COVID-19
Here are some resources that may be helpful during this unique and very challenging time. If you have suggestions for additional resources please email .
Presbytery Council Correspondence
Advice from Council and the Executive Presbyter Included in the 8/11/21 Bi-Weekly Brief
Guidance on Reopening, Worship, Meetings, etc. 6/30/21
Advice Regarding COVID-19 Precautions 2/17/21
Urgent Advice Regarding COVID-19 Precautions 11/13/20
New Supplemental Guidance Regarding Reopening of Churches 10/2/20
Supplemental Guidance Regarding Reopening of Churches 7/15/20
New Supplemental Guidance Regarding Phased Reopening of Churches 6/5/20
Response to Houses of Worship as Essential Places 5/23/20
Supplemental Guidance Regarding Phased Reopening of Churches Issued on 5/13/20
Inforgraphic on Prevention Strategies from the 5/13/20 correspondence
Advisory Statement from the Presbytery Council issued on 3/23/20 (Information includes but is not limited to: Zoom licences, financial information and Presbytery Office staffing.)
Advisory Statement from the Presbytery Council issued on 3/13/20
Council Correspondence 4/28/20
Benchmarks and Protocol Abridged version - an unabridged version may be found under Re-Opening Considerations
CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated - How to Protect Yourself and Others
Tool for Determining COVID Exposure Risk
Where Two or More Are Vaccinated: Advice for Churches in 2021
Map shows COVID-19 risk for event size in each Michigan county
Covid-19 and Congregations: What You Need to Know
On August 25th we hosted a very informative Zoom event where our special guest was Lisa Allgood, Ph.D., who has served for 36 years as a Research Immunologist and is currently the Transitional Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Cincinnati. Lisa is an outstanding resource for understanding the scientific and medical dimensions of the current pandemic and their implications for congregational worship and ministry. She was joined by Jon Baker, the Director of Laboratories at Sparrow Health Systems in the Lansing Area. Jon is also the CRE at Rosebush Presbyterian Church in our presbytery, and is a regular guest on "Fake News Friday," a weekly webcast of Hillsdale Hospital sorting out Covid-19 fact from fiction.
Click on play to view the entire event. (Please note that we had some minor technical difficulties in the beginning so the first few minutes you may want to skip over. If time permits, we will edit the video and repost it.)
Covid Act Now An excellent site for accurate, non-biased, information.
Church Opening and Closing Guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic
Mask Task: Covid vs Surgical Masks Do Masks Work?
Why 6 Feet May Not Be Enough To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus Regarding Coughing
Singing Safely In the COVID Era Part 1
Singing (and Speaking) Safely in the COVID Era [Part 2] - Singing, Spit, and Spread!
Singing (and speaking) Safely in the COVID Era Part 3 - Considerations for Singing Together Again
Singing Safely in the COVID era, Part 4 Singing with masks
Printables
Free Printable Posters and Signs for COVID-19 for Small Businesses & Organizations
Emergency Grant and Loan Application
Transformation Grant Application Funds may also be used for technology assistance
Emergency Grant and Loan Application Updated on 7/15/20
Re-Opening Considerations
Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines for churches, schools, homes and businesses
Faith Community Information Package A variety of public health resources, testing information and locations, sample fliers, and information specific to Genesee county (NOTE: From page 39 on, are general guidelines applicable to all areas of the state.)
Beginning Conversations for Re-Entry Released 5/4/20 by the denomination
Returning to Public Worship: Theological and Practical Considerations Released 5/4/20 by the denomination
24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
Benchmarks and Protocols Unabridged version - an abridged version may be found under Council Correspondence
Additional Questions For Sessions Before Re-Opening
Medical Advice Appendix For Re-Opening
WHO Considerations for Churches Re-Opening Decisions flowchart
Sanitation Stations and PPE
One of the requirements of re-opening is providing PPE and proper sanitation. Tawas Presbyterian Church has provided the following links on where they obtained equipment.
Outreach.com Touchless, free-standing hand sanitizer stations, liquid hand sanitizer refill bottles and face masks
Sears.com Liquid hand sanitizer refill bottles that fit in the stations
ShopEveryDayMedical.com Disposable latex gloves and face masks
Concordiasupply.com Prefilled Communion Cups (wafer and juice sets)
Prefilled Communion Cups Cokesbury
Drive-In Church
https://www.upbaptist.org/drive-in-church-faq/ Not a how-to but might be good to have something similar available on your church's website
Transmitter This is the model that Linden Presbyterian Church bought to use for their outdoor services.
Denominational Resources
Synod Sabbath Sunday Service Download all or part of a worship service to give pastors, musicians and other worship leaders a well-deserved break.
Beginning Conversations for Re-Entry Released 5/4/20
Returning to Public Worship: Theological and Practical Considerations Released 5/4/20
Update From Our Board of Pensions Rep 4/3/2020
10 Stewardship “Do’s” during the pandemic and one “Do NOT”
Supporting Older Adults During COVID-19
Online Services for Holy Week and Easter 2020
Advisory Opinion on Communion In An Emergency/Pandemic from the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)
Summary of the Advisory Opinion on Communion Article by the Presbyterian Outlook
Advisory Opinion on Church in an Emergency/Pandemic from the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)
Preparedness For Pandemics Guidelines for Congregations from PDA
COVID-19 Resources For Churches and Individuals This page has extensive information from the denomination on resources and guidelines.
‘Thinking about the most vulnerable’ guides church service decisions From the Presbyterian Foundation
Information and Resources on COVID-19 From the Presbyterian Foundation
Recommendations from the Stated Clerk PC(USA)
One Great Hour of Sharing Resources designed to equip and support congregations engaging with One Great Hour of Sharing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Worship and Live Streaming
My Top Ten Worship Ideas in a Post-Quarantine (yet fragile public health) Time (i.e. arguably the rest of 2020!) The Rev. Dr. Matt Meinke, General Presbyter of Maumee Valley Presbytery
Technology Tips Including Zoom, Live Streaming and Remote Work
One License Offering Gratis Licenses Through April 15
The Ultimate Guide To Live Streaming Your Church Services
Saginaw-First has been conducting live streaming of their services for quite awhile. Their tech guru is available for guidance to our churches who may need assistance. Please either contact the church at 989-793-9890 or email Will directly at . To view and/or subscribe to their YouTube channel click here. (See list below of our churches who live stream.)
How To Use Zoom YouTube video
Illustrated Ministry Great resources for keeping connected with members and children. Weekly newsletter with resources specifically dealing with COVID-19
Funerals
Guidelines for Funerals This is from the National Funeral Directors Association and is directed to that group but does contain some information/suggestions for churches
Online Giving
Online Giving Program Presbyterian Foundation
Facebook Churches can set up online giving through Facebook but they must apply as a non-profit first. Click here for details.
Online Meetings
Ten Tech Tips for Meeting Online
Zoom The Presbytery uses this services
SBA Loans and CARES Act Resources
CARES Act 2020 Summary NOTE: This is a preliminary understanding. Details have not been confirmed, especially regarding church eligibility.
CARES Act Summary This is a much more in-depth summary
CARES Act-Clergy Support Information that is specific to clergy support
Details of CARES Act: The Financial Bridge that Churches, Schools & Nonprofits Need
Treasury Department Website for Small Businesses
Borrower Paycheck Protection Application Form
Mental Wellness/AA/Recovery
Protecting Your Mental Health During The Pandemic From the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Mental Well-Being During a Pandemic Great one page info sheet from Presbyterian Mental Health Network
Alcoholics Anonymous Guidelines regarding online meetings
Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services Offering online/phone conference meetings each weekday at noon.
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health Tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, during infectious disease outbreak
National Alliance on Mental Illness The download they have available on this page is a very extensive piece and is a great resource item for finding help for the numerous issues the pandemic is creating.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders
Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
General Information
Advice for Churches from the Surgeon General
Churches In LHP That Live Stream Worship
Saginaw-First Joint worship with Saginaw-Second and Saginaw-Countryside Trinity
Sandusky and Yale
Other Presbytery Pages
