The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). Source: Illinois Department of Health.

***Due to rapidly changing information, check back to this page regularly for updated resources.***

Sources for helpful and accurate information:

• Restore Illinois 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Federal Government Guidelines
• CDC Guidance for Community and Faith-Based Organizations
• Symptoms
• Illinois Department of Health 
• Guidance for Community and Faith-based Organizations
• Faith-Based Community Preparedness Checklist
• How the Rural Church can Help During COVID-19
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• OSHA quick reference card
• What to do if you're sick
• Stop the Spread of Germs poster - (English) (Spanish)
• NIC Risk Management FAQ (Updated 6/30/2020)

Worship

• Read the ReTurn Plan for guidelines on reopening church for in-person services. On March 18, 2021, Governor Pritzer announced a Bridge Plan to restore the state of Illinois from Phase 4 to Phase 5.  Once 70% of residents 65 and older have been vaccinated and barring any reversals in our COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths for a 28-day monitoring period, the Bridge to Phase 5 will begin with increased capacity limits in both indoor and outdoor settings. Once 50% of residents 16 and older have been vaccinated and stable or declining COVID-19 metrics are recorded during a 28-day monitoring period, Phase 5 will be implemented, removing capacity limits altogether. All regions of the state will move through these next phases together based on statewide metrics. Click to download for helpful guidance on gatherings and meetings.
• Consider livestreaming or Facebook live or Instagram. Remember copyright restrictions.  Also, consider using digital bulletins on cell phones and tablets, in worship services, or engage using YouVersion Events through the Bible App. For helpful online worship planning, click here. 
• The Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church has helpful resources for making worship accessible to all and continuing outreach to members with intellectual and development disabilities. Click here for the Spring 2020 issue of The Voice. 
• Online Giving: Click here for a list of electronic giving services. Consider adding a donate button to your Facebook page. Idea: Mail and supply self-addressed offering envelopes for those who may be uncomfortable with online giving.
• Click here for a list of NIC churches offering livestreaming services.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NIC Communications team is gathering answers to your questions during this COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to find the FAQs. Check back for additional questions and answers as we will be adding to the list.

Church Finance Resources

Local Church Finance Procedures during COVID-19 Crisis
umcdiscipleship.org/articles/local-church-finance-procedures-during-the-covid-19-crisis

The CARES Act May Help Your Church
umcdiscipleship.org/articles/cares-act

Five Tips for Managing Your Church Budget During the COVID-19 Crisis
umcdiscipleship.org/articles/five-tips-for-managing-your-church-budget-during-the-covid-19-crisis 

Paycheck Protection Program 
umcnic.org/paycheckprogram

How to help

The United Methodist Church, through UMCOR, has been helping with the crisis in China since early February when the United Methodist agency issued an emergency grant to an organization working to limit the spread of Coronavirus in China. Funding for all continued assistance is being provided through UMCOR’s Global Health fund. Learn more, including how to give to Advance #3021770, at Advance.umcor.org

Click here for information from the Midwest Mission Distribution Center and Rosecrance, both are collecting handmade face masks.

Local Ministry

Health officials say the homeless are at a double risk for the coronavirus. The Night Ministry, which provides housing, health care, outreach, spiritual care, and social services to adults and youth struggling with homelessness and poverty, is working to distribute information to all of their clients about the facts of COVID-19. They're asking for donations of the following items:

1) Sanitizing items: Hand Sanitizer, Disinfectant wipes, Soap
2) Food: sandwiches or other ready-to-eat meals, tuna-cracker packs, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, bananas, water bottles
3) Protective gear: Disinfectant wipes, disposable gloves, masks

If you would like to help, contact Gross at gregory@thenightministry.org or 773.506.6021.

Donations may be sent or dropped off Monday-Fridays, during business hours:
The Night Ministry
c/o Edgewater Presbyterian Church
1020 W Bryn Mawr 
Chicago, IL 60660

My Block, My Hood, My City is collecting disinfectant supplies to pass out to people who are elderly or who have disabilities.

Caring for Elderly and Sick

To continue to provide spiritual care for those who are homebound, in nursing homes, long term facilities, and hospitals:

• Call all shut-ins and nursing home folks to check in and let them know they are not alone.
• Ask volunteers to send greeting cards each week to them so they are connected.
• Invite them to watch our services online.
• Continue hospital visits until it's no longer restricted.  
• Visiting COVID-19 infected persons is not possible at this point. Assign a shut-in/nursing home person to a church member who could call each week.
• Consider ways to deliver food and supplies to the elderly and those who are sick at home. 

Volunteer Mission Trips

As COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, continues to spread and affect communities all over the world, the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) leaders are making adjustments. Click here for guidelines.

►Watch video below about new UMVIM changes.