Dear Friends,
This page contains all messages around our diocesan response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Please also utilize the links to the right for worship in the midst of self-isolation, ongoing at-home formation, and more.
We will continue to release any future updates by email. Click here to subscribe, if you’re not already.
Blessings to you.
Peace,
The Standing Committees of Eastern & Western Michigan
Resources
Messages from Church Leaders
From the Bishop & Standing Committee
February 21 – Eucharistic taskforce appointed
February 17 – Temporary restrictions set to expire March 1
February 3 – Temporary restrictions extended, Changes to Plan
January 10 – Temporary Restrictions through the first week of Feb.
December 2 – December Check-In
Sept. 23 – Vaccinations are required for diocesan staff, clergy, licensed lay ministers
Sept. 1 – Modification to Phase 3 allowing for vaccine requirements
August 6 – Checking in on Phase 3
June 11 – Entering Phase 3
May 19- Phase 2 Plan for Re-Entry
January 22 – Ash Wednesday, Phase 1.5 Reminders
November 6 – Reminder about the Risk Map Tool, Phase II
September 28 – Executive Order Lifted, Recommendation Lifted October 9
September 22 – Reminders about Phase II, Requirements and Recommendations
July 31 – Capacity Recommendation in Light of Governor’s Executive Order
July 23 – Update to Directives: Pre-Schools and Outside Groups
June 19 – Progressing to Phase II, Updates to the Phase Plan
May 1 – An Updated Pastoral Directive from the Episcopal Bishops in Michigan
April 29 – An Invitation to Join the Good News Gardens Network
March 31 – Holy Week Resources for Online and At-Home Worship
March 17 – A Pastoral Directive from the Episcopal Bishops in Michigan
March 11 – Bishop Hougland Offers Further Recommendations in Response to the Pandemic
February 28 – A Note from the Bishop Concerning the Prevention of Illness
From Diocesan Leaders
June 24 – Meeting for Clergy, Senior Wardens around Phase II of Re-entry
April 29 – Senior Wardens Zoom Meetings
April 27 – Finance and Admin: Zoom Meeting, PPP Updates
April 21 – Finance and Admin: CPG Resource
April 10 – Temporary Assistance for Online Parish Giving
April 4 – Voluntary Commitment Reductions up to 25% for April
April 2 – Notice for Finance & Administration – CARES Act, CPG, More
March 25 – Notice for Finance & Administration
From the Presiding Bishop
The Presiding Bishop’s Word to the Church on the theology of Love.
The Presiding Bishop’s Word to the Church for Holy Week and Easter in support of online worship.
Habits of Grace Weekly Reflection from the Presiding Bishop.
The Presiding Bishop’s Sermon from Sunday, March 15th.
Coronavirus Resource Page from the Episcopal Church.
For Worship
Live-streamed Worship on the Diocesan Facebook* Page:
- Thursdays at Noon – Litany of Healing with the Virtual Prayer List
- Fridays at 8pm – Compline with Diocesan Leaders
*You do not need to have a Facebook account to watch the live-streamed videos! Click the link at the scheduled time to access the live video.
Spreadsheet of Online Offerings from across Eastern & Western Michigan.
For Individual Use:
- Online Book of Common Prayer
- The Lectionary
- Mission of St. Clare – Morning & Evening Prayer App – Apple or Google Play
- Daily Prayer with Forward Movement
Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians
The “Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians” articulates three phases for re-entry into our new normal. Effective July 1, 2021 the dioceses are in Phase 3.
For Communicators
Join our Resource Group on Facebook for ongoing discussions and support.
Other resources:
For Formation
Diocesan Zoom Youth Group
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm – Click here to Zoom
All young people (middle schoolers and high schoolers) and their mentors are invited to gather together each week for checking in, devotionals, games, and Compline. Email McKenzie Knill with any questions, mknill@eastmich.org.
All young people (middle schoolers and high schoolers) and their mentors are invited to gather together each week for checking in, devotionals, games, and Compline. Email McKenzie Knill with any questions, mknill@eastmich.org.
Online Resources
ChurchNext free courses Prayer and Worship in Our Homes Learn More
- Everyday Spiritual Practices with Keith Anderson
- How to Pray with Christopher Martin
- Praying with Saints with Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck
- How to Pray Online with Karekin Yarian
- Praying the Anglican Rosary with Suzanne Edwards-Acton
Faith@Home – daily formation resources
Illustrated Children’s Ministry – free access to resources through the period of quarantine
Good Book Club: This Forward Movement initiative invites organizations of all kinds to read a particular book of the Bible throughout a liturgical season.
Grow Christians from Forward Movement is a great website to find inspiration for faith at home, including reflections, stories, images, and recipes from a myriad of Episcopalians, celebrating the presence of God throughout the Christian year.
This is just a sampling of a huge amount of resources out there in the wider church for ministry throughout quarantine. Join our Youth Ministry Resource Group on Facebook for more specific resources and mutual support.
Contact McKenzie Knill, Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry. Email McKenzie.
For Finance & Administration
Essential Travel
FOR CHURCH STAFF – CLERGY & LAY
In periods of lock-down and building closure, essential staff may need to visit the building for essential business including receiving mail, grounds check, counting, or more.
In case you are stopped by authorities, we recommend providing your essential staff a travel letter to indicate their purpose in going to the church building. This includes your clergy and lay staff in any travel from home to church building.
Click here to access our template.
FOR CLERGY
Clergy are recommended to follow physical distancing guidelines as much as is possible and to conduct pastoral care on a virtual basis. In the situation that it is not possible and a visit is necessary, clergy may request a letter from the Bishop indicating their licensure to operate in either diocese. We anticipate this may be helpful especially in a hospital situation. This letter does not replace the letter for travel to your church building.
This letter is not necessary if you already have a Clergy ID card.
Click here to request a letter from the Bishop.
Guidelines for Count Procedures during Church Closure and Social Distancing Mandates (Phases 1 & 1.5)
During periods of lock-down and building closure, some business still needs to carry on for the continued function of the church and its finances. If your church plans to continue making deposits while the church may be closed, you should continue using the standard count procedure you have in place, with the following modifications:
- You should continue using two, non-related counters who rotate on a regular schedule.
- Preferably someone from the church office (not the bookkeeper) will come to the church and open the mail and put all checks (and cash if there is any) together in a safe, or safe place, to be counted by the counters. If possible, it would be good for this person to stamp, or write, “for deposit only” on each check at this point, as an additional control measure.
- At a later time, one counter would come into the church and do the initial count, fill out the count sheet, etc. and then leave the deposit, count sheet, etc. in the safe/safe place for the second counter.
- At another later time (preferably the same day as the first counter, if possible) the second counter would come to the church and double check the count and count sheet information.
- Each employee and each counter should wash his/her hands before and after opening the mail/performing the count, and if possible, sterilize the work area and instruments used to complete the count, so that it is safe for each person during the process.
It is important to follow all of the normal internal control processes for the safekeeping of both the funds, the church and the staff/counters, with the modification of not having more than one person in the building at a time.
Please contact Sara Philo, Chief Financial Officer and Benefits Administrator with any questions at sphilo@edwm.org
Financial Assistance to Congregations
There is some assistance available to congregations from recent governmental action, the Church Pension Group, and the diocese. Click here to read a recent message.
Online Giving
Online Giving
In this time of distance, please be mindful of your ongoing stewardship with your congregation.
To maintain consistent support for the congregation while under quarantine, encourage:
- Set up process for automatic ACH withdrawals
- Set up online giving platforms
- Encourage mailing in donations
The following tools are recommended by our staff, parishes, and by friends in other dioceses. All have varying levels of upfront investment.
If you’re going the route of encouraging folks to mail in their regular contributions, please be mindful of your money counting procedures and make sure we’re keeping everyone safe.
Temporary Online Giving Assistance
To empower stewardship, the diocese has launched a digital giving platform to facilitate online pledges and donations for congregations without this capacity. Any transaction fees not covered by the giver will be covered by the diocese. Click here to read more.
If you’d like to take advantage of this offering, share this link with your members: givingtools.com/give/1276/2180
Guidelines for Online Annual Meeetings
Chancellor Fleener and Canon Forsyth offer these guidelines and recommendations for holding online annual meetings.