Regional News (Page 8)

Regional News (Page 8)

Disciples Church Extension Fund Offers Assistance in Applying for Paycheck Protection Plan Loans

Dear Church: During this moment of self-containment, households are doing what they can to remain calm and stable. Keeping some sense of normalcy requires resources, and a large number of North Carolinians laid off due to COVID-19 (170K) gives cause for economic concern. Unemployment is not only a concern of the business sector of our state but churches as well. We appreciate that the CARES Act Payment Protection Plan did not exclude most non-profit organizations (including churches) from protecting their employee payroll. Please find attached a press release from Church Extension, providing us with user-friendly resources as we apply for the PPP funds available to our churches. We are thankful that our Regional and General leaders are working to provide us with assistance and resources as we navigate these uncertain times. May God’s Resurrection Power Sustain Us All, +Valerie J. Melvin Regional Minister ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DCEF offers assistance in applying for CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program loans 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 this trying financial time.  The CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), providing loans through the Small Business Administration with provisions for loan forgiveness of up to 100%, depending upon how the loan funds are spent. Disciples Church Extension Fund is collaborating with an organization we use for some of our employee benefits, Cost Stewardship, Inc., to provide assistance to Disciples congregations and organizations wanting to apply for these loans. Each Disciples congregation or organization is required to apply directly with a bank, preferably one that has their deposit accounts. The assistance will be very helpful in gathering all of the correct information and fully completing the application form. This service is provided at no cost to Disciples congregations, Regions, General Ministries and recognized ministries. DCEF does not benefit financially in any way from this service. To learn more about this service, click on the link below. https://www.disciplescef.org/blog/dcef-offers-assistance-in-applying-for-cares-act-paycheck-protection-program-loans/…

Official COVID-19 Week of Compassion Grants and Food Stamp Supplement

Dear Region of NC: We are beginning to receive notification of resources that address household needs. There are two items to review. The Household Solidarity grant, and a letter explaining the food stamp supplement that was passed in the Families First Coronavirus Bill and how it will be implemented in NC. We pray that these resources will be helpful. Share with as many as you can.  You can read the attachments here and here. Blessings, +Valerie Melvin Regional Minister ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Colleagues, Week of Compassion is instituting a grant program- Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss- to help respond to critical economic needs during the COVID-19 outbreaks in the US and Canada. We are coordinating this program along with other General Ministries to help Disciples individuals and families during this pandemic. Attached you will find the application (here and here), and below is a short description. +Household Solidarity Grants for Income Loss are available to Disciples of Christ congregations on behalf of members and pastors who are experiencing significant financial hardship. Eligible households must have lost wages due to COVID-19 (illness, protective social measures, or reduced hours/gigs) and must not be eligible for state unemployment insurance (USA) or the GSTC (Canada). Additional funds are available for households that do not qualify for federal stimulus benefits. For more information, email Week of Compassion at [email protected] We also have this application in Spanish and Korean should you need it. Please let me know if you have any questions. You all continue to be in my prayers during this time, and I am grateful for the ways you are ministering to your community as this pandemic continues to impact many lives in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you. Vy Rev. Vy T. Nguyen Executive Director, Week of Compassion The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada Cell Phone: 510.473.8962 www.weekofcompassion.org…

Update from Ministries Across Generations (3.27.20)

Holy “SPIRIT” Holy “WEEK” (Virtual Holy Week for Individual, Families & Churches!) #HolySPIRITholyWEEK – Find Out More! Updated NEW Resources for COVID-19 Best Safety Practices for Online/Digital/Virtual Interaction With Minors (PDF) Suggestions from Insurance Board (PDF) Lenten Children Worship & Wonder Stories Videos (YouTube) Virtual Ice Breaker Games – Zoom Activities and more! (PDF) More Options: Zoom Youth Group Games Talking about Giving with ALL ages at Home (PDF) Please check out all COVID-19 “School’s Out” Information. Meeting Updates Leaders are getting the hang of this virtual church. (Woot!) While we wanted to provide space at the beginning, we also think many of you need space from your “virtual churches.” These two gatherings are going to keep going so that we can check in with your needs and provide worship for families. ​ Youth, YA and Children Leaders – NEW! EVERY Monday, 2:30 pm (EST) Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 987 027 306 20 Minute Family Worship & Wonder  EVERY Sunday at 12:45 pm (EST) Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 518 674 137 Getting Ready to Worship and Learn Together — Online You do not have to have anything, but as people who understand and experience worship and learning in multi-sensory ways, we encourage you help get ready for our time together with the following updates and items. Candle (any kind) and a way to light the candle Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils Drawing Paper Communion/Feast: (Juice, Crackers, etc.) You are also welcome to bring pipe cleaners, play-do, scissors, tape, and other craft supplies. …

Update from Ministries Across Generations (for families)

Please check out all COVID-19 “School’s Out” Information. Three… WAIT 4! … Types of Online/Virtual Faith Gatherings! (Until … ??) Many youth, young adult, children and family ministers (30+) were able to quickly gather online Monday to discuss the best ways to support one another as we continue to respond faithfully to the communities we love. I know a few of you were not able to make it to this safe space, but we are going to continue to offer this resource of connectivity. First… We are moving platforms! After a few encounters in our virtual world, we needed to create a better (and more consistent) home for just us to serve with YOU! We are like a group that has been meeting in another room at the church, and now we get our own space. We knew the need to change platforms to accommodate during this time might happen and we thank you for your patience as we “get comfy” in our new space. (Presence is more important that perfection… right?) We are moving to Zoom and are offering it exclusively for Ministries Across Generations and all we do to serve YOU! If you need to share in this platform, please contact us. There will be 4 “meeting rooms” that will not change access codes: the links below should work for every gathering. (I hope.) Virtual Meeting Countdown…. (Newest first!)  4. Youth, YA and Children Leaders EVERY Monday, 2:30 pm (EST) NEW! We have decided to continue to host a “Leader” gathering for the next few weeks. The ideas, insights, and connection were great! Join Zoom Meeting, https://us04web.zoom.us/j/987027306, Meeting ID: 987 027 306 3. Youth, Young Adults, & Leaders Online Faith Discussion, EVERY Tuesday-Friday, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm (EST) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/795411254, Meeting ID: 795 411 254 2. Family, Children, & Leaders Activity Online Faith EVERY Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am – 11:30 am (EST), Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/180165166, Meeting ID: 180 165 166  1. 20 Minute Family Worship & Wonder EVERY Sunday at 12:45 pm (EST) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/518674137, Meeting ID: 518 674 137 Getting Ready to Worship and Learn Together — Online You do not have to have anything, but as people who understand and experience worship and learning in multi-sensory ways, we encourage you to help get ready for our time together with the following updates and items. Candle (any kind) and a way to light the candle Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils Drawing Paper Communion/Feast: (Juice, Crackers, etc.) You are also welcome to bring pipe cleaners, play-do, scissors, tape, and other craft supplies. The great ideas and updates from Monday’s meeting… 1. Based on your feedback, we will be updating the Social Media and Safety Resources. Here is what we have at this time, but more will be prepared and updated by Monday’s meeting. Plus – here is the link to John Roberto’s “Moving Faith Formation Online” from Vibrant Faith. 2. There are larger churches which have staff that are working on “Virtual Easter and Lent” options. While we already have many online ways to engage at home, and many liturgical ways to engage, we will share these aforementioned churches’ “Virtual Easter” bags, updates, and online experiences. (One person is working on a virtual Easter Egg Hunt.) 3. Solo pastors and smaller churches: These online groups are specifically here to help provide something for those in your churches of all ages, and a space to help you reach those ages that sometimes get missed. 4. The Office of Christian Vocations is creating an online map with links to virtual worship experiences provided by local congregations. You can see this map system at: http://www.wellfedspirit.org/virtualworship/index.html Any local congregation who is leading virtual online/Web live worship can email with a link to where their live worships can be found, and I will add these to the map. 5. Stop and take care of yourself: 3-Minute Retreat Online and d365.org. 6. Kristen Jack’s Fun Youtube: @cccwaco  (We will add this to a playlist on the DHM Families and Children YouTube, and continue adding more.) All of us are in this together! Let’s work smarter and not harder – together! (I know… Disciples LOVE to create their own stuff!) … but MAG is here to help you find what you need to reach children, families, young adults, youth, and the intergenerational church at this time…