We believe in an unchanging God: unchanging in love, unchanging in faithfulness, unchanging in supplying comfort and peace
Current guidelines from Bishop Brown
May 19, 2021
- Rectors are now empowered, with your vestry and within your contexts, to make decisions about whether or not to require masks in church buildings, as long as you follow the state of Delaware and CDC guidelines.
- I recommend a sign be posted stating that fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask, and that the CDC strongly recommends that people who have not been vaccinated wear a mask.
- Maintaining three-feet social distance indoors is strongly encouraged.
- I am not prepared to allow the chalice or contact during the peace at this time.
All Responses from Bishop Brown
- Response #21
- February 17, 2021
- Regathering in Person, Again
- Response #20
- January 27, 2021
- Our Church Response — video
- Our Church Response — audio only
- Video transcript
- Response #19
- January 6, 2021
- Choosing a Path of Love
- Response #18
- December 9
- Suspension of Public In-Person Worship
- Response #17
- November 18
- Governor’s New Order
- Response #16
- September 30
- Coronavirus and Safety
- Response #15
- June 24
- Coronavirus and Racial Justice
- Response #14
- May 27
- Safely, Boldy., and With Love for One Another
- Response #13
- May 20
- Patience and Preparation for In-person Worship
- Response #12
- May 13
- Public worship suspension extended to 5/31
- Response #11
- May 6
- Message and Task Force Updates
- Response #10
- April 29
- When Will In-person Church Services Recommence?
- Response #9
- April 15
- Continued Guidance & Support for all Parishes
- Response #8
- April 8
- Financial Assistance Available for all Parishes
- Response #7
- April 1
- Support & Guidance for Parishes
- Response #6
- March 25
- Suspension of Public Worship Extended +
- Response #5
- March 18
- Focus Items
- Response #4
- March 13
- Worship Opportunities
- Response #3
- March 12 (pm)
- Worship Services Suspended
- Response#2
- March 12 (am)
- Communion in One Kind
- Response #1
- March 4
- Statement from Bishop Brown
Phases of Recovery
- Diocesan Regathering Document — All Things in Love: As We Return to Regathering in Person
- Guidance for Communities of Worship
- Restarting Delaware’s Economy – Governor John Carney
- DE Relief Grants: Apps open September 8
- Opening up America – CDC and White House
State of Emergency
The Episcopal Church in Delaware will adhere to the State of Emergency declaration and all modifications of the declaration by the Delaware Governor, John C. Carney. Loving our neighbor, we ask and encourage any organization using facilities within the Episcopal Church in Delaware to also follow said declarations by the governor.
Mensaje Importante en Español
- Para nuestro público hispano y latino
-
Entrevista Informativa – El COVID, la Ciencia y la Fé – La Rvda. Dra. Marta Illueca, Noticiero MatutinoNex Panamá- Canal 21
Resources For You and Your Parish
Vaccination Information
- DE Vaccine Update, 2/16/21
- Vaccine in Delaware – de.gov/covidvaccine
- General Fact Sheet
- Talking Points
- After Your COVID-19 Vaccination
- Where can I get the vaccine in Delaware?
Key Information after your Covid-19 vaccination
Go to de.gov/getmyvaccine to find a location for your second dose — but wait until your
second-dose due date approaches, to make sure opportunities are available. Your second
dose doesn’t have to come from the same place as your first. You can find one at a pharmacy
near your home, maybe from your own health care provider, or even from a state-run or
coordinated vaccination event. More information here.
Parish Resources
- Technology Webinar – this recorded webinar provides information about necessary WiFi needs, cameras and equipment for livestream, and best practices for livestream. Also, view helpful webinar chatbox information here.
- Diocesan Regathering Document — All Things in Love: As We Return to Gathering in Person
- Technology Grant Application – The Barnabas Fund – application and review form
- Financial Assistance for Parishes (form), from the Episcopal Church in Delaware
- Church Pension Group, support and financial relief
- Guide for Churches from Christianity Today – This Concise Coronavirus Guide for Churches from CT offers tips on forming a plan, staying informed, and caring for those affected.
- Online Giving Platforms and Apps, the diocese does not endorse these platforms, but offers them as possibilities for your parish to look into.
- One License – limited podcast/streaming license, beginning Thursday, April 16, 2020
- Hymns on Public Domain
- Your Website is Your Narthex – 13 tips for parish websites.
- Facebook Live in 4 easy steps, by the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija
- How to view Facebook Live if you do not have an account (and do not want one)
- Mission Support Staff in the Episcopal Church in Delaware
- Letter from General Convention regarding recording of Service details in your parish register
- Message from the Trustees offering a work of encouragement to all parishes invested in Master Fund A
- Message from Church Pension Group, regarding Medical Trust, group benefits, and helpful resources
Resources for Nonprofits
- Resources to manage your nonprofit provided by Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA)
- Information on available loans and details regarding the programs, provided by Council of Nonprofits.
- DANA Assistance Request Form
- Volunteers providing assistance with completing loan applications, email: denonprofit@gmail.com
Worship Resources
- Morning Psalm and Prayer – the Episcopal Church in Delaware
- The Daily Office
- Book of Common Prayer
- Forward Movement – prayer and worship at home
- Daily Prayer – Prayer site at Forward Movement
- Daily Devotions for Families and Individuals
Praying with children:
- Praying Compline with your children
- Illustrated Ministry (Coloring)
- We Wonder: Contemplative Bible Storytelling for Children
- Faith to Go
Facebook Live – Easy and free for anyone!!
- You do not have to join Facebook to watch a Facebook Live video. And if you’re already a Facebook user, you do not have to log in to watch, either.
- LEARN HOW HERE
Unemployment Resources (updated)
DELAWARE
- Unemployment Benefits FAQs from the Department of Labor (May 11)
- Applying for Pandemick Unemployment Assistance – Department of Labor (May 11)
- Frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 Impact from the Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance
- Delaware Department of Labor encourages emailing claims at this time
- Unemployment benefits expanded in Delaware during pandemic
- State offers help to workers laid off due to coronavirus – part-time workers can now collect unemployment
- Delaware Division of Unemployment – file an unemployment insurance claim
FEDERAL
- Finding the right help during outbreak, such as, unemployment resources, health coverage, businesses in need, families in need
- Employee Rights – paid leave entitlements
- Paid sick leave and expanded family & medical leave benefits
- Guidance on unemployment insurance flexibilities
- Department of Labor
Financial Aid for DE Renters, Mortgage Payments
The CARES Act
- New Cares Act, good news for ministers and churches. Letter from Congress clarifies churches who may participate in this legislation.
- Individual Support Information, includes status of stimulus check, CARES ACT exclusion & challenges, applying for benefits. This document was provided by the Rev. Donna Jean Kiessling, ERD Representative
- Memo on Unemployment Insurance under the CARES Act Unemployment Insurance under the CARES Act Flowchart
- Unemployment Insurance under the CARES Act Flowchart
- Loan Programs – EIDL and PPPL, side-by-side chart showing lender, program period, elegibility, loam amount, etc.
Feeding Ministries
Feeding Ministry Guidelines:
- Episcopal Relief & Development Feeding Guidelines
- Best Practices Guidelines for Food and Housing Ministries
- Cleaning and Disinfecting
Organizations You Can Assist:
- Calvary Church, Dover Food Closet
- Cape Henlopen Food Basket
- Claymont Community Center
- Emmanuel Dining Rooms
- Episcopal Relief & Development
- Faith Victory Christian Center
- Family Promise
- Feeding America
- Food Bank of Delaware
- Friendship House
- Hanover Church Food Pantry
- Lutheran Community Services
- Our Daily Bread Ministry
- Saint Anne’s Food Bag Ministry
- Sunday Breakfast Mission
- Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium – Send Donations to:
- Care of First Presbyterian Church, 118 West Commerce St., Smyrna, DE. 19977
- The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware
Public Health
The Episcopal Church
- A Word to the Church on Our Theology of Worship, from the Presiding Bishop
- Presiding Bishop’s statement on coronavirus
- Presiding Bishop’s statement: worship changes
- Presiding Bishop’s statement: worship response to pandemic
- Concerning COVID-19
- Episcopal Relief & Development
- Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations | Public Health and Policy Advocacy Document
Additional Topics of Interest
Information for Nonprofits
- Resources to manage your nonprofit provided by Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA)
- Information on available loans and details regarding the programs, provided by Council of Nonprofits.
- Volunteers providing assistance with completing loan applications, email: denonprofit@gmail.com
Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings from the Office of the Governor
- DPH recommendations and tutorial on face coverings, noting the primary purpose of wearing the face covering is NOT to protect yourself — it is to protect others.
COVID-19: An illustrated scientific summary by a Yale neuroscientist
- An illustration suitable for children and adults, based on scientific facts
Caring for Someone at Home
Delaware COVID-19 Testing
Guidance for Older Adults & People with Underlying Medical Conditions
Individual Support Information
- Individual Support During Time of COVID, this includes status of stimulus check, CARES ACT exclusion & challenges, applying for benefits, how the church can be a support, and other resources. This document was provided by the Rev. Donna Jean Kiessling, ERD Representative
AA/NA Information
Facebook Live – Easy and free for anyone!!
- You do not have to join Facebook to watch a Facebook Live video. And if you’re already a Facebook user, you do not have to log in to watch, either.
- LEARN HOW HERE
Communications Assistance for all Parishes
- Technology webinar – this recorded webinar provides information about necessary WiFi needs, cameras and equipment for livestream, and best practices for livestream. Also, view helpful webinar chatbox information here.
- Your Website is Your Narthex (can you find your way in?) — 13 tips for a parish website
- Read how-to’s, suggestions, and recommendations
- Email Cynde Bimbi today if you have questions
Mission Support Office
- The support staff will be working from home, but will be available by phone or email. Please do not hesitate to contact the staff at any time. They are available! 302.256.0374