Coronavirus

Top Things We Think You Should Know: 

1.  a. URGENT: Churches Should Act Now to Receive Funding - Applications being taken starting April 3.

April 3 Update from UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel

       b.  Churches can be reimbursed for significant portions of the costs of COVID-related sick time and family leave time for church employees.   Read more here

2. Easter Worship Experience Being Developed
A Conference worship team is preparing an Easter worship experience that local churches will be invited to utilize. Churches will be given instructions on how to access it, along with recommendations for local communities to gather remotely in conjunction with it.  Get a preview here

3. What’s Next in the Pandemic: Phases of Disaster Don Remick writes: I am going to ask you if you really believe that going back will help your survival and sustainability. I don’t believe it will. 

Coronavirus Response Resources

This is an ever changing document of resources, advice and prayers.  In it you will see the hope we share in Jesus.  Thank you for making this possible with your gifts. 

Website Sections:

• Finances, Family First Response & CARES Acts & Conducting Business
• Outreach Ideas and Resources
• Pastoral Care, Self-Care, Mental Health Resources
• Resources for Ministry with Children, Youth and Families
• Worship & Nurturing Community Online
• Grief Resources, and a Page for Remembering Loved Ones

On this page:

• The Big Picture: What Does this Mean for the Future of the Church?
• Covid-19 Physical Health Updates
• What our Siblings are Doing
• Scams & Warnings 

The Big Picture

• Discipleship in the Time of Pandemic  Bridge Conference Minister Marilyn Kendrix talks about how the pandemic has served to reveal much about economic inequity in our nation. March 30

• Transition or Transformation?  David Cleaver-Bartholomew writes: I frequently hear people express their strong desire for us to transition out of this pandemic and return to basically what life was before it struck.  While I completely understand this, I humbly disagree. March 27

• Coronavirus: The good that can come out of an upside-down world   BBC article to help think about church on the other side of the pandemic. March 30

• Crisis Can Help Us Reorient What We Prize  Sojourners article by former MACUCC Conference Minister Jim Antal, the UCC's Special advisor on Climate Justice.  March 26

• You’ve Been Innovating!  Suzi Townsley writes: the crisis has all of us needing to focus on our purpose and how we can deliver on that in creative ways.  March 24

•  Essentials Kent Siladi writes:  Our congregations and places of worship are an essential part of society.  March 23
  
  (Find all blog posts and reflections related to the pandemic here)

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Covid19 Health Updates
 

Health Updates

• Centers for Disease Control - Coronavirus Webpage
   
• World Health Organization - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
   
• Some state health department webpages:

  Connecticut,   Massachusetts,   Rhode Island

• Healthroid: Here’s What We Learned About Coronavirus Disease 2019
  Comprehensive resource with up to date and current and vital COVID-19 info.

• ​Coronavirus resources for congregations 
  from UCC Disaster Ministries

• Many agencies are providing subscriptions to daily updates.  They may be worth considering.  For example: New York Times Coronavirus Briefing

• Video - Dr. Peter Lin helps separate fact from fiction on the Coronavirus, explaining how the virus spreads, based on the most-current information, and how to minimize transmission and who’s at risk.  (Takes 5 min.)

• This is not a time to be caught up in a wave of panic that could easily spread across our country and our globe.  There is a healthy balance of caution and perspective.  These insights could help:  What This Doctor Wants Us to Know About Our Fears Regarding Coronavirus.  (March 11, 2020)

• Pandemic Preparations Checklist  (PDF)
  by the SNEUCC Disaster Resource and Response Team
   
• Disaster Team gives tips for churches dealing with the 2013 influenza outbreak
  MACUCC, Jan. 10, 2013
   

Cleaning Guides

• CDC guide on cleaning 
   
• Hand Sanitizer recipe -  should you find your home and local stores in short supply you can always make your own hand sanitizer.  
   

• Hand washing Resources:  CDC Hand washing Campaign, and  Henry The Hand 

• PSA: Safe Grocery Shopping in COVID-19 Pandemic (YouTube video)

What our Siblings Are Doing

• Guidance from the New England Quakers 
   
• UUA Covid19 page 
   
• Guidance for Congregations (PDF)
  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
   
• Guidance for Churches
  from the Wisconsin Council of Churches
   
• The Massachusetts Council of Churches includes members of faith traditions throughout New England.  They have been gathering ideas from all of our siblings in faith on a variety of topics from updates, to worship, to spiritual care and beyond.  You can find their resources and shared ideas here. 
   

Scams and Warnings:

• Beware of Zoombombing
  Blog by Tiffany Vail
   
• SCAMS:  Another danger of pandemics is people taking advantage.  Please watch out for Coronavirus related scams, such as phishing emails from cyber-criminals posing as reputed organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). When the unsuspecting victim opens the attachment, malware is installed on their PC.  Phishing emails prompting the recipient to enter their login credentials into a web site to access information about coronavirus.  Once entered, the login credentials are stolen by the threat actors.  Fraudulent charities that use legitimate social media sites to ask for donations for charitable causes related to the virus.  Non-Delivery Frauds – fraudulent advertisements for medical supplies such as medical masks, gloves, disinfectants,etc.  The fraudulent company will ask for upfront payment and will never deliver the ordered products. Be cautious when ordering such supplies online.  Please be vigilant.