COVID-19 Updates and Resources

This page collects Diocese of Massachusetts updates and information regarding ongoing response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
- Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765

Guidance and messages from our bishops

• June 23 update for clergy, wardens and treasurers
  Includes:  Regathering and HR matters; Expanded criteria for Emergency Response Fund grants; Summer sermon series for use by congregations in July & August
   
• June 16 update for clergy, wardens and treasurers
  Includes:  Stage Two Regathering Checklist in Spanish; Zoom meetings regarding Church Insurance, rental agreements & church-operated businesses; Paycheck Protection Program updates; Employee considerations & accommodations
   
• June 15 bishops' guidance regarding preparing for Stage Two Regathering
  Includes: Stage Two Regathering Checklist
   
• June 10 update for clergy, wardens and treasurers
   
• "Called to be a new and changed community": May 29 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• "Trimming graves, banging pots and other forms of gratitude": May 22 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• Guidelines issued to clergy and wardens on May 18:
    
  "A Journey By Stages: Gathering, Serving & Growing as The Episcopal Church in Massachusetts During & Beyond a Time of Pendemic"  
  
  "UNA JORNADO POR ETAPAS" 
   
• Bishops' directive for no in-person public worship and gatherings in churches is still in effect until July 1
   
• May 12: Bishops extend restriction on in-person public worship and gatherings in churches until July 1
   
• "Preparing for transformation in this in-between time": May 15 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• "Sacramental hunger and eucharistic practice": May 8 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
  Includes:  Summary of previously issued worship guidelines for reference 
   
• "Get with the love of God": May 1 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• April 30 update for clergy and wardens
   
• "Out of sync": April 25 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• "It matters in these times": April 17 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• April 16 update for clergy and leadership
  Includes:  COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund information; Contingency planning for clergy; Additional CARES Act information; Additional ways to care for one another (gun safety information; Red Cross blood drive sites needed; "Open the Hotels" letter advocating hotels as temporary shelter for those who are unhoused)
   
• Audio of Holy Tuesday messages to online clergy gathering from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris & Text of Bishop Gates’s Holy Tuesday message

• "Patience is only a part": April 3 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• March 31 update for clergy and leadership
  Includes:  Keeping track of worship attendance; online giving platforms; additional financial and operational updates
   
• "Lean on God and pray": March 27 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• March 25 update for clergy and leadership

No in-person public worship services.  Online and live-streamed services from church buildings remain permissible, as long as fewer than 10 people are present, physical distancing is maintained and strict hygiene measures are observed. 

• March 21 update for clergy and leadership
   
• "For the facing of this hour": March 20 pastoral message from Bishop Harris
   
• March 16 update for clergy and wardens
   
• "At no time are we alone": March 14 pastoral message from Bishop Gates
   
• March 12 pastoral guidance from Bishop Gates (supplements March 11 directive)
   
• March 11 directive from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris
   
• March 5 message from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris

Livestreaming resources

Find a church

Click here for list of congregations live-streaming and podcasting worship services

To be added to the list, please e-mail details to news@diomass.org. Please also send word if listings need to be updated or removed.

Zoom, YouTube, Facebook Live

Zoom: 

• Find best practices for Zoom meetings, from VTS's Building Faith, here, and a "How to Use Zoom for Large Meetings" tip sheet here.
• Beware of Zoom-bombers and read this Zoom advisory: "Keep the Party Crashers from Crashing Your Zoom Event." 

YouTube: 

• YouTube's "Playbook" for creating digital events is available here.
• "How to Create a Mobile YouTube Livestream"
• "How to Use Live Control Room for Livestreaming on YouTube"

Facebook Live:

• Find a tutorial, from St. Anne's-in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln, on streaming via Facebook Live, here

Livestreaming and copyrights

U.S. Copyright Issues Related to Live-Streaming Music

Liturgy, music and prayer resources

Visit our Liturgy and Music Resources page to find liturgical resources gathered by our diocesan Liturgy and Music Commission for use in homes and online worship, including forms for Agape meals (here and here).

COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

The Diocese of Massachusetts has established a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to respond to emerging, urgent needs in our congregations and affiliated organizations, and in support of collaborations with ecumenical, multifaith and community partners.  The fund will address critical community needs and congregational sustainability during the time of the pandemic. The fund is now open to receive online gifts at www.diomass.org/give-now.  We are deeply grateful for your sacrificial generosity.  

The online application for COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Grants is now available here.

Food insecurity

• Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333; available in 160 languages, open 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the crisis (TTY line: 1-800-377-1292).
  
  Hotline counselors provide callers with up-to-date information on food resources—including new school meal sites, food pantries and federal programs—and assist callers with applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.

COVID-19 volunteer opportunities

Two important considerations create a dilemma during this pandemic. On the one hand, it is vital that people stay at home to prevent spreading the virus. This is especially important for those who are part of high-risk groups. On the other hand, there are essential services provided by our churches and community organizations that require workers or volunteers so that basic needs are met. It is important to reaffirm the need for those at high risk to stay at home as much as possible. It is equally important to ask that those not in high risk groups who have been asymptomatic for the past two weeks to consider stepping up to support ministries which provide life-sustaining assistance to others. Visit our COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities page for a listing of volunteer needs.

Mental health, domestic violence & substance addiction resources

During this time, ordinary channels for mental health may be disrupted and support groups, like 12-Step meetings, may not operate at the usual places and times. Those under quarantine, sheltering at home or feeling isolated or fearful may need additional support, and the risk of domestic violence may increase. Visit our Mental Health and Domestic Violence Resources page for links to support services.

Additional links and resources

• Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices resources
   
• Episcopal Church COVID-19 resource webpage
   
• Episcopal Relief & Development: Faith-Based Response to Epidemics
   
• Episcopal Relief & Development: US Disaster Program Preparedness resources
   
• Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
   
• Massachusetts Council of Churches COVID-19 Response webpage
   
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 updates
   
• CDC Interim Guidance for Faith-Based Organizations
   
• World Health Organization (WHO) updates
   
• U.S. Department of the Treasury: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Tools