FEELING SICK? COMPARING SYMPTOMS OFCOMPARING OF ALLERGIES, COMMON COLD, STREP THROAT, FLU, AND COVID-19
EVEN WHILE LIVESTREAMING WORSHIP, CHURCHES MUST COMPLY WITH COPYRIGHT LAWS.
7/27/2021 CDC UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED Wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others as new data indicates, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
According to the COVID-19 Integrated County View map, southeast Hampton Roads, the Peninsula, James City County, Gloucester County, Isle of White County, and Accomack County are areas of substantial or high transmission.
7/27/2021- UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
By Faith We Stand Firm is a continuation of the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ ongoing guidance to churches for how to make safer choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEARN MORE
7/2/2021 - Update from Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter (Presbytery of Cincinnati) and trained Immunocytochemist
Current (June 2021) guidance from CDC:
• IMPORTANTLY – the CDC guidelines for unvaccinated people have not changed. They are still required to wear masks and stay at least six feet away from others in most circumstances, but they can go outside with members of their household or gather with family and friends who are fully vaccinated outdoors without masks. Within the church, unvaccinated people (including unvaccinated children) should still be asked to wear masks while in indoors worship.
The Delta Variant:
• The Delta variant is now predominant in every state. This variant is 60% more highly infectious and more highly virulent (causing disease) than any other variant to date. The vaccines are generally effective, but at a lower rate. Importantly, this variant has been shown to cause more significant disease in the young.
• This variant is also showing breakthrough infection for fully vaccinated people at a slightly higher rate, especially for those who have only had one shot.
• COVID rates have doubled in the US over the past two weeks due to the Delta variant (from 9.9% to 20.9%). It was at 2.7% of cases across the US in May. At that rate we will soon (within weeks) become like the UK, which is now reporting 99% of all cases are due to the Delta variant.
• This variant is particularly concerning for young unvaccinated, which causes them to get significantly sicker significantly more quickly as well as making it more likely they will require hospitalization.
Vaccines:
• According to CDC, at this point, just over 45% of adults in the country are fully vaccinated and 58.7% have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Full vaccination covers the Delta variant at about 88% of efficacy; that falls to 33% with only one dose.
• Vaccines continue to be in development for younger children (6 months-11 years), but are not yet ready for FDA review. It’s possible they could be approved as early as this coming fall.
What does this mean for church?
• Decisions remain up to Session, but Session remains responsible for enforcing any decision.
• The Head of Staff can put requirements in place for office staff if distancing is difficult and staff are unvaccinated.
• Fellowship can be done safely – but strongly consider limiting it to a brief coffee and cookies, outside if at all possible.
• Singing for vaccinated people without masks is OK, but unvaccinated people should be masked – and if they are part of a choir, probably the whole choir should stay masked. Choirs are still discouraged if a significant number are unvaccinated, and should still be minimal and distanced as much as possible.
• To AC or not to AC? I know it’s getting hot. If you can’t open windows, do the best you can… if unvaccinated people are masked the entire time, AC should be OK. If you know you have unvaccinated people who aren’t wearing masks, you’re putting them and others at risk.
We are not done with COVID – not by a long shot. The epidemiologic community is watching to see if the Delta variant evolves further, and if a variant of concern is beginning to emerge that is evading the current vaccines.
6/4/2021 - Governor Northam's Executive Order Seventy-Nine took effect at midnight on Friday, May 28. Executive Order Seventy-Nine eases all distancing and capacity restrictions. The complete text can be found can be found here.
On Friday, May 14, 2021, Governor Northam, lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seventh Amended Executive Order 72
The CDC's Interim Public Health Recommendations for Full Vaccinated People state:
"... fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Fully vaccinated people should also continue to wear a well-fitted mask in correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Prevention measures are still recommended for unvaccinated people."
5/21/2021 - COVID-19 mitigation strategies for Choir developed from the research done at the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland in the Aerosol Study. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aesWEkmHYYc
5/7/2021 - COVID Update May 5 2021 - YouTube - An opportunity to hear from Lisa Allgood, professional immunocytcochemist and Presbyter for Cincinnati Presbytery about the COVID-19 virus, vaccinations, variations, and what we need to consider in conversations about gathering in person.
4/30/2021 Updated FAQ ON COVID AND CHURCH BUILDING USE - PC(USA) LEGAL SERVICES | Updated to include information regarding vaccines.
2/12/21 COVID-19 UPDATE: VACCINES, VARIATIONS, AND VARIOUS OTHER ITEMS - Ruling Elder Lisa Allgood, career immunocytochemist and Executive Presbyter for Cincinnati Presbytery, shares the latest information on the COVID-19 virus, the vaccines, and variants. Watch the recorded webinar
2/12/21 VACCINATE VIRGINIA: A Virtual town hall answering you COVID-19 vaccine questions - Recorded on 2/10/2021, the Virginia Department of Health hosts a panel of Doctors answering questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. WATCH HERE
10/2 Looking for a professional to edit your weekly service videos? Nicholas Brewster, editor for Hidenwood Presbyterian Church's worship service videos, is available looking to take on a few more projects. His services include:
- Title/End Screens
- Adding text to the screen for Bible readings and hymns
- Reducing background noise and improving audio quality
- Trimming unwanted slip-ups and other "dead" space
- Smooth Transitions
- Adding graphics other visual effects
- Advice on setting up and maintaining an online presence
- Prices are flexible and based on length of the video, the amount of editing, and whether the video is part of a series, or one off project.
CONTACT: Nicholas Brewster, brewsterni@ymail.com
9/11 PC(USA) Worship, Pastoral, and Governance Resources
9/11 How do I create a livestream?
9/4 Michael Kirk, General Counsel, PC (USA) - Liability Issues to Consider on Reopening Churches for Live Worship Services.
8/14 Mask UP, Virginia! Stop the spread of COVID-19 - a message from Partners in Prayer & Prevetnion of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health: Office of Health Equity.
8/11 An update about the most recent findings on COVID-19 and its impact on the human body with Commissioned Ruling Elder Lisa Allgood, a trained immunocytochemist and transitional executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Cincinnati. "Don't mess with this one." - Allgood
7/17 Two Online Worship Technology Zoom Conversations with Jeff Brangan (Senior A/V Systems Engineer, Regent University) were held the past week. The topics were "Getting Started on a Small Budget" and "Looking to Improve Online Worship." Both conversations were recorded and are available to members of the Presbytery. Please contact Raymond Rodrigues (rrodrigues@pcusa-peva.org) for access.
6/12 Covid-19 Online Worship Technology Fund - The Presbytery of Eastern Virginia has established this fund to assist churches looking to begin or to further equip their online worship ministry. This fund, administered by the PEVA Congregational Vitality Team, is offered solely for the purchase of equipment and resources (cameras, microphones, laptop computers, etc.) necessary for online worship. The maximum amount of disbursement shall be $2000. Click here for the grant application.
6/5 Scientists to choirs: Group singing can spread the coronavirus, despite what CDC may say
5/26 ZOOM Conversation About Signing (Recorded 5/26) with Bob Shoup, Chorus Master for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chours, Founder of the Norfolk Street Choir, and Director of Music at Second Presbyterian Church
5/15 A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) webinar (2 hours).
5/27 Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) - Singing and Making Music as churches return to public worship PDF
5/21 Pastoring in a Time of Pandemic (recorded 5/21) with Graham Standish, author of several books, including Becoming a Blessed Congregation, and Kelli Walker-Jones, a pastoral counselor. The webinar is sponsored by the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center.
5/15 Check with your insurance company before reopening: As pandemic persists, churches and insurance companies grapple with risk - Presbyterian Outlook
5/12 How COVID-19 Can Spread in a Community - YouTube
5/12 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
5/12 Wisconsin Council of Churches: Returning to Church - Church Music in the Age of COVID-19
5/12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
5/12 Brotherhood Mutual - Before we Gather: Building Preparation - Deep Clean and Disinfect
5/12 Insurance Board
5/8 PCUSA - Reopening after COVID-19
