Since the early days of the pandemic, the ELCA has been a partner in the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments, publishing general and seasonal guidance for safe worship practices. 

Over the past two months, the consultation met once again to approve a comprehensive update to the guidance originally published in the summer of 2020, incorporating the latest CDC guidance and other interim guidance previously issued by the consultation.

The consultation included an ecumenical group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors, bishops, and practitioners from at least seven church bodies. 

View/download the Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic PDF document.

A link to this resource has been added to ELCA.org/publichealth.

Additional resources can be found on the ecumenical consultation website or Facebook page.

• https://www.facebook.com/worshipsafely

• https://sites.google.com/view/worshipsafely

On Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments will host a webinar titled “Leading the Church in a Lingering Pandemic,” a roundtable discussion with public health experts and pastors in a time of progress and uncertainty concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. How will congregations minister to those who are vaccinated and those who are not vaccinated in multigenerational settings? What church activities should we continue to adapt or avoid, such as congregational singing or shaking hands?

• Direct Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wpYj60aATIu8XxHysK1fxA

• Facebook Event invitation: https://fb.me/e/5uVtDe5SQ