Welcome to Do Justice, a semi-monthly newsletter of the Virginia Synod, lifting up God’s call and command that we, God’s people, do justice. You will find helpful info about justice ministries in congregations, around Virginia, and through the ELCA. If you have stories of justice to share from your congregation, please share those with me at bayerderrick@vasynod.org so I can share them with others in the synod!
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
Assistant to the Bishop
Emergency Food Assistance Program Information for COVID-19
In connection with Governor Northam’s Executive Order 55, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is loosening income eligibility requirements for the Emergency Food Assistance Program to increase access during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Federation of Virginia Food Banks, representing seven regional food banks, is standardizing low- and no-touch distribution, pre-boxed items, and drive-through distribution mechanisms.You can learn more at vafoodbanks.org .
Anyone in need of social services can call 211 for Virginia’s hotline for information on all social services available. You can find more information at www.211virginia.org/consumer/index.php
Daily Bread Matching Grants


Devotional for Life During COVID-19
Built around “Faith 5”, Pandemic Hope is a Devotional for families that focuses on the new realities we are all living in each day. It provides daily readings and activities for 8 weeks to work along side those who you are isolating alongside. To read and download this devotional, click here.
Census 2020: A Truer and More Accurate Picture of Who We Are
April 1st was National Census Day. Commit to complete your form – but also encourage the community as well! Undercounting is a significant issue among groups which benefoit most form anti-poverty programs and from greater representation in decision-making. “Hard to count” individuals in census experience include persons residing in rural areas, young children, LGBTQIA persons,m people experiencing homelessness, people who do not speak English, indigenous peoples and racial and ethnic minorities.
“An accurate count ensures that resources more justly go where they are needed most. It is also critical for representation I the political process as census information determines electoral maps,” says the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Director of ELCA Advocacy. Before in-person census takers are scheduled to facilitate this once-every-10-years count, let’s encourage everyone we can to complete the census online, by mail or by phone – accessed at 2020census.gov.