Resources from the General Church and Other Helpful Links
Listed below are resources that we have compiled related to the Coronavirus and how to cope with alternative ways to pray, worship, and be in virtual community with each other.
If you have ideas to share, please send them to Cathy Bruce, the Director of Communications, at cbruce@kyumc.org.
Please do what you can to remain safe, healthy, and always hopeful!
Things to help with Re-Entry
Here's a list of links to help you either purchase a mask or learn how to make your own (If you know of an individual or group that is making masks and can fulfill bulk orders (75/100+) that we can share here, please send their name and contact info to Cathy Bruce at cbruce@kyumc.org or Connie Offutt at coffutt@kyumc.org)::
Masks
- https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-face-masks#2-4
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
- https://www.goodrx.com/blog/where-to-buy-n95-masks-how-to-make-coronavirus-face-masks/
- Buy Masks in bulk: https://www.kychamber.com/maskorderform
- Amy-Kristin Carroll at jamriffic@gmail.com or text to (502) 396-9953 (allow 2 weeks for large orders)
Signage
- Print Resources from the CDC: a variety of materials displaying safety guidelines and precautions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/print-resources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc
- "Do Not Enter If You Feel Sick" Signs - English; Spanish; French; Swahili
Recommendations for Healthy Worship
- Re-Entry into Facilities and Worship Recommendations from The Children and Family Ministry Team - The Children & Family Ministry Team of the Kentucky Annual Conference includes 10 leaders with 100+ years of combined ministry experience with church families. Knowing that churches with and without large numbers of children are looking for guidance in caring for families, our team wants to offer practical, clear recommendations for how to re-introduce families with children into in-person worship and discipleship environments.
- Ideas for help during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the National Council of Churches
- Kentucky Council of Churches recommendations, of which we are a part: http://www.kycouncilofchurches.org/
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
COVID-19: Administrative & Financial Resources
Your Administrative Teams (CFA, BOP, and BOT) and staff have been diligently working to listen, understand, and prayerfully consider the financial stresses the COVID-19 pandemic may be introducing into our churches. In response to these unusual times, below you will find a collection of announcements and resources related to Conference financial and administrative decisions, as well as resources from other trusted partners. This page will be updated, as needed.
Informational resources on the CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to "provid[e] emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic."
The CARES Act sets aside $349 billion to offer loans to small businesses, including churches and non-profits. The loans are 100% forgivable.
Below are some resources from GCFA, Discipleship Ministries and Horizons Stewardship have resources explaining how churches and small businesses utilize the opportunities available to them through the CARES Act.
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act FAQ, GCFA
- The CARES Act May Save Your Church by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries)
- CARES Act Could be a Lifeline for Local Churches by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries)
- How Your Church Can Benefit from the CARES Act Payroll Protection Loan, Horizons Stewardship
Streaming Licenses and Copyright
-
Churches using hymns or other copyrighted music in their online worship services must have a license to do so – just the same as is required for printed copies of protected music. Several services offer streaming licenses, ranging in price from around $100 for churches with attendance in the 1-25 range, to near $600 for churches with up to 1,100 in attendance. Here are links to the three prominent licensing companies’ tools:
- CCLI – us.ccli.com
- Christian Copyright Solutions – christiancopyrightsolutions.com/services/worshipcast
- One License – onelicense.net
To help churches in this period of coronavirus challenges, here are some special offers and prices:
- United Methodist Book of Worship and UM Hymnal Ritual Resources: United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) announced it is granting permission to livestream and post online selected content from the United Methodist Book of Worship (BOW). The ritual resources in The United Methodist Hymnal (the standard Sunday service materials, Psalter (but not music), funeral, wedding, and morning and evening prayer) for which UMPH owns copyright are also approved for livestreaming and posting online for a limited time (until August 30). Read more at https://www.umph.org/Current-News/ArtMID/471/ArticleID/43/The-United-Methodist-Publishing-House-Grants-Temporary-Permission-for-UM-Book-of-Worship-and-UM-Hymnal-Ritual-Resources.
- CCLI is offering a 10% discount on the first full year of a streaming license for any church wishing to add on to their existing CCLI Copyright License. This offer ends April 30. https:// mailchi.mp/ccli.com/need-to-stream-your-service-resend?e=ccd311dad6
- One License is offering a free license, through April 15. news.onelicense.net/2020/03/13/one-license-offers-gratis-licenses-to-help-cope-with-covid-19-challenges-valid-throughapril-15/
Virtual Church
-
Craig Taylor of Stovall UMC was asked to be a panelist for this webinar on "Adapting to Changing Communication Needs" presented by UMCOM. Take a look!
-
Video-editing training offered for church leaders from United Methodist Communications — Church leaders can learn how to use the Adobe Rush video-editing tool for their ministries through a new, free training program from United Methodist Communications. Adobe Rush can enable church staff and volunteers to produce ministry videos with a polished look, for posting on church websites and social media channels.
-
Effective Technology Tools for Churches - free online course provided by UM Communications
-
Resource UMC - Ideas and Tips for doing Virtual Church, Staying Healthy, etc.
-
Taking your worship online: A guide for beginners and everyone else
-
Online Training Sessions - Effective Technology Tools for Churches - Zoom for Churches
-
Worshiping Apart: Rural Churches in COVID-19
https://medium.com/@atstanton/worshiping-apart-rural-churches-in-covid-19-e32b0adb1018
By Allen Stanton, Executive Director of the Turner Center at Martin Methodist College, Martin, TN -
More Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Outbreak From Discipleship Ministries
-
The Love Feast is part of our spiritual heritage as Methodists. You can find more information about The Love Feast on page 581 in The United Methodist Book of Worship.
Please click this link for an informational video that was prepared by Dr. Brian Ebel at St. Luke United Methodist in Lexington. In the video, you will find more information about the history, theology, and practice of The Love Feast. You can also find the liturgy for The Love Feast here if you do not own a Book of Worship.
Google Hangouts Meet
This is free online video conferencing system with little to no restrictions. There is also a companion app for iPhone and Android devices. With a umcna.org account, you are always the host! Google Meet has been opened up for larger meetings (up to 250 participants) and live streaming through July 1. Clergy, use your umcna.org account username and password to sign in at meet.google.com
- Get started with Hangouts – https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/2944865?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop#
- Video: Hangouts keeps you connected – www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2-tsGelk4U
ZOOM
-
This is an online platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. Zoom has a free service with limits on meeting length and number of participants but has paid options with more features and capacity. Find out more at https://zoom.us.
Instant Conference
-
This is a basic conference call system that allows a group of participants to connect via telephone. The free option limits you to five participants per call. There is a paid option (personal level - only $9.95 per month) that will allow calls with up to 150 participants with up to 2,000 minutes of conference call time each month. Find out more at www.instantconference.com.
Webex
Free for up to 100 participants. Other functions require a subscription
- Allows for meeting with 100 participants, HD video, screen sharing and a personal room for as you like.
- Requires subscription starting at $13.50 per month per host for application sharing, recording and other functions.
Skype
Audio and HD video Calling; Smart Messaging; Call Recording and Subtitles; Call Phones; Screen Share and more. https://www.skype.com/en/
-
*Here's a list of reviews of pros and cons by Livewire are other streaming tools like YouTube, Instagram, Periscope, Vimeo, Periscope and more.
Live Stream On:
Mass Messaging Platforms
Email Platforms
Tools for Online Giving
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Venmo,
- Vanco
- Planning Center
- ShelbyGiving
- Another Option: Ask your members to check with their banks on a “BillPay” option. If so, theycan set up the church as a regular payment. Then the bank generates an electronic check and sends it via USPS (United States Postal Service) to the church.
- What to Consider When Investigating an E-Giving Vendor - PDF by GCFA
Other Information
-
Resources from The Upper Room and you can download the free devotional
-
For Pre-School-Age Children
From PBS KIDS: How to talk to your kids about Coronavirus -
For Older Elementary-Age Children
BrainPOP Video: It can be scary to hear about a disease outbreak, but learning the facts can help ease your mind. -
COVID-19 Ministry Resources for Children
- Planning VBS in 2020 - If you are questioning or making plans for VBS this year, we wanted to share the conversation that our ministry team leaders are having. Click the links to view our e-mail thread in either WORD or as a PDF.
- A link to COVID-19 resources curated by Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley, a member of the Kentucky Conference Children's and Family Ministry team ( https://www.leanne-hadley.com/covid-19-resources)
- Cokesbury Kids blog ( https://www.cokesburykids.com/blog)
-
Mississippi Conference has compiled some Quick Tips with Pros and Cons on various online tools: