Congregation Resources

Resources for Congregations

Welcome to our resource page for congregations. Our synod consists of 138 congregations across south-central Wisconsin. This page includes various resources for congregation leaders, councils, and staff. Our resources for congregations include supply pastor lists, human resource resources, links for treasurers and more.

2021 Annual Meeting Resources & Recommendations

• Considerations for Remote Council & Congregational Meetings
  October 22, 2020 Updated Memo with Information from the ELCA Office of the Secretary
  PDF

• Emergency Congregational Bylaw for Remote Meetings (Updated 12/23/2020)
  Bylaw template for congregations that don’t have language in their constitutions for remote meetings.
  (Word DOC)
  (PDF)

• 2021 Letter from Bishop Mortensen-Wiebe
  PDF
  A Microsoft® Publisher™ version of the letter is available from the synod office.

• 2020 Annual Report Covers (For use in 2021 Annual Meetings)
  PDF – Full Spread Version
  PDF – Individual Pages Version

• State Statutes Regarding Virtual Meetings
  Included here is the Wisconsin State Statute which the document from the ELCA indicates you should check as this does vary by the state of incorporation. We have one congregation in Illinois so that is provided below as well and we have SAWCs (Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities) that are incorporated in the state of Minnesota.
• Wisconsin: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/181/VIII/0820Church Councils can meet remotely, but you must make a provision for on-line voting outside of emailing responses. You need to take care that people can participate and have an ability to interact in real time. The chat area can be used to vote for example if using the Zoom platform. Congregational meetings would be permitted under the same stipulations of real time interaction and voting. Care should be given both to qualification of voting members and meeting quorum requirements.
• Illinois: https://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2019/chapter-805/act-805-ilcs-105/article-8/
• Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities are Incorporated in the State of Minnesota. Please check MN state laws here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13D.015

• 2021 Mission Support Materials
  Can be found below or by clicking HERE

Additional Pandemic Administrative Related Resources

• Resuming Care-filled Worship & Sacramental Life During Pandemic
  July 23, 2020: The pandemic has challenged churches to continue being the church without gathering in person. We have met that challenge by meeting online, live streaming worship and providing instructions for worship at home. Now churches face another challenge. How will we resume worship gatherings in-person while the pandemic is still with us? This new resource of safe practices for worship during the pandemic has been created by an ecumenical consultation. In addition to representatives from several denominations in the U.S., the consultation team included scientists and medical professionals. Additional materials are found on the supporting website, including a Spanish edition of the core resource.

• ELCA Resource on Considerations for Returning to In-person Worship
  May 13, 2020: As ELCA congregations face difficult decisions regarding when and how they will be able to gather again for worship, this resource offers general guidance.

• C.A.R.E.S. Act Summary
  This document briefly summarizes provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“the CARES Act”) that could possibly be of interest to church plans, ministries and plan members.

• Families First Act Summary
  The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law by the President on March 18, 2020. It expands the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including which employers are covered under the Act, which may bring smaller religious organizations like Local Churches and Synods under the new provisions.

Resource Documents & Links