Resources Related to Covid-19

The response of governments, organizations, and faith Communities to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. As our congregations adjust to changing realities, we offer this page as a resources for all clergy, leaders, and members to give opportunity for ongoing worship, prayer, and faith formation.

Worship Online

Many MNO Congregations are providing worship services online (live, pre-recorded, or as a bulletin/manuscript) for anyone to access.

(Here is a good tutorial for crossposting facebook live videos)

2020 Video streaming Guide is a brief guide on how to insert pre-recorded sermons and cross-post videos from other congregations (perhaps for when leaders are on holiday)

Devotions

Resources to stay connected with scripture and active in prayer:

God Pause – a daily devotional from Luther Seminary, St. Paul MN. You can subscribe to receive daily emails.

Lutherans Connect+ – daily devotions shared electronically. Subscribe to daily emails.

Lutheran World Federation – variety of devotional and prayer resources for various seasons/themes throughout the year

Worship at Home

Here are some things to help maintain worship practice at home. Some of these links might have resources that can be printed and mailed to those without internet:

Worship.ca – the official worship website of the ELCIC. They provide Where Two or Three are Gathered: Worship for Small Assemblies

ELCIC Pastor’s Resource – a Youtube channel created by ELCIC pastors and congregations. Includes worship, devotional, children’s, and other resources.

ELCA Blog Resource: Worship at Home

ELCA Resource: Daily Prayer at Home

Worship with MNO Congregations

Below is a list of MNO Congregations who are providing worship services online (live, pre-recorded, or as a bulletin/manuscript) for anyone to access (as of 5/2022):

Manitoba

Sherwood Park Lutheran Church – Sundays at 10:30am CDT

Faith Lutheran Church – Sundays at 10:00am CDT

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church– Sundays at 10:30am CDT

Abundant Life Lutheran Church and
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – worship live streamed via Twitch at 11:00. Recorded services available later on congregation web sites and on YouTube.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – worship, devotions, and recorded sermons

Messiah Lutheran Church –  weekly worship via Facebook Live, Sun. 11:00am

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – live-stream worship on Sundays at 10:00 am.

St. Stephen and St. Bede – a blended Lutheran and Anglican worshipping community. Weekly worship live-streamed to Facebook at 11:00 a.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Thalberg  – A link to videos, PDF copies of sermons and children’s messages on the website.

Epiphany Lutheran – Livestream worship posted on YouTube, 10:00 a.m.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Steinbach — Services recorded and posted to YouTube (weekly services at 10:00 a.m.).  Additional resources and info on web site.

Thunder Bay, ON

Hilldale Lutheran – English, Finnish and bi-lingual pre-recorded services posted to YouTube.  Also the service for Salem Lutheran, Pass Lake, ON

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay–recorded service posted to YouTube ChannelSunday afternoon.  Sunday liturgy and sermon manuscript posted on Saturday to http://www.oursaviourstbay.org

Non-recorded resources:

Service outlines and sermon manuscripts from Rev. Theo Robinson (Interlake Regional Shared Ministry/St. Michael’s Anglican Parish)

Sermon manuscripts and other reflections from Pr. Erik Parker (Sherwood Park Lutheran)

Government & Health Updates

The Province of Manitoba has developed a more detailed set of guides for various gatherings–including faith-based gatherings.  Rather than continuing to update the synod guidelines, we recommend these to you as you consider the needs in your context.  We are available to help you and your congregation translate these guides to your specific situation.

This order from Ontario (June 8, 2020) allows for 30% capacity as of June 12.

This resource is for congregations in Manitoba (May 16, 2020) to allow for electronic meetings when their by-laws don’t currently have a provision for that.

This order from Ontario (May 16, 2020) allows for drive-in worship services.

Frequently updated information and policy:

Government of Canada – Public health information from across the country

Government of Manitoba – News and updates from Manitoba Health, including COVID-19 bulletins

Government of Ontario – Dedicated COVID-19 page with updates and information

Additional Resources

Other various resources available to congregations and leaders:

Hope, Gratitude and Solidarity – A Message to Canadians from Religious Leaders in Canada

Faith + Lead – Resources from Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) to help congregations adapt to challenges

Canadian Centre for Christian Charities – blog posts by CCCC’s CEO John Pellowe for pastors and ministry leaders

ELCA – Resources and tips from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

World Health Organization resource: Practical Considerations and Recommendations for Religious Leaders and Faith-based Communities

On-Demand Webinar: Mental Health and Resilience During COVID-19 from the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute

Tolerance for Uncertainty — Covid-19 Workbook

ELCA Document: Considerations for Returning to In-Person Worship (May 2020)

Here are Additional Resources

In 2020, social worker Ian Reedman led a workshop on understanding the body’s response to stress.

This workbook walks helps you learn how to understand feelings, tolerate distress, and thrive

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