"Strengthening and Caring for Church Environments for Strong Ministry & Missions"
American Baptist Churches of the South.
P.O. Box 47277 Windsor Mill, MD 21244-0277
Website: www.abcots.org | (443) 551-3045 - Main Line | (800) 466-9571 |
gloria@abcots.org. jmharrison@abcots.org. abcotsadmin@abcots.org. pwhite@abcots.org
Covid-19 Pandemic Info and Updates
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
Find Funeral Assistance information in your language: Chinese | Haitian Creole | Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
We are working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways we can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April.
We are working to set up a dedicated toll-free phone number that can be used to apply for funeral assistance. More information will be available on this page soon.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:
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The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
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The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
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The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
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There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
How to Apply
In April, FEMA will begin accepting applications. If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:
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An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
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Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.
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Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.
How are Funds Received
If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
ABCOTS Response to COVID 19 Pandemic
Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church
Many in Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church wished to attract (to evangelize) the Millennial Generation. Yet as their pastor, I have frequently alerted them that though we wanted their numbers, I was not assured our congregation was willing to include the younger generation in all our ministries. Thus, during our Bible Study period, we studied Dr. Joshua Mitchell’s “Black Millennials and the Church.” At the close of the Biblical sessions, the attendees excitingly produced dramatic pieces concerning issues brought up in Mitchell’s book. We wanted to bring the book alive. From that study evolved a new lease on the church’s life. The digital technology, that millennials are extremely well skilled, has become a medium for the entire church. Millennials are masters in charge of the church’s website and Zoom ministry. They are helpful in the audio and video ministries, as well as composing and producing worship music.
As a church, we had before resisted adopting emerging technology, however it has been a true blessing to view this intergenerational congregation working so well together especially during the Pandemic.
Rev. Dr. Jean Robinson-Casey
Pastor
Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church
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Dr. Stephen Tucker, Senior Pastor
New Commandment Baptist Church, Area One - https://www.newcommandmentdmv.com/
Here is a short synopsis of our ZOOM ministry for the children and youth of our church during this Covid-19 crisis we find ourselves in:
-Our children are given “free reign” each Thursday from 6-7 PM to connect with one another for one hour
-Nothing “biblically heavy,” but basically an opportunity to see each other, laugh with one another, have fun, and share what each has been doing during this time of “social distancing.”
-Our Youth Director guides the hour so it is not total chaos. The first session was so “over joyous” - it’s hard to describe. When an 8 year old tells a 7 year old how much they miss them, it is a little overwhelming.
-In all of our concerns about the mental states of our members, deacons, officers, etc., let’s not forget where our “first thoughts” should go - toward our children and youth...our future!
-I suggest every church should develop an hour or so per week for the children.
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New Beginnings Christian Community Church, Charlottesville, VA - Area II http://www.newbeginningschristiancommunity.com
Response to our hungry neighbors during the pandemic
Please see below the MSNBC news segment taped last Saturday in front of our church.
In response to many people in Charlottesville being furloughed or having their paychecks reduced, forcing them to decided between paying for food or rent, our church, New Beginnings Christian Community, has expanded our Food Ministry from Saturdays at noon, to six days a week, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We allow people to “shop” for what they want, rather than hand them a bag of food, which may contain items that they cannot or do not want to eat. We admit them one at a time. Each shopper points to the item that they would like and a masked and gloved volunteer puts it in a plastic bag or box. About 85 families are given food for a week each time they come to our Food Ministry.
Our volunteers come from: Jewish, Unitarian, Presbyterian, Co-operative Baptists, American Baptists, Methodist and Episcopalian congregations and there are even some who do not identify with any faith tradition. They are bringing groceries to needy families, who cannot come to our church. Thus, with their help we are able to deliver food to public housing residents and to shut-ins.
We have received many generous donations of produce, meat, canned goods, pastries breads and funds to sustain our ministry from the wider community. The Blue Ridge Food Bank is not charging us anything for the food they supply us. Walmart and Food Lion have been very generous with their donations of groceries. A community group is working with a Shenanigans Toy Store to donate educational toys that are distributed to the families that come to our church for groceries. Another local organization is preparing cooked meals that we can hand out to hungry “shoppers.” God is blessing our church with an expanded community to help those who are hungry in Charlottesville. We are truly reaching out across businesses, congregational, racial and social boundaries to help one another. The Lord is using this pandemic as an opportunity for all of us to work together for our needy brothers and sister.
May God continue to bless your work and care for your health. We need you.
ABC-USA Office of the General Secretary Releases Discussion Guide for Reopening Church Buildings​
VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/1/20)—The American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary has released a new resource for American Baptist churches. The resource, “Discussion Guide for Reopening Your Church Building,” is designed to help American Baptist churches look at various points of consideration as they implement new methods, policies and procedures in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is available in English and Spanish.
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The Discussion Guide, developed with input from members of the Regional Executive Ministers Council, specifically focuses on two core areas, the physical and the personal. The physical area focuses on considering how to safely practice ministry and prepare your facility for ministry in this new era. The personal looks at the lingering effects of grief, economic distress, isolation, and other negative impacts from the pandemic which may create new needs among congregants.
View the Discussion Guide for Reopening Your Church Building here.
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MMBB - The CARES Act: Your Questions Answered
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CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
On March 27, 2020 President Trump signed the Coronavirus Relief, Aid and Recovery Economic Act (CARES Act), which is intended to “provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The types of assistance are broad and complex, covering many different aspects of American life. These FAQs will focus on those aspects that may be the most impactful for MMBB’s members and employers.
Click Here For More Info
Relief for Individuals
Relief for Employers
What is an Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)?Please contact MMBB at 800.986.6222 or service@mmbb.org for information about either of these programs.
Resources:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
https://home.treasury.gov/coronavirus
https://home.treasury.gov/cares
https://www.sba.gov/ and https://covid19relief.sba.gov/
American Baptist Churches USA - Remembers Rep. John Lewis
American Baptist Churches USA remembers Rep. John Lewis, civil rights leader and U.S. representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district. Lewis, an American Baptist, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement struggle for racial equality. He was one of the leaders of the Freedom March on Washington in 1963 and the voter registration march in Selma, AL in 1965. He also received the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies in 2003.........(click here for more)
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