Weekly Update
Announcements From Around the Virginia Synod
Transition Team Appointed to Prepare for the 2017 Bishop Election

This year Bishop James Mauney officially announced that he will be retiring after his current term as Bishop of the Virginia Synod ends in May of 2017. This news has led to appreciation for our gifted leader as well as for the years that Bishop Mauney has dedicated to the Church. The announcement has also been a catalyst for conversations about the process of electing a new Bishop and the transition to new leadership.

During the 2015 Virginia Synod Assembly, held at Roanoke College, Resolution 2 was passed which encouraged the Synod Council to create a process that will provide a plan for the upcoming election and transition before the 2016 Virginia Synod Assembly.

In response to that resolution, Synod Council asked members of our Synod to be a part of a Transition Team. Blythe Scott, the new secretary of the Synod Council, will serve as the leader of this team.

"Each member of this team is willingly giving of their time and talents to be a part of something much bigger than any one individual," said Blythe Scott. "We are blessed to have such wise counsel from across the Synod."

 "I ask that our Synod keep me and the entire transition team in their prayers as we seek to provide a transparent framework for the very large tasks that have been asked of us to perform," she said.

The transition committee is comprised of members from each conference who were carefully selected by the Synod Council:

                        Central Valley: Rev. Karen Van Stee
                        Germanna:  Steve Fredericksen
                        Highlands: Elizabeth Smythe
                        New River:  Dr. Jody Smiley
                        Northern Valley: Rev. Jim Utt
                        Page:  Mark Reed
                        Peninsula:  Rev. Larry Shoberg
                        Richmond:  Rev. Lou Florio
                        Southern:  Robert Yates
                        Southern Valley: Rev. Karen Taylor
                        Tidewater:  Charles Poston
                        Youth/Young Adult: Maren Corliss

Top row from left to right: Rev. E. Roy Riley (Bishop Emeritus of the New Jersey Synod),  Rev. Lou Florio, Rev. Jim Utt,  Mark Reed, Rev. Larry Shoberg. Middle row from left to right: Elizabeth Smythe, Jody Smiley, Charles Poston, Steve Fredericksen, Robert (Bob) Yates. Bottom row from left to right: Rev. Karen Van Stee, Rebecca Walls (Office Manager of the Virginia Synod), Maren Corliss, Blythe Scott. 

The first Transition Team Meeting was held on November 7th in Waynesboro where the team met with Rev. E. Roy Riley, Bishop Emeritus of the New Jersey Synod, a person who knows firsthand what it looks like to make the transition to a new Bishop.

A large part of the first meeting was devoted to understanding the scope and details of the assignment that has been given to this team. In January the Transition Team will present a preliminary report to the Synod Council which will outline the group's future steps and tasks.

In the coming month the Synod can expect to see news and updates on the Virginia Synod website, so please be sure to stay engaged with this process - it will be important that we all stay informed as the days and months come to pass.
Announcements
Lutheran Campus Ministry Retreat
All college students are invited to attend the Lutheran Campus Ministry and Friends Retreat, February 19-20, 2016, at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg, VA. Join college students from all across the state to connect with old friends and meet many new ones! The retreat starts Friday evening and ends Saturday after lunch. For more information and to register by February 8, please CLICK HERE
2016 Trip to Germany
 

There will be a 9 day trip to Germany endorsed by the North Carolina Synod and co-sponsored by the Virginia Synod ACTS in 2016. Inlcudes Basic Tour & Guided Sightseeing, Roundtrip International Airfare from cities listed (Additional baggage & optional fees may apply, see fine print for details) Fuel Surcharges and Government Taxes (Subject to Change) . Admin. Fees, Entrance Fees, Gratuities & Program Fees . Daily Buffet Breakfast & Dinner . Deluxe Motorcoaches . First Class Hotels and Much, Much More!
Click here to see the full brochure with registration information. If you would like a brochure mailed to you, please email milton@vasynod.org

AGAPE and RACHEL KURTZ in Concert in Harrisonburg
Agape and Rachel Kurtz are coming to Muhlenberg Lutheran in Harrisonburg on January 9th at 7:00pm. AGAPE and Rachel Kurtz are singers, songwriters, and speakers who will have shared their faith and talent at many of the ELCA National Youth Gatherings and churches across the country. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun! Tickets are $5 at the door and children 4 and under are free. 
Job Opportunities

All posts can also be found online at www.vasynod.org/job-opportunities. If you have job opening you would like posted, email fuller@vasynod.org. 
Job Opportunity:
Director of Ministry to Children, Youth, and Families in Moneta, VA

TRINITY ECUMENICAL PARISH in Moneta, VA seeks an energetic and enthusiastic person of integrity who is dedicated to engaging children, youth, and families in a life giving transformative faith. Click here for a list of competencies and job description and go to www.smltep.org for information on Trinity. Interested candidates should send a resume including educational training and ministry experience, a cover letter explaining your vision for children, youth and family ministry and references to blfuzi@centurylink.netby 12/15/15.

Do You have an announcement, upcoming event or news story Idea? Send it to fuller@vasynod.org!
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