Reopening: Shining Waters Regional Council

• Moving Forward: Living Faithfully! Recommendations from Shining Waters Regional Council to assist communities of faith in planning for the safe reopening of their buildings and in-person continuation of their ministries May 26, 2020 
• Letter to Premier Ford on reopening churches in Ontario  May 21, 2020

Reopening: Wider United Church Resources

• Reopening Churches Safety Considerations from The United Church of Canada
• Making Faithful Decisions on Re-entry  Part 1  Part 2 This two-part video resource produced by The United Church of Canada with Rev. Diane J. Strickland is about making faithful decisions about reopening buildings that are pastoral, that conform to regulations, and are trauma-informed.  July 31, 2020 (54 minutes)  Risk Assessment Process Handout, to accompany the process described in Part 2. 
• More on Opening Our Buildings PDF of Slides from United in Learning Webinar June 4, 2020
• Reopening Checklist Template for Communities of Faith a resource shared from Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils, July 2020 
• Considerations for Reopening Churches PDF of Slides from United in Learning Webinar May 28, 2020
• A Discerning Process for Reopening from Living Skies Region a resource for groups to walk through a decision-making process, June 1, 2020

Reopening: General Articles

• Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments. Includes detailed guidance on all aspects of liturgies including baptisms and communion.
• ‘You don’t want to be the priest that kills off your congregation’: Is Ontario opening houses of worship too quickly? Toronto Star article by Bruce Arthur, June 11, 2020
• Does singing spread coronavirus? Choir outbreaks raise concerns CTV News,  May 17, 2020
• NATS Panel of Experts Lays Out Sobering Future for Singers: “No Vaccine, No Safe Public Singing”. The report of a panel assembled by the professional singing teachers and choir directors. May 6, 2020
• Why Reopening a Church is Different Article from Lewis Center for Church Leadership by Alex Shanks, May 27, 2020
• So Your Church is Opening Up After COVID-19 Closures? It won’t be what you’re hoping for. The Rev. Erik Parker
  May 26, 2020

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Employment Resources

Employment Guidance for Communities of Faith during COVID-19  PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT FIRST Updated October 30, 2020

GCE Extends Temporary Amendment of ByLaws re: Pastoral Relations for urgent decisions related to call or appointment. Updated August 27, 2020  GCE web page for original decision Temporarily Amends Pastoral Relations Policies

ADP United in Learning Webinar, 04.14.20 Slides from webinar.  

Lay Leaders Zoom Meeting April 14, 2020 View the recording of the information session with lay leadership in the region and Shining Waters Staff and General Secretary Nora Sanders. View past sessions on our YouTube channel. 

Employee and Family Assistance Program 

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Resources

Congregational Finances and COVID-19 What Churches can do right now Updated June 10, 2020.

CanadaHelps and The United Church United in Learning Webinar May 28, 2020

Regional Council Implementation of Temporary Change to Pastoral Relations Policies April 28, 2020

United Church of Canada Emergency Support  April 27, 2020 Information on denominational ways to bridge the financial strain on communities of faith and link to loan application form.

Governance in Congregations during COVID-19 April 16, 2020

Toronto United Church Council TUCC COVID-19 April Update includes the Investing in Ministry Fund, camping ministries, Innovative Ministry Centre, the Centre for Church Development and Leadership and property management information. April 13, 2020

Generosity in Unprecedented Times Practical, recommended, tools to invite an ongoing commitment from the Philantrhropy Unit, March 28, 2020

Governance during COVID-19 Pandemic, Shining Waters Regional Council, March 20, 2020

The United Church of Canada Emergency Plan March 2020 

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Resources

Ways Churches Can Offer Connection and Care During Social Distancing A resource to share from The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Summer 2020

Outline for a Zoom gathering at the time of death, shared by Karen Hilfman, April 28, 2020 

Grieving and Remembering at Home, ideas from Susie Henderson, April 28, 2020 

Moderator Asks to delay funerals March 24, 2020

6 Tips to Avoid “Zoom Fatigue” in the Age of COVID-19, by Leah D. Schade April 3, 2020

Talking with Children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Talking Points from Jeffrey Dale, Shining Waters Regional Council  March 20, 2020

How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus Pandemic by Alan Wolfelt at the Center for Loss and Life Transition,  March 19, 2020

Things That Matter YouTube Channel by Diane Strickland

Pastoral Care for Grieving Families A Google Doc from our partner church in the U.S. The United Church of Christ

Responsive Prayer Model for On-Line Funeral Google Doc from the United Church of Christ

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