COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID Risk Assessment for Concerts in Church Buildings
(prepared by Peter Bisset, chair of COVID Response Team) Many churches are starting to receive requests regarding choir singing and concerts. In response to this, the COVID19 Task Group recognizes this will become a local church decision sooner or later, however, we...
read moreCOVID-19: Cautions regarding singing and other activities
Although larger numbers are now permitted to gather for worship and other activities, communities of faith are reminded that allowable numbers in any enclosed space are based on capacity of the space with social distancing. Mask-wearing and other safety protocols...
read moreReminder regarding protocols for re-opening church buildings
Some communities of faith are just starting the process of planning for re-opening; the original documents to support that process have moved further down the list on the web site news, so posting the link again here for anyone still needing to submit their plan to...
read moreCOVID Vaccine Resources (from Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada)
Hello, On behalf of Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, we would like to seek your continued support in our fight against COVID-19. As a trusted leader, we want to ensure you have the information and tools that can help your community members make...
read moreUPDATED Interfaith Protocol for Places of Worship in Quebec – 2021-03-31
***UPDATED 2021-03-31*** In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has been affecting Quebec since March 2020, representatives of various religious communities have formed a consensus-building table to develop a common protocol to ensure the protection of their...
read moreNational Day of Commemoration to Honour Victims of COVID-19: March 11, 2021
Thursday March 11, 2021 is being designated as a day to honour the memories of the 10,000 + people who have died in Quebec during the past year as a direct result of COVID-19; real people with names, faces, families, and stories. Communities of faith and individual...
read moreCOVID-19 update: 10-person worship
The Government of Quebec has authorized communities of faith to reopen for worship only for a maximum of 10 people in the church building, including the worship leader/minister, organist/ musician and if someone is operating a camera to livestream or pre-record the...
read moreCOVID 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 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
NAKONHA:KA COVID UPDATES
Call to Action
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