Enjoy the 2023 Virginia Synod, ELCA Yearbook

Advent and Christmas Around the Virginia Synod

Pictured above left to right and top to bottom: First English, Richmond; Grace, Waynesboro; Good Shepherd, Lexington; Zion, Floyd; Good Shepherd, Virginia Beach; First, Norfolk; Grace, Winchester; St. Mark, Roanoke; and Christ, Fredericksburg

Trinity, Stephens City Makes an Impact

(Shared by Pastor JMe Lowden)

Trinity, Stephens City undertook a Christmas food box and gift distribution. With its partners (other small local churches), Trinity provided food for two weeks, including hams, to over 68 families, and provided gifts for over 83 children and youth through our Angel Tree. The families are identified by school counselors and principles of 9 area schools. The giving tree was then transformed into a "Tree of Warmth" with donated hats, gloves, scarves, etc. to be given to area warming shelters and the Laurel Center, a shelter for those fleeing situations of physical or sexual abuse. The picture shows Kim Begnaud, Trinity's Social Ministry Coordinator, with the Tree of Warmth.

Serving As A Synod Authorized Minister

(Shared by Martin Paulson)

Hello, my name is Martin Paulson and I am a Synod Authorized Minister (SAM) at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, Virginia. I have been a SAM for two and half years. In that time my faith has continued to grow and get stronger as I have learned to turn more situations over to God. At the same my faith has changed in that I now seem more attuned to the suffering in our community and the world. You would think that would be depressing, but the opposite has happened. I am sad about all the suffering, but to me it is not a burden, I have great joy in being able to help others. I can say the same for Shiloh Lutheran. We as a church are now involved in more service projects than I can ever remember the church being involved in. We as a congregation seem to be stronger and more supportive, not only for those in church, but also those in the world. It isn’t really a question of what I/we can do, but rather what God can do through us, as individuals and as a church. Being a SAM at Shiloh Lutheran has been an honor and privilege. I have encountered sadness and over whelming joy. I thank God for allowing me to sense it all.

Connecting Around the Synod

During the Advent season, the Office of the Bishop staff had the opportunity to connect with congregations around the Synod for worship and for conversations around the call process. Take a look at these photos from those connections and from a Synod Staff retreat.

Serving Boldly Lay Leadership Award Nominations Open

The Virginia Synod Council (ELCA) seeks to recognize and honor the individuals who serve as tireless volunteers and lay leaders across the Commonwealth of Virginia both within their local congregations and within the larger community of the church without walls. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that the Virginia Synod Council (ELCA) announces a call for nominations for the third annual Serving Boldly Lay Leadership Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of lay leaders. One award may be presented within each of the five partnerships during the 2024 Power in the Spirit event. The partnerships are:

• Coastal Partnership (Tidewater, and The Peninsula – including Gloucester and Kilmarnock)
• Piedmont Partnership (Richmond, and Germanna)
• Valley Partnership (Northern Valley, Central Valley, and Page)
• Blue Ridge Partnership (Southern Valley, and Southern)
• Appalachia Partnership (New River, and Highlands)

Beginning on December 1, 2023 nominations may be submitted to the Synod office. All nominations must be received not later than March 1, 2024. Use the link below for more information on how to make a nomination.