The Top 15 Moments of 2015
We’ve had a pretty incredible year in the Virginia Synod! Now that 2016 is here we thought we would pause to reflect back and celebrate fifteen of the great moments of 2015: 15. Synod [...]
On Diversity & Inclusion: History Lessons, Threats, & Christmas
I am an assistant wrestling coach at a local high school in Virginia Beach. This past Thursday, after getting home from practice, I got a phone call from a number in Harrisonburg. Curious, I picked [...]
Christmas Message From Bishop Mauney
"All is calm, all is bright." (Some are calm, some are bright) "He has filled the hungry with good things" (Lots are still hungry, children in Virginia, Syrian and Sudanese refugees, children fleeing El Salvador, [...]
The Joy of Christmas
Grown women riding bicycles down the aisles of Walmart--that's the joy of Christmas. Those same women buying the bicycles as Christmas gifts for two girls they will never meet--that's the joy of Jesus. [...]
Bible Study by Sarah Krell
Bible study this morning is by Sarah Krell, the elder daughter of Pastor Chip Gunsten, who died on December 11. She has asked each year for this week of the year to write a devotion [...]
An Open Letter From Bishop Eaton to the Muslim American Community
On December 11, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton released an open letter to the Muslim American Community that we have made available to you: Dear Muslim Sisters and Brothers, Grace and peace to you. I [...]
“Who’s My Neighbor?” Part Two: A Neighborly Christmas
This is the second of three articles written for the Virginia Synod by Dr. Mary Sue Dreier, the speaker of the 2015 Synod Assembly for the theme of "Knowing Your Congregational Neighborhood to Do God's [...]
Yorktown to Ecuador: “A Kind of Visit Made in the Love that God Is”
Vicar Suzanne with her new friends from Ecuador "From the moment I stepped foot onto the concrete playground of the Refugio, I was embraced by a multitude of beautiful souls; the youngest [...]
Transition Team Formed to Prepare for 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 [...]
“Who’s My Neighbor?” Part One: The Neighbor in the Neighborhood By: Mary Sue Dreier
This is a guest article written by Dr. Mary Sue Dreier, one of our keynote speakers for the 2016 Virginia Synod Assembly. Dr. Dreier is the Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Missional Leadership as [...]