Bishop Dillahunt's video call with rostered ministers from 4.30.20 is available now on our YouTube channel

In this call Bishop Dillahunt and Dr. Curt Passafume, Pharm.D., answer our rostered ministers' questions and concerns regarding the next steps to coming back together as a church.

Please share with you church council and other lay leaders.

Send us your updates!

Updates to online, streaming and any other worship services, Bible studies, etc needed for SOS COVID-19 Resources page.

Worship & Study Resources

Please check out Worship & Study Resources section to see if your information is still correct. If not, or if you'd like to have your online worship service listed, please email sbarton-nonno@southernohiosynod.org with the updates.

COVID-19 Resources centralized for easy access to the information you need

Please see our COVID-19 Resources page by clicking on the link below (also found in our Quick Links section on the bottom left of or home page) or select one of the links to a specific section using those links below.

https://bit.ly/SOS-COVID19

New information in the COVID-19 Resources section you need to know about:

1. Publications to consider as congregations make a plan to begin in-person worship

Guidelines For Re Engaging In Public Religious Gatherings

From Citizens for Community Values (Ohio specific)

24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return 

Article by Ken Braddy, Jr. (Not Ohio specific)

Guidance for the New Normal from the Clergy Coaching Network

Clergy Coaching blog (Not Ohio specific)

• CARES Act
• Notes from the Bishop
• SOS Resources
• ELCA Resources
• ODH CDC WHO Resources
• Worship & Study Resources (Includes links to online worship and Bible studies)
• Mental Health Resources
• Conference & Web Services
• Prayers

Connect with the High School 'Connect Retreat' online!

With the need to cancel this year, we (Dan Jacob) came up with the idea and coordinated the design of an online Connect Retreat experience. It's flexible, fun and free. Check it out!

Recruitment for the 2020 cohort for Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) extended until May 22

Given the mass disruption in the life of the church and society, Pr. Katie Kerrigan is extending the SAS recruitment period to May 22. Please don't miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Need a break?

Substitute pastor available to allow your pastor to take a Sunday off!

Have you been working non-stop since the stay at home order started? Need a break? One of our SOS supply preachers is available to assist in making that happen.

Tracking Online Worship Attendance--Updates to Form A for ELCA reporting

This period of “social distancing” has demanded that congregations come up with creative online solutions for gathering the community in worship, whether through livestreaming, posting of recorded services, or both. This has led to many questions about how to track and report attendance when it comes time to fill out Form A next year.

Reminder regarding live streaming licenses for your congregation's online worship services

Most licenses do not include streaming unless the congregation pays an extra fee to include online streaming in the scope of the license.

Sustain the Flame! TLS Summer Seminary Sampler is still going strong...

COVID-19 can’t stop Sustain the Flame. In fact, in this season, God’s blessed a new path for vocational exploration and we’re so excited to share it with you!