Welcome to Resource Roundup, COVID-19 edition
How are you and your congregation adapting to these unprecedented times of shutdown, sequestration and what Bishop John Harvey Taylor calls #holydistancing? How will your congregation observe Holy Week and Easter? Please email your innovative ideas and your stories of how you are carrying out your ministry to
news@ladiocese.org.
More resources
The COVID-19 page on the Diocese of Los Angeles website includes many ideas and resources, as well as links to communications from the bishops' office and past issues of Resource Roundup. Click
here.
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Fullerton church and arboretum team to offer 'Victory Garden to Go' bundles
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Fullerton, and the
Fullerton Arboretum have teamed to offer "Victory Garden to Go" bundles to the first 150 comers on Wednesday, April 22, 12 - 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's, located at 1231 E. Chapman Avenue, Fullerton 92831. "Gardening has empowered us through hard times for generations," says the event announcement. "A garden wins many victories, from helping us stay healthy to boosting moral and uniting us with history, nature and our community." The Victory Garden To Go is a bundle of 13 plants (Arboretum grown vegetables, herbs and companion flowers) and bonus seed packs. All are ready to plant immediately. To limit interaction and maximize speed, customers will not be able to select the contents of their garden mix. Price is $40 per bundle (exact cash or prewritten checks payable to Friends of Fullerton Arboretum will be accepted at pickup. Volunteers will place plants in buyers' trunks. "Please be a part of our community and share your photos and stories with your garden at #victorygardentogo."
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The crescent Earth rises above the lunar horizon in this photo taken from the Apollo 17 spacecraft in lunar orbit during the final lunar landing mission in the Apollo program. Photo: NASA
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How Episcopalians can celebrate the 50th Earth Day during a pandemic
[Episcopal News Service - April 17] For many Episcopalians, the COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the interconnected nature of humanity: our health depends on the health of those around us, and small-scale individual actions can ultimately have global consequences. While the pandemic is demanding the world’s immediate attention, another crisis is looming that requires a similar level of urgent global action: climate change.
That issue will take center stage as Episcopalians celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. In 1970, the first Earth Day launched the modern environmental movement, with an estimated 20 million Americans demonstrating for environmental protection; today, it is said to be the largest secular observance in the world. Fifty years ago, primary concerns in the United States included pesticides, oil spills, toxic waste dumps and other agricultural and industrial pollution. While many of these problems have been ameliorated since then by the Environmental Protection Agency (created that same year), the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, the greenhouse effect caused by carbon emissions has emerged as the most dire threat to the environment and to the future of the human race.
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What about Bloy House's move to Glendale?
By Sylvia Sweeney
Dean of Bloy House
[Bloy House News] Some have asked what our current situation does to our plans to move, and the short answer is that we don't know if this will impact our timeline or not, but we are still moving. Much of the time we hoped to spend preparing for the move has been reallocated to the work of running an online seminary and meeting the increased pastoral needs that faculty, students, and alums have in this time of crisis. We hope that we will be able to make the move in late June, and we will let you all know how you can help with that once we know more about what the next several months will bring for all of us. Thankfully, the bulk of the renovation work that needed to take place at the Lutheran Center was completed in February, so the building is ready and waiting for occupancy when we have the all clear to go back to work on campus and start packing and hauling boxes.
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Free food resources for LA County residents during COVID-19 Crisis - and ways to help
[Los Angeles County - April 21, 2020) An estimated two million people in Los Angeles County suffer from food-insecurity issues on an ongoing basis. That vulnerable community is sure to swell because of pandemic-related economic losses in the months to come, but Los Angeles County is committed to preventing hunger and ensuring access to food for all residents. The County is currently mobilizing a countywide response to hunger by coordinating public agencies, nonprofits, and volunteers to provide meals to anyone in need during the weeks and months to come. The County is also launching new
digital resources to help members of the public access food at no cost — including program sign-up information, maps, and frequently asked questions — all located on the County COVID-19
website. Read more
here.
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Emergency grant program offers funds for Episcopal Church deacons
The Fund for the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church has created a special Emergency Grant Program to aid deacons affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Grants will cover the time-period of March 1 - Sept. 30, 2020, with applications accepted until Oct. 15, 2020. Grants of $525 per month will be made for a three month time-period, with each grant reviewed monthly. Complete details, including FAQs and an application, are
here.
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VTS online seminar will explore 'The Church as a Family System'
An online seminar on Saturday, April 25 will explore "The Church as a Family System: An Introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory," presented by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. The Zoom-based seminar will begin at 6 a.m. and conclude at 12 p.m. PDT (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. EDT). Participants will learn about reading emotional processes in families, ministry contexts, congregations, and institutions. They will also explore how to position and manage themselves in the midst of emotional dynamics within their church “family.” This workshop is for anyone desiring an introduction to family systems thinking, and particularly those working in a church context, such as church lay professionals and volunteers. The Rev. Allison St. Louis, clinical psychologist, spiritual director, and Episcopal priest, will offer this one-day training. She joined the VTS faculty in March 2010 and currently serves as an adjunct. She holds doctor of philosophy, master of science, and bachelor of science degrees from Howard University and a master of divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Cost is $75 per person. More information is
here, or contact
lifelonglearning@vts.edu or call 703.461.1885.
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The Gathering will address 'Being Asian-American during Age of Coronavirus' in online conversation
Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce invites the diocesan community to an online conversation and discussion on the impact of the coronavirus on the Asian American church and communities, titled "Being Asian Americans in the Age of the Coronavirus," on Saturday, April 25, 4 - 6 p.m.
"Our current crisis has widespread and devastating impact that we are still trying to understand," says the event announcement. "This conversation will focus on the Asian communities that have been feeling even more vulnerable as targets of racism. Come join us as we engage our speakers and each other on this topic."
The conversation will feature Russell Jeung, PhD, chair and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, who recently helped launch the Stop AAPI Hate Center to track coronavirus discrimination; and Joseph Lee, MD, psychiatrist in the South Bay and educator on Social Emotional Learning.
The event is hosted by The Gathering - a Space for Asian Pacific American Spirituality, a ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles to Asian Pacific Americans. It will feature special music by Dustin Seo, director of musical programs at Street Symphony.
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Outreach from St. Mary's, Laguna Beach, brings water to Ugandan village
St. Mary’s, Laguna Beach, has brought clean water and better health to amount 1,180 people in Nakitoola Village, Uganda, improving their quality of life. The well was built by Wells of Life, "a nonprofit organization that fights to provide access to clean, sustainable drinking water for the communities of Uganda," according to their
website. Photos: Adrian for Wells of Life
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Andy Leeka, former Good Sam CEO, leads team creating medical relief center
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed Andy Leeka, former president and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, as general administrator for a 240-bed medical relief center at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Leeka forged bonds of cooperation among a wide range of federal, state, and local officials and agencies to get the center up and running in record time. Leeka is pictured above at the 2018 Bishop's Dinner, at which the Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor awarded him the second annual Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles Bishop's Award for his work at Good Samaritan. Photo: Janet Kawamoto
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Habits of Grace: God Hears Our Prayers
A video message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry for the week of April 20. "Prayer matters. It's not magic, but it makes a difference. There's a prayer in the prayer book that I thought you might like. It's a prayer for in times of sickness, for use by the sick person, but maybe it's a prayer that can apply to us all." Click
here or on the image above to see the video.
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COVID-19 crisis: Ways to help
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One Body & One Spirit Emergency Appeal
By John Harvey Taylor
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. The global health crisis has affected the life of each member of our diocesan family – each of us, and all our neighbors. You are all in my prayers daily as you continue to devote yourself to the work of the gospel. Each day, I know, you are caring for yourselves and those you love, serving your neighbor and those most at risk, and continuing to support your church family by praying, worshiping, reaching out to those who are most isolated, and remembering to send in your generous pledge. Read more
here.
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Our Saviour Center continues food bank, needs donations
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Our Saviour Center food bank remains open to provide meals across Los Angeles County. That means healthy foods and shelf stable items are provided to the center's neighbors who need it most.
The food bank depends on donations to keep the food bank operating. To support the agency, donate
here. Our Saviour Center is a ministry of Our Saviour Episcopal Church in San Gabriel and Immanuel Episcopal Church in El Monte. Photo: Our Saviour Center food bank volunteers distribute groceries for Thanksgiving in November 2019.
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Priests, deacons enlisted to pray ‘last rites’ by phone for dying coronavirus patients
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal priests and deacons have volunteered to minister by phone to people dying of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, which has infected more than a million people worldwide. The phone ministry is called “Dial-a-Priest” and was created in a matter of days by the TryTank Experimental Lab, a joint project of Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary. “What we’re doing is a pastoral response to a need, which is that there are people who are dying and we know we have words of comfort,” said the Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, TryTank’s director. He began working on “Dial-a-Priest” about a week ago as an imperfect solution to an unprecedented challenge posed by the coronavirus. Read more
here.
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Housing needed for detainees: can your congregation help?
An appeal from CLUE (Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice)
Right now immigrants are facing grave danger in detention centers in light of the Coronavirus. At this very moment there is a strong push to help get released detainees who are vulnerable, those with pre-existing medical conditions or the elderly. Lawyers have recently obtained humanitarian parole for a handful of detainees. Some have returned to their families and others desperately need shelter or transportation to their families in
other states. Others would be able to be released with ankle bracelets and monitored if they had an address. The faith community could be able to provide short and long-term shelter. If you have one small room or space in a church building available that we could use for housing one individual. Since most churches are not having current physical gatherings right now, opening up just one space will be ideal to help provide housing for a brother or sister currently detained in those horrible detention centers. Please let us know if you are interested in exploring the possibility by reaching out to Guillermo Torres at
gtorres@cluejustice.org, 323.228.2753.
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Mask-making ministry
The mask-making ministry at St. Stephen's Church, Hollywood, is in full swing to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. To take part in their efforts, click
here. Note: Not all hospitals accept homemade masks: for a list of facilities that do, visit the St. Stephen's mask ministry page linked above or contact the Rev. Jaime Edwards-Acton, rector, at
hopeinhollywood@gmail.com.
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Thank you cards for hospital staff
A request from Michael Bell, director of pastoral ministries at Good Samaritan Hospital
Church colleagues, friends with kids stuck at home, educators with classes online, leaders of other groups: If you're looking for something helpful to do right now that doesn't cost much more than time and some creative love, consider writing/creating thank-you notes, cards, pictures, banners for our hospital staff. E.g., "Thank you, Good Samaritans" - signed by you, children, students, members of your club or community. Mail to: The Rev. Michael S. Bell, Spiritual Care Services, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, 1225 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017. (Bell reports that the cards and notes he has shared have been gratefully received by hospital staff — and that a simple note of thanks can have a profound effect on hard-working healthcare workers.)
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Episcopal Relief & Development's COVID-19 Response Fund
"Join us in prayer and action. Help us be there in times of uncertainty.
Your gift enables us to prepare for emergencies around the world — including the recent outbreak of the coronavirus. With your help, we can equip our partners on the ground with crucial support to assist local communities and meet the changing needs as this crisis unfolds." Click
here to contribute.
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From the wider Episcopal Church
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CDSP announces major new affordability initiative
The Very Rev. W. Mark Richardson, president and dean of Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP), announced on April 13 a major overhaul of the Episcopal seminary’s financial aid offerings. The changes are aimed at helping students who are preparing for ordination with a bishop’s approval to avoid incurring additional educational debt during their studies. Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, CDSP will provide full-tuition scholarships to all qualifying new and returning students, and residential students will receive a meal plan and free housing (dorm or apartment according to family need and availability). Read more
here.
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Deadline extended for Episcopal Church’s 2020-2021 academic year scholarships
Applications due May 29, 2020
The deadline has been extended for educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2020-2021 academic year. A scholarship applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. The scholarships are derived from annual income of designated trust funds established by generous donors through bequests to The Episcopal Church. The scholarships assist:
- Students enrolled in theological education and training.
- Children of missionaries, bishops and clergy,
- Students of various racial and ethnic minorities, and other groups covering a wide range of eligibility.
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The Way of Love calendar for the Easter Season 2020
A calendar for the 50 days of Easter, with suggestions for each day, is based on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s “Way of Love” commandments:
Turn, Learn, Prayer, Worship, Bless and
Go. A high-resolution PDF version is
here. The calendar was created by Sue Van Oss of St. Paul’s Church, Duluth, Minnesota, and is shared here with permission.
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Updated Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs now available in Spanish
[April 16, 2020] Episcopal Church Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer N. Kurt Barnes has announced that the online publication of the latest version of the Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs is now available in Spanish. The Canons of The Episcopal Church set forth the general responsibility and accountability for the stewardship of the Church’s money and property. Title I, Canon 7 specifically addresses the business methods prescribed for every diocese, parish, mission, and institution subject to the authority of the Episcopal Church. Read more
here
Manual de métodos comerciales en asuntos de la Iglesia actualizado ya disponible en español
El Tesorero y Director Financiero de la Iglesia Episcopal, N. Kurt Barnes, se complace en anunciar la publicación en línea de la última versión del Manual de métodos comerciales en asuntos de la Iglesia ya está disponible en español. Los Cánones de la Iglesia Episcopal establecen la responsabilidad general y el rendimiento de cuentas sobre la administración del dinero y las propiedades de la Iglesia. El Título I, Canon 7 aborda específicamente los métodos de negocios prescritos para cada diócesis, parroquia, misión e institución sujeta a la autoridad de la Iglesia Episcopal. Leer más
aquí
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2020 Episcopal Youth Event postponed due to COVID-19
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20), scheduled to be held at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), July 7-11, 2020, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. . The Department of Faith Formation, which organizes EYE, hopes to reschedule the gathering for 2021. Read more
here.
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U.S. government resources are available for families
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in post on its Facebook page has suggested some federal resources for families experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury is providing stimulus packages to people across the country. Read more here.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has advice to help you manage your family's finances. Read more here.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture has resources available for farmers & ranchers. Read more here.
- U.S. Small Business Administration is offering small businesses low-interest disaster loans and other COVID-related funding options. Read more here.
- The Social Security Administration can answer questions about receiving your benefits during this period. Read more here.
The FEMA notice is
here. h/t Ken Higginbotham of St. Stephen's Church, Santa Clarita.
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Diocesan website offers resources for congregations
A page on the Diocese of Los Angeles website titled "
Responding to COVID-19" lists various resources for congregations and individuals as they cope with church closures and self-isolation. It includes information under the following headings:
- Resources for Virtual and Remote Worship and Meetings
- State & County Resources for Addressing Coronavirus Concerns
- CDC (Center for Disease Control) website links
- Stewardship
- Coping with Social Distancing
- Children and Families
- Additional health information
- Recovery resources (12-step programs)
- Managing work in a time of isolation
- How to help
The list is updated as information becomes available. Send additional resources for consideration to
news@ladiocese.org.
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Credit Union will provide emergency loans to churches, institutions at reduced rate during COVID-19 crisis
[The Episcopal News - March 18] The Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union has set aside a $500,000 emergency cash fund to assist churches and other institutions of the diocese whose cash flow has been adversely impacted by circumstances caused by the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The program will offer, for a limited time, a 50% reduction to its published rate for church loans. Read more
here. (Esta historia aparece en español después del texto en inglés.)
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ECW offers grants for medical bills through online application
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) in the Diocese of Los Angeles offers grants of up to $500 to help cover medical bills and even medical insurance payments to people in need. A form can be filled out online by the applicant's rector or vicar. To apply, click
here. Funds are issued to the priest’s discretionary fund and then distributed to the applicant.
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Online giving: Options to explore for use in congregations
Any congregation seeking to add an online giving feature to its website can begin by reviewing and comparing available options such as the following which are among various systems in use around the Diocese of Los Angeles and wider church. The following list is only a sampling and comes with no official endorsement by the diocese. Additions to this list are welcomed and may be forwarded to
media@ladiocese.org.
Vanco — Fees are said to be reasonable and an app is available for donors to download. Interfaces with CDM database. Can be viewed in place on
website of St. James’, Los Angeles.
Featuring Tithe.ly, EasyTithe, Givelify, PayPal, Pushpay.
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Deadline extended for nominations to Episcopal Church committees, boards
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs - March 30, 2020] The Episcopal Church Joint Standing Committee on Nominations is accepting applications for nine offices. Application form and links to job descriptions are available on the General Convention
website. The deadline to submit application has been extended to
April 30, 2020. Elections will be held at the 80th General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled for June 30 – July 9, 2021. For more information, contact the Office of the General Convention at
gcoffice@episcopalchurch.org. Read more (in English, Spanish and French)
here.
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Introduction to Religion and Public Health
A program from the TRAIN Learning Network
Powered by the Public Health Foundation (PHF), the TRAIN Learning Network brings together agencies and organizations in the public health, healthcare, and preparedness sectors to disseminate, track, and share trainings for the health workforce on a centralized training platform. Most of their training programs are open to all, and offered without cost. This curricula is approved by the National Board of Public Health Examiners for Certified Public Health (CPHCE) credit. Read more
here.
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Is your congregation live-streaming Sunday or weekday services? Let us know!
If your congregation is live-streaming services on Facebook, YouTube or other social media, please send us a note and let us know:
- Day(s) and time of services;
- Date if a one-time offering;
- Type of service (Eucharist, Morning Prayer, Evensong, etc.);
- URL for anyone wishing to log in:
- Language(s) in which the service will be held.
- Information about the celebrant or other participants, or about music or other aspects of worship (optional)
Send listings to
news@ladiocese.org. They will be included in a
list (also available on the diocese's COVID-19 Resources webpage) for the benefit of all who wish to take part in worship.
In addition, The Episcopal Church has launched a Digital Church Guide. You can upload your service information there (click
here). You also can add this information to the Episcopal Asset Map (click
here.) More information about both these resources is
here.
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Clergy: Keep count of online participants in worship
As the wider Episcopal Church determines how to determine Average Sunday Attendance numbers during the COVID-19 crisis, Bishops Taylor and Bruce and Canon McCarthy request that clergy in charge of congregations keep count of how many people are taking part via Facebook, YouTube, Zoom or other forum in worship services offered at your church. The information may be needed for parochial reports. Add the numbers to your red register with the notation LS (live-stream) to capture the history being made at this time. Please refer to the March 19 letter to clergy for more information.
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Checks to the diocese
The bank used by the diocese will only accept checks made out to: “The Protestant Episcopal Church” or “Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.” Checks may no longer be made to Treasurer of the Diocese, etc. This is due to the Bank Secrecy Act and accompanying regulations ("Anti-Money Laundering rules").
P.O. Box closed
Please note that the diocesan post office box
has been closed and will no longer receive mail. Please use the street address for mail addressed to offices at St. Paul's Commons (formerly The Cathedral Center): 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026.
Mail addressed to the post office box will be returned to sender.
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Resource Roundup is an occasional release for clergy, wardens, church office staff and lay leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Items for inclusion may be forwarded to
news@ladiocese.org.
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