COVID-19 Resource Page

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Congregations and sessions are always encouraged to be mindful of the health of members and best practices for preventing the spread of disease. Sessions, pastoral leaders, and members may find the attached resources helpful to both educate themselves and guide discussions for congregational preparedness. Updates and additional resources are shared as they become available; the most-recently shared items and resources with new information are in pink.

Words from our General Presbyter – March 13, March 26, April 9, April 23, April 28, May 14, May 28, June 25

PWV churches offering alternatives to in-person worship

Bluestone forced to cancel summer camp, plans virtual makeover

224th General Assembly to be conducted online

Pastoral message and pastoral video from J. Herbert Nelson & Diane Moffett

RESOURCES FOR CONGREGATIONS

GENERAL

CDC Guidance for Faith-Based Organizations
PC(USA) COVID-19 Resources for Church Leaders & Members
Synod of the Trinity resources for congregations including things to do right now, educational bulletin inserts and ways to hold a virtual service
CARES Act Payroll Protection Program & Board of Pensions’ member and church assistance
A Concise Coronavirus Guide for Churches from Christianity Today
Families First Coronavirus Response Act by Michael Kirk, PC(USA) General Counsel
From the Presbytery’s Treasurer: BoP information, PPP loan forgiveness, CARES Act & more
From the Presbytery’s Treasurer: Important information related to the current pandemic
Maintaining Community When You Can’t Gather – And Preparing to Regroup Later (PCUSA Mid-Council newsletter article)
PC(USA) Advisory Opinion: Church in an emergency/pandemic (the denomination’s virtual meeting policies)
Regarding Ruling Elders: Ruling Elders in a Pandemic
Resources for Home Prayer and Worship from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
Responding to Highly Contagious Illnesses (Christianity Today/Church Law & Tax)
Step-by-Step Guide to Distance Ministry

RE-OPENING

24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return by Ken Braddy
Beginning Conversations for Re-Entry into Public Worship from PC(USA)
Church Music in the Age of COVID-19 by the Wisconsin Council of Churches
How & When to Return to Worship Safely – Synod of the Trinity
Pandemic Re-opening & Re-entry Checklist for Faith-Based Organizations by the Faith-Based Information Sharing & Analysis Organization
Parking lot church: worshipping drive-in style
Remote Faith Formation for the Long Haul with Guidelines for Re-Entry from the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation
Re-opening Your Church Office after the Pandemic by the Insurance Board
Returning to Church after the Pandemic by the Wisconsin Council of Churches
So Your Church is Opening Up After COVID-19 Closures? It Won’t Be What You Are Hoping For by The Millennial Pastor
Theological and Practical Considerations for Returning to Public Worship from PC(USA)
What are we opening? What COVID-19 and the Great Ends are teaching the church from The Presbyterian Outlook

FAMILY/CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/FAITH FORMATION FOR SUMMER 2020

For families to use at home
- The Word @ Home – scroll down to the New This Summer section
- Faith @ Home – daily and weekly lectionary-based readings and reflections
- Together at Home – UK-based weekly series featuring lectionary- and non-lectionary-based options tied to a particular theme, as well as periodic Bible character offerings. Packs uploaded by the end of Tuesday each week; the lectionary ones appear to be prepared for the upcoming Sunday.
- Family Faith Formation at Home by former Huntingtonian Becky Davis – usually comes out mid-week
For Children’s Ministry
- Treasure Box Tuesday – sign up for your choice of free or premium content. See a sample of the premium content as well as older samples of the free content here.
- Flyaway Books offers free resources & activities to go with several of the children’s books it publishes.
For Vacation Bible School
- Cokesbury’s Knights of the North Castle online VBS
- Staycation Bible School 2020: Feet That Follow from The Presbyterian Outlook
- Compassion Camp, a virtual VBS from Illustrated Ministry that can be purchased and used by a church or by individual families

RESOURCES FOR ONLINE WORSHIP

USAGE HELP

The Basics of Church Live Streaming (YouTube video by The Digital Pastor)
The Five Questions We Hear The Most by CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International), whose streaming license terms are here
A Guide to Better Online Worship by Rev. Zac Morton, Morgantown First Presbyterian
Guidelines on live-streaming services from the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship
Tips to help prevent Zoombombing of your worship service/meetings from the Synod of the Trinity
Webinars on Church and Technology/Social Media from Practical Resources for Churches (registration required, but viewing is free)
What About Using Facebook Live? from Christian Copyright Solutions