COVID-19 Support and Resources from the Conferences
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can be transmitted from person to person. It can also live on surfaces near where an infected person has coughed, sneezed or exhaled. It has spread throughout the world in the first quarter of 2020, causing illness, and, in some cases, death.
We are living in uncertain times, with the spread of COVID-19. It is understandable to feel a bit afraid right now. Let’s use that fear as energy, not panic, motivation to care deeply and carefully for one another and ourselves. This time is offering us opportunities for direct action that reflect our values of love, safety, belonging, and dignity for all in a wide variety of ways. Your Conference staff, pastors, congregations, and other organizations are working hard to provide you with the resources you need to stay safe, financially sound, healthy, and connected. On this page you can find financial guidance specifically for pastors and churches, distance-ministry strategies and support, and COVID-19 health information.
Finances
Discover and decode what financial relief resources are available to pastors, congregations, and communities.
Ministry
Find the right tools for your congregation and community to stay connected and healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
Health
Keep up to date with best practices, local health sources, insurance info, food supply support, and UCC guidelines.
Covid-19 Relief Grant in the NE Conference
- Financial support for a local food pantry (could they use a refrigerator or freezer?)
- Financial support for a school food program (like a backpack program)
- Reduce local school lunch debt
- Fund transport services for individuals to get vaccines
- Provide some rent or mortgage payment relief
- Provide utilities bill relief
- Provide medical bill relief
- Provide Mental Health care cost relief
- Provide Funeral cost relief
- Funding protective gear (masks, shields gloves, gowns) care centers and day cares
- Funding cleaning supplies care centers and day cares
- Or your own creative idea to help your community as we recover
COVID-19 Resources from the National Setting of the UCC
Like other organizations, churches must take appropriate health precautions and have a speical responsibility to keep our members, neighbors, and communities safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The national setting of the UCC’s web page contains information that all settings of the UCC – local churches, associations, conferences and national ministries – have contributed to and may find useful. Resources also come from our ecumenical partners and respected health organizations. Some resources on this webpage include help for churches in their immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stewardship and fundraising help, legislative updates, statements by church leaders, and clergy self care advice.
“We ask for your prayers, as we daily hold you in our prayers. We will continue every day to give our best effort on your behalf. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and ongoing support for the work of the National Setting.” -Rev. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the UCC
