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From Bishop Rhyne: Friends, I wanted to share with you where I stand with my health situation. First, I want to let you know that my COVID test came back negative. I thank God for this. However, I still have many of the symptoms and health issues that began last week and are associated with Covid-19 - shortness of breath, congestion, and cough. I have been seeing my doctor and continue to stay in contact with her. I am thankful the other tests I had have come back clear and no markers for other serious problems appeared. I am feeling much better than I did last week. I still get exhausted fairly quickly, but that is slowly getting better. I thank God for that; I would not wish this on anyone. I can also tell you that I have not been in contact with anyone who was symptomatic, or who I found out later had COVID-19. To me, this highlights even more the importance of our doing all we can to be safe. Please wear a mask when you are in public and church, remembering that my mask protects you and your mask protects me. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. Do all you can to protect yourself and others Thank you all for your messages and prayers. I truly appreciate you taking the time to reach out. I will be working from home this week (6/22-6/26). I am available by email if you need to contact me. Thank you and God bless Bishop Michael

Friends, ​ The Allegheny Synod Office will reopen on June 22 with regular hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Staff will be in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (22, 23, 24) during regular business hours and working remotely on Thursday and Friday (25, 26). We will see people on an appointment-only basis for the time being. If you need to come to the office, please call ahead to make an appointment. We respectfully request that when you come to the office, you wear a mask and practice social distancing. If you serve on a committee that is meeting in the Synod Office, we ask the same—masks and distancing. If there is not enough room in the conference room for distancing, please make arrangements for a Zoom meeting or a larger space off-site in which distancing can occur. ​ As always, the staff is available via e-mail: Bishop Rhyne: bishopmichael@alleghenysynod.com Pastor Paula: paula.schmitt@alleghenysynod.com Pastor Becca: becca.ehrlich@alleghenysynod.com Michelle Bossler: michelle.bossler@alleghenysynod.com ​ We will post our in-office time for the week of June 29 by June 25. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work toward safely returning to the office and hosting you. ​ Peace be with you+ The Allegheny Synod Staff

As many of you know, Pastor Becca Ehrlich serves the Allegheny Synod as the Interim Director For Evangelical Mission. Before she began her ministry with our Synod, she participated in a 3-week filmed wellness retreat in Costa Rica. The retreat has now become a TV show, Lost Resort, which will begin airing on the cable channel TBS in July. Because Pastor Becca had signed the contract to be our Interim DEM before her participation in the retreat was confirmed, Bishop Rhyne and the Synod staff knew of her possible participation. When it was confirmed that she would be part of the retreat, the Synod staff supported Pastor Becca and her desire to address some personal issues on the retreat. Our hope is that Lost Resort and Pastor Becca’s willingness to share part of her story will help others, and encourage them to seek ways to address difficult issues in their own lives. While the show is airing, Pastor Becca is open to answering questions regarding her experience. Look for ways you can connect with Pastor Becca and learn more about the show. If you would like to see the promotional trailer for the program it can be found at the following link: https://youtu.be/D2CgQoSp47w

As you know Pennsylvania is moving toward the ‘Green Phase’ of re-opening. Centre and Clearfield counties moved into green this past Friday. Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties are slated to move into green on June 5th. We have been trying to gather guidance on our churches re-opening and what the state is requiring of us. There are several resources pasted below. The most helpful, I believe comes from our PA Government. The first is a link to the Re-Opening page which contains a lot of information. The second is a link to the news brief explaining the transition from Yellow to Green. I would say to all of you to please be in conversation with your leadership about when you will re-open the church. Just because we are moving into the green phase, it doesn’t mean that you must re-open immediately. I would advise you to begin in person worship when you and your leadership are comfortable and able to do so. I know that you will continue to be cautious as you enter into this new phase of opening and begin to move toward worship. I have also pasted the breakdown of the aspect of the green phase below. You will notice immediately that the green phase says there can be no gatherings of over 250 people. It also says that businesses should not exceed 50% of their building capacity. To make things more complicated the news brief which is linked below says: “Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations established by the order. These institutions are strongly encouraged to enforce social distancing and other mitigation measures such as masking at their gatherings.” We have the order saying no more than 250, but clarifying that these restrictions do not apply to places of worship, but encouraging congregations to wear masks and to follow social distancing practices. It does seem a bit confusing. Might I suggest a way forward with these competing dynamics. Along with the administration I would strongly recommend wearing masks in worship, to refrain from singing, and making sure you are following social distancing practices. We should also be cleaning and disinfecting our sanctuaries after each service. Though the order is saying congregations are not bound by the limits, limiting our gathering size to 50% of building capacity seems to be a good idea. If we were to limit the numbers in our sanctuaries to 50% of capacity it would keep us spread out and help limit transmission of any infection. Though I am sure you are going to do this anyway, I would also strongly encourage you to continue your streaming or making your services available via the internet. It may not be able to be done in the same way, but I have been truly encouraged and surprised by the numbers of people who are engaging and connecting with the services which you are sharing on line. I have spoken to a number of our colleagues who regularly have more people watching online worship than they have in regular Sunday services. I hope that there will be a way to continue this and reach out beyond the walls of our congregations. I know that you will make the best choices for your congregations. You will make these with caution and care. May God bless you as you discern how to best move forward with your leadership. In Christ, +Bishop Michael Resources: PA Government Reopening page https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/ PA Government news brief on reopening https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-issues-updated-green-phase-order-guidance-on-dining-and-professional-sports/ CDC Community page https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html Guidelines for GREEN PHASE from Governor Wolf Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building Safety Requirements All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May Increase to 75% Occupancy Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance Congregate Care Restrictions in Place Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities Schools Subject to CDC and Commonwealth Guidance Social Restrictions Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols All businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary

Message on Financial Situation during Covid-19 Allegheny Synod, ELCA For the last several weeks the finance committee of the Allegheny Synod has been monitoring mission support received and the budget passed by the Allegheny Synod Assembly for the fiscal year 2020-2021. Concerns were raised in the finance committee about making our budgetary commitments this year due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. After several meetings, the finance committee made recommendations to the Synod Council to amend the budget and make appropriate cuts in order to do so. The recommendations came from projections of what this year’s mission support for the Synod might look like. It will be no surprise that our mission support has been behind previous years in 2020. Through April we were 18% behind normal giving levels. Though we have begun to see a rebound in May, the finance committee thought it important to prepare for a worst-case scenario. In that worst-case scenario, if we were to do nothing and mission support trends did not change, the Synod could be facing a deficit of over $130,000 for the coming year. The recommendations presented by the finance committee were as follows: Michelle Bossler, the office manager of the Allegheny Synod, would remain in place at full pay and benefits. Should the bishop-elect wish to make a change, Michelle would be able to negotiate severance at that time. Any employee who resigns voluntarily should not be provided severance. Pastor Paula Schmitt, Assistant to the Bishop, would be half-time beginning July 1 and would be eligible for the approved severance package stated in the Allegheny Synod personnel policy of two months salary and three months benefits which would begin following the end of her term on December 31, 2020. Because Bishop Rhyne announced his desire not to seek another term, which was seen as a voluntary resignation, it was decided that he will not be eligible for severance following the end of his term, December 31, 2020. Pastor Becca Ehrlich, Interim Director For Evangelical Mission, will complete her term at her same hours and rate of pay through August 31, 2020 (her original end date before extension of the term by the Synod Council). The ELCA will negotiate severance with Pastor Becca. It was advised by the finance committee that the Allegheny Synod reduce mission support to the ELCA from 50% to 44.1%. Various other cuts to the Synod budget were proposed and considered. The Synod Council heard the recommendations of the finance committee at its meeting on May 16, 2020. The Synod Council thanked the finance committee for their hard work in dealing with a difficult financial situation. Given the gravity of the recommendations, the Synod Council scheduled another meeting for Wednesday, May 20, 2020 to more fully consider the recommendations. The Allegheny Synod staff created a counter proposal for consideration by the Allegheny Synod Council which included selling the Synod car, restoring some of the ELCA mission support, and a more balanced approach to some of the proposed cuts. After hearing the proposal, the Allegheny Synod Council voted to make no change to Michelle Bossler’s package; have Pastor Becca Ehrlich be contracted through Dec. 31, 2020 (the end of the staff term), remove the offer of severance for Bishop Michael Rhyne that was passed at its September 2019 Council meeting, and to move Pastor Paula Schmitt to three-quarter time as of July 1, 2020 with the original recommendation of severance according to the personnel policy. The Synod car will be retained. ELCA Mission Support will drop from 50% to 45% for this budget year. Partner support will be reduced as well as various other programmatic and administrative costs. The staff, Council, and finance committee thought it important to maintain our support for Camp Sequanota and PSU Campus Ministry at current levels. These cuts made it possible to eliminate the possible deficit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Council will continue to monitor the financial situation of the Synod. If Mission Support levels begin to rise, the Council will evaluate restoring support for the ELCA, our partners, and revisit the staff reductions. Because the staff is working to reduce travel costs through the end of the year, we will be doing more meetings via Zoom even when we are able to return to in-person meetings. What does this mean for you? The most noticeable difference will be in the reduction of hours for Pastor Paula. She will not be available for Synod business two days a week. While still performing the essential parts of her position, we are discerning together what pieces will have to be let go in this new configuration. Because this is the least amount of staff hours the office has ever had to do its ministry, we are evaluating what is essential. We do know that Pastor Paula has carried numerous responsibilities for Synod Assembly that were outside her normal scope of work. Therefore, it will be imperative that we have additional volunteers from the Synod to assist in the preparation and planning for Synod Assembly. The finance committee and the Synod Council affirmed that new staffing and ministry models will need to be examined by the Bishop-elect. It is the recommendation of the current staff that the Bishop, a full-time assistant, and a full-time office manager would be the ideal staffing model. In these unusual times we all are being asked to re-evaluate our processes and procedures for doing ministry together. While these decisions are challenging, we continue to pray for the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance moving forward. We ask for your prayers and for your patience as we live into this new way of being church together. Faithfully, +Bishop Michael Rhyne

Salisbury Lutheran Parish Liturgy of the Word (via Google Meet) Sunday @ 10:30am Connect via Phone: + 1 956-752-6696 PIN: 708 350 361# Connect via Computer: https://meet.google.com/wnx-cent-uyb Faith Lutheran Church, Somerset is posting a virtual liturgy on its Facebook Page - Faith Lutheran Church (Somerset, PA). It becomes available Sunday morning for viewing. In-person worship begins at 9:00 am Website http://www.faithlutheransomerset.org Under “About Us” there is a “Links” tab which lists Faith’s FaceBook page. When you click on that you are taken directly to Faith’s FaceBook page without having to have a FaceBook account. Direct link: https://www.facebook.com/Faith-Lutheran-Church-857308614391564/?view_public_for=857308614391564 St. James Lutheran Church, Huntingdon Worship at 9:30am. It is pre-recorded on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_c8fPCP1iTc6U427myLLcg?app=desktop Friedens Lutheran, Friedens, PA Live stream on Facebook on Sunday at 10:30 am. Tuesday Bible Study, live streamed every Tuesday at 2:00 pm Women’s Bible Study via Zoom on Thursday’s at 7:00 pm. Trinity Lutheran, Johnstown, PA Services are at 9:00 am on Sunday on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trinitylutheranchurchjohnstown/ St. John Lutheran Church, Bellefonte Every Wednesday at 6:30 pm - Holden Evening Prayer service on Facebook Live (on the church’s Facebook page [St John Lutheran Bellefonte PA] - videos of the service are posted to the page immediately following. Every Sunday at 9:30 am - Service of Word and Prayer on Facebook Live (on our church’s Facebook page [St John Lutheran Bellefonte PA]. St. Mark, Pleasant Gap Word and Prayer Worship: Sunday 9:30 am via Zoom AND Facebook Live Midday Meditation: Wednesday at Noon on Facebook Live Sunday Review Bible Discussion: Wednesday at 6 pm via Zoom Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 7 pm on Facebook Live Information can be found at www.facebook.com/stmarkpleasantgap or by e-mailing stmarkpleasantgap@gmail.com. St. Luke Centre Hall Regular worship videos are posted on Sunday mornings on their YouTube Channel: St. Luke Lutheran Church Centre Hall, PA, the link to the channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndvYdWpi7qSKld6Y8cnHMg/ Grace Lutheran Church, Johnstown Worship services available on Grace’s Facebook page and Grace’s website, glcjohnstown.org. Services are posted each Saturday evening and available for a week or so. Gatesburg and Pine Hall Lutheran Churches Pre-recorded service posted every Sunday morning by 11:00 am on their Facebook pages. Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset https://www.trinitysomerset.org/virtual-worship/ Christ Lutheran Church, Claysburg Facebook Live on our church's Facebook page. https://facebook.com/events/s/service-of-the-word-6th-sunday/1347225432134957/?ti=as Holy Shepherd Parish Shepherd of the Hill, Karthaus and Holy Trinity, Lanse Services can be found on Facebook at 9:00 am: facebook.com/holytrinitylanse or facebook.com/SHLCKarthaus and at www.holyshepherdparish.com St. Paul, Pine Grove Mills Livestream on Facebook at 10:45am at https://www.facebook.com/stpaulpgm/live Zoom Webinar: Webinar ID 961 5252 0889; Webinar Password 725815 Or this link will open up the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/96152520889?pwd=L3JLSndFMXJySWlHNnExdTRCcnJMZz09 The New Centerville Lutheran Parish and the Lavansville-Bakersville Lutheran Parish, These parishes are collaborating on our digital worship efforts. We have made this worship available through the following. Facebook @newcentervillelutheran @lavansvillebakersville.lutheranparish Websites www.newcentervillelutheran.org www.lbparish.com Spreaker - Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/show/mt-calvary-lutheran-church St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg Sunday: 10:30 AM Service of the Word with (Recorded) Music on Facebook 11:15 (or immediately following Service of the Word) Zoom Music & Fellowship Monday: Recorded Hymn Devotions at 9AM & 9PM Facebook Tuesday-Friday: Live Morning Prayer @ 9AM Facebook Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Live Night Prayer @ 9PM Facebook Wednesday: Live Holden Evening Prayer @ 7PM Facebook St Luke's Lutheran Church, Roaring Spring Live Sunday at 9:45am on Facebook Morning Prayer - Tuesday’s at 9:00am on Facebook Evening Prayer - Wednesday’s at 7:00pm on Facebook Kid’s Lunchtime Lesson - Thursday’s at Noon. on Facebook Night Prayer - Thursday’s at 9:00 pm on Facebook First Lutheran, Portage Online worship on Facebook at 9:00 am First Faith Lutheran Cooperative Livestream worship Sunday morning at 10:00 am on First Faith Lutheran Cooperative Facebook page. Wednesday Story Time, 9:00 pm, First Faith Lutheran Cooperative Facebook Page Grace Lutheran, State College Sunday worship via Zoom at 8:00 am on the website (glcpa.org) or Facebook page. Wednesday lectionary Bible study podcast, Pocketful of Grace" available each Wednesday at 8:00 am on the website. Sunday worship radio broadcast, 10:30 am on WRSC am 1390 and 93.3 FM Bethany Lutheran, Altoona Online worship via Facebook Live at 9:00 am In-person worship at 9:00 am Christ Trinity Lutheran Parish Laurel Trinity, Jennerstown and Christ Casebeer, Somerset In-person worship begins Sunday, June 21, outside, Worship will begin at 9:30 am. We will switch back and forth between the churches on a bi-weekly basis (21 &28 at LT, 5 & 12 at CB, 19 & 26 at LT, etc...) for the foreseeable future. Here are other ways people can tune in: FM radio in the parking lot Online through Zoom. The link can be found on our webpage christtrinityparish.org or through Zoom app (Meeting ID 6125606500 Password: 471947) Worship at Home: A letter we mail out to those who request a take-home edition of worship.

On May 8th the first round of reopening Pennsylvania will begin. In the Allegheny Synod, this move from the “Red Phase” to the “Yellow Phase” will take place in Clearfield and Centre counties. On May 15th Bedford, Blair and Cambria counties will move to "Yellow Phase." The Centers for Disease Control, recommends that businesses and institutions who decide to reopen implement a screening for those who come on the premises. The point of the screening is to protect the church or business from liability and to aid in contact tracing if an outbreak were to occur in your congregation. Rather than having you take the temperature of all who enter the building, this screening form can offer a safety check before you have group meetings. This is a sample screening form. Though it is tedious, the recommendation is that individuals who come to the building should complete a form, those forms should be kept in the church for 6 weeks, after which they can be shredded. Information on this recommendation can be found on the CDC website Additional links and information from the CDC, PA Dept of Health, and OSHA are below. This Risk Assessment Tool is provided by the PA Department of Health. It can be helpful in discerning what steps to take in your congregation. In addition to this recommendation, the CDC and DOH continue to recommend social distancing which would include refraining from passing the peace, shaking hands, and physical contact for the immediate future. This is simply more information for us to consider. We want to provide you with as much information as we can while we continue to walk in this time of Covid 19. God bless you, Bishop Michael CDC Guidelines for Community and Faith based organizations PA Dept of Health Coronavirus Fact Sheet OSHA “Guidelines for Preparing Workplaces for Covid 19

The ELCA Office of the Secretary has provided this document on how to count and track attendance for online worship during the time of Covid-19. The ELCA Churchwide Organization has realized that through this pandemic, many churches are welcoming people through virtual services. The form also shows how online tracking will appear on the congregation’s annual report.

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 phases: One of the challenges we will have in the Allegheny Synod is that our Synod is broken up into four separate regions of Pennsylvania. If you reference the map pasted at the end of this message you will notice that Centre County is in the Northcentral region. Clearfield County is in the Northwest region. Somerset and Cambria counties are in the Southwest region. Blair, Bedford, and Huntingdon counties are in the Southcentral region. Other Synods are comprised of multiple regions but the Allegheny Synod appears to be the only one divided into four. That means that when considering opening we will have to be attentive to whether or not our region or county has been opened. The Governor plans to open each region in phases. Currently we are all in the most restrictive “Red Phase”. Regions will first be moved to the slightly less restrictive “Yellow Phase”. If infections rates drop regions can later be moved to the “Green Phase”. A description of these phases of opening is pasted to this message. Our understanding is that the Northcentral and Northwest regions are to move to the “Yellow Phase” of opening on May 8. The other regions of the state will be opened at a later time. That means that as of May 8th Clearfield and Centre counties will move into the yellow stage. The rest of the Allegheny Synod will remain in the “Red Phase”, under the full stay at home order, until the regions are cleared by the state. Opening to Yellow Phase: When the Governor allows the state or separate counties to enter the “Yellow Phase” of the re-opening, it means: (https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/) Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions Telework Must Continue Where Feasible Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Business and Building Safety Orders Child Care Open with Worker and Building Safety Orders Congregate Care and Prison Restrictions in Place Schools Remain Closed for In-Person Instruction Social Restrictions Stay at Home Restrictions Lifted in Favor of Aggressive Mitigation Large Gatherings of More than 25 Prohibited In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities (such as gyms, spas), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed Restaurants and Bars Limited to Carry-Out and Delivery Only All businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary Continuing issues to consider: The following are questions about re-opening and some suggested best practices. More detailed information on these issues is in the ‘Helpful Articles’ below. Those most at risk will be the first to return, how do we protect them? Encourage the elderly and those with compromised immune systems to remain home If the Pastor has a compromised immune system, a conversation with Council should happen now Should we continue offering a web-based service even after the shut-down is lifted? There may be people who would like to attend church but are nervous about a group gathering until we know we are safe. It is advisable to offer both an in-person and streamed service for the future. When will we know it is safe to fully return? When the Governor allows your county to be in the Green Phase. At that time, we will still need to follow the state and CDC guidelines for the size of gatherings. What if my church worships more than 25? Congregations that worship more than 25 on a Sunday may consider dividing the congregation into smaller groups (25 or less) and offering multiple in-person services. Continue to stream worship for those who do not yet feel comfortable returning. How will we achieve social distance even with the move to the Yellow Phase? Consider roping off every other row of pews and asking those in the same pew to keep the six foot distance required for social distancing. Congregation members should wear masks when attending in-person worship and avoid touching anyone. Encourage members not to shake hands, pass the peace through touch, and not to hug anyone. Should we pass the offering plate? Continue the practice of not passing the offering plate until we enter a safe phase. Have a plate or basket in the place where people enter for offering and remind members not to touch the receptacle. How do we disinfect the church? What steps do we need to take? The church should be disinfected before any in-person worship resumes. Poll the congregation for volunteers. All volunteers should wear masks and gloves. All surfaces should be thoroughly wiped down. If you are offering multiple services on the same day, surfaces should be disinfected between services. Consider propping open the door of the church so the door knob is not touched multiple times even with gloved hands. Surfaces to disinfect between worship: pews, door knobs, chalice, paten, altar area, pulpit, lectern, any other surface that was touched by a member of the congregation or those serving. How do we have a safe distribution of the Eucharist? No common cup, no intinction until it is deemed safe. Use wafers and not real bread. Pastors and assistants should wear masks and gloves. The wafer should be dropped into open hands by the pastor without touching the person receiving. Consider offering Eucharist in one kind until we enter the green phase of reopening. Use a pouring chalice. Assistants should hold the chalice by the stem, not the cup. Altar Guild members who prepare Communion should wear gloves when preparing. If possible, use a pouring chalice, wine, and disposable cups. Assisting ministers should wear gloves and a mask, hand the cup to the member by the rim and have the member receive the cup by the bottom so as not to touch the gloves. Those persons pouring should only touch the stem of the chalice and wear gloves and a mask. Congregations may consider offering Eucharist in one kind (host) for this beginning return phase. Vessels should be washed in hot soapy water before use even if they have been in a cabinet in the church during the shutdown. Should we remove the worship books from the pews? Consider removing the worship books from the pews until it is deemed safe. When it is deemed safe, consider disinfecting the covers of the books before returning to the pew. Offer the service on paper with everything printed. The Synod office will send via e-mail the words to the various settings of the liturgy upon request. Should the congregation sing? The coronavirus is easily spread through droplets from mouths and noses. Singing increases the likelihood of those droplets being in the air. We advise congregation not sing until it is deemed safe. If you choose to sing, members should wear masks. Can the choir sing? It is not advisable that the choir sing. If you choose the choir to sing, have them sit six feet apart and possibly wear masks—even though that is not ideal for singing. Can small groups such a Congregation Council meet in the Yellow Phase? It should be safer for Councils, Bible studies and small groups to meet in person. We recommend maintaining some online options for high risk individuals and those who do not feel comfortable being in public and be sure to disinfect areas of use. Office functions could resume as normal, with attention to cleaning. Additional questions to consider: How will you update your building use agreements to reflect the new realities of COVID-19? If someone contracts COVID-19, how will you communicate with your congregation and members who may have come into contact with that individual while maintaining privacy and pastoral care? If someone who has been in your building contracts COVID-19, how will you do a more intensive cleaning prior to its next use? How will you communicate your safety plan and best practices to the congregation? Helpful articles Why Getting the US Back to Normal in the Next Couple Months is a Fantasy. PBS NewsHour, April 20, 2020. The Coronavirus in America: The Year Ahead. New York Times, April 18, 2020. 24 Questions Your Church Should Ask Before People Return. Ken Braddy, Jr. How to Seize this Moment for Your Church. Ed Stetzer. Pennsylvania Council of Churches Covid-19 Resources

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 Seminary. May God’s grace and peace be with you. We are in the time of Covid-19. Here in Pennsylvania we have been under a stay at home order from the Governor and have been unable to gather physically as the church since mid-March. Fortunately, our leaders are finding ways for us to stay connected. Our leaders are using online worship, phone calls, letters, and many other creative means to continue to share the gospel. I thank God for you, our leaders and our members, and pray that you will be strengthened by our Lord Jesus and know his presence in this time. Because we have been unable to gather together, questions have been raised about how can we provide the Eucharist to our people. One question that has been raised, and I believe it is out of a pastoral concern for the people of God, is whether we should have communion over the internet. This has been referred to as ‘virtual communion’. The idea being that the pastor would speak the Words of Institution and the people watching from a distance would have bread and wine with them that they could then consume. I want to first say that I am fasting from the Holy Eucharist in this time when we can not gather as the people of God. I think that is the best practice for this time. This is the recommendation our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recommended to the ELCA. Except in cases of people who are near death, I believe we should all refrain from the Eucharist until we can gather together safely as the body of Christ. I will not receive the Holy Eucharist until we all can receive the Holy Eucharist. That is unless I come close to death and receive the sacrament as part of the consolation of the dying. We need to discern this as the Church I am not in favor of virtual communion. I don’t believe the church has fully reflected on what it means and the ramification of this practice for our current time and for the future. I do deeply understand the desire of pastors to care for their people and I think it a good thing that people desire the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. My concern is whether it is truly a valid sacrament if offered in this way. I fully understand Jesus Christ is in all times and all places. I cannot place limits on what our Lord Jesus can accomplish and bring into being. My concern is, and why I would counsel refraining from this practice, I know that my Lord Jesus desires us to take and eat, but I know that in the context of the gathered Body of Christ. I cannot say that I know the will of our Lord Jesus on the practice of receiving Eucharist when we are not together. Even when we share the Eucharist with those who are hospitalized and homebound the body is physically gathered. It will take time, reflection, prayer and the body of Christ communally discerning if this is something which should happen. Until that time, until we have had the opportunity to reflect as Christ’s people on whether this is a good and right use of the means of grace, I say it is not something we should be doing. I would rather continue a fast from the Holy Eucharist until we can know if this is efficacious to the people of God. If we are gathered together and the pastor consecrates the elements, I know that Jesus Christ is fully present in the bread and in the wine. If I am home with my elements and watching something on the computer, I do not have the same certainty. When ordained the Bishop charges the newly ordained to, “Care for God’s people, bear their burdens and do not betray their confidence. So discipline yourself in life and teaching that you preserve the truth, giving no occasion for false security or illusory hope.” (ELCA Rite of Ordination). In the uncertainty of this practice I am concerned that we might be offering false security or illusory hope to God’s people. I would rather be sure that I am following the command, the tradition, and the practice of the church where I know Christ is present with the Body. The idea of ‘virtual communion’ also brings up many questions for me. To address these, I would like to share part of an article from Bishop Craig Satterlee or the Northwest Lower Michigan Synod, ELCA. Bishop Satterlee wrote a pastoral letter to his Synod on the issue of ‘virtual communion’. I have posted a link to that article with this letter. Bishop Satterlee raises, in I believe a tongue in cheek manner, what are serious concerns and unanswered questions about this practice. “I wonder: If I set out bread and wine when I watch mass from the Vatican or from Notre Dame, can I commune with Pope Francis or with my colleagues in the Department of Theology? If my pastor presides at 10 AM and I sleep in and don’t watch the service until 1 PM in the afternoon, does it still count? I sometimes watch my sermon videos and genuinely receive the gospel from myself. Can I do that with the sacrament by virtually presiding and then watching myself later with bread and wine and commune with myself? If my pastor gets too political and preaches about immigration or gun violence or climate change, can I become a virtual member of a congregation in another part of the country that is more in line with my values? Can I virtually preside at Holy Communion from my office in Lansing to all of our congregations? That would certainly alleviate the crisis caused by the shortage of clergy. It would also be a lot less expensive.” (Craig Satterlee, ‘Holy Communion in a Time of Crisis’). Bishop Satterlee is reminding us that there are too many unanswered questions. I agree with his assessment and would commend his full article to you. Because we don’t know, it is wiser to abstain and fast until we are able to gather physically again, and distribute the elements in a safe way. That is unless we are nearing death and receive the Eucharist as part of our preparation to meet our Lord. Assembly of the Baptized Another concern I have about virtual communion is as Lutherans we have a confessional understanding that the Holy Eucharist is to be celebrated in the gathering of the baptized. The members of the Trinity Seminary faculty speak well to this in their article: "The Lutheran Confessions teach that the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated in the assembly of the baptized, and not privately or by individuals in their own homes. In this communal celebration, we do not invite Jesus to our family table. Jesus invites us to his family table to share his body and blood, which unites and strengthens the body of Christ, the church, in faith and service. Just as Christ is present in the sacrament bodily, the community gathered to receive the sacrament is best gathered bodily." (Kleinhans, Peterson, Schroeder, ‘Concerning Online Communion’) Martin Luther was very much against the practice of the private mass and repeatedly called people to celebrate the Eucharist in community with the gathered Body of Christ. Can one argue that in a virtual meeting the Body of Christ is gathered? Yes, I believe one could. As we have said earlier, we cannot limit our Lord’s ability to gather us. However, we are missing a major gift of the Eucharistic celebration if we choose to commune apart from the gathered body of Christ—that is the incarnate manifestation of Christ both in the consecrated elements and in the Body of Christ that is found in our siblings who sit on our left and right in the gathering. The Eucharist is more than the meal. It is the celebration that Christ Jesus has called us into this community and made us part of himself. I learned in seminary that Saint Augustine would offer the invitation to the table by saying to the congregation, “Come receive that which you are.” Augustine recognized the gathered community of believers as an essential part of the Eucharistic celebration. The Eucharist is not about ‘me and Jesus.’ It is about Jesus doing what God always does, caring for and feeding his people, and being in the midst of us together. One could argue that this is an extreme situation in which the Body is gathering though we are dispersed. This argument takes us back to my earlier point: there are too many unknowns and much work to be done in discernment as the Body of Christ. I know that Christ comes to us when we gather as God’s people together and in community in the place we choose to gather. Whether that is in the church building or whether we take the Eucharist to someone who is homebound. Because of this, I encourage us to refrain from receiving the Eucharist until we are able to gather together again. I also know that when I gather with my pastor and they preside at the table our Lord Jesus shows up in body and blood. There gathered among us Christ is physically present. A colleague likes to say that in the Holy Eucharist we have a guaranteed physical encounter with the Lord who made heaven and earth. There in those elements, consecrated by that pastor among God’s people I know that Christ is present. The pastor has been called by God, set apart, and ordained for this particular ministry. I know when our pastor’s celebrate the Holy Eucharist among God’s people that Jesus is there. I would lean on waiting until I can be certain of the presence of our Lord. I am not certain what happens in a ‘virtual communion’ We know waiting Weekly communion was not a prevalent practice for many of the congregations of the Allegheny Synod in the past. We rejoice that in the past few decades we have gotten to the place where congregations receive the Eucharist weekly. That is a blessing. It was not too long ago that many of our congregations would receive Eucharist monthly or quarterly. Many of our members probably can recall that time. It is not ideal at all. I wish we could gather and celebrate together, but we know that would be dangerous to our most vulnerable members. Also, if one of us were a carrier, we could unwittingly infect numerous people in the church, or beyond the church. This is not the first time we have had to wait. Our Lord will see us through. Continuing Discernment You probably know that I lean toward more traditional practice when it comes to the liturgy and worship. I am not one for Eucharistic innovation. I am discerning what God is saying to the church at this time. I am in conversations with colleagues, other Bishops, seminary faculty around this subject. Different groups have differing opinions and thoughts on this matter. I am trying to listen and hear where God is leading us and what Jesus is telling us. I ask you to join me in praying about this issue. At this time, I recommend not instituting ‘virtual communion’. I believe there are too many unanswered questions and I will stand on the practice which I know and has been handed down through the church for thousands of years. I will follow the counsel of our Presiding Bishop and the precedent of the Church until we are able to gather as the Body of Christ, I will fast from the Eucharist. I appreciate your continued prayers as we discern the way forward together. In Christ Bishop Michael L. Rhyne Allegheny Synod Resources Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton https://www.lss-elca.org/bishop_eaton_200320/ Lutheran World Federation ‘Digital Worship and Sacramental Life in a Time of Pandemic” Dr. Dirk Lange https://www.lutheranworld.org/blog/digital-worship-and-sacramental-life-time-pandemic ‘Holy Communion in a Time of Crisis’ Bishop Craig Alan Satterlee, PhD https://mittensynod.org/docs/COVIDCommunionLetter.pdf ‘Concerning Online Communion’ Dr. Kathryn “Kit” Kleinhans, Dr. Cheryl Peterson, and Dr. Joy Schroeder (Members of Trinity Lutheran Seminary Faculty) https://associationdatabase.com/aws/SOS/asset_manager/get_file/439016?ver=2&fbclid=IwAR0g66r7go4M50O2oeWyV3WsUpLxFVC6MDvj4oEJehvetrC0-e4ATwpuW6g

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-offs, and the closing of businesses. There is uncertainty around when we may return to a somewhat “normal” existence while the pandemic still poses a threat. The outlook of our situation can look pretty grim on the surface. But as followers of Jesus, we know that—as James reminds us in the Bible verse above—all gifts are from God above, regardless of change. And because God continues to gift us, we are able to gift others. Below are some suggestions about gifting in this uncertain time. Adjust as needed. Your generosity may be different now depending on your current employment and financial situation. It’s OK to adjust for now and do what you can. Revisit weekly to see what may be possible as this pandemic unfolds. Share generously as you are able. Our congregations, pastors, deacons, and outdoor/campus ministries are still working hard to minister to folks even as we are unable to meet in person. Even as you adjust, remember that all that we have is a gift from God and can be shared with those doing God’s work during this pandemic. Pray about how God could be moving you to share with your congregation and other ministries within our synod, along with your neighbors in need. Explore electronic giving. If your congregation doesn’t already have the option, now many be a good time to explore an electronic giving option through your church website, automatic deductions, and/or a mobile app. Check out the two ELCA preferred vendors for electronic giving, Tithe.ly and Vanco. Make self-care a priority. Do what is needed to take care of yourself and your family. Make space to intentionally relax during this stressful time. Wear masks when going out and frequently wash your hands. Read pandemic news deliberately and not before bedtime. You are only able to take care of others as much as you take care of yourself. Pray and read the Bible. During trying times, it’s easy to let our relationship with God fall by the wayside. But now more than ever is an opportunity to cultivate our relationship with God. Spend time in prayer and read a Bible passage daily. Listen for God’s voice and guidance. Please know that we as a Synod Staff have been praying for you all. Our synod’s congregations, leaders, and ministries continue to be a bright light in a dark time. Jesus’ message of love and salvation is still being proclaimed even as we shelter in place and practice social distancing. God’s peace, The staff of the Office of the Bishop of the Allegheny Synod Bishop Michael Rhyne Pastor Paula Schmitt, Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Becca Ehrlich, Interim Director for Evangelical Mission Mrs. Michelle Bossler, Office Manager

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 now on earth but yours.” Friends, everything we are experiencing in this pandemic is new. There is no instruction manual for what to do in a situation like this. What has given me and the staff hope are the ways in which you are living out Saint Teresa’s quote. You are being Christ’s risen body in the world through the masks you are making, the food you are donating, the time you are giving, and the connections you are making through phone calls, emails, and texts and social media. The Holy Spirit is using you to share the love and light of Christ with those around you. We thank God for you and for the ways you are demonstrating what it means to be the church. Everything you are doing is a powerful witness to the risen Christ to an anxious and hurting world. While this year’s observance of Holy Week and celebration of Easter was not what we hoped for, we are continually reminded that we are not alone. We are the body of Christ. We are in this together. I hope you will join me in giving thanks to God for the heroic efforts of our hospital workers, grocery store employees, truck drivers, first responders, postal carriers, and a host of other people who are helping us to sustain us in these uncertain times. We know you will join us in continuing to pray for those who take care of our congregations our pastors, deacons, and lay worship leaders. The days can be long and frustrating. Do not lose hope. Now, more than ever, it is important to remember who and whose we are. Jesus called and claimed you in the waters of baptism. His resurrected life lives in you. Even though we cannot be together physically, we can be of one heart and mind as we pray for strength and courage to meet each day and be thankful for the moments of joy that break in to our lives in ordinary ways. We also invite you to use this time to turn and return to God. These weeks of waiting offer ample opportunity to pray, to read Holy Scripture, and to take time to rest in the presence of our God who is with us always. Christ is always right beside us. He is welcoming us to turn to him. Please use these moments to pray for our world, to pray for our neighbors, and to be reminded of the presence of Jesus Christ. May the peace and presence of Christ be made real to you this day and always. Living in the hope of the risen Christ, The Allegheny Synod Staff, Bishop Michael, Pastor Becca, Pastor Paula and Michelle.