SEPA Pandemic Resource Archive

These items are no longer updated, and are posted here for reference.

View Current Guidance

 

 

Diocese of Pennsylvania:Updated Protocols on Singing and Ventilation  — Insights from an ecumenical partner.

Considerations for safely reopening by Church Mutual  — Church Mutual offers a webinar, slides and guidelines to prepare and implement a plan to safely reopen churches.

CDC Guidelines for Faith-Based Organizations

COVID Guidance for Schools from ELEA

ELCA: Resources for Returning to In-Person Worship — Considerations for being church together during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Spanish

“Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic” — Protocols for worship during the COVID-19 pandemic as commended by an ecumenical consultation. | Spanish

“Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: COVID-19/Coronavirus” — Considerations for building church community and participating in worship when we cannot gather in person. | Spanish

 

Resources Provided by Congregations:

Decision Tool from Emmanuel, Souderton

 

Archived Documents:

Bishop Davenport Urges Churches Not to Reopen Until July 1 (May 23)

Considerations for Churches under PA Process for Reopening (May 27)

ELCA: “Congregational Planning Checklist for Public Health Concerns” — Lutheran Disaster Response details how you and your congregation can plan for the impact of a public health crisis in your church. | Spanish

ELCA: “Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic” — Frequently asked questions regarding appropriate use of technology to conduct the business of your congregation.

 

Other Resources:

Reopen.church — Service that helps churches reopen safely in the age of the coronavirus by providing a simple (and free) registration form that distributes people across multiple services and rooms.

 

Background Reading:

FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission — Document compiled by scientists and engineers with many years of experience in this field. Updated regularly.

Article: When It Comes to Covid-19, Most of Us Have Risk Exactly Backward — A Pediatrician on how to judge personal/corporate risk.

Article: This Overlooked Variable Is the Key to the Pandemic — An engineering professor sheds light on the importance of super-spreading events.

 

Worship Resources

• Resources for Worship in the Home are posted weekly at blogs.ELCA.org/Worship.
• Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns English | Spanish
• Prayers for Times of Public Health Concern: COVID-19/Coronavirus English | Spanish
• How to stream your worship service — A starter guide English | Spanish
• Intercessory Prayers in the midst of the spread of COVID-19 from the Lutheran World Federation English | Spanish
• Guidance for funeral practices during a health crisis Download

Faith Formation Resources

• Faith at Home | Resources from ELCA Faith Formation
• Faith formation guide
• Bible study
• Prayer Ventures
• Faith Practices – Living Our Baptism
• Lectionary
• Sparkhouse Family Sunday School
• ​Sunday School @ Home: From Dan Fugate of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod
• Faith Finder Fun: Mon-Sat Videos: Backyard Monday, Treasure Tuesday, Creative Wednesday, Magic Thursday, Science Friday and Random Sat.
• ​Illustrated Ministry: Free Devotionals and Coloring Pages
• Morning Watch: Daily videos with scripture/song/prayer – one for everyone, one specifically for kids and families. (From 2 ELCA pastors in NC)
• ​Free Church Lesson, Bulletins, and Activity Sheets for Children
• Pandemic Hope: A Family Devotional

PRESIDING BISHOP’S MESSAGES >   SPANISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES >

 

Congregational Administration and Support

• Guides for Finding Community Assistance Resources by State
• FAQ on Paycheck Protection Program Loans English | Spanish | Watch the Video
• Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic English | Spanish
• Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees English | Spanish
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act – UCC Update English | Spanish
• Summary of Cares Act Provisions | Read the document.
• Response to COVID-19 from ELCA presiding bishop English | Spanish
• Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton has issued a statement in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Read the full statement.
• Lutheran Disaster Response, Our Impact on the Coronavirus.
• How to stream your worship service — A starter guide English | Spanish
• Congregational Planning Checklist for Public Health Concerns English | Spanish
• ELCA advocacy is present in policy discernment and information sharing.
• ELCA presiding bishop issues pastoral message in response to COVID-19 pandemic | Read the news release.

 

Updated: November 20, 2020 by Bob Fisher

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