This page is updated regularly as we find new resources to share with you.
Attention Rostered Ministers!
Are you receiving our regular Coronavirus resource emails to Rostered Ministers?
If not, please let us know at gmsoffice@gmselca.org.
November 11, 2020 – An Important Message (Nov. update re: indoor worship)
October 8, 2020 – An Important Message (Oct. update re: indoor worship)
September 24, 2020 – Worship Practices
April 9, 2020 – JOINT LETTER: Wisconsin Faith Leaders Respond to COVID-19 Closures
March 30, 2020 – Holy Communion during this time of Pandemic (available upon request)
May 21, 2020 – “Take time to enjoy God’s creation” (video)
May 14, 2020 – “God wants us to be whole people” (video)
May 12, 2020 – Considerations for Returning to In-person Worship (English and Spanish)
May 7, 2020 – “God is working” (video)
See the Archive section for messages released before May.
ELCA Churchwide: At Home Worship Resources
March 2, 2020 – A Coronavirus Prayer
Music Resources:
List of ELW Hymns in the Public Domain (scroll down and click the “Show” link after bolded “Hymns Included” heading)
Music that Make Community blog
November 12, 2020 – ELCA Worship: All Creation Sings: Teaching New Assembly Song in Challenging Times
July 1, 2020 – Luther Seminary: Singing Together, While Apart
Worship Guidance & Resources:
Church Mutual: Safely Returning to Worship (webinar, slides, article)
An Ecumenical Guide to Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic
Federal Communications Commission: Guidelines for Low-Power radio
Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association: COVID-19 Officiant Preference Form
October 6, 2020 – Wisconsin Council of Churches: Churches Urged to Return to Physically Distanced Ministry (press release)
September 21, 2020 – Wisconsin Council of Churches: Returning to Church Early Fall Update
July 27, 2020 – Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Metropolitan Chicago Synod: Communion & COVID: Eucharistic Practices and Perspectives webinar recording
May 5, 2020 – Minneapolis Area Synod: Dr. Michael Osterholm on the pandemic and reopening in-person worship (video)
March 30, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Holy Communion during this time of Pandemic (available upon request)
March 20, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns
March 18, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Guidance on Funerals
March 13, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: How to Stream Your Worship Service
Greater Milwaukee Synod: “Together in Mission: Year-round Resourcing” Facebook group
Wisconsin Council of Churches: Coronavirus resources
Remote Congregational Meetings:
ELCA Churchwide Annual Report Covers: pages, spread
December 16, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Considerations for Electronic Meetings
November 19, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Practical Tips for Electronic Congregational Meetings
November 17, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Recording of Webinar on Virtual Congregational Meetings
July 16, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Remote Meeting FAQs for Congregations (updated)
Tech Resources:
FaithLead: How to do Church Online webinar series
Greater Milwaukee Synod: Thinking About Using Zoom?
Zoom: Securing Your Zoom Meetings
March 17, 2020 – Tech Crunch: Beware of ZoomBombing
April 20, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Tracking Online Worship Attendance
April 20, 2020 – Carey Nieuwhof: Some Awkward Questions About How to Measure Online Church Attendance (+ 5 Growth Strategies)
April 2, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Digital Communication Tips for Congregations During the Coronavirus
Ministry Resources:
Brotherhood Mutual: Sample activity participation agreement
Church Mutual: Sample COVID-19 waivers
July 28, 2020 – East Central Synod of Wisconsin: Christian Education during COVID-19 webinar recording
March 26, 2020 – Youth Specialties: 15 Ways to Build Faith and Community During the Coronavirus
March 12, 2020 – Greate Milwaukee Synod: Ideas for Creative Worship and Support
April 21, 2020 – Jake Morrill: Church in these VUCA Times (video)
Pastoral Resources:
Wisconsin Council of Churches: July 2020 Wisconsin Clergy Survey on COVID-19 & Ministry Stressors (Full Report and Powerpoint)
ELCA Coaching: Recordings of Weekly Gatherings for ELCA Leaders
Way to Lead: Come to Me: Video Devotions for Weary Church Leaders
Best Practices During Times of Uncertainty – Communication and Generosity
GSB Fundraising: Stewardship in Uncertain Times
May 11, 2020 – NovusWay Ministries: What to do first for a stable 2020 (podcast)
April 2, 2020 – A Letter from ELCA Mission Investment Fund CEO Eva Roby
April 2, 2020 – Types of Assistance Available from Mission Investment Fund and ELCA Federal Credit Union
April 1, 2020 – Rev. Mike Ward: Stewardship and Mission Best Practices during uncertain times webinar recording
March 30, 2020 – Rev. Mike Ward: How to Tell Outcome Stories (video)
May 13, 2020 – Small Business Administration: Updated PPP Loan Guidance
April 16, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Locating Articles of Incorporation for Payroll Protection Program
April 8, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Paycheck Protection Program FAQ (document and video)
April 3, 2020 – Small Business Administration: FAQs for Faith-Based Organizations
March 30, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees
March 30, 2020 – Summary of CARES Act Provisions
March 30, 2020 – Christianity Today: The CARES Act & Your Church Staff: What You Need to Know & 4 Steps to Take Now
March 23, 2020 – United Church of Christ: Families First Coronavirus Response Act – UCC Update
General Public Health Data & Resources:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: County Data – updated daily
Harvard Global Health Institute & Brown School of Public Health: COVID Risk Levels interactive dashboard
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
CDC: Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces
May 22, 2020 – Advocate Aurora Health: Capacity Management/Safe Distancing inside Facilities (PDF FAQ’s, webinar recording)
May 20, 2020 – Advocate Aurora Health: Legal Liability in Re-Opening (PDF FAQ’s, webinar recording)
May 18, 2020 – Advocate Aurora Health: Facility Sanitizing/Proper Cleaning Procedures (PDF FAQ’s, webinar recording)
Faith-Based Public Health Guidance:
CDC: Resources for Community and Faith-Based Leaders
ELCA Churchwide: Public Health Resources
US Department of Health and Human Services: Faith and Community Based COVID-19 FAQs
March 16, 2020 – ELCA World Hunger: Tips for Responding to Hunger in a Pandemic
National Council of Churches: Joint Holy Week resources
LEAD: Holy Week Digital Worship Resources
The Masked Sewists for SE Wisconsin: Resources and tips for sewn PPE donations (website and Facebook group)
Sparkhouse: Family Sunday School virtual curriculum
Wisconsin Council of Churches: Advent and Christmas Resources
July 30, 2020 – Wisconsin Council of Churches: Returning to Church July 2020 Update
June 22, 2020 – ELCA World Hunger: At-Home VBS Curriculum
May 28, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Conversations Around Reopening webinar recording
May 27, 2020 – Wisconsin Council of Churches: Returning to Our Houses of Worship
May 21, 2020 – Church Mutual: Recommendations for a Safe Return to Worship Checklist
May 14, 2020 – JOINT LETTER: Wisconsin Supreme Court Safer at Home Ruling
May 12, 2020 – Returning to Worship
May 12, 2020 – ELCA Churchwide: Considerations for Returning to In-person Worship (English and Spanish)
May 7, 2020 – Virginia Theological Seminary: Vacation Bible School 2020: A Panel to Discuss Possibilities (Including Cancellation) for VBS During a Pandemic webinar recording
April 30, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “We still have God and each other” (video)
April 24, 2020 – What Will the Next 12-18 Months Look Like? (video)
April 23, 2020 – Extension of the Safer at Home Executive Order
April 23, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “Hope doesn’t disappoint” (video)
April 23, 2020 – Wisconsin Council of Churches: Guide to Returning to Church (website, PDF)
April 19, 2020 – A Sermon from Bishop Paul Erickson for the Second Sunday of Easter (YouTube, Dropbox and PDF)
April 17, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “It’s okay to grieve and hope” (video)
April 15, 2020 – Special Joint Appeal from Outreach for Hope and the Greater Milwaukee Synod
April 13, 2020 – Virginia Theological Seminary: Canceling Summer Programs: When Camps, Trips, And VBS Cannot Go On
April 9, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “There Will Be Joy” | Bishop Eaton’s Easter Message (video)
April 9, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: Easter Sunday Message (video – YouTube and Dropbox)
April 3, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “We Remain United” | Bishop Eaton issues Holy Week invitation (video)
April 2, 2020 – Bishop Erickson’s Palm Sunday Message
April 1, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “Be of good courage!” (video)
March 29, 2020 – CARES Act
March 28, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: “A God who is faithful” (video)
March 27, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: Response to COVID-19
March 26, 2020 – “Safer at Home” Executive Order
March 25, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: A Message for Rostered Ministers
March 24, 2020 – Greater Milwaukee Synod: Helpful webinars for rostered ministers and congregational leaders
March 23, 2020 – Opportunities to Connect with Greater Milwaukee Synod Colleagues
March 20, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: COVID-19 Resources for Rostered Ministers
March 19, 2020 – COVID-19 Letter to ELCA Leaders (data and video)
March 18, 2020 – Resources for Worship
March 16, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: Updated COVID-19 Information
March 13, 2020 – Augsburg Fortress: Temporary Expanded Licensing
March 12, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: A Proactive Response to the Coronavirus (video)
March 12, 2020 – Bishop Eaton on COVID-19 (video)
March 11, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: The Growing Threat of the Coronavirus
March 6, 2020 – Presiding Bishop Eaton: ELCA presiding bishop addresses concerns about COVID-19
March 5, 2020 – Bishop Erickson: A Pastoral Message