May the peace of the risen Christ be with you all! As we begin to hear about plans to re-open businesses in Pennsylvania, we’ve compiled some things to think about as you begin working toward holding in-person worship. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance carrier before you return to in person worship and be in conversation about what they recommend. Please continue to follow the guidance of the CDC, the Governor, and your local entities. Regional opening by p

Communion in the time of Covid-19 Bishop Michael L. Rhyne, Allegheny Synod, ELCA This message addresses the issue of ‘virtual communion’. Along with this message there are links to resources on this topic. These are a message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; an article from Dr. Dirk Lange of the Lutheran World Federation; an article from Bishop Craig Satterlee of the Northwest Lower Michigan Synod, ELCA; and an article from members of the faculty at Trinity Lutheran Sem

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17) We have been actively dealing with the spread of COVID-19 for over a month. Congregations and leaders have had to get creative with worship and activities, including the most unprecedented Holy Week in our lifetimes. Changes are being made to businesses and the workforce, including furloughs, lay-off

Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Grace to you and peace from the risen Christ! Saint Teresa of Avila said, “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body

Dear Allegheny Synod congregations and Rostered Ministers, I am thrilled to announce that our synod has its first new start (church plant) since 1968! ELCA Churchwide has approved Gloria de Dios, Pine Grove Mills (outside of State College) as a Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community Exploration (SAWCX). This 6-month exploration will be geared toward the Latinx community (those of Latino/a background) in Centre County and the State College area. We received a $6,000 grant

Pennsylvania Launches COVID-19 Job Hiring Portal Unemployment Rights and Resources—COVID-19 Fighting COVID-19 Stigma and Other Mental Health Resources added to Mental Health Resources for Coping with COVID-19 Human Services Secretary Encourages All Pennsylvanians to Help Report Child Abuse Amidst COVID-19 Public Health Crisis PUC Encourages Awareness of Telephone Discount Lifeline Program to Consumers at Risk of Isolation During Challenging Times WellSpan Health Resources for

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael Rhyne Monday of Holy Week April 6, 2020 May God’s grace and peace be with you! As we begin Holy Week in the time of COVID-19, we find ourselves unable to be together in this holiest of weeks. We are separate from each other and keeping our distance to slow the spread of this virus, prevent our medical systems from being overwhelmed, and protect the most vulnerable among us. I am so deeply thankful for the care you are showing to your sibl

This week one of our colleagues asked our Synod Attorney, Megan Will, to explain for the sake of their Church Council why no one must be in the church building while we are under the shut down order. Megan’s response is below. I am sharing it with you with the permission of Megan and the colleague to whom she was responding. I thought this was a clear description of the reasons we must abide by this order. Megan is trying to help us understand the implications of this order a

Funerals in the Time of Covid-19 Bishop Michael L. Rhyne, Allegheny Synod, ELCA April 6, 2020 We find ourselves living in the time of COVID-19. At the present time, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is under a ‘stay-at-home’ order. Our pastors and congregations are learning new ways to connect while we are unable to gather in person. All of us wish that we could be together, but we know that to gather as the church at this time could endanger the most vulnerable among us. As h