Dear Partner in Ministry,

Three webinars are being conducted today that may be of help to you and your parish social ministry networks. If you are unable to participate live these webinars will likely be recorded for registrants:

Living Your Life in the Time of Corona Virus (COVID-19)

Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 1:00 p.m. EST, Register here.

Join this webinar and invite your community to participate in this Spanish language presentation by health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Coronavirus situation. The webinar, co-hosted by the HHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, will cover important and up-to-date information about the virus and the COVID-19 disease and how to keep your family, friends, and community safe. You will also learn about resources you can use to educate your community and prepare for the future.

FEMA REGION II WEBINAR: The Importance of Planning and Best Practices for Houses of Worship

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020, 1 PM – 2:30 PM ET 

• Please join the Region II National Preparedness Division webinar for houses of worship and faith-based organizations with introductory remarks from the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives.
• During this webinar speakers from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness/Interfaith Advisory Council, New York Disaster Interfaith Services and New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters will discuss the importance of emergency operations and continuity planning as well as resources each of the organizations provide to support Houses of Worship.
• Best practices for performing essential functions and continuing their missions to serve congregants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be highlighted during the discussion by guest speakers from African Methodist Episcopal Church and United Sikhs.

Registration: Register for the Best Practices for Houses of Worship Webinar. Make sure to test your Adobe Connect before the meeting.

This event will include live captioning.

"Homecoming" Sunday: Ministry Considerations from a Healthcare Perspective (with Dr. Jerry Galipeau and Dr. David Shapiro), from the Association of Catholic Publishers

As we consider our ability to gather again in our faith communities, many practical questions arise. How does the virus spread? How should we maintain social distancing in our choir? How should we clean our churches? Can the virus live on our pews? Is it safe to share music? Can we continue to use holy water? And more. 

Join us as we discuss these and other questions from a healthcare perspective with Dr. Jerry Galipeau and Dr. David Shapiro. Jerry is Executive Director of Mission Integration and David is Chief of Critical Care at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
Participants will receive not only practical advice and suggestions but an in-depth view of what's happening at the intersection of healthcare and ministry.

Time: Apr 29, 2020 01:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)

Register here.

May God's peace be with you and those you serve at this time.