As news around the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop, we pray the links below will prove helpful to you. We begin and end with prayer, asking that God will bring healing to all who are sick, comfort to all who mourn, and an end to the spread of this virus.

Jump to a section of this page . . .

• Latest news updates & recommendations

• LCMS news & recommendations

• Emotional wellness resources for self and staff

• Resources for church members

• Resources for churches

• Resources for schools & early learning centers

• Financial resources & information

Our state, nation, government, and international bodies are working constantly to provide everyone with the latest news and updates. As COVID-19 increasingly impacts everyone’s daily lives, these are trustworthy places to get your news:

• Minnesota COVID-19 Response website

• All executive orders from the office of Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

  • FAQ on Executive Order 20-81, Requiring Minnesotans to Wear a Face Covering in Certain Settings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 (7.23.2020)

• Minnesota Department of Health

  • Industry guidelines for safe reopening of faith-based communities (7.23.2020)

• Centers for Disease Control

• Guidelines from the Whitehouse, CDC, and FEMA

• World Health Organization

You may find encouragement from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Minnesota South District, and other LCMS districts at this time:

• Video message from LCMS President Matthew Harrison (3.13.2020)

• FAQ with LCMS President Matthew Harrison following updated government restrictions (3.16.2020)

• Joint letter from MN North and South Presidents Donald Fondow and Lucas Woodford (4.15.2020)

• Letter from LCMS President Matthew Harrison in defense of religious liberties (5.19.2020)

Messages from Minnesota South District:

• Press statement from President Woodford (5.21.2020)

• Video message of encouragement and hope from President Woodford (3.19.2020)

• Video message and letter to not have a spirit of fear from President Woodford (5.13.2020)

• Video message to rest in the confidence and hope of Jesus from President Woodford (5.20.2020)

• Video message and letter to take heart from President Woodford (5.29.2020)

• Strategic planning letters to all in the District were emailed on April 24, May 1, and May 13.

• Letters to all pastors were emailed on March 2, March 13, March 17, March 26, May 12, May 20, May 23, and July 23.

• Letters to all school educators and early childhood directors were emailed on March 3, March 13, March 16 (for K-12), March 16 (for early childhood directors), and March 18.

Care for self:

• Take Care of Yourself

• Self-Care Strategies—Coronavirus Fears & Concerns

• EAP Benefit CISM handout

Care for your staff

• Managing the Return to the Workplace

• What Can I Do—Supporting Employees

• Tips & Resources for Managers—Coronavirus Fears & Concerns

During this time when things feel constantly in flux, when you may be unable to meet with your brothers and sisters in Christ in person, we have gathered some resources to help you find ways to continue to connect with and serve others.

• List of MN South District congregations utilizing alternative methods of worship and connection (including livestreaming)

• Participate in a District-wide prayer vigil on Friday, June 12, at 12 p.m. CDT. The complete guide to follow along with is available as a PDF by clicking here.

• Creative ways for Christians to help during the COVID-19 quarantine from LINC

• Adult and children’s resources and ideas, daily devotions, and more from Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)

• Video: How to do family devotions at home, with Pastor Sean Daenzer, director of Worship for the LCMS

• Free home Christian educator resources from Concordia Publishing House

• Community resources (4.1.2020): The Program in Health Disparities Research at the University of Minnesota Medical School has put together an extensive resource list, particularly helpful for those in marginalized communities. Resources listed include those for food, housing, employment, utilities, and finance assistance. This is a Google Doc that will be updated as resources become available and / or change.

Finally, we encourage you to find alternative ways of giving if you are no longer meeting in-person for worship. This may include online giving, giving over the phone, or mailing in your gift. Contact your church office or pastor for help finding out how you can continue to give as normal. The MN South District office also appreciates your continued support.

As you—the faithful congregations of the MN South District—continue to find ways to minister to your members and communities, we pray the resources below will help you navigate your situation.

Participate in a District-wide prayer vigil on Friday, June 12, at 12 p.m. CDT. The complete guide to follow along with is available as a PDF by clicking here.

Phased reopening plans & resources

• Guidance and resources from the CDC for faith-based organizations

• WHO mass gathering religious addendum risk assessment tool in the context of COVID-19 (Excel spreadsheet)

• WHO risk assessment decision tree flowchart for religious organizations

• Minnesota Family Council guidelines for reopening churches

• Minnesota Department of Health information for faith-based organizations

• Minnesota Department of Health guidance on drive-in church services (during the stay at home order)

Communion practices

• 2020 Online Communion addendum and summary statements from the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)

• Communion considerations from the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)

• Webinar on Communion practices with President Woodford (4.8.2020)

• Slides from webinar on Communion practices with President Woodford (4.8.2020)

• Paper: Ordinance & Institution of the Lord’s Supper by President Woodford (4.17.2020)

Livestreaming & recording

Click here to submit your congregation’s livestream / alternative form of meeting details for others to see.

• Tips from LCMS Rosters & Statistics on tracking attendance during stay at home orders

• How to livestream for the first time—very comprehensive step-by-step guide

• Article with helpful tips to get started livestreaming

• Video with tips about video & livestream options

• Video how to livestream with just your smartphone

• Copyright guidance to take into consideration

• Concordia Publishing House offering free limited promotional license until the end of sheltering in place

Click here to jump to financial resources & information

Bookmark these websites:

• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

• Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

  • MDE CARES Act funding information

• Minnesota Independent School Forum (MISF) COVID-19 page

Planning for 2020-2021 school year

• Review Executive Order 20-82 “Authorizing and Directing the Commissioner of Education to Require School Districts and Charter Schools to Provide a Safe and Effective Learning Environment for Minnesota’s Students during the 2020-2021 School Year”

• Read the associated press release “Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan Announce Safe Learning Plan for 2020-21 School Year”

• 14-day case rates by county are available on the Minnesota Department of Health website

• Decision Tree from the Minnesota Department of Health

• Transportation for Nonpublic & Charter Schools

• Guide: The First 20 Days of Virtual Learning

• Examples of virtual tours

• Lutheran Schools Communicator, issue 4: Social Media Help

Letters to all school educators and early childhood directors were emailed on the following dates:

• March 3 (initial guidance and preparation recommendations)

• March 13 (suspension of school-based instruction)

• March 16 (for K-12) (following Governor Walz’s closure of school-based learning & many resources for online learning)

• March 16 (for early childhood directors) (following Governor Walz’s closure of school-based learning & many resources for online learning)

• March 18 (advice to keep a record of all COVID-19-related spending)

Additional recommended resources / articles:

• Guidance from National Association of Independent Schools

• Minnesota Distance Teaching and Learning Implementation Guidance

• NLSA Update and Frequently Asked Questions in Response to COVID-19

• Editorial article: “Why keeping schools closed this fall would destroy public education”

• Article: “New poll reveals parents want one-on-one distance learning support from teachers but aren’t getting much of it”

CARES Act (passed 3.27.2020)

Inquiries regarding legislative information on the CARES Act, as applicable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, can be directed to Concordia Plan Services’ website at www.concordiaplans.org. They have been given the directive for the interpretation of this act as applicable for LCMS. Please allow them the opportunity to update this information.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also released an FAQ document that may be helpful to some. Access it here.

More information about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established by the CARES Act, can be found on the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website.

Stewardship considerations during COVID-19

To be sure, we have the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Holy Christian Church will carry on, that not even the gates of Hell can prevail against her (Matthew 16:18). However, as gatherings of all kinds—from worship to Bible study classes to K-12 classrooms—have been suspended, many of you have concerns about your church and / or school’s financial stability.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt on multiple levels, not the least of which is financially. Please know that the Minnesota South District is committed to helping you explore options and available assistance at this time.

• To all congregation members, we encourage you to find alternative ways of giving if you are no longer meeting in-person for worship. This may include online giving, giving over the phone, or mailing in your gift. Contact your church office or pastor for help finding out how you can continue to give as normal.

• To all pastors, principals, and church / school staff, appeal to your members and families—they will respond. Communicate your needs so that they know how best they can help. Email our office if you need help finding out how to set up online giving or would like to learn more about financial assistance available through LCEF and other District sources.

Online giving

• Joyful Response through LCEF is a free stewardship service for LCMS congregations, schools, and registered service organizations (RSOs). Click here to learn more.

• GiveCloud through Lutheran Federal Credit Union also has resources to help you set up online giving. Click here to learn more.

For LCEF resources, please contact Kai Larson, your LCEF Minnesota South District Vice President. You may also find this document helpful (updated 4.3.2020 and subject to change).

Finally, please note that as of June 1, 2020, the Minnesota South District staff has resumed working from the District office.

District Office COVID-19 Operations

According to Minnesota Governor Walz Executive Order 20-20, the Minnesota South District office is an exempted critical sector organization (under sections v. “Faith leaders and workers” and w. “Education”). In compliance with the MN Department of Labor and Industry Standards, a COVID-19 Operations Plan has been implemented to promote a safe and healthy workplace for our workers and those we serve during these challenging times. Visitors to our building should be aware of the following:

• Please do not come if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

• There is hand sanitizer located at the entrance and throughout the building.

• There are hand-washing facilities (bathrooms) on each level of our building.

• Masks are available upon request.

• We ask that a social distance of six feet be implemented and maintained between District staff and visitors.

• The capacities and chair positions in our meeting rooms and waiting area have been changed to maintain 6 feet of separation.

Please contact our office if there is anything we can do to make your visit safe for you.

Please keep in mind that the situation around COVID-19 is very fluid—the content and resources on this page can change rapidly based on new developments. The Minnesota South District will do its best to keep this page current, but please consult state, nation, government, and international bodies for the latest, most accurate information about the spread of COVID-19 and recommended actions.