COVID-19 Resources – The Southern District

Resources to Help Congregations, Schools, Church Workers, and Lay Leaders During COVID-19

Government Agencies and Legislation

Government Agencies

- - Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  - Also – CDC Resources specifically for Community and Faith-Based Leaders

- - World Health Organization (WHO)

Legislative Matters and CARES Act

- - Updates on Legislative Matters from Concordia Plan Services
  - Information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from Concordia Plan services

- - “Details of CARES Act: The Financial Bridge That Churches, Schools. & Nonprofits Need” (article with videos from Vanderbloemen)

- - “Coronavirus Emergency Loans – Small Business Guide and Checklist” from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

- - SBA.gov

Synod Agencies, Auxiliaries, and Other Southern District Partners

The links below provide resources to aid you in serving others, as well as physically, emotionally, and spiritually dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. Many of the agencies listed below also have Facebook pages where they are posting resource updates and streaming messages to encourage, uplift, and share peace & hope.

- - Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
    Resource Document: “Congregational Planning for Pandemics”
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLCMS/

- - Concordia Plan Services (CPS)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConcordiaPlanServices/

- - Lutheran Counseling Services (LCS)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lcsfl/

- - Concordia Publishing House (CPH)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConcordiaPublishing/

- - Southern District CEF
    If you have a need or question related to an investment or loan with Southern District CEF, please contact them (email).

- - Thrivent
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivent/
    Also check out Thrivent’s “How to Make a Difference from Afar”

- - Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LutheranHourMinistries/

- - Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLWML/

- - Visual Faith Ministry
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/427264530813132/

Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental Care

- - Lutheran Counseling Services

- - Concordia Plan Services (CPS)

- - Grace Place Wellness Ministries

- - DOXOLOGY – The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel

- - Shepherd’s Canyon

Coronavirus Communication

Emails from the District Office and President Johnson

- - 04-06-20: Additional Loan Guidance for Religious Nonprofit (from Concordia Plan Services)
  - 04-03-20: Lutheran Counseling Services – Virtual Support Groups
  - 04-03-20: Loan Application Guidance Available (from Concordia Plan Services)
  - 04-01-20: CARES Act Loan Application Info

- - 03-31-20: Information on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from Concordia Plan Services
  - 03-31-20: CORRECTION to SBA Loans
  - 03-31-20: SBA Loans – Deadline TODAY
  - 03-30-20: CARES Act
  - 03-25-20: Important Message from Southern District CEF
  - 03-19-20: Online Giving – Lutheran Federal Credit Union
  - 03-18-20: “3/18/20 Coronavirus Message from President Johnson”
  - 03-16-20: “LCMS Coronavirus Information – Congregational Planning for Pandemics”
  - 03-16-20: “Coronavirus Update”
  - 03-13-20: “COVID-19 Message from President Johnson”
  - 03-09-20: “Coronavirus Info”

Worship, Giving, and Technology

Worship Resources

- - “Communion and COVID-19” CTCR Statement

- - The Hymnal Project – lead sheets and recorded music that are free to use, from the LCMS Michigan District

- - CCLI Streaming License Information

- - LSB Hymn License Agreement
  - LSB Promotional License – streaming license trial

- - ONE LICENSE – offering free licenses to new users during COVID-19 (valid through April 15)

- - WORSHIPCast − CCS – offering discounts for new WORSHIPCast streaming licenses on purchases through April 10 with code STREAM10

Digital Giving Platforms

When your congregation is unable to gather in person for worship, several digital platforms are available so that congregational members can still give their offerings.

- - Joyful Response (LCEF)
  - GiveCloud (LFCU)
  - Pushpay
  - Stripe
  - Planning Center
  - RebelGive
  - Vanco
  - GivePlus (Vanco mobile app)
  - Kindred
  - Tithe.ly
  - EasyTithe
  - Givelify
  - PayPal

For congregational members who are not tech-savvy, consider providing self-addressed envelopes they can use to mail their offerings to your church.

Technology Help

- - Lutheran Communicators Facebook Page – 2,000+ Lutheran communicators from around the country. Help includes discussion threads on common communication / technology topics, as well as a mentorship program for 1-on-1 connections.

- - Concordia Technology Solutions Blog

- - The Ultimate Beginner’s Course on Facebook Live & Live Streaming for Churches Handbook

- - Two YouTube video tutorials on livestreaming worship services:
    - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWzRqf73zzg
    - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRFhC3jFyZ8&t=232s

Schools, Children, and Youth

Resources for Schools, Children, and Youth

- - Resources from Lutheran Counseling Services for parents, kids, teachers, and everyone!

- - LCMS Youth Ministry Facebook Page
  - youthESource – special resources available for youth and young adult ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic

- - LuthEd – LuthEd has added links to resources that will aid Lutheran schools in navigating ministry during COVID-19.

- - Gospel Adventures from Lutheran Hour Ministries
    Sample Lesson – Mongolia

- - For Home – Learning Beyond the Classroom from Concordia Publishing House

- - Learn at Home from Scholastic

- - Virtual and Interactive Tours – zoos, landmarks, museums, theatres, theme parks, nature, etc.

- - Bible Bedtime Stories from the Skit Guys

Other Resources

Resources for Meeting and Voting

- - Zoom – a great option for staff, faculty, leadership, or committee meetings; Bible studies; confirmation classes; day school instructional lessons; etc.

- - ElectionBuddy – a helpful resource for voting that needs to be conducted electronically and/or remotely

Prayer Vigils

The Southern District hosted weekly prayer vigils during the “stay at home / safer at home” period of COVID-19.

To view the “Together We Pray” prayer vigils, visit the Southern District YouTube channel.

The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod

The LCMS Southern District is part of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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LCMS Southern District
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Slidell, LA 70460-5216

P: 504-282-2632
F: 985-871-9696

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