Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated Covid Considerations list.
Here you'll find books, blogs, podcasts, articles, and Judicatory Resources to assist congregational decisions around worship, faith formation, and other gatherings as Covid continuously changes how we create community.
You may also find tips from our Technology/Copyright and Online Hospitality lib guides helpful in this area.
How Has COVID-19 Impacted Religious Participation?
by Amy Kubichek of Lewis Center for Church Leadership
May 3, 2022
Online & Hybrid Ministry Resources: blogs, podcasts, articles, etc.
There’s No Going Back to the Pre-Pandemic Church
“Imagining a Hybrid Future” featuring Rosario Picardo
suggests What to Bring out of Quarantine with helpful leading questions
Letters from Outside the Camp from Fr. Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and Contemplation offer insights and wisdom for moving through this apocalyptic time.
Bishop Bill Tesch of the ELCA's NW MN Synod offers guidance and Martin Luther's comments on faith during The Plague in this video.
The leaders of more than a dozen judicatories in Minnesota, including Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough, crafted a joint statement voicing concern about the increase in COVID-19 cases and urging Minnesotans to serve their communities, partner with neighbors and health care workers, and make changes that will save lives.
offers their Covid-19 Response which includes Phased Regathering Plans for Churches and Re-Opening Considerations. Bishop Ough's Conference Regathering Plan Moves to Orange may be helpful in decision-making.
offers links to worship resources, preaching/sermon videos, Sample Policies for reopening, and guidance for Congregational Life.
offers QUESTIONS/PRACTICES to CONSIDER BEFORE RESUMING IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES- LINKS
regularly updates their Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resource Center
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“Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic” is a comprehensive update from the consultation on Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices. Incorporating the latest CDC guidance, this update informs decision-making and basic practices of Christian worship and congregational life. Additional resources related to the pandemic available on the ALCM website. |
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance from FEMA: FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. Applications will be accepted starting April 12. Please share this resource with loved ones of those who passed away of COVID and had a funeral at your church.
Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates - Mar 8; Mar 10
Relevant documents are
“Church Comes Home” featuring Dave Barnhart
Luke Medina/NPR/March 4, 2022
What songs meant the most to your loved ones and friends lost to COVID-19?
NPR curated a list.
For three months, six new resources will be available to nurture community and support the mission and ministry of congregations across North America in this unique time.
Building Faith from Virginia Theological Seminary offers this Liturgy for Regathering in the Sanctuary - for returning post-Covid and for other times when sanctuary worship has been forestalled.
Convergence offers the on-demand course How to Do Hybrid Worship with Jim Keat:
A 3-week cohort exploring tips, tricks, and best practices for what it means to be a hybrid church.
Live sessions: May 12, 19, 26 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM ET
All sessions will be recorded and available to watch on demand.
Nuns & Nones provide an excellent article on emerging from Covid-19 and an interactive resource guide for creating ritual to help us move - individually and collectively - into the future "with little luggage, ready to imagine another world."
Lewis Center for Church Leadership has a growing list of Covid-19-related resources on topics of Social Action, Stewardship, Technology, and Hospitality.
7 Reasons You Must Not Abandon Your Online Services
