Updates from Presbytery of the Miami Valley

Holy Week 2020

Ministries within Presbytery of the Miami Valley are collaborating to provide devotional material for each day of Holy Week.

• Monday, April 6, Holy Week Devotional
• Tuesday, April 7, Holy Week Devotional
• Wednesday, April 8, Holy Week Devotional
• Maundy Thursday, April 9, Holy Week Devotional
• Good Friday, April 10, Holy Week Devotional

April 3, 2020

• “Paycheck Protection Program” Offers Churches Support for Staff, Operating Costs

April 3, 2020

• The Board of Pensions offers dues relief and deferments to churches and employers

March 26, 2020

• Communion in an Emergency/Pandemic
  Helpful information on planning communion from Stated Clerk Larry Hollar

March 18, 2020

• Pastoral letter from the Stated Clerk of the GA and the President/Executive Director of the PMA 

March 16, 2020

• A special meeting of presbytery on March 19 is postponed

March 13, 2020

• A letter from Executive Presbyter Terry Kukuk

March 12, 2020

• Pandemic Guidance for Congregations
  
  In response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, the staff and Leadership Council of Presbytery of the Miami Valley has prepared some important and useful information for congregations faced with the many decisions surrounding church activities.
  
  To help you think through what those precautions are, we have distributed two documents: The first is the Presbytery of the Miami Valley Pandemic Action Plan, which we have based on input from other helpful sources. The second is Guidance for Congregations: In response to severe infectious disease outbreak, which has been compiled by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
  
  Read a letter from Presbytery of the Miami Valley and download the documents

Email and Facebook Updates

• Presbytery Email List
  Sign up to get the latest updates from Presbytery of the Miami Valley.
• Presbytery Facebook Page
  Like our page to get information from Presbytery of the Miami Valley.
  

Re-opening Guidance for Churches

• Re-opening Guidance from Presbytery of the Miami Valley
  This document was developed during a Zoom meeting on April 29, 2020 with 65 church leaders from around the presbytery, hosted by Executive Presbyter Terry Kukuk.
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Returning to Public Worship
  The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has released “Returning to Public Worship: Theological and Practical Considerations” for congregations and leaders in the midst of making decisions about how and when to return to public worship in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. (released May 4, 2020)
• Presbyterian Association of Musicians
  Some tips on providing and sharing music during and after the pandemic
• Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church, Dayton
  The church’s plan for re-opening
  
• Wisconsin Council of Churches
  A Model for Returning to Church in three phases

Livestreaming Resources

• Online Streaming: Getting Started or Getting Better
  A video of the virtual workshop presented by the Rev. Cliff Haddox, pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, Dayton
• Guidelines on Live-streaming
  From the Presbyterian Mission Agency PC(USA)
• Zooming to the rescue in the face of COVID-19
  Former General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow shares how to practice social distancing by worshiping online
• Zoom Worship Preparation
  Zoom (video conferencing tool/app; works on computer, tablet, phone app, and allows calling in)

Resources, Articles, and Documents

• Daily Coronavirus Briefing from the PC(USA)
  Sign up for the Presbyterian Daily News Digest
• COVID-19 resources for churches and individuals
  An extensive list of resources, frequently updated, from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
• NEXT Church Resources for Doing Church Digitally
  A NEXT Church Response to COVID-19
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)
  Preparedness for Pandemics Guidance for Congregations (available in English, Korean, and Spanish)
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Emotional and Spiritual Care Webinars
  Building Resilience Webinars for Faith Leaders and for General Audiences
• Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA)
  The PC(USA) Stated Clerk speaks about in-person worship and the coronavirus, and PC(USA) office guidelines for live streaming
• Board of Pensions PC(USA)
  Coronavirus information, which includes helpful resources and information about BOP medical coverage during the pandemic.
• Presbyterian Historical Society
  Share your 2020 Easter Worship Service/Sermon with the Presbyterian Historical Society
• Presbyterian Outlook
  Helpful worship resources for use during the pandemic
• Insurance Board webinar
  HR Issues and Your Ministry During COVID-19
• 10 guidelines for pastoral care during the coronavirus outbreak
  From The Christian Century
• Social Distancing and the Love of Neighbor
  Princeton Theological Seminary
• COVID-19 and Worship
  Resources for Churches Adapting to Social Isolation from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
• YouTube
  How to LiveStream on YouTube (takes 24 hrs to activate on your channel)
  

Government Resources

• Ohio Department of Public Health
  The latest coronavirus updates from the ODPH
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  The CDC has prepared a number of useful resources:
  
  – Posters/Print Resources, Videos, etc
  – Faith-Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
  – Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe
  
• Disaster Distress Helpline
  24/7/365 crisis counseling & emotional support. Calls at 1-800-985-5990 (press “2” for Spanish) and texts (text TalkWithUs to 66746) are answered by trained counselors from a network of independently-operated crisis centers located across the U.S.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  
  – Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
  – Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
  

Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• World Health Organization (WHO)