Featured NEWS: Building Use & Insurance in the time of COVID-19
I know that many of our congregations host recovery groups in their buildings and are conflicted over whether or not to close the building entirely, given the fact that isolation and stress are some of the key factors in an individual breaking their sobriety.
Please check with your insurance carriers if you choose to continue to allow recovery groups to use your buildings. There could be insurance penalties if you decide to do so.
But there is help! Many recovery programs are offering meetings via telephone in this time of compassionate distancing & self quarantine. If it should be that it is better for your building to be completely shut down, there will be other places individuals can receive the help they need and deserve.
Bishop Kristen
Source: Bishop Kristen Kuempel on Facebook
Click here to view the Church Mutual Insurance Company Information Sheet.
Not with Church Mutual? Contact your insurance company to discuss your policy’s coverage.
Pandemic hope devotional
A Family devotional for life during Covid19
This online devotional offers eight weeks of daily Readings and Faith Practices. It includes Hymnal Handwashing Hits and Prayer Bingo. You are invited to journey through this devotional with Pastor Ian McMichael on YouTube.
Digital Worship Help From Grace Lutheran, Wenatchee
For anyone who has had trouble following along with worship or who would like a little direction in running two browser windows with our livestream and the bulletin at the same time.
Something we have learned this week: You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch a livestream. We explain in this video how to find the video without a Facebook account.
Resources for Home & Congregation | HomeGrown Faith
In response to the spread of COVID 19, how do we as humans participate and experience life in relationship to one another as global citizens, family members, and people of faith? The questions, conversations, and decisions are complex with all of it changing every hour.
There are some wonderful resource categories including Reducing Fear & Anxiety in the Midst of a Pandemic, Faith & Worship at Home, and Faith & Worship Outdoors.
Visit Homegrown Faith and view the resources here.
In Memory of Her: Voices of Biblical Women | NRIT Digital Offering
With Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker
Explore anew the books of Ruth, Esther and Song of Songs. These small Old Testament books
are often overlooked in preaching, yet contain hidden treasures: great stories, beautiful poetry,
humor and strong women’s voices. Learn about these gems of the biblical narrative and re-
acquaint yourself with the themes found in them: love, loyalty, beauty, courage and faith.
This digital offering is available through the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology, and is a wonderful resource both for preaching and teaching.
Cost: $70 for 4.5 continuing ed hours. Download onto your computer and watch at your convenience. Contact Jenny Kunka at j.kunka@nrit.org with any questions.
Upcoming Events
Connection in a time of social distancing | March 24 & 27, 2020
Vibrant Faith offers two webinars discussing Moving Faith Formation Online with Facilitator John Roberto. The webinars will address: 1) The Digital Tools You Need to Move Online, 2) Strategies for Online Programming, and 3) The Abundance of Digital Resources for Moving Faith Formation Online.”
Webinar dates are March 24 from 10am to 11:30am (EST), and March 27 from 12 noon to 1:30pm (EST).
Click here to register for these webinars, learn more about Vibrant Faith, and see other services offered.
Information Security Webinar | April 21, 2020
ELCA congregations and synods are invited to a free webinar on Tuesday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central Time.
Chris Hueneke, information security advisor for the ELCA churchwide organization, will host the webinar, covering these topics: how to avoid phishing email attacks, protect sensitive data and prevent malware infections, and what to do if your data has been breached.
Click here for more information.
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday | September 13, 2020
This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
View resources to guide your congregation’s planning, promotion and more.
For more information, click here.
Cancelled: 2020 Regional Gatherings | Various Dates, 2020
As you have probably heard by now, the Northwest Intermountain Synod Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2020 regional gatherings as of March 17, 2020. The gatherings were scheduled for April 25 (Pullman); May 2 (Twin Falls); and May 16 (Moses Lake).
These events would have fallen within the guidelines issued by the CDC on March 13 that any gathering of 50 people be suspended through May 13, 2020.
Please update your calendars to reflect these changes if you have not done so already. Thank you.
Resources
Health & Wellness | Portico
As we feel the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our lives and communities, Portico is here to support you. The health and well-being of our members is paramount. We encourage you to use your ELCA-Primary health benefits to help you and your covered family members stay well — physically as well as emotionally. Please refer to the March 16th email to members from myPortico with links for options for care, testing costs, emotional support, and CDC guidelines. For congregations, this is the link to the ELCA Resource for guidance to our faith community: https://www.elca.org/publichealth
You can always reach out to the Portico Customer Care Center, 800.352.2876, or your Regional Representative, Andrea Arey, 949.338.9573 or email at aarey@porticobenefits.org
Technology discounts for synods and congregations
ELCA congregations and synods are eligible for discounts from companies such as Tithe.ly, Microsoft, Dell and Zoom. Learn more about ELCA technology discounts here.
ELCA Endowment Fund Pooled Trust — Fund A
Designed specifically for congregations, synods, seminaries and other affiliates of the ELCA, the ELCA Endowment Fund Pooled Trust Fund A provides a long-term investment fund with distributions to support ministry. Read more here about Fund A here.
Contact your regional gift planner to learn more about how Fund A may encourage and increase ministry opportunities within your congregation and community!