Posts in Covid-19
Church together: Share the ways you are gathering online
Church together: Share the ways you are gathering online

While we may not be meeting in person, the church is gathering, worshiping, and praying more than ever. Please share all the ways you are gathering and being church together. We will post your information on the gcsynod.org website (the page will be published soon).

Use our online resource form, or email Brian Flatgard directly: bflatgard@gcsynod.org. Be sure to include web links and how often these events will be recurring. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know changes as we move forward.

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Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: COVID-19/Coronavirus
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: COVID-19/Coronavirus

From the ELCA Public Health page, Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns is available in English and Spanish (updated March 20, 2020).

When worshiping together in person is not advised or prohibited by municipal/state government, leaders are facing circumstances they have likely not encountered. This resource is offered to help consider how we are the body of Christ together when we cannot gather in-person for worship.

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ELCA, Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
Coronavirus Guidelines for America
Coronavirus Guidelines for America

President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines to help protect Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak. Download the Coronavirus guideline: English | Español

Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others. Everyone can do their part. The new recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health.

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Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
FAQs in time of COVID-19 for faith-based leaders from DHHS & ELCA Advocacy
FAQs in time of COVID-19 for faith-based leaders from DHHS & ELCA Advocacy

ELCA Advocacy staff attended White House coronavirus briefings for faith leaders that provide access to public health experts’ advice for religious communities.

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list from The Partnership Center, Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS Partnership Center) was also highlighted during the Mar. 19 briefing and may be helpful in our ministry settings. Download the FAQs here.

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ELCA Advocacy, Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
ELCA scientists and doctors urge swift action
ELCA scientists and doctors urge swift action

We present two ELCA doctors who share very important messages of sobering reality as well as hope.

Dr. Karen Kibler attends Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chandler, AZ, and is working on a coronavirus vaccine in her role as professor at ASU. She says,“I believe that if Christ were here today, he would preach from a distance, minister to groups of only two or three, and find ways to provide basic needs to those who cannot seek them on their own.” View Dr. Kibler’s full interview in this post or view a PDF.

Dr. Erica C. Bjornstad of the Southeastern Synod is an epidemiologist with extensive experience in disaster relief settings. Her letter to ELCA leaders urges swift action, including: cancelling gatherings, planning for remote funerals, weddings, and baptisms; and planning for how to function when pastors become ill or die. View Dr. Bjornstad’s letter in this post, or view a PDF, and her YouTube video.

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Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
ELCA Advocacy March updates
ELCA Advocacy March updates

ELCA Advocacy has many updates, including our first ever update from Solveig Muus and the newly formed Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA).

The March update includes: U.N. | Arizona | California | Colorado | Delaware | Kansas | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Southeastern | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin. Advocacy connections include COVID-19 | Landmines | Hmong and Laotian Deportations | FY2021 Budget | Fair housing rule.

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LAMA, Advocacy, ELCA, Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
Public health pages available at ELCA and Grand Canyon Synod sites
Public health pages available at ELCA and Grand Canyon Synod sites

With the outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and around the world, congregations and houses of worship need to be well-informed and well-prepared. The ELCA and Grand Canyon Synod have created pages with information that offers guidance as we minister to and engage with each other, and within our communities, as the body of Christ. Visit elca.org/publichealth and gcsynod.org/coronavirus for more info.

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ELCA, Covid-19, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardComment
Bishop Hutterer: Being church in a time of pandemic
Bishop Hutterer: Being church in a time of pandemic

This Lenten season we live in a time of pandemic. We also live in a time of rapid change. Coronavirus—ignoring the human boundaries of nation-states, class, culture, race, and religion—spreads with the exponential inevitability of a mathematical formula.

As we struggle to understand the virus and its effect on our daily lives, we also wonder how best to be church together. We are a church whose practices literally go hand-in-hand with sharing the virus.

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Bishop Hutterer, Covid-19, LettersBrian FlatgardComment
ADHS offers COVID-19 webinar for faith-based organizations
ADHS offers COVID-19 webinar for faith-based organizations

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) will be hosting a COVID-19 webinar for faith-based organizations and social services on Friday, March 13, 2020, 10-11 am. The purpose is to cover disease background, Arizona’s response activities, what we know, what you should do, and allow time for questions and answers. View this PDF brochure or the ADHS COVID-19 ​website.

Join the webinar online: Visit Azgov.webex.com, meeting number: 800 469 973, password: FAI2020
Or call (415) 655-0003, access code: 800 469 973

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Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
Lutheran World Relief Coronavirus update
Lutheran World Relief Coronavirus update

Here in the United States, our systems are on high alert and cities, health systems, and individuals are all preparing for possibilities presented by the coronavirus.

But in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda that is not the case. Health systems are not prepared. Health workers are vulnerable. And families are at risk. That's why we need to speed up our response.

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Lutheran World Relief, Covid-19Brian FlatgardComment
Bishop Eaton addresses concerns about COVID-19
Bishop Eaton addresses concerns about COVID-19

In 1527 the plague returned to Wittenberg, Germany. Two hundred years earlier the plague had swept across Europe killing up to 40% of the population. Understandably, people were anxious and wondered what a safe and faithful response might be.

In answer to this, Martin Luther wrote "Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague." In it, he emphasized the duty to care for the neighbor, the responsibility of government to protect and provide services to its citizens, a caution about recklessness, and the importance of science, medicine and common sense.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Covid-19, LettersBrian FlatgardComment
Congregational Planning Checklist for Public Health Concerns
Congregational Planning Checklist for Public Health Concerns

With the outbreaks of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States, congregations and houses of worship need to be well-informed and well-prepared. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is now a pandemic. A step-by-step approach to prepare for a serious outbreak can be useful. View the Congregational Planning Checklist for Public Health Concerns (updated 3/11/2020).

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Lutheran Disaster Response, Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment