COVID-19
Worship - Live streams
MNO Congregations who 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)
HERE is a brief guide on how to insert pre-recorded sermons and cross-post videos from other congregations (perhaps for summer worship when leaders are on holiday)
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 Channel Sunday 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)
ELCIC Updates
Letters from our National Church (more info on the ELCIC Public Health page)
Sept. 08, 2020 (ELCIC update on the CEWS)
Aug. 6, 2020 (letter to treasurers regarding financial support available through the Government of Canada programs)
June 12, 2020 (letter to treasurers regarding support and programs available to congregations)
May 3, 2020 (Open Letter from Lutheran and Anglican Bishops re: Guaranteed Basic Income)
April 2, 2020
March 16, 2020
March 13, 2020
March 4, 2020
Understanding the Body’s Response to Stress
Understanding the Body’s Response to Stress–PowerPoint Slides
Worship Resources
Here are some things to help maintain worship practice at home:
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
Waytolead.org – an ELCA-affiliated organization offering resources to leaders. They have free Holy Week liturgies and PowerPoints for use in digital worship.
Holy Week I Spy Poem – a Holy Week activity for children and families
For Children & Youth
Children & Youth may need some special attention as they sense the anxiety around them. A separate Faith Formation Resource page has been created and will be updated regularly with resources and ideas for ministering with young people during this time.
Daily 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
Other Links
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)
MNO Synod Letters and 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.
Letters from Bishop Jason, and ongoing updates. To receive updates directly, sign up for our newsletter.
- March 18, 2021 Letter to Congregations
- March 18, 2021 Updated Guide for Congregations
- Oct. 31, 2020 Pastoral Letter to Leaders
- Sept 29, 2020 Pastoral Letter to leaders
- May 22, 2020 — Re-opening guideline COVID-19
MNO COVID Congregation Poster
MB Health Covid Poster – attention visitors
MB Health Covid-precautions
April 15, 2020
April 1, 2020
March 31, 2020
March 16, 2020
March 13, 2020
Letters from Church Partners and invitations for prayer.
LWF Invitation to Prayer – a joint invitation with the Roman Catholic Church
Government and 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