April 14, 2020
Welcome to Resource Roundup, COVID-19 edition

How are you and your congregation adapting to these unprecedented times of shutdown, sequestration and what Bishop John Harvey Taylor calls #holydistancing? How will your congregation observe Holy Week and Easter? Please email your innovative ideas and your stories of how you are carrying out your ministry to news@ladiocese.org.

More resources
The COVID-19 page on the Diocese of Los Angeles website includes many ideas and resources, as well as links to communications from the bishops' office and past issues of Resource Roundup. Click here.
News
Los Angeles city residents facing serious COVID-19-related economic hardship may apply for 'Angeleno Card'

Urgent: Residents must apply by April 16

The Angeleno Card program to provide direct financial assistance to Los Angeles city residents facing extreme economic hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis, was launched April 14, according to an announcement from Mayor Eric Garcetti's office. "The Angeleno Card aims to help low-wage hourly workers who had jobs in homes and restaurants, seasonal workers, and other workers such as day laborers, street vendors, or self-employed individuals who are experiencing heightened financial hardship because of COVID-19," according to the announcement. "This economic hardship may be due to job loss, severe reduction of work hours, or furloughs. This includes Angelenos who qualify for federal and state assistance but may not receive that financial support for weeks or longer."

To be eligible, applicants must provide documentation that confirms that:
  1. their household is in the City of Los Angeles
  2. their income fell below the Federal Poverty Level per household size before the COVID-19 crisis (see table above)
  3. they have fallen into deeper economic hardship during the crisis because at least one household member lost a job or had a reduction in income of at least 50%. Immigration status is not considered in determining eligibility.

Since this program is privately funded by the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles, any assistance received is not considered a public benefit and is not subject to the Public Charge rule.  

Applications for the Angeleno Card will be available only online by visiting hcidla.lacity.org. Applications can only be completed Tuesday April 14 through Thursday April 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. People without internet access or who need help applying online may call 213.252.3040, Tuesday April 14 through Thursday April 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who pre-qualify based on their online or telephone applications will be given an in-person appointment at a designated community center. These centers cannot help anyone without an appointment. Applicants will need to provide documentation at this in-person appointment, and may be able to upload pictures or digital copies of documentation in advance. Approved applicants will receive a card in an amount ranging from $700-$1,500 depending on income and household size.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited resources, if the number of qualified individuals exceeds the number of available Angeleno Cards grants, the City of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department will randomly select among the qualified individuals to receive the Angeleno Card grants. The Angeleno Card grants are privately funded through donations to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles and do not consist of any public or taxpayer funds. 

Because funds are limited, the mayor's office has requested that this information be shared with those most affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis and to those Angelenos most likely to qualify. It is not a general relief effort, and needs to be limited to those who are not eligible for public programs, or those who are in desperate need.

A PDF document with full information is here.
The Way of Love for the Easter Season 2020
A calendar for the 50 days of Easter, with suggestions for each day, is based on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s “Way of Love” commandments: Turn, Learn, Prayer, Worship, Bless and Go. A high-resolution PDF version is here. The calendar was created by Sue Van Oss of St. Paul’s Church, Duluth, Minnesota, and is shared here with permission.
Events
The Gathering will address 'Being Asian-American during Age of Coronavirus' in online conversation

Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce invites the diocesan community to an online conversation and discussion on the impact of the coronavirus on the Asian American church and communities, titled ""Being Asian Americans in the Age of the Coronavirus," on Saturday, April 25, 4 - 6 p.m.

"Our current crisis has widespread and devastating impact that we are still trying to understand," says the event announcement. "This conversation will focus on the Asian communities that have been feeling even more vulnerable as targets of racism. Come join us as we engage our speakers and each other on this topic."

The conversation will feature Russell Jeung, PhD, chair and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, who recently helped launch the Stop AAPI Hate Center to track coronavirus discrimination; and Joseph Lee, MD, psychiatrist in the South Bay and educator on Social Emotional Learning.

The event is hosted by The Gathering - a Space for Asian Pacific American Spirituality, a ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles to Asian Pacific Americans. It will feature special music by Dustin Seo, director of musical programs at Street Symphony.

There is no charge, and everyone interested in this topic is welcome to attend virtually. The Gathering - a Space for Asian American Spirituality - holds events to engage topics relevant to Asian American communities and offers a space for Asian Americans to gather to share in their spiritual journeys.

Additional information, including panelist bios, can be found here. To join the webinar please click the Zoom link below (or use one of the other listed login methods):


Or iPhone one-tap :
   US: +16699006833,,934299060# or +13462487799,,934299060#

Or Telephone:
   Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
       US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866

Webinar ID: 934 299 060

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ac8L1iKqRy
COVID-19 crisis: Ways to help
One Body & One Spirit Emergency Appeal

By John Harvey Taylor

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. The global health crisis has affected the life of each member of our diocesan family – each of us, and all our neighbors. You are all in my prayers daily as you continue to devote yourself to the work of the gospel. Each day, I know, you are caring for yourselves and those you love, serving your neighbor and those most at risk, and continuing to support your church family by praying, worshiping, reaching out to those who are most isolated, and remembering to send in your generous pledge. Read more here.
Priests, deacons enlisted to pray ‘last rites’ by phone for dying coronavirus patients
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal priests and deacons have volunteered to minister by phone to people dying of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, which has infected more than a million people worldwide. The phone ministry is called “Dial-a-Priest” and was created in a matter of days by the TryTank Experimental Lab, a joint project of Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary. “What we’re doing is a pastoral response to a need, which is that there are people who are dying and we know we have words of comfort,” said the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, TryTank’s director. He began working on “Dial-a-Priest” about a week ago as an imperfect solution to an unprecedented challenge posed by the coronavirus. Read more here.
Clergy: To volunteer for this ministry, click here for information.
Housing needed for detainees: can your congregation help?
An appeal from CLUE (Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice)
Right now immigrants are facing grave danger in detention centers in light of the Coronavirus. At this very moment there is a strong push to help get released detainees who are vulnerable, those with pre-existing medical conditions or the elderly. Lawyers have recently obtained humanitarian parole for a handful of detainees. Some have returned to their families and others desperately need shelter or transportation to their families in
other states. Others would be able to be released with ankle bracelets and monitored if they had an address. The faith community could be able to provide short and long-term shelter. If you have one small room or space in a church building available that we could use for housing one individual. Since most churches are not having current physical gatherings right now, opening up just one space will be ideal to help provide housing for a brother or sister currently detained in those horrible detention centers. Please let us know if you are interested in exploring the possibility by reaching out to Guillermo Torres at gtorres@cluejustice.org, 323.228.2753.
Mask-making ministry
The mask-making ministry at St. Stephen's Church, Hollywood, is in full swing to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. To take part in their efforts, click here. An additional resource is JoAnn's Fabrics, which is donating mask-sewing supplies and has also posted a how-to video on YouTube to support efforts all over the country. (Note: Not all hospitals accept homemade masks: for a list of facilities that do, visit the St. Stephen's mask ministry page linked above or contact the Rev. Jaime Edwards-Acton, rector, at hopeinhollywood@gmail.com.
Thank you cards for hospital staff
A request from Michael Bell, director of pastoral ministries at Good Samaritan Hospital
Church colleagues, friends with kids stuck at home, educators with classes online, leaders of other groups: If you're looking for something helpful to do right now that doesn't cost much more than time and some creative love, consider writing/creating thank-you notes, cards, pictures, banners for our hospital staff. E.g., "Thank you, Good Samaritans" - signed by you, children, students, members of your club or community. Mail to: The Rev. Michael S. Bell, Spiritual Care Services, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, 1225 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Episcopal Relief & Development's COVID-19 Response Fund
"Join us in prayer and action. Help us be there in times of uncertainty.
Your gift enables us to prepare for emergencies around the world — including the recent outbreak of the coronavirus. With your help, we can equip our partners on the ground with crucial support to assist local communities and meet the changing needs as this crisis unfolds." Click here to contribute.
From the wider Episcopal Church
2020 Episcopal Youth Event postponed due to COVID-19

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20), scheduled to be held at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), July 7-11, 2020, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. . The Department of Faith Formation, which organizes EYE, hopes to reschedule the gathering for 2021. Read more here.
ECF webinars available online offer help in time of COVID-19
Episcopal Church Foundation has produced several webinars in its Vital Practices series that offer help for congregations dealing with the COVID-19 shutdown, and has made them available online. Titles include "Self-Care for the Sake of Others (in the Age of COVID-19)"; "Experts Help With Your CARES Act Questions" and 'Effective Vestries in Times of Crisis." Visit the ECF Vital Practices website here for these and other webinars.
Episcopalians now can give online to Good Friday Offering to support Middle East ministries
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopalians in congregations across The Episcopal Church give hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support ministries in the Middle East through the church’s annual Good Friday Offering. The Episcopal Church has launched an online donation page – the first time such an option will be available to Episcopalians who are inspired to support the important work of Anglican churches in the Middle East. Read more here.
REMINDERS
Recording of April 1 webinar on CARES Act is available online
A recording is available of a ZOOM conversation for clergy and lay leaders with Jeff Baker, a vice-chancellor of the Diocese of Los Angeles, concerning the CARES Act recently passed by Congress in reaction to the COVID-19 emergency and how congregations and institutions may apply for assistance. For any who missed the presentation, it may be accessed
here or via the diocesan website (coronavirus resource page). Additional information from Bishop John Harvey Taylor, Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce and Canon to the Ordinary Melissa McCarthy (in Spanish and English) is here. A memo on CARES from Baker is available in English here, and in Spanish here.
Template available for Paycheck Protection Program calculations
Congregations seeking to calculate average monthly payroll for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are requested to the template available here. Questions may be referred to the Rev. Michele Racusin, diocesan CFO, at mracusin@ladiocese.org.
Diocesan website offers resources for congregations

A page on the Diocese of Los Angeles website titled " Responding to COVID-19" lists various resources for congregations and individuals as they cope with church closures and self-isolation. It includes information under the following headings:
  • Resources for Virtual and Remote Worship and Meetings
  • State & County Resources for Addressing Coronavirus Concerns
  • CDC (Center for Disease Control) website links
  • Stewardship
  • Coping with Social Distancing
  • Children and Families
  • Additional health information
  • Recovery resources (12-step programs)
  • Managing work in a time of isolation
  • How to help
The list is updated as information becomes available. Send additional resources for consideration to news@ladiocese.org.
ECW offers grants for medical bills through online application
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) in the Diocese of Los Angeles offers grants of up to $500 to help cover medical bills and even medical insurance payments to people in need. A form can be filled out online by the applicant's rector or vicar. To apply, click here. Funds are issued to the priest’s discretionary fund and then distributed to the applicant.
Credit Union will provide emergency loans to churches, institutions at reduced rate during COVID-19 crisis

[The Episcopal News - March 18] The Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union has set aside a $500,000 emergency cash fund to assist churches and other institutions of the diocese whose cash flow has been adversely impacted by circumstances caused by the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The program will offer, for a limited time, a 50% reduction to its published rate for church loans. Read more here. (Esta historia aparece en español después del texto en inglés.)
Online giving: Options to explore for use in congregations

Any congregation seeking to add an online giving feature to its website can begin by reviewing and comparing available options such as the following which are among various systems in use around the Diocese of Los Angeles and wider church. The following list is only a sampling and comes with no official endorsement by the diocese. Additions to this list are welcomed and may be forwarded to media@ladiocese.org.

Vanco — Fees are said to be reasonable and an app is available for donors to download. Interfaces with CDM database. Can be viewed in place on website of St. James’, Los Angeles.
Square (Cash App)
Givify - As used by All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Vista, Calif. (Diocese of San Diego)

Featuring Tithe.ly, EasyTithe, Givelify, PayPal, Pushpay.
Deadline extended for nominations to Episcopal Church committees, boards

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs - March 30, 2020] The Episcopal Church Joint Standing Committee on Nominations is accepting applications for nine offices. Application form and links to job descriptions are available on the General Convention website.  The deadline to submit application has been extended to April 30, 2020. Elections will be held at the 80th General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled for June 30 – July 9, 2021. For more information, contact the Office of the General Convention at gcoffice@episcopalchurch.org. Read more (in English, Spanish and French) here.
Introduction to Religion and Public Health
A program from the TRAIN Learning Network

Powered by the Public Health Foundation (PHF), the TRAIN Learning Network brings together agencies and organizations in the public health, healthcare, and preparedness sectors to disseminate, track, and share trainings for the health workforce on a centralized training platform. Most of their training programs are open to all, and offered without cost. This curricula is approved by the National Board of Public Health Examiners for Certified Public Health (CPHCE) credit. Read more here.
Is your congregation live-streaming Sunday or weekday services? Let us know!

If your congregation is live-streaming services on Facebook, YouTube or other social media, please send us a note and let us know:
  • Day(s) and time of services;
  • Date if a one-time offering;
  • Type of service (Eucharist, Morning Prayer, Evensong, etc.);
  • URL for anyone wishing to log in:
  • Language(s) in which the service will be held.
  • Information about the celebrant or other participants, or about music or other aspects of worship (optional)
Send listings to news@ladiocese.org. They will be included in a list (also available on the diocese's COVID-19 Resources webpage) for the benefit of all who wish to take part in worship.

In addition, The Episcopal Church has launched a Digital Church Guide. You can upload your service information there (click here). You also can add this information to the Episcopal Asset Map (click here.) More information about both these resources is here.
Clergy: Keep count of online participants in worship

As the wider Episcopal Church determines how to determine Average Sunday Attendance numbers during the COVID-19 crisis, Bishops Taylor and Bruce and Canon McCarthy request that clergy in charge of congregations keep count of how many people are taking part via Facebook, YouTube, Zoom or other forum in worship services offered at your church. The information may be needed for parochial reports. Add the numbers to your red register with the notation LS (live-stream) to capture the history being made at this time. Please refer to the March 19 letter to clergy for more information.
Checks to the diocese

The bank used by the diocese will only accept checks made out to: “The Protestant Episcopal Church” or “Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.” Checks may no longer be made to Treasurer of the Diocese, etc. This is due to the Bank Secrecy Act and accompanying regulations ("Anti-Money Laundering rules").

P.O. Box closed

Please note that the diocesan post office box has been closed and will no longer receive mail. Please use the street address for mail addressed to offices at St. Paul's Commons (formerly The Cathedral Center): 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026. Mail addressed to the post office box will be returned to sender.
Links
Resource Roundup is an occasional release for clergy, wardens, church office staff and lay leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Items for inclusion may be forwarded to news@ladiocese.org.