Trying to find information you need quickly can be frustrating especially when you are not sure where to look. We are committed to equipping churches throughout West Ohio with the information they need. We will continue to add information as it becomes available. Be sure to check your district website for information, too. If you know of a resource that may be helpful to others but do not see it one this list, please email: agraham [at] wocumc.org. Thank you for your commitment to God and to the Church.
General
- Resources for Church Leaders About the COVID-19 Pandemic (churchleadership.com)
- COVID-19 Resources for Community and Faith Based Leaders (cdc.gov)
- Ohio Department of Health Director's Stay at Home Order
- Bishop Palmer's Issues Response to Stay at Home Order
- COVID-19 Toolkit (ohiohealth.com)
- COVID-19 (Ohio Department of Health)
Mental Health
- Navigating Anxious Times (westohioumc.org)
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 (cdc.gov)
- Talking With Children About COVID-19 (cdc.gov)
- Resources for Spiritual Wellness in Anxious Times (upperroom.org)
- Self Care for Socially Distanced Youth Workers (youthworkercollective.com)
Online Worship and Connectional Resources
- Virtual Meeting Platforms Help Churches Stay on Track During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ResourceUMC.org)
- Popular Tools for Broadcasting Live Video Online (lifewire.com)
- Free COVID-19 & Coronavirus Church Media Resources (lightstock.com)
- How to Stay Connected (Facebook Tutorial with Brad Aycock)
- Facebook Livestream Tutorial with Rev. Roger Grace
- Fast and Cheap Ways to Livestream Your Church Service this Sunday (Blackbar)
- Local Church Guide to Using Facebook Live (WVUMC)
- Gratis Licenses to Help with COVID-19 Challenges (onelicense.net)
- The UM Publishing House Grants Temporary Permission for UM Book of Worship and Hymnal Content (umph.org)
- How can we livestream worship legally? (umc.org)
- Taking Your Worship Online - A Guide for Beginners and Everyone Else (ResourceUMC.org)
- Wintering Weather with Virtual Worship (ResourceUMC.org)
- The Bible Project
- Online Communion and In Extremis (Online Communion)
- One Stop Location for an Online Ministry (Church Online Manager)
- Contact Membership Via Texting (Text in Church)
- Conference Call and Other Tools (Free Conference Call)
- Free Conference Calling (Free Conference Calling)
- Email Manager (Vertical Response)
- Email Manager (Mail Chimp)
Finance & Giving
- Quickly find an Online Giving Solution for Your Church (ResourceUMC.org)
- Why choose generosity in times of uncertainty and fear? (horizons.net)
- 10 Ideas for Church Financial Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Crisis (Discipleship Ministries)
- Electronic recurring giving needed now more than ever! (Discipleship Ministries Webinar)
- Making Giving Easy - Services, Credit Readers and More (umcom.org)
- Electronic Giving Increases Offerings (umcom.org)
- On Demand Webinar: Churches and the CARES Act (christianitytoday.org)
- Paycheck Protection Program: Borrower Application Form
- Paycheck Protection Program: Borrower Application Form (sample)
Small Groups
- Making the Most of Online Small Groups (umcdiscipleship.org)
- Help Your Church Stay Connected When Apart (Amplify Media)
Teleconferencing
Grants and Loans
- Conference Board Allocates $500,000 to Aid Local Churches in Clergy Benefits
- Missional Church Development Boost Grants
- UMFC COVID Resources (United Methodist Financial Credit Union Ministry Relief Loans)
Communion In Extremis
Funerals In Extremis
Local Church Learning Sessions
- eGiving + Connectional Giving
Is your church worried about continued financial support in this time of physical distancing? In this learning session, we will provide solutions to encourage your congregation to give outside of the offering plate on Sunday mornings and learn more about connectional giving and why it is important - even in times of crisis.
- Live Streaming on Multiple Platforms
Is your church already live streaming worship on Facebook, but is looking to take it to the next level? We're here to help! We will walk through what you'll need and recommend some solutions to help you get started.
- Copyrights + Licenses
Have questions about what licenses you need to cover copyrighted material that your church is using while livestreaming your worship services and events? Tune in to learn how to make sure your church is covered!