ELCA Coaching Ministry is hosting a free virtual meeting: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19. Recordings of presentations and follow-up documents can be found at elcacoaching.org.
Sharing Our Grief and Our Hope with Those We Serve
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 1:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/180439412, Meeting ID: 180 439 412
The Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The key message right now is: It has never been easier to respond to the census on your own—whether online at 2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker.
Promotion of census participation is important, particularly to support challenges like the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Read MoreBuilding on their experience combating the spread of Ebola in places where they are one of the only relief organizations left on the ground, Lutheran World Relief is applying lessons learned and utilizing proven systems already in place.
As governments restrict travel to and from affected countries, LWR staff is in place continuing their lifesaving work to slow the spread of the coronavirus, working with Christian health association partners across the African continent.
Read MoreRemember in prayer congregations and communities that are preparing for spring and summer storms and living with the uncertainty of what this year will bring. Pray that God will protect them, equip them to respond and calm their anxiety.
Read MoreOn March 29, Lutherans commemorate Hans Nielsen Hauge, a lay Lutheran who in early 19th century Norway was imprisoned for years for illegally leading worship in people’s homes. Yet here we are, two hundred years later, encouraging all members of God’s family to join together through home worship!
In this time of world-wide crisis, congregations throughout this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. While we cannot be together in person, we can hear the word of God and hold each other in prayer. We offer this brief resource as an aid for prayer in the home every Sunday: blogs.elca.org/worship
Read MoreLifelong Christian Formation at Virginia Seminary offers a video and resources on Triduum Under Quarantine: Planning Holy Week Services That Honor Social Distancing.
The Rev. James Farwell, Ph.D., and Lisa Kimball, Ph.D., help imagine (and plan for) Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Great Vigil of Easter when congregations cannot assemble in person. Find all the resources, documents and notes at bit.ly/HolyWeekResources.
Read MoreWe pray for the family of Pastor Ben Bergren of Community Lutheran, Las Vegas, as they grieve the death of Ben's mother, and live separated across state lines during this time of physical distancing. His wife, Rachel Rochford Bergren, remains in California.
Read MoreFor local information and for recommendations on community actions designed to limit exposure to COVID-19, check with your state and local public health authorities, following the link to find your state, county, city, and tribal health organizations.
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Public Health page, Prayers for Times of Public Health Concern: COVID-19/Coronavirus are available in English and Spanish.
These prayers and prayer suggestions may be used or adapted as needed. Know that your local context may lead to additional prayers that reflect local needs and situations. The conclusion of the prayers may be easily adapted when included as part of the prayers of intercession.
Read MoreELCA presiding bishop Elizabeth Eaton extends an invitation to join in the Lord's Prayer on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at noon local time.
I am writing to extend an invitation we have received from Pope Francis, through the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches, to join in the Lord's Prayer on March 25, 2020 at noon your local time. Please share this invitation through your synods, congregations, ecumenical communities and individual networks.
Read MoreBishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreWhile we may not be meeting in person, the church is gathering, worshiping, and praying more than ever. Please share all the ways you are gathering and being church together. We will post your information on the gcsynod.org website (the page will be published soon).
Use our online resource form, or email Brian Flatgard directly: bflatgard@gcsynod.org. Be sure to include web links and how often these events will be recurring. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know changes as we move forward.
Read MoreFrom the ELCA Public Health page, Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns is available in English and Spanish (updated March 20, 2020).
When worshiping together in person is not advised or prohibited by municipal/state government, leaders are facing circumstances they have likely not encountered. This resource is offered to help consider how we are the body of Christ together when we cannot gather in-person for worship.
Read MoreIs the Coronavirus really a threat to ordinary Americans? Do we actually need to take the inconvenient prevention measures many health and government officials suggest (staying at home, cancelling group events, keeping a distance between yourself and others, etc.)? Why or why not?
Read MorePresident Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines to help protect Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak. Download the Coronavirus guideline: English | Español
Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others. Everyone can do their part. The new recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy staff attended White House coronavirus briefings for faith leaders that provide access to public health experts’ advice for religious communities.
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list from The Partnership Center, Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS Partnership Center) was also highlighted during the Mar. 19 briefing and may be helpful in our ministry settings. Download the FAQs here.
Read MoreLutheran Disaster Response is working with partners around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreYou’ve probably never wondered how many tables and chairs it takes to make a Gathering
happen. Me either! Well, until I said yes to serving as the Operations Team Leader for the 2018
ELCA Youth Gathering. (For the record we used 9,555 chairs and 750 tables of varying sizes.)
Bishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreWe can say, today, that women are free. Free to do. Free to dress. Free to decide. They should not need protection. Yet it is apparent that even today in the 21st century they still do. As Jesus protected them in his comment about divorce. (En Español)
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