This Week’s Opportunities “Return to Church?”, Resources, Replays

MONDAY, 27th April

CALLING A Friend!

There are no events on the MCC Calendar today! Let’s make it a day to CALL A FRIEND in another MCC! Take a few moments to check-in with one another. Share the love and support.

Are you in need of support? Your MCC Staff are here for you. Let us know how we might be of service!

TUESDAY, 28th April

Join the Community Development Team for virtual tea, coffee, and conversation!
This is a time of building hope, cultivating joy, connecting with one another, and with God. Led by Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez and Revs. Cathy Alexander, Lauren Bennett & Wanda Floyd.

We will host tea every Tuesday in April, so come and join us! 9pm GMT 5pm EDT

Click here to join us:
https://zoom.us/j/248584328
Meeting ID: 248 584 328

Or Call in: +1 (301)715-8592
Meeting ID: 248 584 328
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aD2lHFy280

WEDNESDAY, 29th April

MCC hosts a webinar discussion to consider precautions, recommendations, and perspectives about when and how we might gather in person for worship once again. Just because political leaders lift restrictions, does that mean we should start gathering at the church right away? What are the risks or concerns? Should attendees be asked to wear masks? How many people could gather? 10? 20? Should we continue physical distancing with seating? What about congregational singing? Will we still need to adjust how we serve communion? What about church potlucks? Three medical doctors, Dr. Lori Dick, Dr. Tracie Traver and Dr. David Williams, who are also members of MCC, will share their recommendations and perspectives as they respond to your questions.

Wed. 29th April, 5pm EDT (UTC-04)
https://mccchurch.adobeconnect.com/mccwebinar

THURSDAY, 30th April

Pray with
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston

Join Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston for prayer every Thursday at 9pm GMT, 5pm EDT

Bring your joys, concerns, laments, and celebrations to Rev. Cecilia and one another. Meet us on Cecilia’s Facebook every Thursday at 9PM GMT (5PM EDT/ BST 10PM) @Cecilia.Eggleston.50

FRIDAY, 1st May

NOON Your Time – PRAY for Pastors, Pastoral Leaders, Boards and Lay Leaders

Let us take time to pray for all those in leadership in local churches during these challenging times. Pray for those doing their best to offer virtual worship and various modes of congregational connection. Pray for those offering pastoral and congregational care to those in need. Pray for the safety of all those offering food ministries. Pray for the Boards who are dealing with church finances, church property and administrative implications of COVID-19.

Health Care Amid COVID-19 – 1st May, 12 noon EDT

Pastor Vance Haywood continues the conversation with Dr. Ernest Grant and Dr. David Williams; exploring ways that COVID-19 has impacted healthcare and what we as communities of faith should be doing. Please register in advance at this link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xTcCsa03T9KB2-nQOZdYPg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the information to login.

SATURDAY, 2nd May

Spiritual Nourishment

with Elder Nancy Maxwell will return next week.

RESOURCES

Links to Articles, Webinars and Resources

HAVE RESOURCES TO SHARE OR RECOMMEND? Send information and links to [email protected]

These links connect you to resources or webinars by ministry related companies. The listing here does not imply an endorsement nor does it imply that they are LGBTQ+ friendly. Nonetheless, these are resources some MCC’s have found helpful.

Here are 2 documents from the World Health Organization related to “Return to Church?”

Practical Considerations and Recommendations for Religious Leaders

Decision Tree for Religious Leaders

Returning to Church Wisconsin Council of Churches

Using a Small Ensemble for Your Online Worship May Not Be Safe – from Patheos

How to Talk About COVID-19: Narratives to Support Good Decision-Making and Collective Action from TheWorkshop.org.nz

11 Self-Care Steps for Leaders Who Are Barely Holding On from Christianity Today

5 Ways the Pandemic is Saving the Church by James Emery White in the blogpost Church & Culture

COVID-19 Response Toolkit – connected to Church Mutual Insurance

Ministry During and After a Crisis – a free webinar by RightNow Media, Wed. April 29th at 1pm EDT / UTC-4

Worship Lyric Videos with copyright permission for Streaming. No additional license needed. – Many of these do not fit our Inclusive Language guidelines – Worship Lyric Videos

Extra #GIVINGTUESDAY – May 5th – It’s not too late for your congregation to participate in #GivingTuesdayNow (https://now.givingtuesday.org/) on 5 May 2020. This extraordinary campaign is an addition to the typical #GivingTuesday that happens around the world each year on 1 December. The current campaign aims to unite people around the world in hope and generosity as we give back, supporting vital non-profits (including churches) around the world. There is a very detailed and helpful resource for non-profits to run their own campaign here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d1G1ytinb3jdJGmBH93Kyj-xVFYNDFN1/view. The website has many resources, including graphics you can edit, sample text of letters and social media posts, and plenty of other details. If you have the capacity to organize this before 5 May, it may be well worth your effort to generate generosity and raise some funds for your congregation.

COMING MAY 6th, 5pm EDT / UTC-04

WHO: Anyone who provides care and support, particularly providing care for those feeling the effects of compounded grief, loss, fear.
WHAT: A panel of people will urge attendees to consider the care they are currently giving and receiving even as we look ahead in this ever changing pandemic environment. We will consider the impact of compound grief as well as the anxiety and stress of the unknown before us. Practical approaches to ongoing virtual care and connection will also be shared.

The panel will include Dr. Carla Sherrell, Chaplain Rev. Maxwell Reay, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and one more still to be confirmed.
https://mccchurch.abobeconnect.com/mccwebinar

REPLAYS OF WEBINARS

FINANCIAL SUPPORT WEBINAR Did you miss this awesome webinar with guest Tom Melzoni from Horizon Stewardship? Here’s the link to the replay. Share it with your Treasurer and the rest of the Board.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gX3QolcY_xo
Watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/404785099

THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE TO CRISIS, Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4
https://www.stjohnsmcc.org/response-to-crisis.html

VIRTUAL CHURCH – TOOLS AND TIPS WEBINAR
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-25Be5QcCA&t=160s

Did you catch the Moderator’s video last week?
Here it is again in case you missed it!

HAVE YOU UPDATED OUR ADDRESS YET?

Please share with your Treasurer and Clerk of the Board
2775 NW 49th Ave. Ste: 205-327
Ocala, FL 34482
USA