April 14, 2020 Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA Enews

Synod office update Following the instructions of Governor Walz and public health officials, the Minneapolis Area Synod office is closed until further notice. Staff are working remotely and can still be reached by email or phone .   MIF and ELCA Federal Credit Union offer special assistance The ELCA's Mission Investment Fund (MIF) has resources that can provide much-needed help for customers that may be experiencing financial hardship at this time — the congregations and ministries that have MIF loans as well as individual and congregation investors. The ELCA Federal Credit Union, too, is able to provide similar assistance to its members — ELCA pastors, members, congregations and ministries. Read about special assistance Easter Monday thank you notes “ A friend of mine asked for laments on her Facebook page last week. All day Good Friday, while in quarantine, she fasted and prayed those laments aloud. This was her way to be in community while physically apart. A pandemic is surely a time for lament. ” Pastor John's blog

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:   Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees (Note especially the sections on the extension of eligibility for unemployment benefits for church workers and the employee retention credit.) Families First Coronavirus Response Act -- UCC Update (Note especially the sections on payroll tax credit and the changes for organizations with less than 50 employees.) Summary of Cares Act Provisions

Feedback to draft social message on civic engagement sought At the 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, voting members determined that the ELCA should write a social message on government and civic engagement for people of faith. It was also determined that the immediacy of the need to offer congregations a way to engage this topic in a time of polarization meant that a social message would also be drafted by the ELCA Church Council. A first draft of a social message is available. The authors of the message are seeking feedback . Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development, and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger — for good — by addressing the root causes of hunger. Proposals that are transformative, holistic, and integrated are especially encouraged.   The registration deadline has been extended to June 1. Awards will be announced in November.

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.    Poster explaining employee rights

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

Author Appearance: Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, Postponed, April 19 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly, Postponed, April 24-25 All Hands on Hope FMSC Mobile Pack, Postponed, May 4 An Evening with Rob Bell & Peter Rollins, Rescheduled, May 11 Church Anew: A Master Class in Communication, Rescheduled, May 11-12 Safeguarding God's Children, May 14 Faith Partners Lay Addiction Ministry Training for Faith Communities, May 16 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts, July 27-30 Bishop's Theological Conference, September 27-29 Joint Fall Ministerium, October 29

Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA www.mpls-synod.org

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