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SE PA counties address COVID vaccine distribution concerns
From the Bucks County Herald, “Southeastern Pennsylvania counties issue statement on COVID vaccine distribution,” Monday, Mar 8, 2021
County commissioners, county council members, and state legislators representing Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties met for an hour on Sunday, March 7, with Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam and other Wolf Administration officials regarding the state’s allocation of COVID-19 vaccine to the four Southeast Pennsylvania counties.
The meeting, long sought by elected officials, was arranged... Read More
Experts to teach Eastern PA about COVID vaccines, variants
Save the date— Monday, April 12, 6:30-8:00 PM—for “Vaccines, Variants and the Road Ahead.” That’s the focus of an upcoming webinar on Zoom, sponsored by the Eastern PA Conference Global Ministries Team. The team includes members of the Conference’s former Health & Healing Council.
Two doctors of pharmacy will share what they know and can recommend about the three new vaccines now in use to fight COVID-19... Read More
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Redux
The Small Business Administration issued their guidelines on January 6 documenting how lenders will proceed with the PPP2 applications for non-profits. Presently, only churches who have not yet received a PPP1 loans are eligible to apply; but this process will open up soon for churches that have already received PPP1 grants and can demonstrate a 25 percent decline in their “gross receipts” in at least one 2020 quarter, compared to the same quarter in 2019.
When eligible, churches will be able to apply to local lenders for an amount equal to 2.5 times the 2019 average monthly payroll costs, which include housing allowances and benefit payments made by the church... Read More
Face masks available
Eastern PA Conference’s Disaster Response Ministry has washable cloth face coverings available from FEMA to help churches ensure safety. The adult-sized masks are 100% cotton, and contain silver and copper to help prevent the growth of viruses and germs. Request Face Masks
Appeal for donated masks, hand sanitizer, etc
The Eastern PA Conference Disaster Response Ministry is seeking volunteers to sew and donate suitable protective masks for children and adults in vulnerable, urban communities during the COVID-19 pandemic… Read more
Hand sanitizer available
Six barrels with 50-gallons each of donated hand sanitizer are now ready and waiting for churches to “come and get it” at the Eastern PA Conference’s four Camp & Retreat Centers and at two local churches in Philadelphia and Allentown… Read more
Resources
Latest Updates:
Reopening Resources from the Cabinet and Conference Chancellor (from the May 12, 2020 Webinar):
- Video: Cabinet explains church reopening guidelines in webinar
- Pandemic Re-opening Best Practices for Eastern PA Conference Churches
- Supplemental Q&A Document
- EE-and-Volunteer-Covid-Code-of-Conduct.docx
- Lease-Use-Agreement-Addendum.docx
- Polling-Places-During-COVID-Guidance.pdf
- Polling-Use-Agreement-Addendum.docx
- Sample-Liability-Waiver.docx
- Sample-Trustee-Resolution-COVID-19.docx
Eastern PA Conference COVID-19 resources:
- Eastern PA UMC Youth Ministry in Covid-19 and Beyond - Reopening Guidelines
- Directory of Food Distribution Centers in Eastern PA Conference -- Provided as part of the Conference's Coronavirus Assistance Program (CAP)
Information from the CDC (www.cdc.gov)
COVID-19 resources from other sources:
- Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith
- Frequently Asked Questions, provided by the PA Department of Health
- "Embrace the Now, Prepare for the Next" Resource for Resuming In-Person Worship, by The Virginia Conference
- Insurance-Related Covid-19 and Cyber Security Resources
- UMCOR launches COVID-19 Response Fund
- Payroll Protection Program Application FAQ* and Federal CARES Act Guidelines for Churches
- Safe Sanctuaries during physical distancing during the COVID
- The Church Guide to Coronavirus -- How congregations can prepare for the potential disruption and gospel opportunities, from Outreach.
- Congregational Planning Checklist for a Pandemic -- From Lutheran Disaster Response, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Helping your church respond to the coronavirus
- Adjusting to coronavirus threat
- What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? (HHS)
- What is “social distancing,” and how can it slow the coronavirus outbreak? The difference between quarantine, isolation, and social distancing, explained. (VOX)
- Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services Coronavirus Update—COVID-19 in Community
Statements from the Bishop and the Conference
Bishop’s Statements Regarding COVID-19:
- May 1, 2020: A Message from Bishop Peggy Johnson about Reopening Churches
- April 28, 2020: Sharpening the Blade
- March 31, 2020: Compassionate Hearts
- March 26, 2020: A Word to The Wise about Easter Sunday and Other Holy Week Observances
- March 24, 2020: Reminders about Gathering Restrictions and Thoughts about Holy Communion
- March 17, 2020: ‘Our God, Our Help in Ages Past’
- March 16, 2020: A Time and a Purpose
- March 16, 2020: Pray without Ceasing
- March 13, 2020: Abundance of Caution
- March 12, 2020: A Peace that Passes Understanding
Spanish/Español:
- Aprendiendo de Noé mientras re-abrimos nuestros edificios
- Una palabra al sabio (Pastorado) sobre el domingo de Pascua y otras celebraciones de Semana Santa
- Un tiempo y un propósito: palabras del obispo Peggy Johnson
- Orar sin cesar – Palabras del obispo Peggy Johnson
- Abundancia de precaución: ¿Qué debemos hacer con respecto a los servicios religiosos este domingo?
- Una carta pastoral del obispo Peggy A. Johnson
NEWSpirit Alerts:
- May 1:A Message from Bishop Peggy Johnson about Reopening Churches
- April 30:Two online events today explore ministry in the midst of COVID-19
- April 29:Pandemic Re-opening Best Practices for Churches
- April 2: Annual Conference & COVID-19 Stimulus Act
- March 31: A Letter of Support to Churches from Eastern PA Conference Leadership
Worship & Communion
Ministry in the Midst of Coronavirus
- Online prayer groups seek healing despite social distancing
- Church leaders urge African Americans to stay healthy, survive
- UM agencies resourcing pandemic-affected churches
- CCYM shares reflections, advice on surviving pandemic
- Churches taking ministry online in the midst of pandemic
- Take your church to the world. Connect through technology
- Camps suspend spring events due to COVID-19
- Bishop urges calm but caution, compassion in COVID-19 pandemic
- Resources, ideas to protect worshipers from coronavirus
- The Ten Commandments for Coronavirus Prevention in Faith Communities
Holy Communion:
