Weekly Update 8/6/20

Hello all! Here is an update on all the things happening at Shepherd of the Valley currently: things we’re doing, changes we’re preparing for, and ways you can help. We’ve mentioned most of these things in various emails before, but this will be a chance to see them all in one place. If you haven’t caught up with our ministry and plans in a while, this would be a good chance to. Even faithful readers will find a couple of new items.
Video Worship

Video worship will continue as you’ve known it through August. As fall arrives, we plan to do a couple new things. First, we want to start a video series particularly for children, with timing and content appropriate for younger members and their families. We’re also going to explore the possibility of youth-led video services for youth. We are considering the idea of releasing two versions of our adult-oriented services, one with just the sermon and one with a more complete service.
In-Person Worship
Our hopes of worshiping in person at Kleiner Park in August were sidelined by COVID-19 intensifying in Ada County. We will monitor the situation and hope to try again in September. Given the change in season, it’s likely that we’d hold a more traditional morning service rather than the evening services planned for August. Stay tuned for announcements about this. We’ll make sure you have plenty of time to adjust and anticipate.
For now, the only firm worship plans remain outdoor-based. Realistically, we are going to have to change several things about our facilities and practices to worship together indoors with any feeling of safety. The council and staff have begun preliminary work, incorporating some discussion from our worship renewal task force. We are still a long way from being able to make any firm announcements. We are in the consulting phase now, finding a direction that works. We’ll keep you up to date as ideas develop.
Cleaning
Within the next month we should have a cleaning service employed for the initial building disinfection, plus ongoing services. The demands of COVID-19 are going to make it necessary to hire a professional service. We are working in conjunction with the preschool to coordinate needs and schedules.
Preschool
We are doing everything we can to help Shepherd of the Valley’s Preschool in their desire to open safely this fall. As of the time of this email, we have not approved a final plan, but we are deep in negotiations and we anticipate having a resolution within the next two weeks. 

Visitation
Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we are moving to fill the position left open when Pastor Kari Sansgaard moved onward last February. We are replacing Kari with two visitation ministers. Kelly Loy will help train and reflect with Commissioned Visitors. Linda Peightel will help with actual visitations. Both have chaplaincy experience and a willingness to serve.
We are looking to add 4-5 people to our Commissioned Visitor ministry. Here’s the pitch from Kelly:
You are Invited! Please continue with or newly join SOV’s home visitation ministry with some adjustments as the pandemic continues! Phone calls and letters are a meaningful way to reach out and connect, with or without in-person visits. In late August you can join in a two-hour training led by Pastor Kelly Loy to learn remote visitation skills, gain confidence, and strengthen support within the commissioned visitors team!
I look forward to meeting you all! Pastor Kelly Loy
If you have a heart for listening and visiting with people who might be alone or suffering from illness, contact the office at 362-1112 or via email, pastor@sov-id.org.
Calling Ministry

We are also reviving our SoV calling ministry, checking in with folks across the congregation. If you can make a few phone calls per month to people who might need a “hello”, contact us at the number or email just above!
Donations and Gifts
Our offering remains steady, but could use a little boost at the end of summer. Offerings can be mailed to 3100 S Five Mile Rd, Boise, ID, 83709 or you can find us on Venmo @SOVBoise or give through our website, myboisechurch.org
We are still taking your ministry ideas and dreams as we consider how to best use the proceeds from the sale of Properties A and B earlier this year. Submit your idea to admin@sov-id.org. In September we’ll collate the suggestions. After that, we’ll present possibilities to the congregation for discussion.

The good news is that financially, it looks like we’re going to weather the COVID storm just fine, retaining all our ministries and staff. That’s more than a lot of churches can say. If you keep up your gifts over the next few months, we can use the extra proceeds from sales and memorials towards ministry instead of just keeping afloat.

Mia Crosthwaite Ordination
Shepherd of the Valley member Mia Crosthwaite will be ordained as a minister of the ELCA on Monday evening at 7:00. The actual service will be at SoV, on the back lawn and you are invited to join via Zoom! RSVP to ministermama11@gmail.com so you can be sent the Zoom link.