Congregational Meetings During the Pandemic
In seeking to maintain a community of care in the midst of the pandemic and to comply with constitutional requirements, congregations must consider how to hold or postpone congregational meetings.
The first four links below provide guidance on holding remote meetings and on what to do if you are unable to hold a meeting. The last two links provide the Office of the Bishop’s statement on Virginia Forward Phase 3 and the link to the Virginia Forward legal requirements for churches and other entities who are seeking to meet in-person.
If you have questions about the requirements in your constitution for a congregational meeting or would like to ask specific questions about your situation, please contact Skip Zubrod: zubrod@vasynod.org.
Holding Remote Congregational Meetings
- Guidance and Considerations for Remote Congregational Meetings 2020 (Virginia Synod)
- Step-by-Step Guide for Holding Remote Meetings via Zoom VA Synod 2020 (PowerPoint)
- ELCA: Considerations for Remote Council and Congregational Meetings 2020 (Updated 12/15/20)
Unable to Hold a Congregational Meeting
General Guidance on Gathering Again In-Person
- Office of the Bishop Statement on Virginia Forward Phase 3 June 25, 2020
- Forward Virginia: Religious Services Website with links to CDC, VA Department of Health, and VA Mandatory Requirements (pg. 36-39)
Tips for Running a Large Meeting on Zoom (Coming Soon)
- Zoom Etiquette PowerPoint Slides
- Running a Large Meeting (Video)