Winter Celebration: Space for Faith
Winter Celebration, the Virginia Synod youth event for high schoolers was held this past weekend on January 24-26 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Convention Center in Lynchburg. This year over 300 youth and adult participants engaged with and witnessed the theme “Space for Faith” which is based on this year’s theme verse Matthew 7:7-8.
Volunteers needed for home rebuilding in St Croix, Virgin Islands
Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands through its Lutheran Disaster Response, LDR, program is seeking volunteers in 2020 to help with rebuilding homes for the survivors of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on St. Croix.  We repair storm damaged roofs doing everything from repairs to complete replacements. We mostly assist homeowners who are low income senior citizens and persons with disabilities who cannot afford to rebuild. We also replace windows and doors, build wheelchair ramps, and install basic kitchens. All construction skill levels are welcome, however, we especially need people with roofing skills.

LDR provides housing, food, transportation, tools, building supplies, construction supervision and case management. We strive to make sure that volunteers can come and spend their time building while we take care of everything else.

We have been hosting volunteers since June 2018. We are hoping to continue rebuilding throughout 2020 as the need is still great.

Please consider forming a rebuilding mission team through your church, family or friends or come on your own. For more information, a copy of our FAQ, or applications, please contact Chris Finch, LDR Director, at stcroixrebuilding@lssvi.org

For more information on this volunteer opportunity, click here.
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
Announcements
7th Day 2020: Register Today!
7th Day is our annual overnight event for youth in 5th and 6th grades and their adult advisors. During the weekend participants are part if a “Shepherd Group” with other youth and adult leaders and explore a story of the Bible through drama, games, crafts, and music. For more information and to register for 7th Day, click here.
Renew 145
Renew 145 is an intentional effort to strengthen congregational vitality in the Virginia Synod by helping individuals and congregations focus on growing deeper in relationship with God, in relationship with one another and in relationship with their community.

In Renew 145, four to six lay leaders and a pastoral leader from a congregation will covenant to spend a year learning, practicing and experimenting to help strengthen the marks of congregational vitality in their context. The teams will participate in a series of retreats and dispersed learning opportunities and will work with a coach to help plan for action. The Cohort will launch with a retreat at March 6-7 at Eagle Eyrie. Other dates to be announced. Thanks to grant money from a Churchwide Congregational Vitality Grant, the cost per team will be $600 (which includes 2 overnight retreats for your team).

For more information about Renew 145, visit  vasynod.org/ministries/renew-145
Adult Faith Formation Retreat: Register Today!
Biblical Models of Leadership with presenter Dr. Jill Crainshaw March 20-21 at Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond. Registration is now open! For more information on the event and to register, click here.
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Discernment Days: February 16 – 17, 2020
Join Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary from February 16-17 to intentionally focused on slowing down and listening to what God may be calling us to next. Together with seminary professors and students, we will use conversation, worship, attending classes, and fellowship to open ourselves to the Spirit's leading. There is no cost to you for this event, and all meals and housing are provided. For more information and to register for this event, click here.
Germanna Women's Spring Conference
All Women in the Germanna Conference are invited to attend the Germanna Women's Spring Conference at Grace and Glory Lutheran Church 683 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. Palmyra, VA 22963 on Saturday, March 28, 2020 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This is an annual spring event where women engaged in ministry and action come together. The day offers worship, fellowship, education and time together to share ideas and the ministries that are taking place in our congregations.

The day begins with registration/light breakfast, continues with worship, and a program by Lutheran Family Services of Virginia (LFS). A special offering will be collected toward LFS summer camp scholarships to benefit group home residents. Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost for this event.

Please R.S.V.P. your congregation name and number attending to JoAnn Fawley at fawley6409@gmail.com.
WomanKind 2020 March 20-21, 2020
WomanKind’s 2020 theme Fearless Women of Faith explores and celebrates how God has inspired fearlessness in us. Join us March 20-21 at St. James’s, Richmond for our keynote sessions, workshops, and worship, where we will examine fearlessness in the face of injustice, violence against women, life transitions, the unknown, vulnerability, and even fear itself. We will look to our sacred stories in the Bible and our own personal stories, and ask for the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal and plant in us holy peace, courage and perseverance. Together, we will seek Christ’s healing, strength, and fearlessness. For more information and to register for this event, click here.
Updates and Upcoming Events at Caroline Furnace
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

Pre-Lenten Retreat, February 4-6
All are invited to join us for a time of discussion, preparation and fellowship before the Lenten season. Join us at Buttonwood Lodge to take a look at the Matthean gospel texts for the Sundays of Lent. Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged; all are welcome. Cost is $125 and includes two nights at Buttonwood Lodge, seven meals, and resource materials.
Job Opportunities
Job Opportunities can now be found on the Virginia Synod website at vasynod.org/job-opportunities If you have a position opening you would like posted, please email Emily Pilat at  pilat@vasynod.org