November 23, 2020
Leadership During the Pandemic
A Thanksgiving Message from Bishop Humphrey
Dear siblings in Christ throughout the Virginia Synod,

As we all prepare for Thanksgiving amid increasing COVID-19 infection rates and deep divisions and uncertainty in our country, I invite us all to take time to count our blessings, to support one another, and prepare together for the coming winter.
Consider Applying for a Rebuild VA Grant
Under the expansion of the RebuildVA grant program, another source of funding is now available in Virginia for congregations who may be struggling financially during the pandemic. This grant program could be particularly helpful for congregations with preschools or other associated ministries that may have been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

The grants are available to small businesses and non-profits. Unlike the last time round of Rebuild Virginia grants, the expansion specifically says that an organization can receive funding even if the organization received CARES Act Funding. Qualified recipients can receive a grant of up to three months worth of expenses to help with salaries, mortgage, utilities, etc.

The FAQs aren't as entirely clear, but when you combine the FAQs with the application guide (pg 4 in particular addresses what is excluded for those with CARES Act funding), it appears that most organizations in Virginia are eligible. This funding may prove particularly helpful for child care and preschool ministries that had issues with part-time employees and PPP Loan calculations.


One potential hurdle for an application is the requirement for a DUNS number. The DUNS numbers appear to be standard practice in the for-profit world and almost unheard of in the non-profit world. It is possible for a church or non-profit to apply for a DUNS number, but the online process to get the number can be confusing. 
Can You Require Employees to Get a Vaccine?
Since approval and widespread distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine appears to be on the horizon, some congregations have asked if they can require employees of the congregation to take the vaccine. While it is often advisable to seek legal council to clarify the law in your specific situation, the article below from INC magazine provides helpful background information on the topic.
Simplified PPL Forgiveness Application
If your Payroll Protection Loan was under $50,000, then you are eligible to use a simplified Payroll Protection Loan Forgiveness Application - Form 3508S.

Check with your lender to see if they have begun processing Payroll Protection Loan forgiveness applications (many have not) and to determine what supporting paperwork you will need in addition to the application.
Resource Page for Congregational Meetings
If you are planning a congregational meeting in the near future, you can find resources specifically focused on Congregational Meetings at: vasynod.org/covid-19. For specific questions about your context, please contact Skip Zubrod at: zubrod@vasynod.org
Worship Resources
Resources for Digital Worship
If you are looking for tips, tools, and resources for Digital Worship, check out the Digital Ministry Toolbox on vasynod.org. The site offers links to webinars on digital ministry, ideas for strengthening digital worship, and links to software congregations in the Virginia Synod are using in their ministry.

If you have suggestions for resources to add to the site, please email John Wertz at wertz@vasynod.org.
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.)
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. We are particularly lifting up the gifts of all women in ministry, of women of color, and of rostered ministers who are LGBTQIA+, in celebration of the 50+ 40 + 10 ordination anniversaries

The sermons will be shared on the Synod's website at vasynod.org/resources/pulpit-supply, as well as on Facebook Page each Sunday.
Update on Synod Staff Availability for Supply Preaching
As you plan for the coming months, the Synod Staff would like to remind everyone that our rostered staff are available to serve as Digital Supply Pastors for your Zoom or other digital worship service. In addition, a recorded sermon will be available each week for use in worship. Sermons are typically posted by Thursday and are available at: vasynod.org/resources/pulpit-supply

As of right now, we are following our guidance to avoid in-person gatherings until the State of Virginia reaches Forward Virginia Phase 4. The state is currently in Phase 3, so the Synod Staff is not currently available to serve as an in-person supply pastor or guest preacher for Sunday worship services. 
Opportunities to Gather and Learn
Next Virginia Synod Rostered Minister Prayer Service Gathering December 2, 2020
The Virginia Synod Ministerium will gather not gather this week because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The next Virginia Synod Ministerium gathering by Zoom for a Service of Word and Prayer will be on Wednesday, December 2 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)
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.