EASTERN SHORE DISTRICT The United Methodist Church

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  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • About Us
    • Committees and Boards
    • Staff
  • Calendar
  • CLERGY
    • Clergy
    • District Clergy Association
  • CHURCHES
    • Churches >
      • Local Church Events
      • Directions to Churches
      • Food Pantires, Clothes Closets...
  • MINISTRIES
    • Agape Center
    • Camp Occohannock
    • Disaster Response
    • Lay Servants
    • LSM Committee/ Instructors page
    • Ministry with the Poor
    • Special Needs Camp
    • United Methodist Women
  • Contact Us
  • NEWS
    • Newsletter >
      • Upcoming Events
  • RESOURCES
    • Resources
    • Corona Virus 2020
    • Charge Conferences 2020 >
      • 2019 Charge Conference pics!
    • Crisis Communication
    • District Conference 2020
    • Nominee Form District At Lg to AC
    • Superintendency Committee
    • Survey for UM Polity Course 2020

Covid-19 
What to know
​How to Help

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Just Released! A plan to oversee how churches would safely return to in-person worship!
In a letter from May 9, Bishop Lewis shared that a return to in-person worship would be phased beginning with "drive-in" worship for all churches under strict guidelines and the authorization of some "pioneer" churches to open on May 24 under strict guidelines. 
​     A workgroup of church leaders, medical professionals, and legal professionals have prepared a comprehensive plan which includes: summary of the plan, handbook, visual presentation, and more for churches to plan on how to approach this phased return to in-person worship. Details are available on the Virginia Conference website at 
www.vaumc.org/return

      
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Conference Treasurer’s Office
providing CARES Act Help Desk
April 4, 2020 -- The conference Treasurer’s Office is staffing a “help desk” this week to assist churches with applying for loans under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act.  This loan program contains a loan forgiveness clause to enable our churches to continue to pay the pastor and staff, mortgages and utilities.  There are limited amount of funds available under the program so churches should not delay.

To contact the help desk, please call 804-521-1100 and either select ‘2’ or ask the receptionist to connect you to the Treasurer’s Office.  You may also email your questions to caresact@vaumc.org. Please include your name, church and telephone number with all emails.

Help Desk hours of operation:
Sunday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Monday 9 a.m. -  8 p.m.
Tuesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Treasurer’s Office will continue to respond to other questions during this time; however, CARES Act questions are being prioritized, so you may experience a delay for answers to general questions not related to the CARES Act.

You can find more information about the CARES Act on the conference website: http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/News2020/CARESAct.pdf.

Click here to download a pdf copy of this information.

Cares Act: Churches eligible for a loan, Begins April 3!
The CARES Act does apply to churches and other not-for-profits. What this means is that each church is eligible to apply for a loan to support payroll, mortgage interest, utilities and other expenses. This program is being administered by the US Small Business Administration (SBA), and the application must be made directly by Borrower through SBA-affiliated banks. We encourage the Finance Committee of each church to consider applying, as this program may be the best way to provide liquidity for this period when church services have been suspended. 
  • The SBA has offered this site for more information about this program. https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
  • Another helpful resource: Resources that answer frequently asked questions found on the GCFA site, which are updated constantly, will be the first place to answer general question about the program: https://www.gcfa.org/about-us/resources-during-covid-19/.  In addition, this video from Moses Kumar shares other resources loaded to the website and how to proceed with applying.  https://youtu.be/ktt1QvrbKio.
  • If you wish to apply, contact your preferred commercial bank and ask if they are participating in the SBA loan program. It may be best to start with the bank that currently services your church's checking account.
  • Lenders will begin processing applications tomorrow, Friday, April 3. However, this is a new loan program so the process may take longer than anticipated. Please don't get discouraged if there are delays.

*****A practical Conversation about churches and the Cares Act and the Payroll Protection Loan Program.  This video is very helpful! Go to https://youtu.be/s-FgK6j9b1M

Document available for certificate of affiliation to assist with loan process:
To the extent that a United Methodist local church may need to provide evidence of its 501(c)(3) status as part of the application process for a Paycheck Protection Program loan made available by the CARES Act, or in relation to any other financial assistance that is available pursuant to the CARES Act or any future economic stimulus legislation, it can provide a letter from GCFA stating the local church is included in the denomination’s group exemption ruling. (Note: you will need your church's GCFA number to complete the application. Your church treasurer and your EVC church site has that information) If a local church does not have such an inclusion letter from GCFA, the local church can quickly obtain one via the group ruling website, which is available here: http://umgroupruling.org

Frequently Asked Questions for churches 
Virginia Conference COVID-19 Precautions

Revised April 2, 2020
Click here to download this information in pdf format.

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8 Week Plan for Pastors and Church Leaders
DS Joyner encourages Pastors to develop an 8-week plan for ministry with your leadership in case the current environment continues. A simple table to get you on your way is provided below:​
8 week plan for coronavirus outbreak.docx
File Size: 9 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


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Eastern Shore UM Churches provide Online Worship and Bible Study services:

Christ UMC, Chincoteague with Pastor Joe Carson is going Live on Facebook, Sunday, March 22 at 10 am EST
www.facebook.com/Chincoteague-Christ-United-Methodist-Church-134431190070/

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Coastal Charge (Assawoman, Atlantic, and Downings UM churches -Pastor Hodae Kim will provide a recorded sermon though Facebook, YouTube and email beginning 9:30 am, Sunday March 22.  FaceBook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/atlanticumcva/
https://www.facebook.com/AssawomanUnitedMethodistChurch/
https://www.facebook.com/Downings-United-Methodist-Church-343456856037011/


Cheriton Charge (Cheriton and Travis Chapel UM churches). Pastor Virginia Greer will share a recorded sermon on FaceBook church pages Sunday morning, March 22. Prayer time on Facebook Live begins​ 9 am on Travis Chapel FB page and 11 am on Cheriton's FB page. 

Craddockville U.M. Church live sermon each Sunday with Pastor Rob Kelly at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006132169027

Pastor Bart Weakley at Market Street U.M. Church offers weekly gospel lessons on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.weakley


Adams and Bloxom Mission churches' Pastor Greg Duncan will lead a live sermon in a Zoom meeting beginning at 9 am, Sunday, March 22.  Contact Rev. Greg Duncan for Zoom information.

Franktown and Epworth churches will be recording their combined Sunday Service on March 22 and it will be posted on their respective FB pages.
Franktown UMC FB page
Epworth UMC FB page


Pastor Gary C. Miller of St. John's UMC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom Worship on Sunday and Zoom Prayer: 
Topic: Sunday 9am ZOOM WORSHIP by computer or smart phone

Topic: Sunday 11am ZOOM WORSHIP by computer or smart phone
Topic: Morning Zoom Prayer / Every week on Mon, Wed, Fri. by computer or smart phone
​Contact Rev. Gary Miller for Zoom information)


New Beginnings UMC with Pastor Fred Okello will hold a live service on Sunday, March 22, 10 am.  Contact Rev. Fred Okello for Zoom information.

Find UM Churches in our Virginia Conference who have livestream worship services
http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/News2020/LivestreamChurches.pdf​

Learn how to prepare your church for livestreaming: 
http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/News2020/covidlivestreamtips.pdf
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The Eastern Shore is coming together during this pandemic. This is a great way to help!
Shore Delivery Corps is a community effort on Virginia's Eastern Shore (Accomack & Northampton counties). Shore Delivery Corps’ Mission: To assist our fellow Eastern Shore citizens who are at the highest risk for serious complications from the COVID 19 pandemic with the intent to keep this population at home and out of public places. We are engaging volunteers who are at the least risk of COVID 19 severe complications to deliver the needed medical supplies and prescriptions as well as perishable and non - perishable groceries to the doorsteps of the COVID 19 high risk population in as practical a virus free manner as possible. This mission is able to be accomplished as a result of the excellent partnership of the Eastern Shore Community Foundation and The United Way of VA’s Eastern Shore.​

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12 Noon daily Prayer
Please join Bishop Sharma Lewis at 12 noon every day and pray the printed prayer at  http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/BishopLewis/PrayatNoon.pdf?erid=1217388&trid=a836a7c6-26ef-4c5c-95a1-8e17cbf9c5b5
Let us invoke the power of the Great. Physician to do a mighty work in eradicating this disease all over the world.

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RESOURCES:
  • https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/ Updates on requirements for our Virginia Commonwealth
  • Taking your worship online: A guide for beginners and everyone else. ​READ MORE
  • ​How the rural church can help during COVID-19 ​READ MORE
  • FAQ Virginia Conference COVID=19 Precautions. Click here to view the page
  •  FAQ Regarding Gov. Ralph Northam's Executive Order 53, (pdf)  March 24, 2020: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Regarding-EO-53.pdf
  • Mental Health Resources:​https://novaumc.org/mental-health-resources/
  • Pandemic Response Worship Resourcing: https://www.umfellowship.org/pandemic
  • Zoom Meeting Video Tutorials: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-Video-Tutorials
  • Using "Facebook Live" Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40ArSqS2Tg&feature=youtu.be
  • https://www.vaumcdonations.org/ your congregations can donate to their local church or to a pandemic relief fund at this Va. Conference site 
  • Local Church Online Giving Video wih Conference Treasurer. Click here for details.
  • One of our local churches, here on Virginia's E.S., is using "Givelify". You can see a demonstration video at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmK5Fy9Yd4U 
  • The Offering Moment Online is an 8 minute video at  https://vimeo.com/398638793
  • Learn how to prepare your church for livestreaming: http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/News2020/covidlivestreamtips.pdf
  • Phone Call Worship Service with FreeConferenceCall.com
  • Great resources for older adults and care partners while self-isolated due to the COVID-19 virus -Martha Stokes, Director Church & Community Relations, Pinnacle Living suggests: “Caring for You: Mind, Body and Soul,”
  • Credit Union Assistance. The United Methodist Credit Union offers financial relief during the COVID-19 crisis. More...​
  • ​​Resources for Community and Faith-Based Leaders from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention 
  • Interim Guidance for Community and Faith Leaders
  • Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders
  • Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
  • Resources for Homeless Shelters
  • FAQs for Individuals and Families
  • How to Prepare your Family
  • Manage Anxiety & Stress​
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o to Virginia Conference website for Bishop's letters and other information for our Va. Conference churches: 
https://www.vaumc.org/Coronavirus2020.  

Visit UMC website for helpful information at https://www.umc.org/en/content/coronavirus-what-to-know-how-to-help?fbclid=IwAR0e10EFu2n4pNBDITF01eeRlKpCPhItOZhzg27lFfoc4
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Resources from Va. Employment Commission
A Note from the Virginia Annual Conference’s Treasurer’s Office:
We, at the Virginia Conference office, feel for you during this unprecedented time. We would like to present you with a few resources from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) as reference materials if you or your employees are faced with difficult staffing decisions.
For Employers: Even though churches are exempt from the Virginia State Unemployment tax, their employees are covered by the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA). Therefore, employees of our churches are eligible to apply for full and partial (with a significant reduction in hours) unemployment benefits. There is an employer’s handbook for your reference on The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) website. Please visit www.vec.virginia.gov.
For Employees: Potentially eligible employees could be part-time (with a significant reduction of hours) or full time.  Eligible employees should apply for benefits by contacting The Customer Contact Center of the Virginia Employment Commission either by phone at 1-866-832-2363 (available 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday- Friday) or online at www.vec.virginia.gov.

Questions for Conference Treasurer, David Dommisse, email him at daviddommisse@vaumc.org
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Eastern Shore District of the Virginia Conference, THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Office: 18291 Jones Ave, P.O. Box 317
Parksley, VA  23421
Office Hours:  9 am - 5 pm Monday - Thursday
Phone:  757-665-6295
easternshoredistrict@vaumc.org 
 Rev. Alexander B. Joyner, District Superintendent
Jennifer Hume, District Lay Leader
Connie M. Owens, District Administrative Assistant