Resources during Coronavirus Pandemic
This list includes:
Communication Resources
Giving/Financial Resources
Listening Sessions from conference Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM) Office
Prayer
Webinars
Comprehensive plan on easing of restrictions on in-person worship
In a letter from May 9, Bishop Lewis shared that a return to in-person worship would be phased beginning with “drive-in” worship for all churches under strict guidelines and the authorization of some “pioneer” churches to open on May 24 under strict guidelines. A workgroup of church leaders, medical professionals and legal professionals have prepared a comprehensive plan which includes: summary of plan, handbook, visual presentation and more for churches to plan on how to approach this phased return to in-person worship. More…
Click here to see the “Let’s Stay Connected” stories
Best Practices Guidelines for…
Video
VAUMC Self-Filming Best Practices
Print and Phone (when video is not an option)
Copyrights & Licenses Webinar
Have questions about what licenses you need to cover copyrighted material that your church is using while live streaming your worship services and events? Click here . Publishing House Grants Temporary Permission for Book of Worship. More…
From the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Online Resources: Keeping Your Ministry Connected
Livestreaming
• Find churches livestreaming services
• Learn how to prepare your church for livestreaming
• Livestreaming for Beginners by AV Specialist Andrew Jensen on YouTube
Digital Ministry Resources (Compiled by the Alexandria/Arlington Districts)
Click here for information
Faith on Facebook Resource Hub
Click here for resources provided by Facebook
Giving/Financial Resources
CARES Act: Aid for the Local Church
Wespath and The United Methodist Church general agencies, along with other organizations, have issued summaries of the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act provides assistance to employers (churches) by establishing a loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). More… (pdf)
Credit Union Assistance
The United Methodist Credit Union offers financial relief during the COVID-19 crisis. More…
Donation Website
Virginia Conference donation website during COVID-19 pandemic
Listening Sessions from DCM Office
Mar. 25, 26- Resources compiled from Clergy Listening Sessions
The Rev. Dr. Ted Smith hosted two Clergy Listening sessions on March 25 and 26. Clergy shared a number of resources for connecting through this COVID-19 season. This list includes digital, phone, donation, and many other suggestions. Click here to see list.
Prayer
Daily noon prayer with Bishop Lewis
Click here to open (pdf)
Videos
Faces of Care
The use of face masks is one way that United Methodists can continue to show their care and concern for all of their neighbors as the nation and world continue to grapple with COVID-19. Thank you, Virginia Conference, for showing your ‘Faces of Care.’ Learn more from a two-part series in which Bishop Lewis talked with Dr. George Moxley, VCU Health, about the importance of wearing masks. View at: https://vimeo.com/444558012.
Webinars
‘Crucial Crisis Conversations’
#1 Small Church Engagement
Mark Ogren and Larry Davies, April 6, 9:30 a.m.
Click here to view this webinar
Click here to view Suggestions from Webinar #1 (pdf)
Click here to view a PowerPoint Small Church Engagement
Click here to view the PowerPoint How to Reach New People
#2 Reaching Parents
Next Gen Ministries presented Reaching Parents, Apr 8, 2020
Click here to view this webinar featuring Dwayne Stinson and Gabe Higgins, moderated by Paulo Lopes and MaryKaye Cochran.
Crucial Crisis Conversation Worksheet (pdf)
#3 Strategic Thinking in Critical Times
April 22
Click here to view this webinar featuring the Rev. Bret Gresham and the Rev. Chris Bennett, moderated by Paulo Lopes.
#4 Humor & Relationships in a Crisis
April 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Click here to view this webinar featuring the Rev. Lindsey Baynham and Ms. Amy Cox
#5 Health – A Conversation with an ICU Nurse
April 24
Click here to view this webinar featuring Reba Miller, an ICU nurse
During this conversation the topic of Healthcare Head Covers came up. These are in need along with masks. Reba provided instructions and patterns.
Click here to download instructions (pdf)
Click here to download patterns (pdf)
#6 Can You Hear Me Now
Click here to view the webinar featuring Conference Digital Media Manager Nick Ruxton on livestreaming
Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation (pdf)
Click here to download information and product suggestions (pdf)
Click here to download copyright information (pdf)
#7 So you have a livestream? Let’s make it better!
Click here to view the webinar featuring Conference Digital Media Manager Nick Ruxton for the next steps of livestream. His guests were Brian Bachrach and Andrew King.
COVID Season Zoom Conversations
Join the webinar series “COVID Season Conversations” from the Office of Connectional Ministries to examine Wesleyan theology and faith in light of the current pandemic. New conversations will be posted at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays every two weeks featuring a theologian or other faith specialist on issues related to staying connected in the COVID-19 pandemic with a brief presentation and time for discussion and questions.
On April 15 at 10 a.m., Dr. Kendall Soulen, Professor of Systematic Theology at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, spoke on “The Presence of Christ in the Social Distance Season.”
View Zoom meeting
PowerPoint slides from meeting
Each speaker in the series will share for about 75 minutes and each session will be archived for later viewing.
Upcoming dates and speakers are:
• April 29, 2020 at 10 a.m. – Mission Ministry through the COVID Season
Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo, Wesley Theological Seminary, Professor of Wesleyan Studies and Missiology
View Zoom meeting
PowerPoint slides from meeting
• May 13, 2020 – Care of Caregivers in the COVID-19 Season
The Rev. Jennifer Collins, Shepherd’s Staff Ministries, Inc.
Click here to view Zoom Meeting
• May 27, 2020 – Marketing and Ministry with the Rev. Dr. Hedy Collver
Click here to view the Zoom meeting
Small Church Worship and Stewardship
Small Church Worship and Stewardship Resources with Paul Nickerson — presented by Congregational Excellence Office