The Virginia Synod Week of Service coincides with  “God’s Work, Our Hands”  Sunday, the ELCA Day of Service on September 8, 2019.

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, and we're excited to hear about the many ways you serve in your communities.

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.

There are plenty of resources available to help plan and promote your service, like:

More planning information and storytelling resources can also be found on the ELCA's site at elca.org/Resources/GWOH-Sunday or from the Virginia Synod, vasynod.org/resources/week-of-service

Be sure to tell your story in word and image! Take pictures during your time of service, and write up details that were important to that day to share with your congregation, and with the Synod Office!

To share your story with the Synod, please email Emily Pilat at pilat@vasynod.org   no later than September 18th with the subject line “Week Of Service 2019 [Name of Congregation]” and the following information:

With this information, we can celebrate all that was accomplished across our Synod! Make sure to also use  #VASynodServes  on social media so that you can connect with others in our Synod who are participating in the Week of Service.

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.

Join us Saturday, September 28th 8:00 AM -2:00 PM at the Brandon Oaks Auditorium for our Fall Bazaar! All proceeds will benefit the Brandon Oaks Auxiliary, a volunteer group whose funds support quality of life enhancements for the residents of Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center and Memory Support Center. We will have a raffle, hot dogs and chili for purchase and items for sale.

Do you have items you’d like to donate to our sale? Or delicious baked goods to include in our bake sale? Call Bazaar coordinator Betty Lovingood; (540) 769-8727.

For an event flyer, 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

GraceInside has an immediate opening for a chaplain to serve Buckingham Correctional Center in Buckingham, Virginia. The position pays $25 dollars/hour and is currently funded for 111 hours a month. GraceInside chaplains serve as the Christian pastor as well as the religious supervisor for all religious activities on site.

For a complete position description, click here.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and application to GraceInside: 2828 Emerywood Parkway; Richmond, VA 23294 by September 6th, 2019. Applications may be requested from Lee Hargrave at leehargrave@graceinside.org or at (804) 358-7650.

St. Peter's in Stafford is searching for an individual who has a calling for Youth Ministry Leadership on a part-time basis and would like to apply to become our next Youth Ministry Director. Please visit splctoday.org to see the full position description. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please call the church office at 540-659-6366 or email Pastor Paul Toelke at paultoelke@gmail.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.