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5-Minute Reflection - "Crisis Contemplation"

3/25/2020

This devotion, distributed by Richard Rohr, recalls the words of Dr. Barbara Holmes in her reflection called "Crisis Contemplation."

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Notes: Gov. Northam's webinar for faith leaders re: COVID-19

3/24/2020

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3/27/2020 UPDATE:
Here’s the link to the official resource guide for faith leaders
sent by the Governor’s office and the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity.

This is a SYNOPSIS of a statewide webinar for faith leaders on Monday, March 23, 6:30 pm, hosted by the Office of Governor Ralph Northam and the Office of Health Equity of the Virginia Department of Health. (I cannot vouch for the 100% accuracy of my notes. Please contact the persons who presented this information to fact-check or confirm.)

On March 23, Northam issued Executive Order Fifty-Three that orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. Governor Northam is also urging all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible. This order goes into effect at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 and will remain in place until 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2020. This order applies to houses of worship.

Dr. Vanessa Walker-Harris - Deputy Secretary of Health
Explained the salient points of that Executive Order.
This executive order:

Closes public and private K-12 schools through the end of school year.
Closes non-essential ‘Brick and mortar” businesses for 30 days
Bans public gatherings of more than 10 people.
Urges Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home.

Dr. Megan Healy talked about Unemployment Benefits
If you are laid off and/or NOT getting a paycheck, you are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits here. (This advice applies to faith-based workers whose organizations have not paid payroll taxes in the past. Currently, these workers are NOT eligible to receive benefits, but that rule may change in the coming days.)

Karen Kimsey - Virginia Medicaid is Taking Action to Fight COVID-19

Ensuring members do not lose coverage due to lapses in paperwork or a change in circumstances
No co-pays for any Medicaid
90 days supply of many routine prescriptions
No pre-approvals needed and automatic approval extensions for manu critical medical services
Outreach to higher risk and older members to receive critical needs
Encouraging use of telehealth

Visit https://coverva.org/

Heidi Hertz - Feeding Virginia during COVID19
Students and children:

100% of schools providing meals to children 0-18 yrs old
Innovative strategies being used such as drive up and bus routes deliveries
Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 (for closest feeding sites & times to you)
Longer breaks means additional need

Community and family resources:

Food banks and pantries are frontlines;
visit www.211virginia.org to access services

Tracey Wiley - Financial Resources Update -
Visit https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/ for information about low-interest loans for small businesses and non-profits.

Curtis Brown, VA Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Disaster Funding Available through FEMA

CULTURAL IMPACT - Suja Amir, who is on the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Board - member of Asian Latino Solidarity Alliance of Central VA

Census is now more important than ever - online or by paper
Increasing hostile sentiments toward Asians - verbal and physical attacks
Spike in white supremacists toward Jewish communities

CALL TO ACTION -

If you have a service (clothes closet, food pantry, etc), please register it with 211.org, so that you’re part of the collective impact in supporting your community.
Subscribe for email updates from Governor Northam. (Look for “Subscribe for Email Updates” light blue box on the bottom right of the webpage.
Fill out the Faith Leader Survey - very important to let Governor’s office know the following:
1. What are your biggest concerns/needs that you are hearing from your congregation/community as it relates to the COVID-19 crisis?
2. What resources does your congregation/community provide that could support the COVID-19 crisis response?
3. How can the government/governor assist you in your congregation/community response to the COVID-19 crisis?
Contact United Way (Virginia) and Urban League if you need help. They are your allies!

Posted by Michael Cheuk, Secretary, Charlottesville Clergy Collective

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COVID-19 Resources for Charlottesville & Congregations

3/20/2020

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IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS SUPPORT:

Cville Community Cares: Is offering mini-grants for people impacted by COVID-19. There are no restrictions regarding how funds will be used: Request up to $200 per household. Apply here. (This form will temporarily close at 8pm on Friday March 20th, in order to prioritize the 1000+ requests they have received.)

WAYS TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT:

Support Cville - this is the most comprehensive website listing ways for people to give and receive support.

Link to contribute to local nonprofits, restaurants and UVA students.
Link for ways to receive money, supplies and services.

DONATE to COVID-19 SUPPORT FUNDS

BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK

Needs healthy volunteers to work at the food bank. See their statement on COVID-19 and their Volunteer page.

FREE INTERNET ACCESS

In addition to hopping on free wifi hotspots at local restaurants and public schools, COMCAST Xfinity is now offering free hotspots to anyone who needs them for free, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES
(credit: United Methodist Church)

Resources for Digital Ministry
https://novaumc.org/digital-ministry-resources/
At the bottom of this page is a 60plus minute zoom class that Kim Johnson taught specifically to help people do digital ministry in the midst of the c-19 situation

Online Worship Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40ArSqS2Tg&feature=youtu.be
Pastor Sam Plymale on the Greene Charge has put together this youtube video to assist you with offering worship on FB, livestream, etc.

Live Stream your Ministry PDF
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1L6hPf-imd3PQgBs4roaMOnoCRyK-Mgij

Recording Worship PDF
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Pmkp_9O9l1kHI4KtG8LJ2Tl625rPu1ft

ONLINE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND GIVING

Here are some suggestions about trying to continue receiving financial support while we are not physically meeting.

10 ideas for church financial leaders amid the covid-19 crisis

Understanding E-Giving Slideshow

CHURCH GIVING PLATFORMS (not an endorsement of the services below)
Tithe.ly -
$0 setup cost

Mobile giving w/ iOS / Android app
Online giving and mobile kiosks
Cash/check gift entry and recording
Event registration and management
Debit, Credit & ACH/Bank payments

$0/ month | 2.9% + 0.30 per transaction
ACH/Bank: 1% + 30¢ | AMEX: 3.5% + 30¢

Paypal for Non-Profits -

The standard rate for a PayPal nonprofit business account is 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic transaction.
Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations can receive a discounted charity rate of 2.2% + $0.30 per domestic transaction. Get started at paypal.com/charities.

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5-Minute Reflection - "Crisis Contemplation"

Notes: Gov. Northam's webinar for faith leaders re: COVID-19

COVID-19 Resources for Charlottesville & Congregations

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