September 14, 2020
Worship and Community
Guidance from the Office of the Bishop on In-Person and Digital Holy Communion Services
“Do this in remembrance of me” our Lord said to his disciples gathered around that Last Supper table. We have endeavored to remain faithful and honor that invitation and command ever since.

“For Lutherans, the task of clarifying, ‘Do this’ is never simply about doing the right or wrong practices, but always about our mission to proclaim the Word of God in everything we do…” (Virginia Synod Guidance Sept 2020)

So, after 6 months of doing our best to remain faithful to our mission as the church in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, we are increasingly asking – how can we faithfully return to gathering around both Word and Sacrament when we gather in-person and/or digitally for worship?

After prayerful study, consideration and conversation among a host of colleagues, the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop offers a new guidance document on how Rostered Ministers and congregations, institutions and agencies engaged in corporate worship might respond to this question. You can download the new guidance document using the button below.

While the new guidance document offers options, we urge everyone to remain vigilant in doing everything we can to limit the spread of this potentially deadly virus for which there is still no proven effective treatment or vaccine. If you decide to restore the practice of Holy Communion to your worship during the pandemic, please continue to do so with reverence and with great care for the health and well-being of the whole community. Guidance documents providing considerations for in-person worship during a pandemic are available on our website: www.vasynod.org/covid-19

I am so deeply thankful for all our faithful Rostered and Lay leaders in every part of this Synod. We lift you in our prayers and urge you to contact us if we can be supportive in the days ahead.

—Bishop Bob Humphrey, Virginia Synod, ELCA
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.
Being Church in a Digital Age
There is still time to sign up for the next to "Being Church in a Digital Age" webinars on September 21 and 28 at 11 AM. Even if you aren't able to attend live, everyone who registers will receive an email with the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint slides.
Augsburg Fortress Streaming License Update
As of September 1 you will need to subscribe to an Augsburg Fortress Liturgy License (for the broadest coverage of Augsburg Fortress liturgy copyrights) or the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Liturgy License (for coverage of ELW resource family copyrights) in order to continue livestreaming/ podcasting this content in services that take place after that date. (The Augsburg Fortress Liturgy License is included in a sundaysandseasons.com subscription; no additional subscription for liturgical content is needed.) You may subscribe at augsburgfortress.org beginning August 15, or you may call 800-328-4648 to subscribe at any time.

In addition, to continue to livestream/podcast copyrighted hymns as well as vocal/instrumental music (choral, vocal solo, organ, piano, handbells, etc.), you will need to subscribe to one of the One License livestream/podcast options, which cover Augsburg Fortress hymn and vocal/instrumental music copyrights as well as those of many other publishers.
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.)
Leadership in Uncertain Times
Congregation Council Vacancies and Annual Ministry Spending Plans
Some congregational councils are beginning to wonder: if we cannot hold an Annual Meeting, what options does the congregation have to fill vacancies on the congregation council and to approve an annual ministry spending plan?

Your Congregation Constitution likely presents some options. The most important thing to do is check your own congregation constitution to see what provisions are made. Click the button below for a full document sharing information and guidances using the 2019 ELCA Model Constitution
Don't Let Your Building Get Sick
With reduced or no usage in many church facilities, it is important to regularly walk through and check your building for issues that may arise from lack of use.

Here are a few example of what you might do as you walk through the building,
  • Flush toilets
  • Run water in sinks for a few minutes to clear the lines
  • Look up at ceilings to check for leaks
  • Make sure that they HVAC unit is running regularly to exchange air in the building.
  • Open windows to allow fresh air into the building.
  • Check anywhere there might be moisture for the presence of mold.
Virginia Synod Rostered Minister Prayer Service Gathering September 16, 2020
The Virginia Synod Ministerium will gather by Zoom for a Service of Word and Prayer on Wednesday, September 16th 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)
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
Digital Ministry Grants
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.
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.
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.