10 ideas to connect your socially distanced congregation | | As we all look forward toward the fall with a blend of hope and uncertainty, we invite you to consider new ways to strengthen your congregation’s faith and connection to each other and the world around them – as well as supporting Chalice Press’s important ministry of lifting up prophetic voices for our times. Here are 10 ideas for staying connected in the months ahead.
- Address the issues of the day. The COVID outbreak and the recent protests around the nation about race and violence have provided new glimpses into poverty, health care, class inequality, workplace equality, race relations, and so many more of society’s relational challenges. How we react to those societal challenges depends in part on our faith and values. What issues should your congregation wrestle with as we work through this outbreak?
- It’s not all about Sundays. Perhaps you’ve been having a daily morning devotional or mid-week virtual. There are so many daily devotionals available, including several from Chalice Press. Streaming music online? If you don’t already have CCLI or OneLicense.net, that could be a great investment to keep your congregation connected. Many Chalice Hymnal and Chalice Praise songs are included in those packages.
- Make it easy on yourself. You don’t have to create everything new. Chalice Press books are built for study groups and online discussions, whether it’s questions in the book or downloadable small group study guides from our website. Don’t stress over planning — just read the book we’ll help you start the conversation.
- Order books from ChalicePress.com or a local bookstore. You’ve heard how well some of the big book providers have fared during the recession, but local bookstores and publisher retail sites like ChalicePress.com have taken a big hit. Support small businesses by ordering direct. Join the #ReadIndieForward campaign by buying a book for someone you love and tagging them, encouraging them to follow your lead and pay it forward.
- Embrace the virtual opportunities of the moment. Many authors are offering online discussions, webinars, or presentations. Several Chalice Press authors will join your small group when you order in bulk from Chalice Press. And if there’s an author you’d like to meet, reach out to them! We’ll help you connect.
- Think about your church’s relationship to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are all Disciples, but we have different understandings of what that might mean. The fall would be a great time to use a Chalice book about Disciples identity, theology, and history to fuel the discussion about what it means to be Disciple.
- How are you nurturing stewardship when you can’t pass the offering plates? The Community of Prayer devotional by Bruce Barkhauer at the Center for Faith and Giving is a four-week curriculum that helps congregations think about stewardship in new ways. Eric H.F. Law’s Holy Currencies series teaches us about gifts besides money we give to the church.
- Plan ahead to Advent. This year’s Advent devotional, Imagining a New World, was written by Rev. Terri Hord Owens, our General Minister and President. In a season when we feel most connected to our faith, this year’s Advent devotional will strengthen our ties as a denomination.
- Plan ahead to 2021. Wellsprings of Hope, available soon for fall delivery, is our new weekly devotional prepared by leaders of our General Ministries. Reflecting on Isaiah 35, the hallowed passage about finding new life, new faith, and new prophetic vision in challenging places and spaces, your congregation can walk with other Disciples congregations toward the 2021 General Assembly and beyond.
- Remember to take time for yourself. Sure, we’ll encourage you to read a book just for fun. But you can also just rest. Be still and hear your own breathing and the breath of God.
We know pastors and church leaders have a lot on your minds right now. We are grateful for your partnership in ministry during these challenging times. Take care of yourselves!
Gratefully, Your friends and partners in ministry at Chalice Press
| | Global Ministries
Global Ministries also offers many readily available resources that could be useful as churches continue to engage virtually. Additional resources and opportunities for connecting with God’s global mission are available on the Global Ministries website ( www.globalministries.org). | | National Benevolent Association
- The National Benevolent Association presents “Cuidado Pastoral y Espiritual durante Desastres” This educational presentation is one of NBA's many Spanish webinars that were created in response to many questions we've received about mental health from our Spanish speaking congregations.
- Este seminario web explorará las habilidades psicológicas, emocionales y prácticas necesarias para poder liderar con efectividad durante un momento de crisis, con especial atención a la realidad incierta que estamos experimentando actualmente debido a la Pandemia. LINK
- In the midst of the novel Coronavirus, the National Benevolent Association’s Mental Health team hosted a series of SoulCare moments. These moments were created to allow our audience to pause and process their emotions. The recordings can be viewed on NBA’s Youtube channel. We welcome you to enjoy these moments to simple breathe, be present and pray with us. LINK
| | From Ministries Across Generations
Virtual Vacation Bible School Resources Virtual Camp Updates Virtual Mission Trips In Process: Refugee and Immigration and More! | | Disciples Church Extension Fund & New Church Ministry
Like so many non-profit and faith organizations, Disciples congregations still require building and financial support during the coronavirus pandemic. As social distancing and online worship continue for many, Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) offers the resources needed to take care of your congregation, building, and finances here, including the following: - Preparing Your Building for an Extended Period of Inactivity During these uncertain times, when congregations and church staff have been asked to ‘shelter in place,’ it can be hard to stay away from our houses of worship. But sitting empty can also be hard on our buildings. DCEF has put together some tips on what you can do to prepare your facility for an extended period of inactivity.
- Reopening Your Church Office As a nonprofit organization that administers a church property insurance and church liability insurance program for congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), among other denominations, Insurance Board has put together a guide for reopening your church office.
- What Changes Are Needed to Welcome Members Back Into Your Worship Space? Find out, when you read the new blog series Ask the Advisors posted here at disciplescef.org. This week’s entry by Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel is packed with practical advice based on his nearly 40 years of civil engineering and facilities and construction management experience. Click here to read it.
PPP Loan Forgiveness Update The Small Business Administration recently published guidance regarding applying for forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans that have been funded. Click here to link to that document and here to read the most recent version of PPP Frequently Asked Questions. CARES Act - Paycheck Protection Program Application Assistance The federal government has allocated more than $350 billion to assist small businesses, including non-profits such as congregations and other denominational organizations, in keeping employees on the payroll and covering critical expenses through these financially trying times. The CARES Act provides loans through the Small Business Administration with provisions for loan forgiveness of up to 100%, depending on how the funds are used. DCEF is collaborating with Cost Stewardship, Inc., an organization we use for some of our employee benefits, to provide assistance to Disciples congregations and organizations wanting to apply for these loans. Click here to learn more.
Seeing your Facility with Fresh Eyes Post-COVID 19 After being away from our buildings for months, we now have the opportunity to get a new perspective on them. During this period of inactivity, your utility and maintenance costs undoubtedly dropped. So, the question now arises “How can we reduce these costs during normal facility usage?” Click here to find out and here to learn more about DCEF’s facility-related services, including Building Evaluation and Building Planning.
To learn more about DCEF’s building-related loans, including Accessibility Loans and Green Loans, click here.
Or, call 1-800-274-1883 to consult with your region’s DCEF Building and Capital Services Advisor
Two New Pandemic-Related Webinars from New Church Ministry Hosted by Pastor Terrell L McTyer, Minister of New Church Strategies, New Church Hacks provides practical prompts for churches from start to restart. Why only do something new or better when you can do both? This ministry’s free webinar series is jam-packed with clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain and strengthen congregations. Click here to view April 15 th’s Create & Continue Community Connection from. Your Couch and here to enjoy June 3 rd’s 30 Hacks for Managing Change. | | | | | | |
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