Along with those in our congregations and much of the global population, we at the Pacifica Synod are concerned about the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. We encourage everyone to stay informed and to prioritize the safety of themselves and their communities.
Resources Relating to In-Person Gatherings
- CA Dept of Public Health “Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors” – June 15, 2021
- CA Dept of Public Health Order (New) – June 15, 2021
- CA “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” – Find Status of Activities by County – August 31, 2020
- City/County of Honolulu – COVID-19 Guidance for Houses of Worship – June 12, 2020
- CA Public Health Directives/County Variance Information – UPDATED July 13, 2020
- CA Dept of Public Health – Industry Guidance for Places of Worship – UPDATED July 29, 2020
- Spoken Word Worship Bulletin Example – Without Communion (Word) (PDF)
- Spoken Word Worship Bulletin Example – With Communion (Word) (PDF)
- Celtic Worship Bulletin Example – Without Communion (Word) (PDF)
- Celtic Worship Bulletin Example – With Communion (Word) (PDF)
- CDC Considerations for Events and Gatherings – June 12, 2020
- From the Bishop – On Resuming In-Person Worship – June 3, 2020
- Hawaii Emergency Order 2020-13 – Pages Relating to In-Person Spiritual Services – May 21, 2020
- State of Hawai’i – “Beyond Recovery:Reopening Hawai’i” – May 18, 2020
- CDC Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith – May 23, 2020
- ELCA – Considerations for Returning to In-Person Worship (English) – May 12, 2020
- ELCA – Considerations for Returning to In-Person Worship (Spanish) – May 12, 2020
- Wisconsin Council of Churches – Returning to Church Resources (Plans, Sample Covenant, Webinar Recording)
- “Coronavirus Super-Spreader Events” – Business Insider – May 14, 2020
- Blog Post – “The Risks-Know Them-Avoid Them” – Erin Bromage – May 6, 2020
- “When Your Church Reopens, Here’s How to Meet Safely” – Daniel Chin– May 6, 2020
The CARES Act and Congregations
New/Updated Paycheck Protection Program Resources – May 21, 2020
- SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Application & Instructions (NEW as of May 18, 2020)
- Updated SBA PPP Borrower Application Form
- SBA FAQ for Lenders and Borrowers (NEW as of April 26, 2020)
- SBA How to Calculate Maximum Loan Amount (NEW as of April 24, 2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Borrower Fact Sheet (US Dept of the Treasury)
- SBA Faith-Based FAQ Document
- ELCA Paycheck Protection Program FAQ Video (NEW as of April 9, 2020)
- ELCA Paycheck Protection Program FAQ Document (Updated April 8, 2020)
- ELCA Paycheck Protection Program Informational Video (NEW as of April 9, 2020)
- ELCA Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic Document
- To find SBA Eligible Lenders*, click here
*If you are having difficulty in finding an SBA Lender, please contact Terri Robertson at terrirobertson@pacificasynod.org for potential resource information.
Synod Communication – April 1, 2020 – Important Information about the CARES Act and Congregations
Recent Synod Communications
June 10, 2021 – From the Bishop – Some Thoughts on Returning to In-Person Worship
March 13, 2021 – From the Bishop – Thoughts on Returning to In-Person, Indoor Worship
February 11, 2021 – From the Bishop – Thoughts on Indoor Worship
September 1, 2020 – From the Bishop – Updated Worship Guidelines for California and Hawai’i
July 13, 2020 – From the Bishop – A Call to Abide by California Governor’s Public Health Directive
June 3, 2020 – From the Bishop – On Resuming In-Person Worship
April 3, 2020 – From the Bishop – In-Person Worship
April 1, 2020 – Important Information about the CARES Act and Congregations
March 24, 2020 – From the Bishop – The CARES Act and Church Employees
March 23, 2020 – From the Bishop – To Our Synod Pastors and Deacons
March 21, 2020 – From the Bishop – Giving Thanks in This Time of Battling the Spread of COVID-19
March 16, 2020 – Joint Statement from Bishop Andy Taylor and Bishop Guy Erwin
March 14, 2020 – From the Bishop – Our God is Our Refuge and Strength
March 13, 2020 – Synod News & Event Updates
March 12, 2020 – Joint Message from Bishop Andy Taylor and Bishop Guy Erwin on COVID-19
ELCA Resources
NEW UPDATE – MARCH 30, 2020 – Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees
NEW UPDATE – DECEMBER 15, 2020 – Remote Meeting FAQ’s for Congregations
The ELCA has provided many resources to help leaders and members stay connected and resilient during COVID-19. These include worship resources, employer resources and news releases. They may be accessed on the ELCA’s Public Health page at https://elca.org/publichealth
ELCA Office of the Secretary Resource – Tracking Online Worship Attendance
Worship & Communion Resources
“Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic” from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments – Updated June 2021
“Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic” from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments – February 2021
For a letter from Bishop Eaton and the ELCA Worship Team regarding Holy Communion, click here.
“The Lord’s Supper and the Coronavirus” – Timothy Wengert
National & Local Resources
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to release the most up-to-date information on the disease, and both have developed a variety of resources regarding prevention and response.
On March 11, the California Department of Pubic Health issued an updated policy on gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. The full policy may be found here. We understand that leadership of each congregation must make their own informed choices and encourage you to refer to your County Public Health Department’s website for information specific to your location. See below for links to the health department in your county:
Orange County Public Health Care Agency
Riverside County Public Health
San Bernardino County Public Health
San Diego County Public Health Services
County of Los Angeles Public Health
Hawaii State Department of Health
Electronic Congregational Meetings
Below are two documents that may be helpful as you navigate this topic. The first is provided by the ELCA. The second, is more specific to California and has been provided by the Pacifica Synod’s attorney.
From the ELCA – Conducting Online Meetings – ELCA Considerations for Electronic Meetings
From the Pacifica Synod – Electronic Church Meetings
Live Streaming Resources
If your congregation is considering live streaming your worship services in order to minimize contact, the following resources may be helpful:
ELCA – How to Stream Your Worship Service – A Starter Guide
Episcopal Diocese of San Diego – Live Streaming Resources
Epidemic Preparedness: An Opportunity to Cultivate an Online Worship Community (Caffeinated Church)
COVID-19 Lockdown: Creating Live-streamed Worship in 3 Days (HackingChristianity.net)
Online Giving and Resources for Navigating Financial Challenges
Posted by Vanco:
Both Tithe.ly and Vanco are preferred vendors of the ELCA. For more information about either of these vendors, please go to https://elca.org/preferredvendors.
Employment Development Department (EDD) Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Using Zoom Video-Conferencing
Zoom video-conferencing app for meetings or small groups? If you’re new to Zoom and need some help getting started, below are some instructional videos to help you:
Zoom for Congregational Use (From the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA)
Zoom – Joining a Meeting
Using Breakout Rooms In Zoom (PDF)
How to avoid “ZoomBombing” Article & Instructions
Information on Volunteer Opportunities
Jeff Cours, a member of Synod Council and St. Peter’s by the Sea, San Diego, has put together the following document containing links to a variety of volunteer opportunities in various counties.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities (Updated April 4, 2020)
Resources for Schools and Childcare Facilities
The CDC has provided guidance for school setting that may be found here.
California Lutheran University’s “Ministry in Times of Crisis” Series
California Lutheran University is hosting a series of online gatherings for pastors, deacons, youth workers, church and faith community leaders relating to COVID-19.
These online gatherings are being recorded and may be found by going to https://www.callutheran.edu/mission-identity/congregational-relations/events/
We share the ELCA’s recommendations for churchwide staff members with you – wash your hands, stay home when you are sick, wear a mask if you have symptoms, and consult your medical provider when appropriate. Information will continue to be shared on our synod website (www.pacificasynod.org) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pacificasynod/).
We pray to you almighty God, in this time of need. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Do not let us fail in the face of these events. Uphold us with your love, and give us the strength we need. Help us in our confusion, and guide our actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (ELW Pastoral Care, pages 386-387)
What ELCA Pacifica Synod Churches are having Sunday services as usual? I need to find a church that I can actually attend. Thank you.