As followers of Jesus, we are called to look not simply to our own needs, but to love our neighbor and to consider the interests of others. (Phllippians 2:3-4). In the midst of so much transition and change, each of us is trying to absorb and process an extraordinary amount of new information regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our lives and ministry. The Virginia Synod offers these seven reminders and resources to help you create a culture of care in your congregation.
1. Put Your Own Mask on First
In every flight safety briefing, passengers are reminded that in the case of an emergency they should put their own oxygen mask on before they try to help others. While an oxygen mask hasn’t dropped from the sky during the pandemic, it is critical that leaders care for themselves so they can continue to do the ministry God is calling them to do. Invest time in your own spiritual and physical health. Take a break from work. Enjoy a hobby. Go for a walk. Make sabbath a part of your regular routine.
In addition to focusing on your spiritual and mental health, please remember to always wear a mask outside your home. It is among the simplest ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and your willingness to wear a mask will help encourage others to do the same.
2. Gathering Again Recommendations
Given the highly infectious nature of the coronavirus, the safest option for congregations is to continue to refrain from indoor, in-person worship.
To assist congregations with decisions about gathering again in-person, the Virginia Synod has provided guidance on Gathering Again In-Person. You can find all of the guidance documents at: www.vasynod.org/gathering-again
If you are looking for the chart summarizing the Gathering Again Guidance from the Office of the Bishop, you can find it here: Gathering Again Chart.
Consult your insurance company to ensure that you are following the necessary steps to ensure that your insurance coverage is in full effect.
3. Follow the guidance of the CDC and Commonwealth of Virginia about COVID-19
Congregations are legally obligated to follow directives of federal, state, and local officials regarding COVID-19.
Here’s the link to the CDC’s Toolkit for Community and Faith-Based Organizations and resources from the Virginia Dept. of Health. They include guidance documents and posters to promote safe behaviors.
Virginia is currently in Phase 3 for Virginia Forward. Please remember that it is possible that we will return to Phase 2 at some point in the future or that regions of the state may have additional requirements. Here’s the link to the Virginia Forward Phase Three Guidelines. The information for Religious Services begins on page 33 and continues to page 36.
Forward Virginia Phase 3 Guidelines
Executive Order 68 (New limits in the Hampton Roads Area) – July 30, 2020
Executive Order 63 (Mask Requirement) – May 26, 2020
4. Maintain Participant Lists for any In-Person Event
Whenever you host an in-person event, keep track of who is in attendance and their contact information for contract tracing purposes. While keeping track of everyone in attendance at an event requires extra work, your congregation will need this information if an individual at an event tests positive for the coronavirus.
The Synod is putting together a Toolkit to help congregations respond to a positive test. If someone at one of your events tests positive for the coronavirus, please notify the local health department and the Synod for guidance on how to proceed.
5. Communion
Without the ability to gather in-person, questions have been raised about Communion. As congregations consider issues around communion, you are encouraged to use the following resources.
The Office of the Bishop has provided a Pastoral Letter on Communion – March 30, 2020. Our communion practices within the ELCA are guided by: The Use of the Means of Grace. The Metro Chicago Synod and the Lutheran Seminary of Theological at Chicago hosted a panel discussion on Pandemic Communion practices that is available on Youtube.
6. Grief and Loss
The global pandemic has created a season of tremendous loss and grief. Individuals and families are grieving the loss of loved ones, the loss of family milestones, the loss of relationships, the loss of normal patterns of day-to-day life.
Make space to allow yourself and others to grieve. Be aware of how patterns of grief may be impacting you and those around you. Luther Seminary has published an article called COVID-19 Stages of Grief that contains links to grief resources. Books like “Embracing God’s Future without Forgetting the Past: A Conversation about Loss, Grief, and Nostalgia in Congregational Life” by Bishop Michael Girlinghouse may provide insight and ideas for how to respond.
7. Liturgical Resources
Congregations have pivoted to digital worship at a remarkable speed. To assist congregations with digital worship, the Virginia Synod is providing several resources.
Weekly Sermons are available from the Synod Staff which can be used in digital worship. The sermons can be found on the Virginia Synod Youtube Channel. Sermons can also be found on the Virginia Synod Vimeo Channel which allows for easy download of the sermon file.
Recordings of Public Domain Hymns for use in worship are available at www.vasynod.org/covid- 19. Click on the “Liturgical Resources” tab in the middle of the page and then scroll to the end of that section.
