COVID-19 Update March 18

A word of prayer from the 223rd GA Co-Moderators for these uncertain times… Eternal God, sustainer, provider, God of all wisdom and knowledge, Our spirits are weary, our faith quivers, our minds get clouded by news of sickness and death. You know our thoughts before we express them, even the fears we dismiss, you know them. We cannot hide our feelings and worries from you. So, as we are, we come to You, O God, asking for wisdom, for clear minds and open hearts, for calm and assurance that, through the crisis, You are present.... Read the Entire Prayer from Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and Cindy Kohlman.

1001 to host Zoom conversation Thursday on how to stream worship services Podcast host, producer Marthame Sanders will share how to adapt worship for streaming. Read more.

“Church in an Emergency/Pandemic” — Advisory opinion from the Office of the General Assembly The Office of the General Assembly has posted an advisory opinion from stated clerk J. Herbert Nelson on the “ Church in an Emergency/Pandemic ” – an effort to address some of the polity questions that congregations or mid councils might have as the coronavirus epidemic widens. SEE DOCUMENT

Horizons Stewardship ( church stewardship consultants ) has put together some practical tips to help you continue to keep in touch with your members and regular attenders if worship and other activities are cancelled. Church communities are dependent upon relationships. Here are some tools for continuing to build on those relationships, even in the midst of these difficult days ahead.

from Presbyterian Outlook Friends,   As many of us practice social distancing and gatherings are canceled, we at the Presbyterian Outlook are seeking to provide resources for our Lenten journey and ways to stay connected to each other during this challenging season.   To that end, we will share a weekly devotional, about 10 minutes long, that you can view at your convenience. We are using  " Lent In Plain Sight " as our guide, but having the book is not necessary! We also invite you to use our weekly lectionary reflections,  " Looking into the lectionary " for weekly worship, Bible study or devotions. We will be posting information and resources frequently for as long as we are homebound. Please check our website  or follow us on social media for the most up-to-date materials. You can find all of the Outlook's COVID-19 stories with this link .   We are grateful for your witness and ministry and we are praying for you. If there are resources you need but cannot find, let us know and we will do our best to locate or create them!   Grace and peace, Jill Duffield

COVID-19: 100 Ideas for Ministers and Ministry Leaders from Traci Smith, author of "Faithful Families" Lots of good ideas to assist your creative planning for the coming weeks - you haven't thought of them all. Offer your assistance to your pastor - they have their hands full.

Please contact the Presbytery office with your questions, concerns or suggestions. 815-732-6111 ext 610 (for Loreen)

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