Last updated June 8, 12:30PM
The Office of the Bishop is actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on the health and well-being of people in the Southeastern Iowa Synod congregations and communities. New resources and information will be posted frequently on this page as it pertains to the pandemic and the ministry of the synod. Email your questions, comments, or resource suggestions about this page to Val Harlynn, Associate for Communications
Visit the eNews archives for the news and information emailed on Mondays
Bishop Eaton Letter (June 5)
This is the day (June 5)
Navigating returning to in-person worship (Bp. Eaton on CNN) (May 27)
Take time to enjoy God’s Creation (May 21)
God wants us to be whole (May 14)
A thriving church | ELCA Synod Assembly video (May 11)
God is working (May 7)
See more at the ELCA Public Health Concerns Resource Page
Synod Assembly
Synod Assembly has been scheduled for August 7th at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. See more
Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life (From The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments)
Baptism Guidelines: Bishop Burk has drafted “ Guidance for Holy Baptism During the COVID-19 Pandemic“
June 17 – Commemoration of the Emmanuel Nine: In 2019, June 17 was designed as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. There are several resources for planning worship for the Commemoration of the Emmanuel Nine.
ELCA Resources
ELCA: Worship Resources for Worship in the Home (posted weekly)
ELCA: Prayers in Times of Public Health Concern
ELCA: Worship in Times of Public Health Concern
Other Resources
Lutheran World Federation: Digital Worship and Sacramental Life in a Time of Pandemic
Lutheran World Federation: Intercessory Prayer in the midst of the spread of COVID-19
Read the Thursday Communication Updates for news and tips on ministry at a distance.
ELCA: Livestreaming starter guide
Using your church bell a resource from the NWMN Synod
Zoom information and tutorials
- Using Zoom Beginners Guide (From Southeastern Synod)
- Scheduling and starting a Zoom Meeting instructions (From Southwestern Texas Synod)
Create a paper trail for your PPP Loan: To qualify for turning your PPP loan into a forgivable grant you will need to prove that your church is following the PPP guidelines. You should be prepared to account for how every dollar is spent. There are several helpful tools to create a paper trail:
- Quickbooks tutorial (Youtube video, runtime 8:30)
- PPP Expense Worksheet (.xls)
- SBA Rules and Regulations for PPP Loans (.pdf)
- Loan Application Forgiveness Process (May 22)
ELCA: Summary of CARES Act Provisions (Mar.30)
Lutheran Services in America about the CARES act and other new regulations (Apr. 1)
Other Resources
ELCA: Best Practices for Counting Money and Bookkeeping
ELCA preferred vendors for online giving, Vanco and Tithe.ly
