Dear Siblings in Christ,
As the COVID-19 Pandemic expands and impacts our nation, our states, our cities and towns, and our communities, we want to provide you with many resources of information and support in navigating these unknown waters.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.
Blessings and take care,
Dee Cooper, Brian Ellison, Sheri Fry, Michelle Jones, Melissa Scheffler
Stay-at-Home Order from Mayor Lucas
Click here to read the order.
Financial Support for Churches
- Details of CARES Act: Financial bridge that churches & non-profits need.
- The CARES Act 2020—Read more about this stimulus act here. You can also visit clergysupport.com for a detailed breakdown of the CARES Act 2020, with helpful tips.
- Richard Hammar’s Church Law & Tax website is hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 2 at Noon ET/ 11 a.m. CT on the CARES Act for churches. Register at the website: churchlawandtax.com.
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Presbyterian Mission Agency offering $7500 grants through Matthew 25 for vulnerable congregations.
Polity
- Several important questions and answers are emerging around what the Book of Order and presbytery policies require regarding applying for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program of CARES.
- Information Regarding Virtual Meetings and Our Book of Order
Presbytery Meetings
All meetings of Committees and Commissions of the presbytery will be held via zoom. If you haven’t received the sign in codes, please contact your moderator or Michelle Jones, adminassist@heartlandpby.org.
We will also meet as a presbytery in April via Zoom; please read updates and plans as they become available.
Presbytery Office
Due to the most recent ban on gathering of no more than 10 in one place, the presbytery office is closed to visitors. We have staff who fall into the higher risk categories and want to support you responsibly to help flatten the potential curve of infection.
All staff are available by phone and email. If you call the office please leave a message, this message will be forwarded to the appropriate staff person and returned as soon as they are able. The staff are fully available to you and your church during this season.
Worship and Livestreaming Support
Currently the national limit on gathering is 10 persons. We strongly advise you not to meet to gather for worship if there is a chance you have any more than this number. And if you do meet, please ensure you are thoroughly sanitizing all surfaces that people might have come into contact with while they were in the church. We know this is a hard decision to not have church meeting in person. Yet, it is a faithful and responsible decision to care for the most vulnerable in your midst and to not spread the virus, even unknowingly. This invites a new way of being the church together. The church will meet, and celebrate, and worship God, just not live in person.
Several churches are finding creative options through online worship, Facebook Live, Zoom, recordings on YouTube, even conference calls that members can call in to listen.
Here is a list of Heartland Presbytery Churches offering online worship:
Churches Offering Online Worship in Heartland Presbytery
Below are helpful links and resources:
Church Attendance Is an Individual Choice
Guidelines on Livestreaming Services
1001 to Host Zoom Conversation Thursday on How to Stream Worship Services
How to Stream Your Worship on Facebook, for Any Size Church
Zoom Worship by Former GA Moderator Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow
Bruce will be offering this from 10:00-11:00 a.m. CDT every Monday. Follow his page on Facebook.
Hymnal and Book of Common Worship Rights for Online Streaming
Online Giving
Many congregations depend upon weekly offerings for current cashflow. Look for other ways to collect the offering:
- The Presbyterian Foundation’s online giving service provides a quick and easy way for people to set up regular, automated gifts to the church, including contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing and other special offerings.
Other Stewardship Resources
- Worried about congregational finances? Read this perspective from Mission Engagement Advisor Jon Moore and contact your MEA for a consultation anytime.
- There are various other text-to-give and online giving platforms.
- Read: Stewardship in a Pandemic by Robert Hay Jr. (Presbyterian Foundation).
- The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering supports vital ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit web page.
Mental Health Resources
Click here for an extensive list of resources for supporting your and your children’s emotional well-being.
Creative Ideas from Our Churches
Many of you have shared creative ideas of how you are being the church during this time, we share them here for others.—Creative Ways of Doing Church
Pastoral Care
Please utilize your phone and emails to check in on your homebound friends and family. You may not be symptomatic and yet still carrying the disease. Write letters, text them, use the phone to call and check in. Most hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other medical communities have prohibited outside visitors.
Care of Pastors and Chaplains
We are living in a new world. We are deeply appreciative of your leadership for so many through the fears to wise decisions and faithful creative ministries. We know this is only the emergence of what will become a new reality during this uncertain time.
It definitely is all of us journeying into the unknown.
In the midst of caring for so many, please know we are praying for you and inviting you to take care of yourself.
Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m., join in a live Zoom call with other pastors, CP’s, and Chaplains. This is a time for us to drop in and check in with one another. A great time to share ways you are navigating through this as well as just support one another and connect as leaders.
Self-Care and Wellbeing
- Self-Care during a Time of Crisis—Information and resources from the Emerson Center.
- Things to Do at Home during COVID-19.
Labor Laws
Mission Opportunities
Links to CDC and Health Departments
