Next Steps for Worship During COVID-19 |
Balancing the desire to meet again in-person for worship and the measures necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can create difficult conversations and diverse opinions within a congregation. While the Virginia Synod COVID-19 Resource page (www.vasynod.org/covid-19) provides a comprehensive list of resources gathered by the Virginia Synod, the buttons below provide direct links to a series of resources that may be helpful as you discuss your congregation's next steps for worship:
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Reflection: Selected Texts and Images in Slideshow Formats |
The slideshow files from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library contain selected texts from each of the Sunday Lectionary readings along with reflective images. Each is available in PowerPoint and PDF format. Since the images have copyright release for non-commercial use, the slideshows may be freely used in worship and educational settings.
To access the slideshow files for download, click here. |
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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 pastors who are LGBTQIA+, in celebration of the 50+ 40 + 10 ordination anniversaries
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Facebook Terms of Service Updates and
Licensing Basics
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(The following article is reprinted from a publication by the SC Synod.)
Here are some updates on streaming copyrights based on the streaming questions that have come into the office.
Facebook updates its Terms of Service
Licensing Basics
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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.) |
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Leadership in Uncertain Times |
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New Resource Page for Congregational Meetings |
There is a new page on the vasynod.org/covid-19 resource page focused specifically on Congregational Meetings. The page has guidance for remote meetings and guidance if you are not able to meet.
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Payroll Protection Loan Update |
With the extension and expansion of the Payroll Protection Loan program, it is not always clear what the next steps are for congregations who received Payroll Protection Loan. If you have a Payroll Protection Loan,
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Your bank determines when you can apply for forgiveness. While the Small Business Administration has created an application for Payroll Protection Loan, individual banks can decide when to begin processing forgiveness applications. Many banks have delayed opening their forgiveness application portals in hopes that the government will make forgiveness for small loans (under $150,000 easier).
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Make sure that you have all your paperwork and documentation in order so you are ready when the opportunity to apply arises. Even though you may not be able to apply for forgiveness, you can use this time to gather documentation.
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You may receive a notice from your bank saying that the first payment on your loan has been deferred to a later date. The first round of Payroll Protection Loans envisioned loan forgiveness applications being processed quickly and payments on unforgiven amounts beginning by the end of the year. Since forgiveness applications aren't being processed at many banks, your bank may notify you of a change in the projected first payment date on your loan. This does not change the ability to have the loan forgiven, but simply changes the first payment date for any portion of the loan that is not forgiven.
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Stay in contact with your bank. Your bank will handle the forgiveness process, so if you have specific questions about your Payroll Protection Loan, please contact your bank directly.
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Virginia Synod Rostered Minister Prayer Service Gathering October 7, 2020 |
The Virginia Synod Ministerium will gather by Zoom for a Service of Word and Prayer on Wednesday, October 7th 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
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Meeting ID: 541 796 597
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Password: 719750
- Dial in by location:
- +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
- +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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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)
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We Are Church Together for the Sake of the World |
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The Virginia Synod has received a small grant to support small congregations who need assistance expanding their digital ministry footprint and digital ministry partnerships. If your congregation needs assistance with equipment, software, or training, please email Pastor John Wertz: wertz@vasynod.org to find out if this grant might be an option for your congregation.
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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. Funds are still available to support ministries in the following areas:
- 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.
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Synod Office Contact Information |
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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.
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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. |
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