Resources for Church in the Time of Coronavirus
Virtual church, remote meetings, online worship, home faith formation – it’s all new to us. We are learning together. To make it easier, we have created a webpage, ministrylink.org/virtualchurch, where we are collecting resources, ideas, tutorials, and more to help you be creative while being church in this difficult time.

Please share stories of your experiments, even failures, so we cal learn from one another. Send story ideas, photos, or video to Pastor Bob Fisher at rfisher@sepa.org.
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Prayer and Encouragement
From Bishop Davenport
In this video message, Bishop Patricia A. Davenport offers prayer for our leaders and congregations as together we continue to press through to the other side of the pandemic.

In this pastoral word of encouragement, the Bishop asks Lutherans to be gentle with one another as individuals and congregations have varying feelings about returning to in-person gatherings. As the Delta variant continues to claim lives, the bishop says: “In love as disciples of Christ we too give our lives for the sake of the other. We encourage vaccinations as per the instructions of the experts and we trust that those who choose not to be vaccinated will continue to wear their masks to protect others as we continue to gather in person.”

Click the image to watch the video or read the transcript below.
Vaccine Information
We have published a new web page with information you can use in sharing your own vaccine story and helping people in your congregation and community understand why getting vaccinated is so important with the spread of the Delta variant.

Visit the web page
“Nothing Right Now Is Normal…”

Greetings beloved. I pause today to offer a prayer and a word of encouragement as we continue to press through to the other side of this pandemic. Join me in a prayer taken from All Creation Sings. Let us pray.

Sovereign God, your Son Jesus lived within the structures of society even as he spoke truth to those in power and challenged systems of oppression. Empower us to be courageous disciples and responsible citizens. Grant that our life in the public realm be grounded in the love for our neighbors, care for the most vulnerable in our midst and respect for the common life we share, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

After conversation with some of our lay and rostered ministers, I take this opportunity to ask that we be gentle and kind with one another as we slowly move to returning to our new abnormal, because nothing right now is normal for many. Please, listen to the infectious disease experts, especially our own, Dr. Babinchak, a member of St. John’s Phoenixville, Dr. Michael Osterholm, a member of the President’s COVID 19 Advisory Board, a Lutheran who speaks to the conference of bishops with updates. Go to MinistryLink.org to hear a word of wisdom. We pay attention to the CDC guidelines and we listen to the words of scripture.

Jesus says in John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment that you love one another just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” 

Yes. In love as disciples of Christ we too give our lives for the sake of the other. We encourage vaccinations as per the instructions of the experts and we trust that those who choose not to be vaccinated will continue to wear their masks to protect others as we continue to gather in person.

Please know that we continue in prayer for our frontline workers as this Delta variant is claiming lives daily. We pray for those who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray your strength as together we continue building the kingdom of God in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Synod, that we might be the beloved community that God calls us to be.

Stay blessed and stay safe for your sake and for the sake of the other. God bless you all.
The Rev. Patricia A. Davenport
Bishop
More from the Bishop

Southeastern PA Synod, ELCA | ministrylink.org

Lutherans together: Loving God. Reflecting Jesus. Serving our neighbors.
​We equip our congregations and leaders for mission and service in the 21st Century, fostering passionate spirituality, vital congregations, adaptive leaders, effective storytelling, and faithful generosity.

​On Sunday, Sept. 12, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.
 
Our church — and our world — continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic. But the good news is that we are beginning to experience a slow return to physical community as more people become vaccinated. We look forward to gathering with family and friends once again to share God’s love in person.
 
Amid this ongoing situation, we continue to be church together. Across the ELCA we are witnessing the love and concern God’s people have for one another. During this time, our congregations continue to support ministries that assist vulnerable people in their communities.
 
As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if these acts of service take place from our homes or from a safe distance.
 
As you explore opportunities to participate in our dedicated day of service, visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for helpful planning resources
 
Planning toolkit

• “Service in the Time of COVID-19”
• Posters, postcards and social media graphics
• Promotional items
• Videos
• Special hymn text, music and recording

 
If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 12, please consider another day for your service activities.
 
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send your stories and photos to mailto:LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
 
Old Lutheran will have T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts from Old Lutheran is Aug. 17.
 
Sharing the love of Christ through service to our neighbors is work you do every day. We look forward to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday and doing this work together again this year.