Zoom @ Noon: The Church & Virtual Learning
Wednesday, July 22
School systems are faced with difficult decisions for the 2020-21 year. Whether starting solely online or offering families options, how can churches partner with families, schools and their community navigating a safe learning environment? Isle of Hope UMC, Savannah is paving a way.
We will host Chrissy Ruehl from Isle of Hope as she shares their plan for standing in the gap during this time and pioneering a way for the church to be in ministry to students, families and schools in their community.
Download Virtual Learning Support Document Here
Making Choices for Financial Sustainability
Tuesday, June 2 - Churches with average worship attendance less than 25 | WATCH VIDEO
Wednesday, June 3 - Churches with average worship attendance 26-75 | WATCH VIDEO
For some, the pandemic has caused financial concerns in the life of the church. Join Bishop Bryan and Dr. Derek McAleer for a conversation around what a “financial reset” looks like and how a church can be better prepared for financial sustainability by making wise choices. The conversation will provide guidance on how to look closely at where your church is financially and direction on how to ask tough questions as well as practical resources to switch the conversation from solely focusing on money to focusing on people and having the resources to reach them.
Zoom @ Noon: Getting Ready To Return
Monday, April 27
While we look forward to the day we can worship together in-person, the way we once gathered will inevitably look different. This reality is leading us to create contingency plans for the reopening of church buildings. In this Zoom @ Noon, we will share an overview of practical resources to help you begin planning for when your church can safely open for in-person gatherings. Check out future Zoom @ Noons (see below) for calls based on church sizes to share creative ideas and things to consider as you plan ahead in your context.
WATCH RECORDED ZOOM MEETING HERE.
Download "Getting Ready To Return" Resource Here.
Zoom @ Noon: Creating a New Playbook
Wednesday, April 29
Inevitably, our church will look different when we return to in-person worship. Join Dr. Scott Hagan and Dr. Jonathan Smith for a Zoom @ Noon as they help leaders think through new realities. What are we learning about ourselves and about our ministry? What is God doing in our midst? To what is God calling us after shelter-in-place? How do we continue with our online presence? Are there more technology adjustments we need to make?
WATCH RECORDED ZOOM MEETING HERE.
Zoom @ Noon: Summer Camping Ministry
Friday, May 1
Summer camping programs may look very different this summer. If you host summer camps in your local church, at a campground or as an extension of your ministry, join Suzanne Akins, our Conference Camping & Retreat Director, to consider options and address important questions in respect to COVID-19 as you plan for this summer.
WATCH THE RECORDED ZOOM MEETING HERE (Edited for teaching component only)
Zoom @ Noon: Making a Plan, Opening Your Doors
*The resources and information shared are the same for each Zoom, please feel free to watch any group.
Monday, May 4 - Churches with average worship up to 50 (RECORDED ZOOM)
Tuesday, May 5 - Churches with average worship 50-150 (RECORDED ZOOM)
Wednesday, May 6 - Churches with average worship 150-250 ("Grace": Allison forgot to push record)*
Thursday, May 7 - Churches with average worship 250+ (RECORDED ZOOM)
The timing and preparations for local churches opening their doors will look different depending on the size of our congregations. This Zoom @ Noon will help clergy and church leaders think through various points of consideration by connecting with churches of similar size. What does a "rolling restart" look like for a church with 30 in attendance? With 100 in attendance? With over 250 in attendance?
Resources Shared on Making a Plan Zoom Call:
CDC Guidelines for Community & Faith Based Organizations
"Rolling Restart" Sample Spreadsheet (Credit: INJOY Stewardship Solutions)
Sample Survey - Google Form: Sent to members to help gauge how they feel about timing of reopening and procedures that are being considered. (Credit: Nate Lehman: Friendship UMC, Donalsonville)
Zoom @ Noon: Learning to Listen: A model for working with a congregation's emotions during a pandemic
Monday, May 11
Join Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight for a few new tips around eliciting feelings that aid in support and healing during a parishioner's experience of COVID-19. We will focus not only on listening to an individual, but also to the collective feelings of your congregation. WATCH RECORDING
Zoom @ Noon: The Risk of Singing: What This Means For Our Churches
Wednesday, May 13
The latest studies released concerning the risk of singing call for significant changes in our churches and music ministry. On this Zoom, we will begin the conversation and brainstorm creative ideas churches can use to incorporate music and hymns into worship safely. WATCH RECORDING