Click here for the Plans for Re-Entry Checklist from Newton Presbytery
Click here to read Churches Were Eager to Reopen. Now They Are Confronting Coronavirus Cases. (NY Times article)
CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT WATER IN SHUT-DOWN BUILDINGS
From the Somerset County Department of Health:
Many buildings may be temporarily shut down or have reduced operations in normal water use due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Periods of little to no water usage may lead to conditions in building water systems which can promote the growth of Legionella and other opportunistic bacteria within weeks or months. To prevent Legionella growth, building water systems must be actively managed and maintained now to prevent future legionellosis outbreaks once buildings reopen or resume normal operations. For building owners and managers whose building water systems are impacted by a prolonged shut down or reduced operation and would like to properly maintain their building water systems, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) developed the guidance document, Maintaining and Reopening Building Water Systems Impacted by Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation: Minimizing Legionella and Opportunistic Bacteria Growth. This guidance document is available on the NJDOH website at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/legion.shtml.
Click here for an article about reducing transmission of Covid 19
Click here for COVID Considerations Links to Articles and Resources for Sharing
Click here for Questions to Consider Before Re-Opening, from the 24 Questions
As Sessions and Pastors consider the next steps and a way forward here are some resources to encourage discernment and care. We pray you find them helpful and life giving to your conversations and decision making process.
We envision reopening and returning to activities and meetings to be done in phases (possibly at sloth pace). We are closely watching guidance offered by the state of NJ, as well as our national church. We will err on the side of caution, so timing will lag compared to other public buildings in our region. We will learn from the experiences of other institutions, all while we continue to strengthen new online ways of being church. We continue to watch, wait, discern and pray for your health and safety and a way forward. For now, know that our buildings may not be open but our church is alive, doing Christ’s work, even as we wait for it to be safe for us to gather in person.
We are thankful for you and your part in Christ’s ministry throughout the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
Rev Sharyl Dixon, Chair of the Committee on Ministry
QUESTIONS YOUR CHURCH SHOULD ANSWER BEFORE RETURNING
https://files.constantcontact.com/b2f3eda2501/bea21985-1a62-4015-a15f-e7a2580c5887.pdf
RULING ELDERS IN A PANDEMIC
PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
https://files.constantcontact.com/b2f3eda2501/26b4b936-06d4-4c81-ad68-fe9cb740f950.pdf
BOARD OF PENSIONS DUES RELIEF
PCUSA RESOURCES
Click here for PCUSA’S Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members
Click here for the OGA Stated Clerk’s Advisory Opinion
PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY RESOURCES
The “Building Resilience” webinars are intended to help viewers remain flexible and functional despite a deadly pandemic that has forced much of the country to stay sequestered at home and cancelled many church services.
Click here for “Building Resilience” webinars.
PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
Preparedness for Pandemics Guide for Congregations
Download the resource here.
PCUSA OFFICE OF THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP RESOURCES FOR END-OF-LIFE PASTORAL CARE/RESOURCES AT TIME OF DEATH
The PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship has developed resources for prayer at the time of death in situations where patients are quarantined, pastors or loved ones are not permitted to be present, and medical personnel may be seeking to offer spiritual care. Two documents are provided, each in two versions: Prayer at the Time of Death (booklet, larger print) and Comforting the Bereaved (booklet, larger print). These materials are based on the Book of Common Worship.
NJ COVID-19 INFORMATION
Keep up with info about COVID 19 and NJ’s response.
NJ GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF VOLUNTEERISM
https://mailchi.mp/076e151ada54/new-jersey-covid-19-volunteer-guidelines?e=2ef09c20ad
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR MID-COUNCILS
Click here for More COVID-19 resources for mid councils
SHARED EXAMPLES OF CARE IN OUR PRESBYTERY
Click to view “Shared examples of care” happening in our Presbytery
DIGITAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER RESOURCES
Keeping PCUSA Churches Open For Business – Distance Ministry – click here.
Zoom Webinar – learn how best to use Zoom
Hymnal and Book of Common Worship Rights during Covid-19 Pandemic
