Vaccination Support and Host Site
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designed a survey here that will allow your congregation to choose how they would be willing to participate and direct instructions from DHHS can be found below. The information from this survey will be distributed to the relevant vaccine providers in each county. The local need will shape whether or not your faith community is contacted.
As many of you know, vaccine supplies are still very limited. In light of the limited quantities of vaccinations available, on the ground efforts are very much being shaped in real time by the availability of vaccines from week to week, and by the capacity of the local health departments and health systems. This means that any faith community contacted to inquire about their capacity to serve as a vaccination site will depend on availability of vaccines and the number of organizations that have indicated that they are willing to serve as a support and/or host site in each county. Not all faith communities will be utilized as a support/host site even if they have indicated they are willing but it is vital that we know where potential sites are located during the rollout.
Additionally, we encourage you to reach out to your local health departments and health systems if your faith community already has an established relationship that would facilitate a much quicker turnaround time in being able to host a vaccination event.
Vaccine 101 Presentations and Training
Partners in Health and Wholeness will be organizing a Vaccine 101 Training for those of you who indicated they would like to participate in an ambassador training session. We will also be facilitating Vaccine 101 events for those of you who indicated that your faith community would be willing to host one. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has online vaccine presentations available and registration for those can be found here: COVID-19 Vaccine 101 Presentation Tickets | Eventbrite.
Holy Breaths: Thanksgiving Reflections
As we move into this holiday season, we want to express our gratitude to you for your support throughout this year. We also recognize that the holidays can be a difficult time, even in the best of years. We hold this acknowledgment deeply and in solidarity with you. We hope that these reflective expressions of gratitude and compassion remind you how important you are to us. We patiently await the days when we can gather once again and hold each other tightly. Until that day, we see you, we hear you, and we will continue loving you from a distance.
Holy Breaths: Hope in Harm Reduction
You don’t have to perform a miracle, but you can save a life.
We know overdose deaths are again on the rise. There are a multitude of reasons for this including:
- Loss of employment, health insurance, housing
- Mental health issues including isolation, depression, anxiety
- COVID related obstacles to seeking and receiving treatment
- Stigma, fear of judgment
We also know that faith communities and people of faith can be compassionate allies for people who use drugs. By practicing simple, proven, harm reduction principles, you can make a difference.
Holy Breaths: Expressions of Gratitude and Praise for Faith Leaders
We want to uplift and affirm all the faith leaders who have remained present and grounded in their community during this pandemic. Now more than ever, our faith leaders are experiencing fatigue and exhaustion as they continue working hard to stay centered and connected. We offer these affirmations with hope, love, and spiritual nourishment. We wait hopefully for God’s grace-filled future when we will once again be called to worship together in the same space. Peace be with you.
Holy Breaths: Meditative Moment
Our Holy Breaths series continues this week as we take a meditative moment with Karen Richardson Dunn, Partners in Health and Wholeness Regional Coordinator for Western North Carolina. Karen offers words of hope, a call for unity, and a recitation of “Pandemic,” by Lynn Ungar, as we continue through this journey together. We hope you will take this meditative moment to ground your soul and nourish your spirit.
Holy Breaths: Our Health Tips in Response to COVID-19
In this challenging time, we are faced with finding novel ways to stay healthy, whole, and at peace. Our team across the state has put together a video of what we are doing to care for our bodies and minds physically, mentally, and spiritually.
You are not alone, we are in this together. May this video nourish your soul and bring you peace through this journey.
A Note From Our Team
The impacts of COVID-19 are being felt across the state and country. Although we are not able to convene normally at this time, we hope that we might still find value from this shared experience of interrupted plans. At this difficult time, let’s remember those who, in the face of COVID19, have so few choices — who must show up for work despite their concerns; who must take their children to daycare or risk losing their livelihood and have no idea what they will do if schools close; who fear the illness not only in and of itself but because they may be unable to obtain the medical care they need. And of course, we want to lift up those who are serving and caring for the people diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Our team will continue working remotely during this time. Please click here to access contact information for PHW team members. Thank you again for your support of Partners and Health and Wholeness and your commitment to health and wholeness.
- First Sunday monthly: Spiritual Nourishment for Justice Activists
UU justice activists in North Carolina are invited to participate in UU Forward Together’s monthly Spiritual Nourishment for Justice Activists online meetings via Zoom on the first Sunday afternoon of each month at 4 pm. Join fellow activists for a time of conversation, planning, and mobilization. Click here to register. - 8 Tips To Make Working From Home Work For You
- 100 Things to Do While Stuck Inside Due to a Pandemic
- Adult Coloring Book
- Breath Prayers for Anxious Times
- Community Care Guide
- Community Care Office Hours with Faith Matters Network (for faith leaders, organizers, and activists on the frontline)
- Deep Breathing Exercise
- FaithHealth NC Magazine – A Shared Mission of Healing
- First Aid for Feelings: A Workbook to Help Kids Cope During the Coronavirus Pandemic/Primeros auxilios emocionales: Un cuaderno de trabajo para
ayudar a los niños a sobrellevar la pandemia de coronavirus – English & Español - Foods for Better Brainpower
- Digital Kindle Membership for Amazon Prime Members (starting at $1)
- Harm Reduction Coalition Community Calls
- Harm Reduction Coalition Virtual Office Hours
- Hope4Healers NC Hotline: (919) 226-2002 (free emotional support for healthcare workers)
- How to Find a Therapist When You Can’t Leave the House
- Hiking Trail Etiquette During COVID-19
- Lift Up Your Hearts: Words of Strength and Faith with the NC Council of Churches — View the full series here.
- Lynn Ungar Poetry and Other Writings
- Missing Moments Grief Care Series
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255, Press ‘1’ for Vets/Military
- Neighborhood Natives Scavenger Hunt
- Online Support Communities
- Prayers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Quédate en Casa
- Self-guided hike through Green River Cope Spring in Asheville, NC
- Send a Smile
- Southern Conference of the UCC: Clergy Mental Health during COVID-19
- Spiritual Community with Faith in Harm Reduction – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon EST.
- Virtual Entertainment (theater, music, zoos & aquariums, exercise classes)
GENERAL
- Alliance of Baptists
- African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in NC
- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
- Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church Easter Invitation
- Episcopal Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- General Baptist State Convention
- Mennonite Church USA
- Moravian Church in America
- North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
- Presbyterian Church
- Reformed Church in America
- United Church of Christ
- Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
OTHER FAITH-BASED RESPONSES/RESOURCES
- National Council of Churches Webinars and Resources: Strengthening Hope for US Churches
- NC Council of Churches Issues Statement in Support of Stay at Home Order
- NC Department of Health and Human Services: 10 Actions for Faith Leaders to Respond to COVID-19/Kit de herramientas de respuesta a COVID-19 para los líderes espirituales
North Carolina COVID-19 Hotline and Emergency Numbers:
- The N.C. Coronavirus Hotline: 866-462-3821
- Emergency Number: 211
- Free helpline for workers with questions about workplace rights
- NC COVID-19 Information Hub
- IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AND/OR CONTRACTED THE VIRUS
Ways to Get Involved:
- COVID Advocacy and Assistance Resource Database (GlobeMed at Duke)
- Family Friendly Volunteer Opportunities (Triangle area)
- Feeding Durham Together Agency Needs
- Master list of engagement opportunities
- Disaster Assistance
- Donate Blood
- Donate items to the Diaper Drive for Refugee Families
- Donate to the NC MedAssist Crisis Fund
- Durham COVID-19 Response Organizers
- Stay Connected During COVID-19
- Volunteer with the NC State Emergency Response Team (NC SERT)
- Donate to El Centro Hispano COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund – Aims to support and strengthen families at risk.
- Other COVID-19 Community Volunteer Needs (Triangle area)
- Respond to this survey about social distancing
- Volunteer Opportunities to assist older adults (Triangle area)
Food Banks:
Resources:
- Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Statewide Resource Guide
- Carolina Mask Project
- Considerations for Churches before re-opening
- Corona Community – mutual aid to those who are high-risk, immuno-compromised, and/or senior citizens.
- COVID-19 Resources for Child Advocates
- COVID-19 Guidance for People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction Programs
- COVID-19 Resources for People Who Use Drugs and People Vulnerable to Structural Violence
- Digital Tools
- Domestic Violence Resources
- Durham County COVID-19 Resource Spreadsheet – Primarily focused on Durham, but includes broader resources as well.
- Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit
- Free Church Consultation During Coronavirus and Social Distancing with Horizons Stewardship
- How to Have a Family Worship Experience at Home
- How Pastors Should Respond in Crisis
- Internet Service Offerings
- Know Your Rights: Your Employment and COVID-19
- Masks for Humanity – connecting people who need masks with those making handmade masks.
- Mutual Aid Resource Map
- North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) Bias Reporting Form
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- County Alert System
- Download the SlowCOVIDNC App (available on Android and iOS)
- NC Medicaid (Division of Health Benefits)
- NC Council of Churches and PHW Webinar Recordings
- Toolkits
- Overdose Prevention is COVID-19 Prevention Too
- Preparing your church for COVID-19: A Step-by-Step, Research Informed and Faith-based Planning Manual from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute
- Preparing your House of Worship for Re-Opening – Wisconsin Council of Churches
- Relief Funds
- Master list of grant opportunities throughout NC
- Assistance for Rural UMC Churches in NC
- Disaster Philanthropy COVID-19 Response Fund
- Durham Public Schools Foundation
- Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
- Food Council Block Grants
- NC Health Foundation Grants
- NC MedAssist Crisis Fund
- WakeHELPS Utility Bill Payment Assistance Program
- Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (YVEDDI) Community Services Block Grant Program
- Small Business and Nonprofit Loans
- Resource Center for Women & Ministry in the South, Inc. (RCWMS) Self- Care Resources
- Resources for drug use and COVID-19 risk reduction
- Safer Drinking During Desperate Times
- Select Birth-to-Eight Provisions in Governor, House, Senate and Final COVID-19 Relief Budget Proposals
- The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center
- Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund Grants
- Unemployment Benefits Finder
- Wake County Residential COVID-19 Resources
[/tab]
[tab title=”Reopening Guides”]
Denominational Guides
- Alliance of Baptists – Your Ministry During COVID-19: Re-Opening Your Church Office
- African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church – Guidelines for Re-Opening Churches During the 2019-2020 Pandemic
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina – Resuming Resources
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Some Preliminary Thoughts on Re-Gathering as Congregations
- General Baptist State Convention – Re-opening Guidebook for Churches
- Mennonite Church USA
- Moravian Church in America – Preparing to Regather, Resources for Congregations
- Presbyterian Church – Beginning Conversations for Re-Entry
- United Church of Christ – COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines: Strengths, Gaps
- Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church – Considerations for Churches before re-opening
Other Guides
- Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church – Why Reopening a Church is Different
- Re-imagining Health Ministries During COVID: How to Keep Health Ministries Engaged
- RootedGood: What Now? A creative tool to help congregations make decisions in the age of COVID-19
- Wake County Youtube – Re-opening Guidance for Faith-Based Communities during COVID-19
- Wisconsin Council of Churches – Preparing your House of Worship for Re-Opening