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Response to COVID-19 from ELCA presiding bishop3/27/2020 6:15:00 PM
Dear church,
The last couple of weeks have been trying ones for everyone across this church. Our synods, congregations and ministries are facing challenges that they’ve never faced before. Being church together means more now than ever before.
The churchwide office is launching a comprehensive Covid-19 response across the ELCA beginning today. We have three new approaches designed to provide several levels of support for our most vulnerable congregations and ministries. These three approaches are Daily Bread Grants, Here to Serve, and the Covid-19 Response Appeal.
DAILY BREAD GRANTS
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.
HERE TO SERVE
The churchwide organization is inherently a resource in support of the members, congregations, synods and partners of the ELCA. During this time, Domestic Mission will pivot to a project-based, service-oriented structure so this church knows we are here to serve. By the first week of April, we will launch a chat function on ELCA.org along with an 800 hotline for prayer, support and questions that will be answered by our staff. As soon as these channels are live, we will let you know.
COVID-19 RESPONSE APPEAL
It’s more important now than ever to support our church across the country through these difficult times. We will begin to raise funds to support our congregations, ministries and synods. This effort will launch the week of March 30 via email and social media with a special form online to donate.
In addition to our new three-pronged response, our work continues in providing and updating resources on ELCA.org/publichealth. We are also still at work in the world. Our global mission work continues and grows in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are working with our global companions to provide support where we can. Learn more about that here.
I am proud to say that even during challenging times, we continue our service in living out the mission of this church: Together in Jesus Christ we are freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly and serve joyfully.
Peace and be well,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Dear church,
The last couple of weeks have been trying ones for everyone across this church. Our synods, congregations and ministries are facing challenges that they’ve never faced before. Being church together means more now than ever before.
The churchwide office is launching a comprehensive Covid-19 response across the ELCA beginning today. We have three new approaches designed to provide several levels of support for our most vulnerable congregations and ministries. These three approaches are Daily Bread Grants, Here to Serve, and the Covid-19 Response Appeal.
DAILY BREAD GRANTS
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.
HERE TO SERVE
The churchwide organization is inherently a resource in support of the members, congregations, synods and partners of the ELCA. During this time, Domestic Mission will pivot to a project-based, service-oriented structure so this church knows we are here to serve. By the first week of April, we will launch a chat function on ELCA.org along with an 800 hotline for prayer, support and questions that will be answered by our staff. As soon as these channels are live, we will let you know.
COVID-19 RESPONSE APPEAL
It’s more important now than ever to support our church across the country through these difficult times. We will begin to raise funds to support our congregations, ministries and synods. This effort will launch the week of March 30 via email and social media with a special form online to donate.
In addition to our new three-pronged response, our work continues in providing and updating resources on ELCA.org/publichealth. We are also still at work in the world. Our global mission work continues and grows in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are working with our global companions to provide support where we can. Learn more about that here.
I am proud to say that even during challenging times, we continue our service in living out the mission of this church: Together in Jesus Christ we are freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly and serve joyfully.
Peace and be well,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport announces several changes to operations in the Synod due to the coronavirus pandemic, based on updated guidance from health officials and the churchwide office, and consultation with staff.
“As your bishop, I recommend that we suspend our in-person gatherings until further notice,” the bishop said in a video message to the synod. Limiting public gatherings can slow the spread of the highly contagious virus, which protects those most vulnerable to the disease as well as the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and others who care for them.
The bishop announced several operational changes for synod staff and programs:
(We will create a collection of stories of how you are adapting to this crisis, so we can learn from each other. Please send your stories of creative gathering or service to your neighbors to Pastor Bob Fisher at rfisher@sepa.org.
“Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod serves her community so well,” the bishop said. “Yes, we’ve been shut down…but we have been encouraged in the midst of the change to hold on to our one consistent…that God is faithful.”
“In the midst of everything that is going on, we are reminded to watch and to pray. We’re reminded in all things that we should give thanks to God,” the bishop said. “So today, I give thanks to you. I give thanks for your heart, mind and desire to love God, to love your neighbor, and also to serve your neighbor.
. Visit the website: www.ministrylink.org
“As your bishop, I recommend that we suspend our in-person gatherings until further notice,” the bishop said in a video message to the synod. Limiting public gatherings can slow the spread of the highly contagious virus, which protects those most vulnerable to the disease as well as the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and others who care for them.
The bishop announced several operational changes for synod staff and programs:
- Synod staff will be working from home until at least April 1, and the office will be closed. “Your synod staff is here, praying for and with you,” the bishop said. Staff will be available to you via email (preferred) or telephone, and will be coordinating with regular video calls.
- Synod Assembly will be postponed to a date to be determined. Registration is not available for the time being.
- Synod committees, teams and staff will not hold in-person meetings until May 18. Working groups will use written reports and audio- and videoconferencing to continue their work.
- The Chrism Service, First Call Retreat, Behavioral Interview training, and Tuscarora Youth Retreat are cancelled.
(We will create a collection of stories of how you are adapting to this crisis, so we can learn from each other. Please send your stories of creative gathering or service to your neighbors to Pastor Bob Fisher at rfisher@sepa.org.
“Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod serves her community so well,” the bishop said. “Yes, we’ve been shut down…but we have been encouraged in the midst of the change to hold on to our one consistent…that God is faithful.”
“In the midst of everything that is going on, we are reminded to watch and to pray. We’re reminded in all things that we should give thanks to God,” the bishop said. “So today, I give thanks to you. I give thanks for your heart, mind and desire to love God, to love your neighbor, and also to serve your neighbor.
. Visit the website: www.ministrylink.org
The Lutheran Magazine is now Living Lutheran
The Lutheran magazine is now called Living Lutheran and has a new accompanying website. Living Lutheran will continue to offer stories, reflections and news that illuminate Christ's presence in the world, including:
- Stories and commentary from ELCA members and congregations.
- Exploration of issues important to Lutherans.
- Resources to help deepen your faith through worship, stewardship, arts, music and more.
- Best practices and ideas for mission and ministry. And more!
Visit the website: LivingLutheran.org
Click here www.gvh.org/classes to be directed to the GVH Website.
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Click here "www.lifepath.org" to be directed to Lifepath's Website