Each month, the Office of the Bishop staff has 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 in the last month.

Congratulations to Bishop-Elect Bryan Penman, who was elected as the new Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania last weekend. Pastor Penman is a child of the Virginia Synod who grew up attending Virginia Synod Youth Events.

Come join Pastor CeCee Mills, the keynote

speaker, as she highlights the risk demanded

by discipleship - bidding us to consider how

God might also be calling us “for such a time as

this.”

Come join Pastor Heidi Neumark, our Bible study leader, as she celebrates Esther's leadership growth, inviting us also to recognize the gifts which God has given us.

Come join Michael Benshish, our music leader, as he invites us to live into the theme

musically as we sing together: "Perhaps you have been chosen for such a time as this!"He will lead us once again in a Jazz Mass for Friday evening worship.

The event is open for all ages and includes an option for a child's program for ages 3-10. Join us at Roanoke College on June 13-15 for Power in the Spirit!

The Rev. CeCee Mills

Keynote Speaker

The Rev. Heidi Neumark

Bible Study Leader

Michael Benshish

Musician

Register for Launch

Registration is open for LAUNCH, the Virginia Synod's 4 day event for just-graduated from high school seniors. The dates will be July 7-11, 2024 (Sunday evening to Thursday noon) at Roanoke College. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Dave Delaney at delaney@vasynod.org.

Register for Youth Assembly

The Virginia Synod and the Synod's Lutheran Youth Organization Board will be offering our Youth Assembly for 7-12 graders and adults who come with them on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 9:30 am-3:30 pm! The event will allow youth to gather at one of four places around the synod and be linked via Zoom for our workshop, singing, and discussions! The four locations are:

The locations are:

• Christ the King, Richmond
• College, Salem
• Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg
• Trinity, Newport News

More information about cost, who attends, and registration click here.

Register for Kairos

KAIROS is the Virginia Synod's summertime, week-long faith-sharing event for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the fall. It is held at Roanoke College in Salem, VA and is especially for young people who are already committed to a life of faith to be part of a unique Christian community for an entire week, to have a fresh experience of the grace and presence of God in that community, and to develop habits for discipleship that can be taken home as they live out their baptismal call to be followers of Jesus.

(“Kairos” is the New Testament Greek word for “special time.” It is used whenever God’s people want to talk about a time of change, of renewal, of God’s special work in the believer and the community.)

This year's event will be June 23-28 (Sunday evening to Friday noon).

Roanoke College Class of 2024 

Roanoke College presented degrees to 406 students during its Commencement ceremony held on May 4. The awarding of diplomas included 178 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 145 Bachelor of Science degrees, 73 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees and — in a major milestone for campus — 10 Master of Business Administration degrees earned by the first graduating class of Roanoke’s new 4+1 MBA program. 

Gazing out over the crowd of graduates, President Frank Shushok Jr. said he’s been continually inspired by their passion and curiosity. He’s also noticed within them a secret superpower: an instinct to care deeply about others and share in the type of empathy that can expand minds, warm hearts and change whole communities for the better. 

"That’s how hope gets loose in the world. That’s how you build a life of purpose. That’s how you leave a legacy. That’s why you are our superpower," Shushok said. 

"I truly believe you are going to take the world by storm — investing, inventing, tackling huge problems and strengthening just about everything in our culture." 

The Class of 2024 hails from 27 states and 12 countries. From all corners of the world, they converged here at Roanoke College to learn, grow and discover their purpose. 

The Rev. Chris Bowen, Dean of the Chapel

President Frank Shushok Jr.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Lily Harmison

Lily has been active in Virginia Synod Youth Ministry ever since she served on the Seventh Day planning group, attending every event she could through her high school years. She was a member of the Roanoke College class that had to start during COVID, but once her class was in-person on campus, she jumped right in to Campus Ministry and Synod Youth Ministry, working closely with me in the Bishop's Office, serving twice as my summer youth ministry intern and during the school year as the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop staff assistant, including as designer of our current youth ministry newsletter, "Five Petal Friday." We'll all miss her presence in Bittle Hall, but I'll especially miss her wonderful work and delightful friendship. - Pastor Dave Delaney

Congratulations and blessings on your next chapter! All the synod staff will miss you!

Virginia Synod Women's Organization Annual Convention

VSWO annual convention registration is open! It will take place on July 26-27, 2024 at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Norge. Bishop Milton will be present and will preach during the opening worship service. For more information on the gathering click the link below and register today!

2024 marks the 500th anniversary of the start of the Deutscher Bauernkrieg, also known as the "German Peasant's War" or "Uprise of the Common Person." In this webinar, we will examine the role of protest and rebellion in creating social change. We will hear presentations from the Rev. Danielle Dokman and the Rev. Dr. Anthony Bateza, as well as have a time of questions and answers. The webinar will be moderated by the ELCA Wittenberg Center Coordinator, the Rev. Bridget Gautieri (she/her). This webinar will be offered in both English and Spanish.