July 6, 2020
Worship and Community
Ministry in a Digital Age 4-Part Webinar
Faith + Lead from Luther Seminary is offering a 4-part webinar entitled
"Ministry in a Digital Age". The series is designed to help you build on what you've already learned during this time of physical distancing so that you can evolve your ministry practices for a world that lives online. The cost for the series is $55. Use the link below for more information or to register.
Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop Providing Summer Sermon Series
The Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop has started providing sermons for each Sunday lasting   through  August 30, 2020  for use in congregations. These sermons will be presented by Bishop Bob Humphrey, The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, The Rev. John Wertz Jr., and The Rev. Dave Delaney on a rotating basis.

The sermons will be shared on the Synod's website at  vasynod.org/resources/pulpit-supply , as well as on Facebook Page each Sunday.
Virginia Synod Rostered Minister Prayer Service Gathering July 8, 2020
The Virginia Synod Ministerium will gather by Zoom for a Service of Word and Prayer on  Wednesday, July 8th 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)
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.)

Hymns for July 2020- 6th Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 15A)
Payroll Protection Loan Resources
Simplified PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
As a part of the continuing evolution of the Payroll Protection Program, the government has released a simplified forgiveness form to make it easier for loan recipients to apply for forgiveness.

Applications for forgiveness will take place through your bank and it appears that you will still be required to submit paperwork to substantiate that the loan was used appropriately, but application and the calculations involved are streamlined. Talk to your lender for more information.

Use the links below to see June 16, 2020 revision of the application and the instructions. Please note that an earlier version of the application was released, but it appears to have been replaced by this version which provides more clarity.
PPP Loan Forgiveness Updates
Horizon Stewardship and CapinCrouse have provided a summary of the recent changes in the PPP Loan Forgiveness program and how those changes impact congregations. Use the link below to access the article and short webinar.
Government Communications
The Path to Zero Dashboard
Harvard Global Health Institute, Harvard's Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Rockefeller Foundation, CovidActNow, Covid-Local, CIDRAP and many others joined forces, launch new COVID Risk Level map and COVID suppression guidance for policy makers and the public. The map provides statistics by state and by county.
Free Face Coverings for Churches
The Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives at HHS is offering face coverings to faith and community partners in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The face coverings, produced and delivered in partnership with USPS and the National Council of Textile Organizations, are being made available to community-based organizations at no cost (and while supplies last). 
Governor Northam Issues Phase 3 Guidance
Wednesday, July 1 began Phase 3 of Virginia Forward, the Governor's office has released their Safer at Home guidelines for stage three. The section on Religious Services begins on page 32.
Leadership in Uncertain Times
Congregational Survey: Responses to Pandemic
To assist congregations “check your congregation’s pulse or temperature” during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Research and Evaluation team at Churchwide created a survey instrument you can adapt and use. The document has instructions for how to use the survey on SurveyMonkey, but you could also use the survey with Google Forms or the Gloo.us free survey tool.
ELCA Coaching Weekly Zoom Conversations
You are invited to join the ELCA Coaching weekly gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church and throughout society. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in the time of COVID-19, 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. Join us on July 8 at 1 PM Central to hear from Indigenous theologian, Vance Blackfox , who has been committed to teaching ELCA leaders and members the importance of learning about Indigenous people and how to be in better relationship with "the oppressed of the oppressed..

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
Currently Available: 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. The first grants will be going out this week, but there are still funds available to fund ministries in the following areas:

  • Summer Backpack Feeding Programs
  • Ministry with those Experiencing Homelessness
  • Direct Support for Feeding Ministries (pantry or hot meal programs)
  • Cleaning Supply or Household Good Ministries
  • 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.