Questions to Address Before Resuming On-Site Faith Formation Programming

• Why is it important to have this on-site church event?
• What parts of this event are essential?
• Who are the essential participants for ensuring its success?

• Should this event be postponed, or go on hiatus, or be cancelled?
• What are some safe alternatives or adaptations to the on-site event?
• Can the event be re-imagined and shared via video (recorded or shared live)?
• Do church staff members have the time and necessary skills to ensure safe accommodations?
• If the event is held in person, who will be at risk, and can that risk be effectively mitigated?

If you are leaning toward holding the event/program on-site

• How will you accommodate those who will not participate in person?
• How will you ensure that appropriate physical distancing is maintained for all children and youth?
• How will you ensure that each child and teen engages in safe and sanitary practices?
• Will additional adult volunteers be necessary to ensure safe physical distancing and sanitizing practices?
• Will you have access to enough disinfectant supplies, masks, hand-washing areas, etc.?
• What about toileting with your littlest children? (Contact a local child care facility or your state department of public health to determine what safety practices are required.)
• Will you be able to maintain your current safety practices (at least two unrelated adults in each room with children/teens, for example)?
• Can you safely accommodate children with special needs?
• If your faith formation leaders are age 60 or older, or have underlying health conditions, how will you deal with their desire to serve, or not to serve?
• What backup plans do you have if your faith formation leaders become ill or cannot fulfill their duties?

Finally, prayerfully weigh the pros and cons of holding the program/event on-site

• Does the event/program need to be either virtual or on-site? Would some parts work well experienced together physically while also being recorded and shared?

• How can your children, youth, and parents/caregivers stay connected to each other in new and safe ways?
• If many of your families live near other church families, how can you help them to remain safely connected with each other and with God?
• How might you re-imagine your connection with teens?
• What digital safety measures and copyright permissions will you need to implement?

• Does VBS need to be held during your traditional days and times?
• Are there ways to offer your programming at church? (parking lot, front steps, or church yard while keeping physical distance)
• Which VBS activities can be adapted for families to participate in at home that can then be shared together via social media?

• How might you take your trip “virtually”? Watch a video? Are there other ways that the teens can reach out to or on behalf of those they were planning to serve?
• What are the needs in your own community?
• How can “old” technology practices work for you now? (Consider phone calls, greeting cards & letters, “caroling” door-to-door, drive-ins, spring clean-up, etc.)

Milestones

• What traditions and rituals does your congregation offer to your high school seniors, confirmands, , etc.
• How can you make meaning without being together? What tools and resources are available to you to create meaningful celebrations and experiences while physically distanced?

• How well was your former programming working before the pandemic? Who do you reach now that you did not reach before? (and vice versa?) How will this impact what you do regarding on-site ministry in the future?
• How effective is faith formation at home with parents/caregivers in contrast to being at church with volunteers?
• Will your teens want to continue to meet more regularly now that they’ve been strengthening their bonds virtually? Will they want to continue meeting virtually (as well as on-site)?
• What will you now do with the online-only attendees? (worship, Sunday School, youth group, small groups)