August 24, 2020
Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 Email Schedule
As we transition away from the crisis phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be adjusting our publication schedule for the "Being Church in the Time of COVID-19" resource emails. Starting this week, we will shift away from weekly publication- but will continue to provide newsletters on a semi-regular basis, roughly every two weeks and as needed with regard to any important changes in news or information. COVID-19 resources will continue to be available and updated on our website for you to access at any time. We are so grateful many of you have found these resources to be an aid to you and your ministries during these challenging times, and we hope to continue to support you and your congregations moving forward. Thank you.

Emily Pilat
Director of Communications
Zoom Meeting and Webinar Outages
For anyone who may have a Zoom meeting today be aware: Zoom has reported partial outages for its video meeting and webinar services as of 9 AM today. Depending on how long this outage lasts, you may need to make alternate plans for meetings or gatherings today. For more information on the Zoom outage, click here.
Updates to COVID-19 Resource Page
We've recently updated the COVID-19 page to make it easier to navigate through the resources and information we've been sharing with you on a regular basis. Moving forward, we hope these new categories can support you and your congregations and ministries.
Worship and Community
Augsburg Fortress Streaming License Update
Through August 31, 2020, Augsburg Fortress is extending its temporary permission for worshiping communities to include Augsburg Fortress administered liturgy texts/music, hymns, and vocal/instrumental music copyrights in a livestream or podcast when that content is being used for worship. No reporting is required. Congregations wishing to make use of this limited time license should use the following credit line format to demonstrate that they have received permission through this announcement:

[Copyrighted element(s)] [Copyright notice]. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

For more information on how to subscribe to the appropriate licenses after August 31, you can access the full article using the link below.
Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop Providing Sermon Series
The Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop will provide recorded sermons for each Sunday through the Christmas season for use in congregations.

The sermons will be shared on the Synod's website at vasynod.org/resources/pulpit-supply, as well as on Facebook Page each Sunday.
Virginia Synod Rostered Minister Prayer Service Gathering August 26, 2020
The Virginia Synod Ministerium will gather by Zoom for a Service of Word and Prayer on Wednesday, August 26th at 1 PM and following that a time of conversation with the Synod staff at 1:30 PM. In this time of physical distancing, we look forward to gathering rostered ministers together to hear God's Word and join in prayer for one another and for the world.

The link below will work for Wednesday's service as well as all future Wednesday prayer services and gatherings.

  • Join Zoom Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 541 796 597
  • Password: 719750
  • Dial in by location:
  • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
  • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Organ Accompaniments for Hymns for Upcoming Sundays
Below are links to downloadable mp3 audio files providing organ accompaniments for hymns for upcoming Sundays. All tunes are either in the public domain or copyrighted by Augsburg-Fortress, so there are no restrictions on playing the mp3 for your streaming worship or posting the words on your video feed or an accompanying bulletin. (Thanks to Nancy Delaney and Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke for providing these.)

Hymns for August 2020- 13th Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 22A)
Leadership in Uncertain Times
Tips for Effective Online Meetings
Online meetings are now the standard form of communication for many elements of an organization. The articles below offer guidance for how to strengthen and improve your online meetings.
ELCA Coaching Weekly Zoom Conversations
You are invited to join this weekly online gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church which takes place each Wednesday at 2 PM. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in times of crisis, as well as an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation.

All of this is designed to help us process our feelings in this strange and fearful time and to create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context. You are welcome to share this invitation with any other ELCA leader, rostered or lay. Go to: www.elcacoaching.org for more information.

Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: 648160

Dial by your location
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
We Are Church Together for the Sake of the World
Currently Available: Lutheran Disaster Response Grants Through the Virginia Synod
Lutheran Disaster Response has provided funding to the Virginia Synod to assist congregations as they respond to COVID-19. The first grants will be going out this week, but there are still funds available to fund ministries in the following areas:

  • Ministry with those Experiencing Homelessness
  • Direct Support for Feeding Ministries (pantry or hot meal programs)
  • New Ministries that meet a Need that has Emerged because of COVID-19

If you are responding to a ministry in a way that fits into one of the categories above, please email Pastor John Wertz: wertz@vasynod.org for more information on the grant.
Synod Office Contact Information
A reminder that the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop has asked its staff to work remotely from their homes in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. We ask at this time should you need to contact our staff to do so directly via email (you can find all staff persons email contacts on our website).

Should you need to phone either our offices, please know the Eastern Office of the Bishop plans to have phone calls received during office hours (8:00 AM- 4:30 PM) forwarded directly to Lenae Osmondson.

The Salem Office of the Bishop phone will have a voicemail message recorded directing callers to leave a message, or to call a separate phone number during office hours (8:00 AM- 4:30 PM). The number is 540-855-7455 and will be answered by Tammy Kasper. Messages left on the Salem Office of the Bishop phone will be checked as we are able to do so.

In addition, please do not plan to visit either the Salem or Eastern offices in person. Messages and mail will be checked regularly, but please be patient during this time.
We continues to update the Virginia Synod COVID-19 web page with information from the ELCA, CDC, and covering a number of prepardness and response resources, as well as liturgical resources.

If you have suggestions for needed resources, please contact Pastor John Wertz at wertz@vasynod.org.