Updated June 1, 2021 3:05 p.m. ET

All resources are from PC(USA) agencies unless otherwise noted. Newly-added resources are marked with a red dot ( ⬤ ).

 

Contents

Worship, Pastoral & Governance Resources
Stewardship & Financial Resources
Government & Legal Resources

 

Reopening after the pandemic

• ⬤ Are you and/or your sessions mid councils wondering whether it’s time to return to in-person worship and inside gatherings — and how to do so safely? Here’s some guidance—not legal advice—from the Office of the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Administrative Services Group. Be sure to read the details, but the bottom line is caution and consultation. A companion piece, guidelines from the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Mitchell, KY, might also be helpful to share — May 2021
• Theological and pastoral resources for continued ministry during the pandemic: “The Scattered Church”  – August 13, 2020
• Contact tracing resources. From the CDC – July 22, 2020
• Sample COVID-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation and Recovery Plan, courtesy of Northwest Coast Presbytery — July 31, 2020
• Stated Clerk: Don’t rush to get back into a church building for worship (3 min. video) – June 9, 2020
• Beginning Conversations for Re-Entry – May 4, 2020
• Returning to Public Worship: Theological and Practical Considerations – May 4, 2020
• A Model for Returning to Church After COVID-19. A thoughtful guide for church leaders prepared by the Wisconsin Council of Churches. – April 23, 2020
• Interim Guidance for Reopening. From the CDC
• “What Now?” — A planning process from Rooted Good — September 15, 2020
•  Viruses, Vaccines and Variants. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist — Available March 16, 2021
• The Church and COVID-19. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist — February 27, 2021
• Viruses, Variants and Other Various Items. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— February 9, 2021
• Checking In and Checking Up. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— September 16, 2020
• COVID-19 and Congregations. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— September 8, 2020
• Update on COVID-19, Part 2. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— August 12, 2020
• Update on COVID-19, Part 1. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— August 11, 2020
• COVID Science for Churches. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— Augusst 11, 2020
• Church Leaders Managing COVID-19 Challenges. Lisa Allgood, EP, Presbytery of Cincinnati and Immunocytochemist— July 15, 2020
• Coughing and Masks: Putting Social Distancing to the Test — April 21, 2020
• Facilities: Church Opening/Glosing Guidance — March 7, 2021
• Facilities: Bathrooms and COVID — June 16, 2020
• Facilities: HVAC Systems and COVID — July 15, 2020
• Facilities: Indoor Air and COVID — May 14, 2020
• Vaccines: Pfizer Fact Sheet — February 25, 2021
• Vaccines: Moderna Fact Sheet — December 2020
• Vaccines: Johnson & Johnson Fact Sheet — February 27, 2021
• Vaccines: Understanding mRNA and Other Vaccines — 2021
• Vaccines: “Where Two or More Are Vaccinated: Advice for Churches in 2021” — January 27, 2021
• Coronavirus Variants. Video from JAMA Network — March 4, 2021

Statements from the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)

• Stated Clerk’s Advisory Opinion — Church in an Emergency/Pandemic – updated March 24, 2020
• Stated Clerk’s Advisory Opinion — Communion in an Emergency/Pandemic – March 24, 2020

End-of-life and funerals

• “Prayer at the Time of Death” (booklet, larger print) and “Comforting the Bereaved” (booklet, larger print). – April 13, 2020
• Online Memorial Services During COVID-19 and appropriate worship resources – April 22, 2020
• Other guidance from the National Funeral Directors Association

Music, worship and prayers

• 2021 Easter Worship Service
• Singing and Making Music as churches return to public worship, Presbyterian Ass’n of Musicians – May 21, 2020
• Copyright-free orders of worship for the Service for the Lord’s Day for leaders and people. 
• Prayers for many occasions during COVID-19
• Original hymns during times of pandemic by Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette – March 31, 2020
• Matthew 25: “A Year with Matthew for a Matthew 25 Church.” Based on Year A lectionary. Sermon hints, hymns and worship suggestions, focused on building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.
• Considerations for Worship in Virtual Space – April 7, 2020
• PC(USA) Research: How presbyteries, congregations and worshiping communities are responding to COVID-19 challenges and innovating by finding new ways to be the Church – May 28, 2020
• Singing and Speaking Safely: Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4 (Singing with Masks)
• On Baptism and Ordination in a Time of Pandemic — July 2020

Meeting community needs

• COVID-19 and the African American Community – June 14, 2020
• ‘COVID at the Margins’ looks at the impact of the virus on the LGBTQIA+ community – June 11, 2020
• Food & hunger resources
• Many COVID-19 community-focused resources: emergency financial assistance, food/hunger, free or low-cost internet, spiritual self-care, mental health, prison outreach, refugee support, anti-racism work and more. – Updated regularly
• Immigrant, migrant and refugee resources – April 17, 2020
• Vital congregations — keeping your congregation vibrant and relevant during the pandemic. A series of one-hour videos of Zoom conversations.
• Map showing COVID-19 confirmed cases overlaid on PC(USA) congregations and mid councils

Education and faith formation

• Education resources – April 23, 2020
• Youth, older adult, family and adult education “QuickSheet” resources

Spiritual nourishment

• Weekly half-hour podcasts. Community leaders talk about how COVID-19 impacts their ministry (See Season 4 episodes).
• Encouraging messages and resources from our global partners. Document is updated regularly.
• Mental health resources. Very comprehensive. Updated frequently.
• Emotional and Spiritual Care Webinars. Building Resilience Webinars (one-hour, view online or download) for Faith Leaders and General Audiences.
• May devotions from the quarterly devotional “These Days” (Free download)

Livestreaming and digital worship

• How to livestream: a beginner’s survival guide
• Permission to livestream/photocopy "Glory to God" Hymnal and "Book of Common Worship"
• How to Livestream Your Church Service: A Practical Guide

 

 

Emergency assistance and grants from the PC(USA)

• COVID-19 Grants from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance | Español | 한국어 | More information on PDA web page
• Matthew 25 Grants | Español
• Emergency student loan management information and resources – April 1, 2020
• Coronavirus Benefits Resources, including dues relief and deferments to churches and employers

Online giving and offering resources

• Online giving service to automate giving to congregations
• Stewardship Navigator
• Video: Financial and Stewardship Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic (14 minutes) – April 14, 2020
• Stewardship in a Pandemic
• Engaging in the Special Offerings in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. – April 16, 2020
• Stewardship during the pandemic: 10 dos and 1 don’t

 

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

Federal legislation and help from the federal government

• CARES Act, summary of provisions | Español | 한국어 – April 14, 2020
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act — summary of new provisions related to temporary leave | Español | 한국어 — Video Presentation (30 minutes) – April 9, 2020
• Tax credits available to employers for leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act | Español – April 9, 2020
• COVID-19-Related Legislation Overview: A Guide for Presbyterian Churches and Ministries | Español | 한국어  – April 9, 2020
• COVID-19 Benefits Issues – Video Presentation (30 minutes) – April 9, 2020
• Paycheck Protection Program, administered by the Small Business Administration, covers eligible nonprofit organizations, self-employed individuals and independent contractors. Program overview | Info for lenders | Info for borrowers | Application for borrowers
• Small Business Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• How New Worshiping Community leaders can apply for the Payroll Protection Program (12-min. video) – English | Spanish – May 4, 2020