Below are several resources to help with planning, safety and other considerations for the reopening of churches:

When your church reopens, here’s how to meet safely
Christianity Today: A global health expert suggests a phased plan for congregations gathering again amid this pandemic.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/may-web-only/when-churches-reopen-phase-coronavirus-covid-19-guidelines.html  

Churches Have Much to Consider Before Reopening:
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/churches-have-much-to-consider-before-reopening  

Church Restart:
https://www.awfumc.org/restartresources  

Reopening Churches:
https://covidchurchaid.org/reopening-churches/  

Before We Gather: Church Reopening Instructions:
https://www.brotherhoodmutual.com/resources/safety-library/risk-management-articles/disasters-emergencies-and-health/general-health-and-injury-prevention/coronavirus/before-we-gather/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsp3diteu6QIVC2-GCh06rg83EAMYAiAAEgJusfD_BwE

Consider the following Conventions and Denominations guidelines to help you wise decisions about opening your church in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baptist General Convention of Texas: https://texasbaptists.org/response/covid-19/relaunch

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: https://cbf.net/resuming

Evangelical Free Church of America: https://www.efca.org/covid-19-resources

Presbyterian Church U.S.A.: https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/covid-19/returning-to-church.pdf

Wisconsin Council of Churches: https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/

General resources for COVID-19:

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference:  http://sdpconference.info/sdpc-resources-for-coronavirus/

Baptist News Global also has compiled a list of helpful online articles for churches, individuals and families.

American Baptist Churches USA:  HTTPS://WWW.ABC-USA.ORG/CORONAVIRUS/

General Resources

• FEMA, HHS and our federal partners are working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a whole-of-America response to the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of the American people.
• USDA’s Federal Rural Resource Guide offers a matrix of technical assistance, training, financial assistance, and other resources available to each individuals, businesses, nonprofits, communities, and governments.
• Individuals and organizations can learn How to Help in the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. (FEMA)
• Center for Disease Control Stop the Spread of Germs
• Review current White House Guidelines for Opening Up America Again.

Resources for Faith-Based and Community Leaders

Faith-based and community leaders continue to be valuable sources of comfort and support for their members and communities during times of distress, including the growing presence of COVID-19 in different parts of the country.

• Prevention: Recommended Preventive Practices and FAQs for Faith-based and Community Leaders (HHS)
• Faith, Community and Mental Health during COVID-19: According to a recent survey released by the American Psychiatric Association, many people have significant anxiety and concerns related to coronavirus. (HHS)
• Additional Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders (CDC)
• FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons have created a Voluntary Organization System for Engagement (VOISE), which provides updates from FEMA, National Private Not-for-Profit Organizations, and a network of information from around the nation.
• Samuel DeWitt-Proctor Conference Resource Center: Visit the SDPC Coronavirus Resource Center

Training

• Online Courses: Browse online training related to COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and other organizations (Public Health Foundation)
• Cloth Face Coverings: Lean how to wear and make a face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19. (CDC)

Key Contacts and Local Help

• State and Territorial Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA)
• Local Health Departments (National Association of County and City Health Officials)
• Local Assistance from SBA Partners may include counseling, mentoring and training for small businesses.
• State-by-State COVID Information and Resources are available from state and local government, nonprofit organizations and businesses. (AARP)

Food and Nutrition

• The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)provides assistance to farmers, ranchers, and consumers. (USDA)
• This directory of Food Nutrition Help can be filtered by State and program. (USDA)

Homelessness Assistance

• Homelessness Assistance Programs: HUD provides funding to States and local governments and nonprofit providers to serve individuals and families across the United States who are affected by homelessness. The Daily Resource Digest lists additional resources for homeless service providers.
• Disease Risk and Homelessness: People experiencing homelessness often have a higher risk for exposure to communicable diseases and have little access to health care systems and treatment in their communities. The emergence of COVID-19 calls for enhanced cooperation and partnerships. (HUD)
• Homelessness Resources: Information and support are available for homeless and meal service providers, as well as emergency and day shelters, on planning, preparing, and responding to COVID-19. (CDC)
• The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness coordinates the federal response to homelessness, working in close partnership with senior leaders across our 19 federal member agencies, and has been active in COVID-19 response efforts.

AARP “Friendly Caller Program” to combat Social Isolation
https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/

 Other COVID-19 Resources from AARP

English: www.aarp.org/coronavirus
Spanish: www.aarp.org/elcoronavirus

Red Cross Be Red Cross Ready

Red Cross Ready Prepare So You Can Protect

Steps to Help Protect Against Coronavirus COVID-19

About Coronavirus COVID-19
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in China and has now spread to multiple countries including the U.S.
• According to the CDC, patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
• Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have the disease, or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of the disease.
• The following health and preparedness tips can help you stay healthy and prepare for possible disruptions due to this coronavirus. Most importantly, stay informed about the latest information by visiting the CDC website at cdc.gov/covid19.

To Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses, Use Healthy Practices:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it would take you to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice) or, if soap is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemasks, which is for people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of disease to others, and for health workers and caregivers in close settings.
• Practice healthy habits: get sleep, eat nutritious food, drink fluids, be physically active and manage stress.
• Influenza and pneumococcal disease are the leading causes of vaccine-preventable respiratory illness in the U.S., so protect yourself with an annual flu vaccine and if eligible, the pneumonia vaccine.

To Prepare your Household for a Possible COVID-19 Outbreak in the U.S., Use Preparedness Practices:
• Obtain at least a 2-week supply of food staples, household and sanitary products, if asked to stay home (a best practice to increase your preparedness for any hazard).
• Keep current prescription medications in regular supply, with at least a 30-day supply of needed health items.
• Learn how your local public health authorities will provide guidance to your community and stay informed.
• Learn how your children’s school or daycare, and your workplace plan to handle a possible outbreak. Create a plan to accommodate any closings, event cancellations or postponements.
• If you care for older adults or children, plan and prepare for caring for them, should they or you become sick.

Copyright © 2020 by the American National Red Cross

Red Cross Operation HOPE

For millions of individuals, families, and businesses, the
financial impact of COVID-19 will be extensive.

Click here to learn about financial emergency preparedness and recovery through Operation HOPE.

Red Cross: Coronavirus Safety Tips for Everyone

• redcross.org/coronavirus (English)
• redcross.org/coronavirus-espanol (Spanish)