COVID-19 Resources

While Advent is a season of hope and Christmas is a season of joy, we know all too well that not everyone feels hopeful or like celebrating right now. The pandemic, grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, and loss are magnified. Those who are not struggling with losses may feel the stress of changed preparations and expectations […]

The Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, gratefully announces the award of an ELCA COVID-19 grant for $10,000.00. As part of an ELCA COVID-19 response, the ELCA Church Council authorized a new fund to receive revenue to directly support ministries of the ELCA. This summer our synod received a grant of $7,500.00. These new, additional funds are […]

Bp. Jon Anderson shares insights on MN COVID-19 data. These resources will help you understand how to read the data to keep you and your congregation informed.   COVID-19 State Data w/Bp. Jon Anderson from SW MN Synod on Vimeo. Helpful Links:  MN Department of Health Email Updates  Covid in the U.S.: Latest Map and […]

At the last congregational Lay Leaders Zoom meeting, Bp. Jon and the synod staff talked about planning for the winter and moving into 2021. There are two very important details we want to share with everyone! Pr. Dee and Pr. Steve re-recorded their presentations to help answer questions that might arise during your congregational fall […]

+Rev. Dee Pederson, D.Min., Director for Evangelical Mission One of the powerful ways this truth has been lived out in the COVID-19 crisis is: “generosity.” As unemployment soared and demands on food pantries increased, generous donors across the ELCA contributed $1.6 million to the ELCA COVID-19 Response Fund. This generosity has come to our synod […]

A message from Bishop Jon V. Anderson  Thanks for your courageous leadership to serve the mission of Jesus in the life of your congregations and community while protecting and keeping people safe.    Collaboration is a value we have been lifting up because congregations that have been finding ways to support one another appear to be doing better with […]

Are you ready to learn more about digital ministry, but not sure where to begin?  Looking for true 101-level basics? The SW MN Synod has just learned about a training on digital ministry, and will help support a small team from up to 5 congregations to attend eFormation 101: Presentations and Coaching, by Virginia Theological […]

+Pr. Dee Pederson, D.Min., Director for Evangelical Mission Many of us wish we’d taken steps toward having an online presence years ago. But we were busy. And mainly, we didn’t know where to begin. Stay-at-Home pushed people out of the comfort of the sanctuary and into the comfort of home. For clergy and worship leaders […]

+Pr. Stephen Cook, Synod Minister  “Flatten the curve” was the challenge in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It worked! The medical systems were not overwhelmed. Because of individual and collective actions, a cautious reopening of the economy is possible. However, there are signs of a different curve we need to flatten – the […]