The coronavirus has reached the pandemic stage. And with this information comes a lot of anxiety. In fact, many are calling this past week the most anxious week they have ever experienced.

And there is a lot to be anxious about. Yesterday, our Bishop, Sharma D. Lewis, issued a letter addressing some of these concerns. You can read the letter here.

In an effort to keep people informed and provide resources, we are dedicating this space to uploading articles, blog posts, and other information you may find helpful. We will update this page as often as we can.

Of course, the best source of information regarding the coronavirus is the CDC.

One of the main things to remember is to remain calm and be a non-anxious presence. Remember that to those who are anxious, to those who are sick, to those who are not, offer a pastoral presence.

Encourage staff, leaders, and others to stay home if they are sick, as well as encourage people to wash their hands. Pray. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Helpful Links:

Bishop Lewis calls the Virginia Annual Confernece to prayer. Read the letter and prayer here.

Read “Do No Harm”: A Message from Bishop Lewis. Click here.

Read the March 31st letter from the Bishop. Click here.

The Virginia Conference has a page dedicated to updates from Bishop Lewis. Click here.

Our friends in the Alexandria/Arlington District offices have provided some helpful tips for this season. Click here.

Crisis Leadership, Church Leadership blog post from Carey Nieuwhof provides some key principles leaders can draw on when leading during a crisis. Click here to read.

Carey Nieuwhof writes about 8 ways to lead in the new digital default church. Click here.

Thom Rainer ponders what a post-coronavirus church will look like. Click here to ponder.

Tom Berlin offers Guiding Values During the Pandemic. Click here to read.

Tithe.ly offers a Coronavirus Response Toolkit for churches. Click here.

Generosity

10 Ideas for Church Financial Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Crisis from Discipleship Ministries. Click here.

The Virginia Conference treasurer’s office provides Online Giving Solutions for Churches. Click here to read more.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership provides ten ideas for encouraging giving during this time. Click here.

GCFA has provided a helpful page of resources. You can click here to read.

Online Worship

Creating Live Streamed Worship in 3-days from a pastor in Seatle, Washington. Click here.

Ask UMC answers, “How can we live stream worship legally? Click here to read the answer.

Taking Your Worship Online: A Beginner’s Guide from ResourceUMC. Click here.

Using Zoom & Facebook

Here is a great article about How to Prevent Zoom-Bombing. Click here to read.

Rev. Sarah Locke shares about how she does Bible studies on Facebook. Click here.

Prayer Blankets and Masks

Single-layer, no-sew fleece blanket
Knitted or crocheted prayer blanket
Flannel Rag Quilt
Knitted cross prayer square
Quilted Prayer square with cross inside

Masks:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center specifications
Video Tutorial
Printable Tutorials