Statements
Our Covid-19 Reopening plan, Journeying by Stages. Updated 3-19-21
May 26, 2020 – A joint statement from RI Faith Leaders on Reopening
April 9, Maundy Thursday – A message from Rhode Island’s Faith Leaders
March 16, 2020 – A message from our Bishop.
The Bishop has directed congregations to suspend in-person public worship. March 14, 2020
Messages from the Presiding Bishop: March 10, March 12, March 17
Guidance from the Church of England.
Worship, and Pray
Worship online – our parishes, and resources
Prayers compiled
Help with the new age of online ministry from VTS
Spanish Language Resources
Hebert Palomino, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University, is releasing a series of videos in Spanish on caring for people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you serve in a ministry context with Spanish-speaking persons, Dr. Palomino encourages you to make use of these videos and share them with others. Here are links for the first three videos; he plans to release one or more additional videos each week.
Definiendo la crisis
Que esperar en medio de una crisis
Cómo manejar las Cómo manejar las emociones descompensadoras
Ideas
New – We have detailed information regarding sewing face masks, and helping the homeless, here.
The stress of this pandemic has many effects. This page lists resources for dealing with mental health, addiction, and domestic violence.
Mail sermons or meditations to people who are not online. Send handwritten notes and cards. Is art part of your home-school program? Ask if you may send those masterpieces to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Use the back pages to write notes to family and friends.
Create a phone tree and call each other to check in.
Deliver meals or food as needed. If you have to go out, call elders you know, call your neighbors, and ask what they need. Help others to stay in.
Establish prayer partners and pray for each other over the phone. Commit to keep praying.
Check in with the local food pantry, ask how you can help.
Ask everyone you interact with how you can pray for them and how you can help them.
Ask yourself – how do I keep doing these things when the emergency is past?
Do you sew? Hospitals are looking for help making masks.
Many of our congregations host AA meetings, and many of us have friends and family dealing with addiction. Make sure they know that there are resources online.
Please continue to support your church by sending in your offering. Make the jump to online giving, or set up an automatic transfer schedule from your bank. There are bills that still need to be paid.
Clergy Resources
New – Hymns made available by Church Publishing for Fall 2020. Food for thought, an article from The American Organist about streaming.
New – Journeying by Stages, guidance for re-opening.
New – A compilation of suggestions and resources to assist you in your continuing online presence.
The latest guidance from the state regarding re-opening considerations.
Covid-19 Reopening plan template.
Guidance for Funeral Homes from RI Department of Health.
Looking for music to stream? More information about copyright and use of music for streaming is here, and here.
HR issues, addressed by our consultant. Returning, or not, from unemployment.
Ministry in a Time of Pandemic
Caring for Church Buildings. Advice from the CofE. Not all of the information is applicable here, but there are some good suggestions.
End of life pastoral care guidelines, from the Bishop.
If you are looking for information regarding putting your congregation’s service online, start here. There are additional resources here, and here. Regarding the use of music online: OneLicense.
This is a link to a survey that you might adapt for finding out what are the most pressing needs of your parish community.
Having issues with using Zoom? There is a great tutorial here.
This is a summary of a webinar sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development, addressing the stress of isolation and quarantine. Lists some helpful resources and includes a link to a recording of the webinar.
Regarding congregational financial concerns.
We have put together some advice regarding planning for emergency situations. This page will be updated as situations warrant.
Lifespan has released temporary, guidance regarding hospital visits during this time. https://www.lifespan.org/news/visitation-restricted-lifespan-hospitals