A pastor in the PSD sent me a link for a panel of experts discussing challenges and changes for funerals in the age of the COVID-19. The leader of this panel is Dr. Kenneth Doka, a graduate of Concordia Seminary, St Louis, 1973. Dr. Doka is an international and national leader in the Hospice Movement. He is joined by two nationally well-known funeral directors who operate many funeral homes on the east coast. Read Full Article

Lutheran Church Extension Fund has created Ministry Moment videos to help congregations and pastors on a variety of subjects. Below are the links to the videos currently available.

Ministry Moment  Videos from LCEF

Leading Your Church Out of the Crisis vimeo.com/405563494

Personalizing Correspondence vimeo.com/414025402

Congregational Giving vimeo.com/409897262

Call on Your People vimeo.com/417651313

Work On Your Intros vimeo.com/412403023

For more information about LCEF's Ministry Support and how LCEF can support your ministry, contact Tyler Fewins at [email protected].

When Lutheran World Relief launched the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge less than a month ago, they knew the compassionate response would be overwhelming - and that good people like you would meet the challenge. They just had no idea you'd pull it off so quickly. Thank you!

As COVID-19 continues to make its way around the world, the poorest communities stand to bear the heaviest burdens. Cloth masks are a first barrier of defense, and the need is only increasing. To reach even more people in dire need, Lutheran World Relief is collecting 75,000 more masks! How many will you make to help stop the spread? For more information and to sign up for the challenge visit  lwr.org/masks.

The Covid-19 pandemic has escalated into a humanitarian crisis in India impacting the poorest of the poor. Many of our ministry partners in India are already responding - and they are pleading for help. A gift of $40 will feed a family of 4 for 4 weeks. Will you help them? Donate Now

The Small Church Conference will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, CA on-site and live stream. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Karl Vaters author of Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principals for Leading a Healthy Congregration of Under 250 and The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches and the Small Thinking That Divides Us. 

For more information visit psd-lcms.org/events.

Due to the continued low reporting rate, Rosters, Statistics and Research Services is again extending the deadline for submitting 2019 year-end congregation statistics. The new deadline is May 30, 2020.  Please contact Kelly DeJongh if you have questions or need assistance with your reporting forms.

Our MISSION ESSENTIAL this week directs us to one of the most comprehensive resources being offered to churches during this crisis. On their  ChurchPulse Weekly podcast both David Kinnaman of the Barna Group and leadership guru Carey Nieuwhof provide timely information and compelling interviews on how churches just like yours are not only navigating the COVID-19 reality, but moving forward in mission in the midst of it all. For this week, check out the episode featuring pastor Mark Sayers, who shows us how God is doing some deep work in the Church by touching the hearts of leaders across the Globe. Here is your MISSION ESSENTIAL link:  churchpulseweekly.org .

Dr. John Pless will be presenting a class entitled: Letters from a Lonely Lutheran: Confidence and Joy Under the Cross, June 30-July 2 . This class will examine the pastoral letters of Hermann Sasse as he encouraged brother pastors the world over to continue steadfast in the hope that does not disappoint. Sasse wrote to pastors often living in isolation brought about by geography or confession. He filtered all of theology and all of life through the lens of the cross. Hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Anaheim. Register Here! Questions? Contact Rev. Darrin Sheek at [email protected].