of play: hiking, fishing, canoeing, creekwalking, playing gagaball, crafting and more. We'll begin the day with interactive, camp-like worship and Bible study, and end with a campfire. Day 2 is set aside as a Day of Prayer - time for silent meditation, praying the labyrinth, reading, and contemplation. We'll wrap up the retreat with another day of play: hiking, fishing, canoeing, creekwalking, playing gagaball, crafting and more. Local horseback riding, wineries, and river trips may be available on the play days as well at additional cost. Lodging is modern-rustic and scratch-made meals are provided Tuesday lunch through Thursday lunch. 2 Day (Tues/Wed or Wed/Thurs): $80; 3 Day (Tues-Thurs): $125

Renew & Retreat, presented by Roots & Wings, October 8-10

Renew & Retreat is a Christian Formation Retreat for Family Ministries, presented by Roots & Wings, a ministry of the Virginia Synod, ELCA. This year's facilitator is Debbie Striecher, Co-Director at Milestones Ministry and past president of the Christian Education Network of the ELCA. Debbie is passionate about family ministry and the importance of daily immersion in the language of faith. Her vision is to involve all ages in faith formation, strengthen family relationships through spiritual growth, and empower God-given gifts to do ministry. All are welcome, to include other Synods, denominations, and ecumenical partners. Early Registration until Sept 1 is $100.

For more information and to register, click here.

"Called to be Prophets" Sept 27 and 28th. You can stay and worship with us on the 29th as well! I started this conference because I believe we are called to be more than pastor and chaplains. Brian McLaren is the headliner, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza is a very talented prophet, and Dr. Steed Davidson was our OT professor at PLTS back in the day. The conference is going to be great and I'd ask that you'd help us spread the word. North Carolina is beautiful in September! Link to the event is tinyurl.com/calledtobeprophets.

Scholarships available, email daniel.pugh@ctkcary.com for more information. Live podcast Friday night with our friends at Homebrewed Christianity and book reading/signing Saturday night coffee shop. First 100 registrants get free copies of McLaren and Henderson-Espinoza's new book before they come out! For more information on this event, click here.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday September 28th Salem Lutheran in Mt. Sidney will be doing something it has never done before: host a U2charist. A what???

For all those familiar with the music of the Irish rock band U2, this is essentially what it says it is - a Eucharist with U2 music. Unfortunately, the actual band will not be in attendance - but their music and message will be.

Think of it as a multimedia rock concert meets Eucharist. The result is a new way of being together, worshipping together, and proclaiming the Gospel. Much of U2’s music expresses a concern for social justice in the world. Our offering on the 28 th will go toward the ELCA fund for world hunger. All are welcome, dress is casual, and dancing in the aisles is encouraged.

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

Grace Lutheran Church (Chesapeake, VA) 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), 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.

For a complete position description, click here.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 4th To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and references electronically to: Pastor Leslie Weber at PastorLeslie@GraceLutheranChesapeake.org.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, VA., is seeking a part time Director of Worship & Music. We are a liturgical church following a specific format for worship. We are looking for someone who will be responsible for directing the sanctuary choir, children’s choir, and possibly hand bell choir. The Director must be a professional musician who is proficient in singing and can play one or more instrument(s) (piano/organ preferred). They must be able to select hymns and music pieces that fit with the particular Bible readings for a given Sunday and season of the Church year. Some computer skills are needed to prepare PowerPoints for the worship service, reports for the Church Council, and newsletter articles. They will be responsible for working within a budget and helping to develop a new budget for upcoming years. Above all, we are looking for a leader who loves the Lord, and His people and who will shepherd the choir members as part of his/her ministry at Emmanuel.

For information on applying, please email admin@elvb.org

College Evangelical Lutheran Church (Salem, Virginia) seeks applications for a part-time Director of Church Music (Organist and Choir Director) position. The weekly working hours will average 20-25 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 Director of Church Music in consultation with the Pastor.

For a complete position description, click here.

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and references 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.