COVID-19 Resources
We are here to support you in navigating this COVID-19 pandemic by providing compassionate care for the physical, mental, and spiritual health of your parish, family, friends, and wider community during this uncertain time. This page will be updated continuously, so please check back for updates.
Regathering Protocols
Updated 3.2.22
Parishes and ministries of the Diocese of Atlanta may follow CDC guidance as a minimum regarding masking and gathering for their particular county. Please check and monitor this site for conditions in your county, and prayerfully keep in mind the especially vulnerable in our communities, including the immunocompromised and those children not eligible for vaccination. If parishes decide, based on local conditions per the CDC to make masking optional, intentional measures should be taken that those still choosing to mask are not marginalized.
Parish pre-schools are asked to follow CDC guidance as a minimum. As of 3.3.22, the CDC was revising guidance for parish pre-schools. Please follow their site here to stay updated.
The Covid Task Force reminds all parish leadership to encourage vaccination for those who are not yet vaccinated (eligibility is for those 5 and older) and boosters for those 16 and older. Currently, just 53% of Georgians are fully vaccinated.
Resources
Community Organized Relief Effort is providing free COVID-19 testing in select locations throughout Georgia.
Testing is available to anyone, with or without symptoms. Locations change weekly, for updates please click here: CORE Website
Digital Reconnection: How to Navigate Different Communication Platforms
Episcopal Relief & Development COVID-19 Webinars
How to Livestream your Church Service in 4 Easy Steps
How to Broadcast a Facebook Live Event in 5 Easy Steps
How to use Facebook Live: The Ultimate Guide
Mass Messaging Text Service (MMS/SMS)
Best practices for Virtual Church
You Already Have Everything You Need to be a Digital Media Minister
CDC guidance for faith communities.
Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 updates
Free COVID-19 Testing in Atlanta CORE locations.
Faith tradition COVID-19 health guides: United Church of Christ, Union for Reform Judaism, The Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Muslim Public Affairs Council
As developments around the coronavirus pandemic continue to unfold at a rapid rate, the Diocese of Atlanta is committed to doing all it can to help stem the spread of COVID-19 and support our churches as they find new ways to worship, pray, care, and comfort. We are compiling a number of resources for our clergy into this master document, and encourage you to check back frequently for updates. We will continue to add information as it comes to light, and thank each and everyone of you for such inspiring creativity and dedication as we all pivot to meet the needs of our community. During this uncertain and ever-evolving crisis, we are all in this together.
Additional Resources
Emergency Funds for Families Impacted by COVID-19
Stewardship During COVID-19 Manual
Stewardship During COVID-19 Workshop Recording
Clergy Zoom Meeting Instructions
Resource from Columbia Theological Seminary: What We Need Is Here: Practicing Resurrection in a Season of Social Distance
Article on caring for yourself by Greg DeLoach is Interim Dean at McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University and Director of Development at McAfee School of Theology and College of Professional Advancement.
Clergy and Spiritual Communal Leaders Group: Rabbi Joshua Lesser has created a FB Group for clergy and spiritual communal leaders to share resources, responses, and decision making frameworks around COVID-19 related issues. It’s also a multifaith space for mutual support in this changing landscape. The group is Clergy and Spiritual Communal Responses to Covid-19. It is a private group. To receive an invite, contact Don Plummer, dplummer@episcopalatlanta.org.
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Listen to conversations focused on the intersection of life and faith in Bishop’s new podcast.
Songs of Encouragement
Listen to Bishop Wright’s hand-picked Spotify playlist to keep your spirits lifted throughout the week.