Maryland is presently in Phase 3 which means all Marylanders aged 12 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Visit the Maryland Department of Health for more information
The Latest Updates
Hope United Church of Christ Regathering Plan
An excellent resource that outlines each phase of regathering preparedness with an emphasis on safety.
FAQ on COVID and Church Building Use – Courtesy of PC(USA) Legal Services
Cincinnati Presbytery’s superstar EP/scientist, Lisa Allgood, has provided the latest information on the pandemic:
Latest Reopening Guidance from State of Maryland
Vaccinations
Where Two or More Are Vaccinated: Advice for Churches in 2021
Five science-based suggestions to gather and worship safely as COVID-19 vaccines roll out.
Vaccinations and our Presbytery, a Statement from Steering Cabinet, January 2021
GBMC Coronavirus Webcasts, Articles and Resources
Videos
COVID-19 mitigation strategies for Choir developed from the research done at the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland in the Aerosol Study.
How Do mRNA Vaccines Work? Here’s What You Should Know
A very simple, yet brief explanation of how the vaccine works, and common myths dispelled. Published by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Faith, Science and Trust
Dr. Anthony Fauci joined the University of MD last Friday for an honest, open dialogue about faith, science, and trust. It was very informative, underscoring the importance of community education.
Congregational Support
Planning to Regather
Videos
- Considerations for Church Leadership and Clergy Video Training
- Reopening The Church: A Discussion On Leading After COVID 19 / Article
- Reopening Small and Mid-sized churches / Article (Facebook)
- Reopening Churches: Executive Operations and Facility Management / Article
- Reopening Churches: Leading Children and Family Ministry / Article (Facebook)
- An update from Woodstock Presbyterian Church – Demonstrating distance in a sanctuary.
Reopening Articles & Resources
- COVID-19 Resources from the Insurance Board
- Regathering Guidelines from the Presbytery of Baltimore – Adopted June 2020 by Steering Cabinet
- Reopen your Church Property (pdf) – The Insurance Board
- 24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
- Reopening is about who God is – Presbyterian Outlook
- Church Music and COVID-19 – A Response from the Presbyterian Association of Musicians
- When and How to Reopen – Decision-tree flowchart for religious activities from the World Health Organization
- On President Trump’s Church Reopening, May 22, 2020
- General Presbyter’s Report on Church Regathering, May 14, 2020
- Governor’s Update: Gradual openings announced with community-based approach
Reopening Liability
- Liability Issues to Consider on Reopening Churches for Live Worship Services (pdf) – PC(USA) General Counsel Mike Kirk
- COVID-19 Liability FAQ (pdf) – Coronavirus related liability issues for outside groups using church facilities
- Phase 1: Reopen your Church Property (pdf) – Resume Business Operations (pdf)
- Phase 2: Returning to Worship (pdf)
CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act contains numerous provisions for nonprofit and social support programs. Here are a few updates on what this might mean for your organization:
- Summaries of the CARES Act
- CARES Act – Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Spreadsheet
- COVID-19 Related Legislation Overview PC(USA) – A Guide for Presbyterian Churches and Ministries (pdf)
- Churches can tap into their share of $2.2 trillion CARES Act – Presbyterian Mission PC(USA)
- How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 – Nonprofit Quarterly
- Initial Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (S. 748) – National Council of Nonprofits
Employees
- Board of Pesnsions Cornonavirus information
- COVID-19 benefits issues from the Board of Pensions (30 min. video)
- Employee Rights – Paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
General Tips and Resources
- Governor Hogan’s Press Conference April 24
- COVID-19 Resources compiled by the Offices of Compassion, Peace & Justice of the Presbyterian Mission Agency (pdf)
- MD Governor’s Guidance for Religious Organizations April 1
- COVID-19 Resources for Churches and Individuals
- Coping with the Coronavirus – World Council of Churches
- Know Your Rights During COVID-19 – HANA Center
- CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Funeral Directors
- Additional Community Recommended Resources
- Dangerous Theology: Dissecting the Faith Arguments Against Social Distancing – Sojourners
Health
- Steps Pastors and Congregations Can Take to Prepare for Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 – PMA
- Protecting your mental health during the pandemic – PMA
- Covid-19 Mental Health Resources PMA
- Emotional and Spiritual Care Webinars – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)
- Coping During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief – Harvard Business Review
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Self-Care and Its Importance Right Now – Compiled by the Commission on Thriving Congregations
Ministry & Worship
- PC(USA) offers guidance on baptism, ordination during the pandemic
- Spiritual Direction and COVID-19 – Spiritual directors are available
- The Digital Church Arrives Is it here to stay? – Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA)
- How To Connect New Online Attendees To Your Church Small Groups
- Considerations for Worship in Virtual Space (pdf) – PC(USA) Guidelines
- Further considerations for worship in virtual space – (PMA)
- Can online worship be intimate? – PMA
- Congregational creativity in a time of crisis – Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies (ICJS)
- COVID-19 and Worship: Resources for Churches Adapting to Social Isolation – Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
- Online Services in the Presbytery – Watch online services, bible studies and other activities that were or will be live streamed. –
- COVID-19 and Worship: Resources for Churches Adapting to Social Isolation – Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
- Resources collected by the Commission on Thriving Congregations
- Communion
- Virtual Communion: Church Leaders say it can be done – PC(USA)
- Office of Theology and Worship offers supplemental guidance for online communion
- Lord’s Supper in Electronic Worship: Communion in The Age of Cornonavirus – Stated Clerks of the Presbytery of Baltimore
Technology
- Presbytery of Baltimore Thriving Congregations Technology Grant
- Guidelines for Holding Virtual Meetings (pdf)
- Working Remotely and IT Considerations (pdf) – The Insurance Board
- The new normal for communications – PMA
- Optimize Your Homepage for Covid-19 Isolation – Worship Times
- Ten Tips for Folks New to Online Meetings – NEXT Church
- An order of worship for online services is ready — and it’s adaptable – Office of Theology and Worship develops a worship resource for the coronavirus era
- An Introduction to Live Streaming for Congregations – Our compilation of resources, tips and suggestions for online video.
- Live Streaming Guidelines from PC(USA)
- Zoom Basics and Best Practices – Courtesy of Ashland Presbyterian Church
- Live-Streaming Solutions, Simple and High Quality
- Notes on Zoom, Facebook, YouTube, equipment
- TechSoup Zoom Discounts
- Live Stream an Event on Facebook – Facebook
- Faith on Facebook Toolkit (pdf) – Facebook
- 4 Tips for using Zoom and video conference call software to stream your event
- Zoom support during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Live-Streaming on YouTube
- Open Broadcaster Software Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming.
- Ten Tech Tips for Meeting Online – NEXT Church
- Ten Facilitation Tips for Meeting Online – Next Church
Stewardship and Finance
- The Presbytery of Baltimore COVID-19 Relief Grant is now available!
- Presbytery of Baltimore Thriving Congregations Technology Grant
- Financial/stewardship resources from the Presbyterian Foundation (14 min. video)
- Stewardship During a Pandemic – PMA
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources – Small Business Association
- US States’ Small Business Support Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Online Giving – The Presbyterian Foundation will help a church set up online giving free of charge and manage it. The service charge is 2% but no charge for set-up
- Stewardship – Compiled by the Commission on Thriving Congregations
Getting Involved
Mission and Outreach
- Social distancing and the love of neighbor – We want to draw closer, not push ourselves apart.
- Mission and Redevelopment – Developing Community
- Relationships Amidst COVID-19 – Provided by the Commission on Thriving Congregations
- Engaging youth: virtual youth groups and more (pdf) by PC(USA)
- Teaching in a Pandemic – ICJS
- Mission and Redevelopment – Developing Community Relationships Amidst COVID-19
- Remind your congregations to continue to give online so that your community ministries can continue and your emergency funds can be sustained as more neighbors call for temporary financial support.
- Additional Community Recommended Resources – Provided by the Commission on Thriving Congregations
Food Insecurity
- Consider changing sit-down community meals to prepared bagged meals.
- Tips for Responding to Hunger in a Pandemic
- Here’s where Baltimore-area students can find a free meal while schools are closed
– Baltimore Sun, March 16 - LIST: Local restaurants to give free meals for children during coronavirus outbreak
– WMAR Baltimore, March 14
Volunteerism
- COVOD-19 Partner Volunteer and Donation Form – The Center staff is maintaining a list of volunteer and donation needs for anyone searching for ways to give and support community engagement in our presbytery in this vital moment.
- Donate Blood – The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Donations are pre-screened and by appointment only. Donating blood in times of crisis: How to help
Giving
Here are some organizations helping people get food and medical help during the coronavirus pandemic that you can support:
