The companion synod relationship that was established between the VA Synod, ELCA and the New Guinea Islands District of Papua New Guinea, ELC-PNG in 1989 exists to strengthen one another for the life and mission church through prayer, study, communication and exchange of persons and resources.  It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ offers us today and calls us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as individual persons and as a community of faith.  Quite simply, it is about building Christian relationships.

 

	National Flag of Papua New Guinea

 

The VA Synod is the ELCA companion to the Islands District of Papua New Guinea.  The PNG Islands District is made up of the West and East New Britain Provinces, Bougainville Island and the New Ireland Province. They are islands off the East coast of PNG. Kimbe, Rabaul and Kavieng are primary congregation locations.

Congregation-to-Congregation Partnerships 

Following the Virginia Synod’s 2002 visit to the NGI District of Papua New Guinea (PNG),
the Global Mission Committee asked Virginia Congregations if they would like to be assigned a companion congregation in PNG.  Fourteen (14) congregations said “yes” and were assigned a partner.  These relationships are in varying stages of development and are listed below:

St. Lukes Culpeper – Trinity, Kimbe
Zion/St.Mark, Floyd-Willis Parish – Nahavio, Kimbe
Holy Trinity, Lynchburg – Bethel, Kimbe
Christ Roanoke – Buvissi, Kimbe
St. John Winchester – Mt. Zion, Kimbe
St. Michael Blacksburg – Soi, Bialla
Our Redeemer Petersburg – Welolo, Bialla
Our Saviour, Warrenton – Shepherd, Bialla
Trinity Newport News – Kavieng Lutheran Kavieng
Peace Clarksville – Herevat, Kokopo
Muhlenberg Harrisonburg – Kerevat Lutheran Student Assoc.
St. Mark Luray – Kokopo Lutheran, Kokopo
Epiphany Richmond – Rabaul Lutheran, Rabaul
Lakeside Lake Gaston NC – Havangoi, Rabaul