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

Signage

Recommendations for Healthy Worship

 


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.

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:

 


Virtual Church


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

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


Other Information