CARES Act inclusions and next steps in response to COVID-19

ELCA Advocacy breaks down elements of the (CARES Act), the third economic aid package passed March 27, 2020, and encourages us to these links to learn more about programs for eligible individuals seeking assistance.

“SNAP state directory of resources” – from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
“Unemployment benefits finder” – from careeronestop.org
“Applying for child support” – from the Office of Child Support Enforcement
“National energy assistance referral” – from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

ELCA Advocacy, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 3, 2020Comment

Post your #eastertogether sunrise photo on Easter morning

Let’s share #eastertogether photos. On Sunday, April 12, 2020, we will be an Easter people physically distanced from each other. Yet on that day, like every other day, we will welcome the rising sun and be grateful for God’s victory over death through Jesus Christ.

As you are able, take of a photo of Easter morning from your perspective. Share the photo on social media with the hashtag #eastertogether, and throw in #gcsynod while you’re at it.

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 2, 2020 Comment

How the CARES Act impacts churches and ministries

INJOY Stewardship Solutions provides a webinar, checklist, and loan aid calculator on their How the CARES Act impacts churches and ministries page.

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 2, 2020Comment

2020 SALCA Summer Camp cancelled

Southern Arizona Lutheran Camping Association regretfully announces the cancellation of the May 25-29, 2020 elementary and middle school camp.

Visit the website, www.mysalca.com for any future updates, including potential 2021 camp information. More questions? Contact Pastor Mark Perry, (formerly) the 2020 Camp Dean, pastor@selcaz.org, or 520-459-0444.

Brian FlatgardApril 2, 2020Comment

Daily Bread Grants available

ELCA World Hunger is announcing the immediate launch of Daily Bread Matching Grants. Through these grants, ELCA congregations can raise funds for their feeding ministries using an online fundraising platform and will receive a grant of $500 from ELCA World Hunger.

Up to 100 Daily Bread Matching Grants are available for ELCA congregations on a first-come, first-served basis, with the possibility of more grants becoming available in the future. Apply or donate here.

ELCA, ELCA World Hunger, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 2, 2020Comment

Pastor Pagel: Every little bit helps

For Pastor Jacqui Pagel, the story of the loaves and fishes reminds us that the seeds of today’s miracles are in the smallest of acts.

Pastor Jacqui, Stories of Hope, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 2, 2020 Comment

De-escalating hate toward a dynamic vision of unity

There’s too much “othering” today of people we don’t know or haven’t met. And, in a related way, awful hate speech abounds.

This commentary was prepared prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the situation has spawned additional hate speech or racist remarks and actions directed against, for example, Asian Americans and China.)

ELCA Advocacy, ELCABrian FlatgardApril 2, 2020Comment

COVID-19-related benefits for ELCA ministries and their employees

From the ELCA Public Health page, Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees is available (download PDF) , updated March 30, 2020.

Congress has passed three acts recently in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This summary focuses on the provisions of these acts that most directly affect churches and their employees and provides relevant resources.

ELCA, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Bishop Eaton video message: Be of good courage, dear church

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton encourages us to be of good courage while we move towards a Holy Week unlike any other.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

April 2020 Daily Prayer Ventures

These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.

ELCA, Prayers, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Six tips for fundraising through a pandemic

Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta shares six tips for congregations from a recent GSB Fundraising presentation.

Don’t stop inviting people to be generous.
Be in contact with your congregation’s top 10 givers.
Check in with the congregational council.
Transition to electronic giving.
Maintain offering time during online worship.
Communication is crucial.

Pastor Gomez-Acosta, Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Prayers for Pastor Scott Stein

Prayers for Pastor Scott Stein and his wife Marjean as they chart a course for his medical treatment. Pastor Stein is retired from Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Payson.

Prayers, High Country ConferenceBrian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Mount Cross PaysonComment

Peace Not Walls March Updates

From their ELCA blog, Peace Not Walls brings us three posts and messages:

Brian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Truer and more accurate picture of who we are with Census 2020

On this National Census Day, commit to complete your form – but also encourage the community as well! 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.

The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census. Use these voices of Lutheran leaders, also available on social media @ELCAadvocacy, to help encourage the most accurate count possible.

ELCA Advocacy, ELCABrian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Bishop Eaton's Women's History Month statement

Over the past month, we have observed Women's History Month in the United States, a time for celebrating, honoring and reflecting on the contributions of women to history. At the same time, we are living through the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Eaton, ELCABrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Practical steps when facing difficult decisions

The Global Leadership Network offers a series of free resources for leadership in a season of crisis.

“While we at the Global Leadership Network certainly make no claims of healthcare expertise, we recognize that sound leadership in a season of crisis can help prepare us for a new reality, solve difficult problems and provide hope.”

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Augsburg Fortress expands licensing for streaming worship services

From March 15 through May 31, 2020, you have permission to livestream or podcast ALL liturgy and music content under copyright to or administered by Augsburg Fortress when that content is being used for worship. No reporting is required.

Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Spirit of Hope offers Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class

Spirit of Hope Lutheran is offering the Dave Ramsey FPU class starting April 13th at 6 PM Mondays. View the flyer and sign up online at this link: fpu.com/1116428. Note that this class is now meeting online only.

Rio Salado Conference, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Spirit of Hope MesaComment

Mission Investment Fund and ELCA Federal Credit Union offer assistance

Eva M. Roby, President and CEO of the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, shares a letter of commitment and reminder that MIF stands with the Grand Canyon Synod. Read her letter here. If congregations have special needs at this time, please reach out to Amelia Dawkins, MIF’s Vice President for Lending, at Amelia.Dawkins@elca.org.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union is also prepared to offer similar assistance to its members at this time. Credit Union member pastors and congregations that may be facing hardship should contact the Credit Union at info@elcacu.org or visit www.elcafcu.org.

Leader Resources, Z Covid-19Brian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Faith Lens: Betrayed

It’s easy to feel betrayed watching people take the last two packages of toilet paper, leaving you with nothing.

COVID-19, you have left us feeling betrayed.

ELCABrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Faith LensComment

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