ELCA Church Council approves special COVID-19 fundraising appeal

Responding to the wide-ranging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the ELCA Church Council approved a special fundraising appeal during a teleconference meeting that convened April 8.

This fundraising effort of the ELCA will support congregations, synods, relief and development, global mission and affiliated ministries that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

The council also requested that the relevant churchwide organization units and offices provide periodic reports on the appeal to the executive committee and anticipate a recommendation for a timeline on the completion of the appeal.

In other action, the council authorized the churchwide organization to submit an application for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. The council requested that the Office of the Treasurer provide monthly meetings of the Executive Committee with updates on the status, usage and forgiveness of the loan and on compliance with the liquidity provisions. 

The council also authorized the Executive Committee to elect members to fill vacancies on the committee on appeals until the June 2020 Church Council meeting.