COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID Christmas – A Call for Compassion and Creativity
RELIGIOUS LEADERS HOLD FIRST MEETING WITH PREMIER FRANÇOIS LEGAULT Since its creation last spring, the Table interreligieuse de concertation du Québec has worked to establish a dialogue with the authorities to serve the common good. In the context of the Covid-19...
read moreNovember Updates from COVID-19 Response Team
“NO ROOM AT THE INN” – ADVANCE PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES In order to respect the maximum number of participants as laid out by the government of Quebec, particularly on Christmas Eve when non-members often drop in unexpectedly, communities of faith offering...
read moreUPDATE: Stricter safety regulations and reduced capacity for gatherings across Quebec
Due to an increasing number of cases, the provincial government has re-instituted stricter safety regulations in Montreal, Quebec City and the Chaudière-Appalaches region, designating them as Orange Zones. The size of organized gatherings — in rented rooms and places...
read moreZoom for Hybrid Worship (Rev. Kent Chown)
Many of you have been using Zoom for your worship. But you may be going back into your sanctuary soon, and wondering how to keep the Zoom aspect of worship going - which includes having people at a distance participating in leadership. If you have a large...
read moreJoyful Connections: Activities for Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic
A lively blog post from Aileen Borruel, coordinator of several thriving and diverse programs for seniors within our Regional Council, shares the background development of some of these programs and the adaptations made to decrease isolation and increase...
read moreGuidelines for Outdoor Worship During COVID-19 Pandemic
The following guidelines should be considered as best practices for outdoor worship based on current knowledge: Pre-screening questionnaire; Are you ill? Have you been ill within the last 14 days? Have you been with anyone who has been ill? Consider not allowing entry...
read morePlanning for Children and Youth During Re-opening of Worship Spaces
Dear Communities of faith in the Nakonha:Ka Regional Council: With the provincial reopening plan in full swing, and churches across Quebec making plans to have face-to-face worship again, our YaYA leadership team wanted to highlight a few recommendations for churches...
read morePastoral Letter re COVID-19 Re-opening Protocols
Greetings siblings in Christ, God is with us in the struggle. I believe that God is calling us to move forward, even though we are surrounded by so many uncertainties, to infuse God’s love into this ever-changing world. We as Communities of...
read moreLetter to Pastoral Charges from COVID-19 Response Task Group
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT RE-OPENING CHURCH BUILDINGSIn coming days, we anticipate the Quebec government to indicate that churches may start to consider re-opening their buildings. BEFORE WE DO, it is important to create a plan that will keep all of our...
read moreProcess for gradual re-opening of church buildings (Peter Bisset)
At the second half of our Regional Council Spring Gathering on May 30, 2020, Peter Bisset offered a presentation about the process for the gradual re-opening of church buildings. You can download the presentation and the checklist below:Presentation to...
read moreOTHER 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
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS
from Morneau Shepell, Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) provider for UCC:
LifeWorks EFAP website
QUEBEC GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
- For latest information, consult the Quebec Government website
- If you think you may be experiencing symptoms, call the hotline: 1 877 644-4545.
United Church of Canada
Église Unie du Canada
Call to Action
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