COVID-19 UPDATES

OTHER COVID-19 RESOURCES

Community response to Coronavirus / COVID-19 has been extraordinary as communities of faith, ministry personnel and laypeople across the United Church of Canada adapt and create new ways of being church in the world. Here are links to news updates and resources that may be helpful.

MESSAGES TO MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITIES OF FAITH

• April 20, 2020: Message from Rev. Adam Hanley, Program Coordinator for Ministry Personnel Vitality, United Church of Canada
• April 4, 2020: Letter from Rosemary Lambie (Executive Minister) and Linda Buchanan (President) of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council
• March 31, 2020: National Prayer for Canadians from Religious Leaders in Canada in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
• March 30, 2020: Message to Canadians from Religious Leaders in Canada in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
• March 26, 2020: National Indigenous Elders Council Pastoral Letter re COVID-19
• March 24, 2020: Request to Delay Funerals from Moderator Richard Bott
• March 23, 2020: Supporting Staff Through the Pandemic from Alan Hall, Executive Officer Ministry and Employment, General Council Office
• March 18, 2020: Press release regarding suspension of worship by United Church of Canada in Quebec
• March 18, 2020: Letter from Rosemary Lambie, Executive Minister of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council
• March 17, 2020: Letter to Ministry Personnel and Church Leaders from Nora Sanders, General Secretary, UCC
• March 13, 2020: Letter from President of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council, Rev. Linda Buchanan
• March 13, 2020: Letter from Moderator, Richard Bott

GUIDELINES FROM UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

• Statement on COVID-19
• Emergency plan
• Employment and pastoral relationships in the event of suspension of worship/gatherings

RESOURCES FOR ONLINE WORSHIP

• Options for online worship
• Online Children’s Church with Shanna Bernier
• Interactive map of online/streaming worship across Canada, including those within our Regional Council (add your worship service on the site)
• Information about online communion
• Information about licensing music for online services
• Live-streaming information from Buying United
• Free weekly webinars on Congregational Programming during the Pandemic from United in Learning

Please note that other alternatives may be possible in areas where internet service is not reliable; how about a conference call? Here are some tips for how that could work (note: this is not a promotion for a particular service provider)

RESOURCES FOR FINANCES AND ONLINE GIVING

• 2020-04-24: United Church Emergency Loan Program during COVID-19 (download associated document: RC 13 Application for Loans during COVID-19)
• Free weekly webinars on Congregational Finances during the Pandemic from United in Learning
• Online donations through CanadaHelps or Mission and Service

RESOURCES FOR ONLINE MEETINGS

• Notes on using Zoom for online meetings (courtesy of Shining Waters Regional Council)
• Notes on how to hold space online
• Reduced rates on technologies like Zoom through Tech Soup Canada

RESOURCES FOR PASTORAL CARE AND SUPPORT

For families

• Talking to children about COVID-19
• Virtual tours and activities
• Online camp through GO Project
  • 11 am daily: Virtual Day Camp (Grades 1 – 6)
  • 2 pm daily: Virtual Youth Drop In (Grades 7+)

For ministry personnel

• Contact David-Roger Gagnon for information about upcoming ministry personnel support gatherings 

OTHER

• Loss & Living: Grief 101 for COVID-19  – Wednesday evenings at 7 pm (starting March 25)
• Making Hope Visible podcast with Laura Hunter: 03 COVID-19 Check-in
• Open Out Podcast Series: http://openout.ca/
• Original song by Rick Sheffer: Count Your Blessings Nonetheless

What other information would be helpful for you and your community of faith at this time? Contact us with your suggestions: jcoffin@united-church.ca