Twelve lay preachers were commissioned at Synod Assembly and Power in the Spirit this summer and are ready to come and preach at your congregation!

Please keep George Donovan, Laura Doughty, Janet Gomez, James Ingraham, Erich Lantz, David Mayersky, Sylvia Miles, Ray Riggin, Kristee Trumbo, Judith Wilfong, and Leon Zimmermann in your prayers as they embark on this new ministry.

The Virginia Synod wishes farewell and Godspeed to Tammy Kasper. Tammy has accepted a position with the City of Salem Treasurer Department that begins on September 1, 2023.

Tammy's last day in office will be tomorrow, Wednesday, August 23. You may share words of thanksgiving and well wishes with her via email at kasper@vasynod.org or via mail at Virginia Synod, c/o Tammy Kasper, PO Box 70, Salem, VA 24153.

Beyond Thoughts & Prayers:

A Commemoration of Moses the Black

August 28 – 7pm – Zoom

Moses the Black lived in the 4th century. He was, before his conversion, known as a robber and scoundrel. He was considered a worthless blight in his society. Hiding from local authorities, Moses appealed to Scetis monks to give him sanctuary. Observing their peace, contentment, and faith practice, Moses was baptized and became a dedicated member of their monastic community. Moses the Black became an example of faith through his actions even beyond peers and elders. His faith inspired his martyrdom, which saved his community. Moses the Black is commemorated for his life of faith on August 28th. To coincide with his commemoration, Tapestry invites you to gather to consider initiatives of Faith and Action. 

There have been 248 tragedies characterized as mass shootings in 2023. Sympathies for the victims and their families have been expressed by a call for our thoughts and prayers. Tapestry invites you on August 28th at 7:00 p.m. to join in brainstorming initiatives for our congregations, conferences, and synod that may support our communities with actions of faith beyond sympathies of thoughts and prayer. 

Wanting to generate and encourage a synod of missional activity, the Synod Council has set aside the funds from the sale of a former church property in Virginia Beach and the funds from the sale of property in Chesterfield to be used to create an ongoing source of mission grants for new expressions of ministry, the Virginia Synod Fund for Mission. A new expression of ministry could look like: a new worship location, a new worship style, a new feeding ministry, a new after school program, or a community faith formation event.  A new expression of ministry will involve sharing the gospel outside the walls and boundaries of existing congregations. A new expression of ministry would not typically include items like facility repairs or other activities which would in effect reach only current members of our congregations. The intent is for new neighborhoods, new communities, and new people to have access to the gospel through these grants.

The second grant cycle for 2023 is now open and a total of $15,000 will be awarded in grants. Applications are due by September 18, 2023. If you are interested applying, go to: https://vasynod.org/resources/vsfm/ for more information.

As part of the Care for Creation Tapestry Thread, you are invited to act individually or as a congregation in a unique way each week throughout the month of August.

This week's invitation is to: Reduce your carbon footprint by using less gas-powered vehicles for a week and see how much you can save on gas! Check out the website for Lutherans Restoring Creation for more ways to cut down on your carbon footprint.

You can view more resources from the Care for Creation Tapestry Thread here.

5 Petal Friday (5PF) This is a new bi-weekly (that’s every other week) newsletter from the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Virginia Synod ELCA. Each issue includes five items - one for each of the five petals of the Luther Rose: announcements, reminders, tips, celebrations, Q&A, and whatever else we can think of every time. Thanks to the many (okay, we didn't count, but it seemed like a lot) people who sent positive reviews on our first issue!

Save the Date Bishop Installation on October 21

Save the date for the Virginia Synod's Bishop Installation on Saturday, October 21. The installation will be at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro at 1:00 PM.

Click here for information on hotel blocks that have been made.

This Year Marks the 10th Anniversary of

“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday!

On Sunday, September 10, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service. “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA’s 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has the resources you need to plan and promote your day.

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place.

Join us in celebrating 10 years on Sept. 10!

Lutheran Visit Day

at Roanoke College

Calling all Virginia Synod High Schoolers and their families! Join Synod Youth Director Dave Delaney on Saturday, September 2nd to learn more about your Lutheran college located on the territory of the Virginia Synod at Roanoke College Lutheran Visit Day!

Pre-registration is not required but will help us plan if we know you’re coming and how many in your family will be with you.

For questions or additional information please contact either Pastor Dave Delaney at the Virginia Synod Office (delaney@vasynod.org; office: 540-529-6893; cell: 550-529-6893) or Roanoke College Admissions at 540-375-2270

Friends of the Archives Banquet

The annual Friends of the Archives Banquet will be celebrated on September 29, 2023 in Columbia SC at the Survey Print Building. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. This year's honorees include the Virginia Synod, ELCA; Bishop Robert Humphrey, Virginia Synod; and Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester, Virginia.

Please register by clicking here and selecting "Banquet". Tickets are $45 each. If you would like to include an honorarium, please include the name(s) of the individual(s) to be honored in the comments.

'This Is How We Die' Sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association

Nurses often have the privilege of supporting someone who is dying and/or their family. At those times, the goal is to provide comfort and compassion in the dying process. This series will better equip the nurse to offer care and presence to an individual and family during the dying process. 

Anyone is welcome to attend nurses, healthcare providers, clergy, chaplains, and/or congregants. We all want to know how to be present to those who are dying and are on their home-going journey and their families. All sessions are via Zoom, and when one registers, they will receive the Zoom link. 

This is a three-part series from 7-9 PM ET and the dates are:

• September 11 - The Natural Process of Dying from Disease and Old Age
• September 18 - The Labor of Dying
• September 25 - Integrating Content into Practice: Questions and Thoughts (this session will be a 90-minutes)