Strong Connections:

ELCA Churchwide Organization Assembly Video

2024 Virginia Synod Assembly Takes Place on Zoom

(Photo from Grace, Winchester)

Over 300 Lutherans around the Virginia Synod gathered online via Zoom for the 2024 Virginia Synod Assembly. The Synod welcomed The Rev. Tim Brown, Director of Congregational Stewardship of the ELCA, as our Churchwide Representative. The Assembly theme was Strong Connections, We, too -the many – are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One [Christ]. Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone. – The Voice Translation (Romans 12:5). You can see a few photos from congregations viewing the Assembly in the header above and you can view the whole assembly by clicking here.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

(Shared by by Carolyn Robinson, Community Outreach Team, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lynchburg, VA)

Isaiah 117 Homes provide physical and emotional support in safe and loving homes for children awaiting foster care placement. These children often have no belongings with them and are scared, lonely and hungry.  They don’t know where they are going and are experiencing the trauma of being suddenly taken away from the only parents they know even if they have abused or neglected the children. The pace of finding a placement may be very slow. The mission of an Isaiah 117 home is to drastically change this scenario.  Rather than having children wait in an office for an indefinite period in a Social Services building while the caseworker is making calls in search of a foster home, Isaiah 117 provides a safe and comfortable alternative for the children. Isaiah 117 homes are furnished with children of all ages in mind including the furnishings, toys, books, pajamas, clothing, and backpacks. The mission of Isaiah 117 homes is to reduce trauma for children awaiting placement, lighten the load for child welfare services, and ease the transition for foster families.

Virginia Synod Lay Preacher Gather Online

The Virginia Synod is blessed to have a group of amazingly faithful and abundantly gifted commissioned lay preachers who gathered recently on Zoom for mutual support and continued learning. These lay preachers are available to serve as a supply preacher for congregations around the Synod. You can find their information on the Virginia Synod website at: https://vasynod.org/resources/pulpit-supply/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can see who is available in your conference.

Celebrating Two Installations

The Rev. Brian Riddle's installation at St. Michael, Virginia Beach on Sunday, April 14.

The Rev. Kristen Van Stee's installation at Mt. Zion, New Market on Sunday, April 21.

Seasons of Holy Discernment

The following article was originally published in the April 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo. You can learn more about Stories of Faith in Action like these at: https://www.livinglutheran.org/sofia/.

Do you wonder if God is calling you into ministry? Are others sure ministry is your call, still, you are not personally sure? Candidacy committees have walked alongside leaders for generations, exploring these questions, yet many wonder if more is needed to facilitate deep holy discernment. 

The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod Candidacy Committee decided to explore this idea. They were concerned about seeing an increasing number of postponements and denials and determined they needed to create a unique discernment process. At the same time, the Virginia Synod wondered about better supporting candidates. The two synods realized they need not work in silos but would rather lean into partnering in this “discernment cohort” model.  

The discernment cohort invites anyone in the Metro D.C. and Virginia synods who is feeling a call to ministry or is looking for a space to engage in holy listening, discernment and pondering. The cohort meets online once a month for six months and explores Scripture and discernment questions. It reads books and requires participants to bring a discernment partner; some bring their pastor, a friend, a parent, a sibling or another member of the church. These partners are integral to the process as they meet outside the monthly meeting, join in prayer and act much like a coach. 

Some have been skeptical of requiring an added six months to an already extensive seminary and candidacy process. Don’t we need more ministry leaders as soon as we can get them? It turns out that the Metro D.C. and Virginia synods are now requiring all candidates to go through the discernment cohort. They have found that deep intentional discernment makes for a more faithful, confident candidate who, though they may question and stress through the process, has been able to walk with others and have holy discussions that guide their decisions. The cohorts bring people together to realize they are not alone but are creating each other’s stories of discernment in this time of exploration.

Both synods are delighted that since beginning these cohorts, there have been no postponements or denials. Plenty of participants have determined that rostered ministry is not for them but have gained a deeper understanding of God’s call for them. Synod facilitators have been grateful for the time shared in partnership, the reminder to deeply and maybe slowly discern, but also found the process has given them a hopefulness for the ministry of the gospel and the life of the church. 

Summer Power in the Spirit 2024

Summer Power in the Spirit will take place from

Thursday, June 13, 2024 to Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Use the link below to learn more about this year's event and to register. The registration deadline is May 29.

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