Adult Faith Formation

Use the Tabs and Links below to access Adult Faith Formation resources from the Virginia Synod.

Fall 2022 Faith Formation Opportunities

Book Study: Save Us by Katherine Hayhoe – Discussion led by Deacon Phyllis Cox

Thursdays in October (Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27)

Individuals and congregations are invited to read Katherine Hayhoe’s book, Saving Us. Hayhoe is an evangelical Christian who is a climate scientist. Sessions will be recorded and shared with those who register.

Register Now

Women in the Gospel of John
Bible Study by Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick
Now available to stream!
The Gospel of John is filled with stories of Jesus’ encounters with women – Mary, the Mother of Jesus; Martha of Bethany; the Samaritan woman at the well; Mary Magdalene; and many others. From these experiences, we learn much about Jesus (Martha tells us he is “the Messiah, the Son of God”!) and much about how Jesus calls us all to follow, to witness, and to lead (Mary Magdalene is the first to proclaim: “I have seen the Lord!”). Expanded from Pastor Kelly’s Power in the Spirit Workshop, this study invites participants to dig deeper.

 

Women in the Gospel of John outline:

  1. Introduction to the Gospel of John / women in John (John 1.1-18)
  2. Living Water – the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4.4-42)
  3. You are the Messiah – Martha of Bethany (John 11)
  4. Go and Tell – Mary Magdalene (John 20.1-18)
  5. Here is your Mother (John 19.16-30) / Born from Above (John 3.1-21)

Videos:

Extra Resources:

Coming Soon

Class on Faith Practices taught by the Rev. Brenda Smith, former Director of Faith Practices for the ELCA.

2021 Faith Formation Opportunities

The Fall 2021 Adult Faith Formation offering was “Confessions of a Lutheran: Reformation Remix.” This four-week experience will include TED Talks from Dr. Vince Evener remixed into a playlist with biblical passages, hymns, art, poetry, and more.  Use the links below to access the information from the class.
Dr. Vince Evener is Associate Professor of Reformation and Luther Studies at United Lutheran Seminary.  He has taught at United Lutheran Seminary since 2015, after completing his doctorate at the University of Chicago Divinity School. His research examines how sixteenth-century reformers sought to equip Christians to exercise discernment and self-discipline in divided religious contexts and amid pervasive fear of deception. You can learn more about Dr. Evener and his publications at: https://www.unitedlutheranseminary.edu/faculty-staff/vincent-evener.

All ages are invited into a synod-wide faith formation experience: Our Journey to Emmaus. Participants will engage the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24) in seven movements over seven Sundays beginning on May 2. Each weekly email will have a portion of the story, reflections for all ages, and movement activities for all types of bodies. You can sign up for weekly emails here. You may participate with your congregation or ministry or on your own. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Kelly Bayer Derrick (bayerderrick@vasynod.org).

Click here for the webpage with the information from Journey to Emmaus.

The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
Assistant the the Bishop,, Virginia Synod, ELCA
bayerderrick@vasynod.org

540.389.1000