Ohio Conference "Ministry Does Not Stop" COVID-19 Action Plan
Message from Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary, on #MinistryDoesNotStop COVID-19 Action Plan
These Three Stages are Cumulative 
Ohio Conference Has Reached STAGE 3
Effective March 19, 2020, the Ohio Conference Confirms this Action Plan for all
Organizations and in Accord with Legal Orders Issued by the Office of Ohio Governor
and Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health:  https://tinyurl.com/qt3dmje
Ohio State Government Updates Portal:  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/
STAGE 1 | CONFIRMED CASES IN STATE OF OHIO
  • All worship, ministries, and meetings in church facility remain active.
  • Extra sanitation and cleaning performed throughout the building (utilizing CDC guidelines).
  • Encourage communication between members with words rather than physical contact.
  • Encourage those not feeling well, the elderly or at higher risk to stay home.
  • Encourage thorough handwashing and use of hand sanitizer.
  • For those uncomfortable with attending in person, encourage online streaming.
STAGE 2 | CONFIRMED CASES IN YOUR COUNTY
As of this Publication some 24 of Ohio’s 88 Counties have reported confirmed cases

  • Local churches discontinue worship in-person; gatherings and meetings of more than ten (10) people suspended. Encourage migration of worship service, meetings and community online; teleconferencing or equivalent as alternative.
  • All conference sponsored events postponed or cancelled. All churches postpone or cancel all social events/activities/evangelism.
  • Cancellation or postponement of all nonessential travel for pastors and staff.
  • Vulnerable people groups encouraged not to attend in favor of online worship.
  • Strongly recommend those who aren’t feeling well to stay home.
  • No communal food served on church premises (fellowship meal/potluck, shared snacks, food platters, communion, etc). Only individually packaged, single-portion foods to be provided (if needed). Applies to daycares, Camp Mohaven, etc.
  • Extra cleaning and sanitation before and after any worship services, as well as small groups such as Sabbath Schools and midweek services (utilizing CDC guidelines).
  • Leave doors with handles open to minimize contact with these surfaces.
  • Consider removal of hymnals, Bibles, and other items from the chairs/pews to prevent multiple-contact.
  • Offerings will be collected at the door of the sanctuary, offering plates will not be passed.
  • Bulletins will be available, but will not be distributed at the doors.
  • Strongly recommend communication between members with words rather than physical contact (handshake, hug, etc.).
  • Emphasize handwashing for 20 seconds and use of hand sanitizer.
  • Travel for church staff and church-sponsored ministries will be limited.
  • Cleaning to be provided after morning rental church, and evening rental church.
  • Ohio Conference employees to work from home as much as possible. Conference day-to- day operations will continue without interruption.
STAGE 3 | CONFIRMED CASE IN YOUR CHURCH  OR
Upon local, state and federal advisement of health officials, Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists directive, or Risk Management counsel .

  • All in-person church services and small groups will be discontinued until given explicit consent to resume.
  • All schools will be closed until given guidance to reopen.
  • Any and all facility use, including rehearsals, meetings, concerts, and facility rentals will be suspended until further notice. 
  • Childcare programs (including daycare/learning centers) should strongly consider discontinuation of this service. If these programs continue during Stage 3, it is recommended that they apply for temporary licensing procedures issued by the State of Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services, and have this application approved. 
  • Use of the building for rental churches or ministries/outreach programs will be suspended until given guidance to continue.
  • All church sponsored events and in-person gatherings of any size (on and off-site) will be suspended until further notice.
  • Camp Mohaven will be closed until given guidance to reopen.
  • New ways for members to continue to financially support their church (local and worldwide) will being utilized as church buildings may be closed, but financial responsibilities remain. AdventistGiving is the easiest option for churches, but tithe may also be mailed to local church treasurers or the Ohio Conference office.
  • All churches, schools, and offices to perform an extra-deep clean of ALL surfaces prior to resuming programs and school (as recommended by the CDC).
MINISTRY DOES NOT STOP  in the Ohio Conference. Worship is a way of life and has not, and will not, be cancelled. Ministry does not stop because we cannot worship together in a  building .  Ministry can and will continue because of  you .

Visit  www.ohioadventist.org/virus/ministrydoesnotstop  for resources on how worship, small groups, meetings, Bible studies, new ministry ideas and more can continue while we are in  Stage 3  and beyond.
Share what you are doing in your area with the hashtag,  #ministrydoesnotstop .
John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
If you have questions regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19
please call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

If you have questions about COVID-19 within the Ohio Conference, please call 1-837-853-8468 between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM.