March 31, 2020
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews
Synod office update
The Minneapolis Area Synod office is closed until further notice, with staff working remotely. Staff members can still be reached by email or phone .  
COVID-19 information aggregated on synod website

The COVID-19 Resources web page on the Minneapolis Area Synod website includes information from government health agencies, the ELCA, other synods, and more. Also listed is a Zoom call last week that included communicators, administrators, and rostered leaders from both Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods. It includes presentations on technology and digital options for livestreaming, crisis communication, methods for offering financial support, and licensing for the use of worship music online.
Pandemic grief
“In all my readings about being a ‘ non-anxious leader ’ ( ala Peter Steinke and Ed Friedman), I don’t recall any reference to anxiety as ‘ unanticipated grief. ’ But that’s one description used by David Kessler, co-author with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross of On Grief and Grieving . ‘ Unhealthy anticipatory grief is really anxiety, ’ he notes in a recent interview. And, grief in its many forms is what we're experiencing in the face of COVID-19.”
ELCA World Hunger announces new grant program
Responding to the recent drastic shift in focus within the U.S. and around the world, ELCA World Hunger has launched the Daily Bread Matching Grant program. As part of the ELCA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ELCA World Hunger has developed this method of supporting congregational feeding ministries using an online fundraising platform.

These $500 matching grants will be available for ELCA congregations on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, there are 100 such grants available, though more grants may be made available in the near future.  
Portico video offers practical actions in challenging moments
In response to the rapidly changing environment impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Portico Benefit Services has produced a video that offers perspective on the investment markets and volatility, emotional grounding with the retirement account balance fluctuations, and resources offered for the uncertainty of the times. Rev. Jeff Thiemann, the president and CEO of Portico, says, "Now more than ever, I'm reminded of our interconnectedness as a faith community."
ELCA's Mission Investment Fund available to assist
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has unsettling normal ways of being for most congregations. The ELCA's Mission Investment Fund remains focused on the welfare of customers, colleagues, and communities. President and CEO Eva M. Roby has written a letter explaining how MIF is responding to the pandemic, both for its employees and its customers.
Presiding Bishop Eaton announces efforts to address pandemic
The ELCA has been developing a response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recently announced that "The churchwide office is launching a comprehensive Covid-19 response across the ELCA beginning today. We have three new approaches designed to provide several levels of support for our most vulnerable congregations and ministries. These three approaches are Daily Bread Grants, Here to Serve, and the Covid-19 Response Appeal."
National Lutheran Choir shares Holy Week resources
The National Lutheran Choir (NLC) is granting permission for use of its library of videos and recorded audio tracks for any aspect of your congregation's ministry life. Artistic Director David Cherwien has curated two specific playlists of National Lutheran Choir music – one for Holy Week and another for Easter . In the coming weeks, NLC plans to bring its "Hymns We Love to Sing" series to life with videos, regular emails of shareable content, and plenty of opportunities to keep sacred music vital and vibrant at your church. Find more at  NLCA.com . 
Bret Hesla makes music available
Lutheran singer-songwriter Bret Hesla has offered a free download of his tune "This Remains" from now until April 15. The song, written in 2008, addresses the value of things that don't change in times of uncertainty and distress. Bret encourages church members to sing through the turmoil.
Stimulus and Church workers
The ELCA website has up-to-the-minute information regarding recent developments in relief resources from the federal government's stimulus act (Cares Act). To view, go to https://www.elca.org/publichealth  and search under the “What is the ELCA Doing?” tab. Other resources include:
 


Taking Faith Home
The Minneapolis Area Synod is partnering with Milestones Ministry so congregations can offer Taking Faith Home to their worshippers through the end of April. Taking Home Faith is a weekly home resource based on the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). It includes daily Bible readings, a prayer for the week, mealtime prayer, a blessing for the week, a recommended hymn, caring conversation starters, devotion, service idea, and Christian rituals and traditions, all based on the RCL.

There are three videos just created for this moment and available at https://milestonesministry.org/toolbox/milestones-ministry-resource-guides-and-info/  The videos show what Taking Home Faith looks like as a worship and devotional resource for the home. It is evangelical outreach as people pray, talk, and reflect on God’s word with family, friends, and neighbors.
ELCA Coaching
About 300 rostered leaders participated in a free coaching opportunity last week. Hosted by ELCA Coaching , it was an opportunity for faith leaders to gather online for centering in scripture, a short presentation on being church in this unique time, small group conversation in breakout rooms, a short debrief, and closing prayer.

One additional gatherings is planned.

Sharing Our Grief and Our Hope with Those We Serve
Wednesday, April 1; 1:00 p.m. 

Login information for the Zoom meetings for both dates: https://zoom.us/j/180439412
COVID requirement
The Department of Labor has issued a Notice of Employee Rights. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to distribute this notice to all current employees as of April 1. Employers may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees, or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website.   

LWF urges protection of the vulnerable
As the Coronavirus disease pandemic continues to spread around the world, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is calling for a rapid and inclusive response that protects the human rights of all and ensures that the needs of the most vulnerable are met. The LWF raises particular concerns for refugees, the homeless, people with disabilities, poor people, women, and children who are exposed to discrimination and violence. Governments, civil society, and churches are urged to work together to ensure sure that no one is left behind in the fight to halt the spread of the disease.
Reaction sought to draft social message on civic engagement
At the 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, voting members determined that the ELCA shoudl write a social message on government and civic engagement for people of faith. It was also determined that the immediacy of the need to offere congregations a way to engage this topic in a time of polarization meant that a social message would also be drafterd by the ELCA Church Council. A first draft of a social message is available. Thw authors of the message are seeking feedback .
Ministry Imagination Grant deadline extended
The next round of Ministry Imagination Grant proposals was scheduled for a deadline of March 30. The review committee recognizes, however, that the suspension of worship and other activities at many of our synod churches due to the coronavirus is disrupting church operations at many different levels. 

This is a difficult time to be imaginative and creative when we are all wondering what the next day or the next week will hold.

In order to give congregations more time to imagine and plan for future ministry possibilities, the new deadline will be June 15, 2020 (which was the next scheduled deadline date). We hope and pray that the scope of the coronavirus pandemic will be better understood by then, and that congregational ministries will have resumed their important, life-giving presence in their communities. 

If you have any questions, please contact Craig Pederson, assistant to the bishop, at c.pederson@m pls-syno d.org or (612) 703-1586.

Where is the synod staff in upcoming weeks?
  • Bishop Ann Svennungsen will be leading a "Virtual Ministry Site Profile" at Our Saviour's Lutheran, East Bethel, on Tuesday, April 14.
Upcoming Events
Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org