News for Clergy and Lay Leaders
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Camp Bishopswood has been following the developments of this pandemic over the last few months and working very closely with organizations such as Maine Summer Camps, the American Camping Association, the State of Maine, and the CDC. As the country continues to struggle with the containment of COVID-19, Camp Bishopswood feels it is time to make the responsible decision to cancel camp for the summer.
Mike Douglass, Executive Director, shares: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, as we know how incredibly beneficial this experience is for everyone involved. At this moment, we feel we cannot balance the health and welfare of all campers and staff while maintaining a camp experience."
Camp Bishopswood will be offering every family a 100% refund.
Important, please note:
We ask that you
do not post this information
on social media.
We want to allow families time to grieve, heal, and figure out what they are going to do this summer.
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We have received messages from churches and other Diocese-related organizations of their intent to return PPP money that they foresee not being able to use. We will use the returned funds to meet the requested needs of churches and other Diocese-related organizations.
We have also heard about the need for additional money that could be used within the allowable period for permitted categories of expense, i.e. pay, employee benefits, rents, utilities and loan interest.
For these requests, please let Canon for Finance and Stewardship
Terry Reimer
know before 12 noon on Friday, May 29.
We also have an updated Frequently Asked Questions for the Diocese's PPP program.
Click here to view
.
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In an effort to provide content across different platforms, we have re-launched the podcast!
The first few episodes of this new season will include recent sermons from Bishop Brown. We will then launch an eight-episode series of audio essays by Rev. Martin Smith on the concept of hope.
We then plan to share stories and interviews from across the diocese!
We are also actively researching technologies that allow people to call in to listen to podcasts, which can be a resource for our parishioners who don't have smart phones or computers.
The
Faith in Maine
podcast can be found on any platform where podcasts are found, including iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts and more.
Click here
to listen to the first episode of the new season.
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Curated Regathering Resources
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The CEEP Network held a webinar this week on
Reopening Our Churches: Planning for Returning Congregations
Participants listened in as experts from Partners for Sacred Places, SmithGroup, and Christ Church Greenwich provided an overview as to how they are planning to prepare to reopen. Topics included creating a plan, hearing what questions should inform your plan, and exploring how to involve the right individuals to ensure you are best equipped for the next phase of our parochial life.
You can access the recording
here
.
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Are You Covered For Livestreaming Music?
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A performance (broadcast) license is required for live streaming music in your service. Most standard music licenses do not cover streaming.
Check carefully that you have all the copyright permissions on all the music used in streamed services. Licenses can be purchased that provide for streaming and should cover choral and instrumental music as well as congregational hymns. You could be at risk for large penalties if you don't have permissions, especially if your videos are archived online.
Do you need a license to broadcast Hymnal songs? Yes, you do.
OneLicense contains a lot of the Hymnal songs and they
just launched
a livestream/podcast license.
Cost
is based on average "attendance", and it includes a lot of the other rights typically needed - posting a worship bulletin and closed captioning of lyrics - but there are still restrictions.
If you don't have these but want to still include music, use only public domain hymns or original music from your music ministers.
For further reading:
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Is Your Church Using Zoom?
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The videoconferencing software Zoom is asking everyone to update your software as they
strive to make the platform even more secure.
Spread the word to your parishioners that they should update Zoom now by going to
this page
.
They will want to select "Zoom Client for Meetings" which is the top option.
They will see a pop-up on their screen that looks like the picture belowt. They should check that the company name says Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
Then, they can hit "Run" and they will be all set.
After May 30th, this will be a forced update, which means anyone trying to join a meeting after that date will not be able to proceed until they have run the software update.
Questions? Reach out to Director of Communications
Katie Clark
for help.
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Whether you know someone who has died from COVID-19, or you have been wanting an opportunity to remember the thousands who have died in this pandemic, the National Council of Churches is holding “A Time To Mourn: An Ecumenical Memorial Service for Lives Lost to COVID-19,” online at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 24.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach, and clergy from other Christian traditions will take part in a service of reflections, Scripture and music.
Click
here
to register. and to add names to the memorial roll that will be shown during the service.
The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common commitment to God’s love and promise of unity.
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As our volunteers are hard at work preparing for our diocese-wide Pentecost worship service, we have another chance for you to participate!
Record a video of you and your family wearing the color red and celebrating or cheering. These videos will provide a celebratory intro for our service. Please send your videos to
Katie Clark
by Tuesday, May 26 at 3pm.
This message also went out to parish administrators yesterday to include in your church's e- news.
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Clergy spouses and partners have been invited to join Tom Mousin, Bishop Brown’s spouse, for a Zoom gathering.
These gatherings will be an opportunity to share experiences as we move through these challenging times, as well as a chance to learn more about how we might support one another.
If you would like more information, please reach out to Canon for Administration
Barbara Martin
.
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New this week from the diocesan office is a
transition resource
for clergy leadership. This will be added to the website soon and will be a focus for conversations with congregations planning for, or in the midst of, transitions in clergy leadership.
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Do You Have Communications Questions?
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Do you have a communications question? Join Director of Communications Katie Clark for CommsChat, aka Communications Office Hours.
CommsChat is an opportunity to gather as a group to discuss questions about communications including: livestreaming, social media, digital ministry, and more. The discussion will be guided by the questions of those who attend.
Next week's CommsChat is Tuesday, May 26th from 3 - 4pm.
This is the first in what will be an ongoing series of CommsChat offerings.
Click on the "Register Here" button if you'd like to attend-->
Please note these sessions are not recorded due to community contexts shared and questions asked.
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