COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS, RESOURCES & UPDATES 04/03/2020
PEVA leadership urges all congregations to take precautions to support the health of the whole community by following COVOD-19 protocols.
NEW 04/03 On March 30, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 55 extending Virginia’s coronavirus quarantine through June 10. The order has a stronger direction to citizens, requiring us to stay at home unless we are going out for food, supplies, work, medical care, or exercise. As with previous orders, all public and private in-person gatherings of more than 10 individuals are prohibited. This includes gathering for religious purposes (whether indoor or outdoor).
NEW 04/03 Virginia Department of Health - What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?
QUICK LINKS TO TOPICS BELOW
HOLY WEEK
Campfire Tenebrae Service for out Times
A unique virtual opportunity to experience a meaningful Maundy Thursday. Filmed at the property formerly known as Makemie Woods, Pastor Mike Burcher and few former staffers have recreated a passionate account of the Last Supper and the crucifixion for our times (following COVID-19 guidelines). To participate fully, viewers will need to gather in advance a bowl of soapy water and a towel, a cup of juice or wine and a bread of choice, and a nail.
Click here to watch the Campfire Tenebrae service.
PC(USA) Easter Celebration
In this time of social distancing, our need for connection has never been greater. With that in mind, we invite you to join us for an Easter celebration and message of hope. Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) share with you a special Easter worship video, created to help us come together in community on this holiest of days.
Click here to watch the Easter Celebration
MONEY MATTERS
Timely Board of Pensions Resources/Responses to Coronovirus
- NEW 4/6 The Board announces dues relief for small churches, deferments for other churches and employers. More details on dues relief and deferment.
- The Board is providing 100% coverage of Coronovirus testing costs for members of all Board medical plans.
- The Board is waiving Teledoc copays for PPO and EPO medical plan members through June 30, 2020. Access Teladoc 24/7 online, or by calling 800-835-2362.
- For more details and process information for these services, and for additional resources, please go to www.pensions.org.
NEW 4/6 Government Assistance from the CARES Act—the new stimulus package includes provisions that can potentially benefit churches. PEVA trustees and others are reviewing information so they can be helpful to you. SPEED is of the essence, especially to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Churches with Pre-schools may be particularly interested in the Paycheck Protection Program.
Resources on the CARES Act:
Church Law and Tax - Richard Hammar
NEW 4/6 Insurance Board Webinar: The CARES Act and Your Ministry - register for webinar on April 7, 2020 at 2:00 PM Eastern
NEW 4/6 Families First Coronavirus Response Act - The first legislation Congress enacted was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Signed into law on March 18 and effective April 1 through December 31, 2020, the act requires paid sick leave and expands eligibility for family and medical leave. Michael Kirk, general counsel for the PC(USA) A Corporation, wrote a summary of the act and described its application to churches. Another resource about this act is a webinar aired by the Insurance Board on March 31 featuring Heather Kimmel, general counsel for the United Church of Christ.
NEW 4/6 - Protecting your finances during the Coronavirus Pandemic - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Scams, Student Loans, Mortgages, and more.
NEW 4/6 A letter from the president of the Presbyterian Foundation
NEW 4/6 The Presbyterian Foundation provides online giving to congregations and has other information about finances.
If your congregation has urgent financial assistance, please contact Liza
STAY INFORMED
Advisory Opinion on Communion - PC(USA): Communion in an Emergency/Pandemic
NEW 04/03 Advisory Opinion - PC(USA): Church in an Emergency or Pandemic
NEW 04/03 Government Assistance from the CARES Act—the new stimulus package includes provisions that can potentially benefit churches. PEVA trustees and others are reviewing information so they can be helpful to you. SPEED is of the essence, especially to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Churches with Pre-schools may be particularly interested in the Paycheck Protection Program.
Resources on the CARES Act:
Church Law and Tax - Richard Hammar
NEW 04/03 Insurance Board Webinar: The CARES Act and Your Ministry - register for webinar on April 7, 2020 at 2:00 PM Eastern
NEW 04/02 Families First Coronavirus Response Act - The first legislation Congress enacted was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Signed into law on March 18 and effective April 1 through December 31, 2020, the act requires paid sick leave and expands eligibility for family and medical leave. Michael Kirk, general counsel for the PC(USA) A Corporation, wrote a summary of the act and described its application to churches. Another resource about this act is a webinar aired by the Insurance Board on March 31 featuring Heather Kimmel, general counsel for the United Church of Christ.
Updated Daily: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members from the PC(USA) website.
Sentara is closely monitoring COVID-19 Updates from Sentara
ClergyAdvantave:New Care Act - “How the New Stimulus Package Affects Churches, Ministers & Small Business”
A letter from the president of the Presbyterian Foundation
A pastoral message regarding the coronavirus from Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, J. Herbert Nelson, II, and President/Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Diane Moffett.
STAY WELL
Ten Guidelines for Pastoral Care During Coronavirus” by Eileen R. Campbell-Reed, Christian Century
Resisting Busyness in the Time of COVID-19” by Melessa Florer-Bixler, FaithAndLeadership.Com
Trauma Brain” – A blog by Jan Edmiston of Charlotte Presbytery about recognizing how trauma affects us.
Practicing Grace” – a video reflection by Jaime Ambrose (Green Acres PC)
Pandemic Stress: Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health breaks down what it is, what it looks like, and ways to ease it”
STAY CONNECTED
Here are ways that congregations, sessions, committees, prayer groups, Bible study, and Sunday schools can stay connected while adhering to social distancing mandates. We are in the process of assembling a group of volunteers to assist you with these technologies. For now, please feel free to contact the Presbytery office (757-397-7063) or Raymond Rodrigues (rrodrigues@pcusa-peva.org) if you need any assistance with these technologies and we will attempt to connect you with someone who can help. If you would like to be a volunteer, please contact Raymond Rodrigues (rrodrigues@pcusa-peva.org).
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Facebook Live - free real-time video broadcasts; video stays on your page, but also can be uploaded to YouTube; if your page is public, users do not need a Facebook account to view
YouTube - free video hosting
Skype - free group video calling for up to 50 people
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Free Conference Call - free group calling and video conferencing; users may experience long-distance telephone charges
GoToMeeting - videoconferencing; $12 per month for meetings for up to 150 participants
Zoom - videoconferencing; free for meetings up to 40 mins with Internet audio or $14.99 per month for unlimited time and telephone option
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Ten tips for folks new to online meetings from Next Church - NEXT Church has been operating virtually for the past 7+ years, so they are super familiar with meeting online! Mostly, they have used Zoom, so they refer to that platform here, but they hope these tips will translate across different platforms.
Be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat, your senior neighbors, neighbors who have children out of school, neighbors who cannot go to work, and lack food security. Worship in person services may be cancelled, the church building may be closed to the public, however we are the church.
High Demand Volunteer Opportunities (Please check these guidelines - healthy volunteer guidelines)
Tell Congress: Increase funding for nutrition programs in this unprecedented crisis!
Text the word “FOOD” to 877-877, you will find a nearby location where free meals are available for children K-12.
New (4/6/20) Sew face masks. Several PEVA churches and PW groups are busy making face masks for local hospitals, nursing homes, long care facilitates, EMT's and for those most at risk in their communities. Homemade masks aren't suitable for protecting healthcare workers, but EMT’s can give them to patients they assist. Also bus drivers, farm workers, and countless others that need masks. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings (non medical grade) in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.You can make these as the congregation as a whole, or contribute supplies, prayers,etc to a group that is busy sewing. It is definitely a community effort! Sew and No Sew Patterns
Cotton Face Mask Pattern , Hepa Filter Vacuum Bag Mask Pattern.
Here are notes from PEVA's Hunger Action Advocate
Your PEVA Hunger Ministry Team is ready to assist you with funds. If your church is assisting those in your communities that are affected by this pandemic in ways of hunger relief and are seeking funds please submit a Community Hunger Grant Request ASAP to jessica@pcusa-peva.org and note on the application goals and purpose of your project “COVID 19 HUNGER RESPONSE.”
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, CHILDREN, CONGREGATIONS, AND ADULTS
New (4/1/20) Free resources from the PC(USA) Store
The Thoughtful Christian – Resources for Families, Children, Congregations, and Adults
Devotional for Mothers – Join Rev. Higgins and moms of First Hampton for a devotional for mothers by a Mother (Robin Meadows) beginning this Wednesday, March 25. It’s through the Bible App and is called “Overwhelmed by My Blessings --Encouragement for Moms.” To join, download the Bible app (the You Version). The icon looks like a little bible.
Click here for a list of PEVA Churches that are having alternate worship services, bible studies, etc. via Facebook Live, YouTube, and other internet technologies.
This year, PCUSA has announced a special #GivingChallenge, introducing an activity to celebrate a united effort, raising up our collective impact and making an enormous difference in the lives of others around the world. “Links of Love” activity will make visible within our churches, and then within the halls of the 224th General Assembly (2020), the amazing engagement from Presbyterian churches across the country. The challenge is to build a 10+ foot paper chain together! For every gift made through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, a link can be added. Get creative! Decorate! Use fun paper. Show your wonderful personality.
