A hymn titled “God’s Work, Our Hands,” written by Wayne Wold, was selected as the winning entry in the ELCA’s “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday hymn contest. People submitted original compositions to be considered as a hymn for the ELCA’s annual day of service. Wold is a professor and chair of the music department at Hood College in Frederick, Md., where he also serves as concert manager and college organist. Wold is also the director of music ministry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Md. The selected hymn represents the official tagline of the ELCA and expresses how the people of this church live in service for the life of the world. The hymn is available as a year-round worship resource. To download the winning hymn and other God's Work Our Hands Resources, click here.

Have your VBS volunteers outdone themselves in transforming your space into something exciting for kids and adults alike? Show off all the hard work with this year's Virginia Synod VBS Decoration Contest !

Congregations and individuals are both welcome to submit photos of their spectacular designs from their VBS programs!

To enter, send one photo of your best VBS decorations to Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org with the subject line "VBS Contest"  from now until  Monday, August 12th.

With your one entry photo please include the following information:

If a photo you submit has children featured, please be sure you have permission to share their image from their family or guardians.

On  August 15th  two randomly selected winners will be announced as part of the edition of the Weekly Update. Both winners will receive a copy of Samuel Sparrow and The Tree Of Light, a children's book about Chrismons !

If you have any questions about the 2019 VBS Decoration Contest, please contact Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org  Best of luck to all who enter, and happy decorating!

Final proposals for the Virginia Synod Fund for Mission are due to Pastor John Wertz Jr. by August 1, 2019. For more information on the Virginia Synod Fund for Mission, visit,  www.vasynod.org/resources/vsfm/

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 .

Pre-Advent Retreat, August 19-21

Get a jump on your Advent planning! All are invited to join us for a time of discussion, preparation and fellowship before the Advent season. Join us at modern Buttonwood Lodge to take a look at the four Matthean gospel texts for the Sundays of Advent. Using Anna Carter Florence's method of Rehearsing Scripture, we'll delve into the story to find the script in scripture and emerge with fresh insight. Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged; all are welcome. 3 day cost: $125

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.

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

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.

Through the support of ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Advocacy works in partnership with statewide advocacy ministry networks across the United States to end hunger by engaging directly with local, state and national governments and equipping people of faith to seek justice through advocacy. Each office relates to the synods in their state and works closely with hunger leaders and synod teams.

For a complete position description, and to apply, click here.

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!