COVID-19 Resources for Faith Communities:  Resources by Media Type

Printed Materials

Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19

Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19

Countries around the world are taking different measures to control the spread of COVID-19. This document highlights public health advice for social and religious practices and gatherings during Ramadan that can be applied across different national contexts.

Go ahead, have a shvach seder

Go ahead, have a shvach seder

You’re living through an international pandemic – you just don’t need to obsess about creating that inspirational, unforgettable Passover experience.

Where is God in a Pandemic?

Where is God in a Pandemic?

A reflection by Jesuit priest James Martin that wrestles with the question of God’s presence in the midst of a pandemic.

In a Pandemic Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk

In a Pandemic Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk

A survey of religious activities carried out in response to COVID-19. The article details a number of activities that have supported outbreak prevention as well as activities that have contributed to transmission.

NYC Religious Leaders Raising Concerns with City Government

NYC Religious Leaders Raising Concerns with City Government

This document provides an example of how religious leaders advocated to their local government for consideration of their special role in providing ministries to local communities as the government carries out its COVID-19 response

Doorhanger

Doorhanger

This printable document can be used as a doorhanger to indicate to housekeeping staff whether a room that had been previously sanitized has been used and needs to be cleaned again.

Community Prayer Beyond Distance and Quarantine

Community Prayer Beyond Distance and Quarantine

This meditation by a local religious leader, Reverend Gretchen Sausville, leads an individual through a virtual trip into their local community to remember important institutions and individuals during this time of distancing.

Buddhist Prayers for Handwashing

Buddhist Prayers for Handwashing

This flyer offers two different Buddhist prayers that each take about 20 seconds to recite. To be used as a tool for encouraging sufficient handwashing.

Disaster Spiritual Care

Disaster Spiritual Care

This essential resource for clergy and caregivers integrates the classic foundations of pastoral care with the unique challenges of disaster response on community, regional and national levels.

Worship and Coronavirus

Worship and Coronavirus

As we look at how we are responsive to the health needs of our local communities, many churches are making the decision whether to host worship together in person; or virtually to have connection digitally if not possible in person.

Online Materials

Sikh doctor chooses to shave ‘in this time of need’

Sikh doctor chooses to shave ‘in this time of need’

The COVID-19 crisis has compelled people around the planet to grapple with all manner of moral dilemmas. For Montreal physician Sanjeet Singh-Saluja, it has forced him into the difficult position of having to reconcile his medical oath with his religious values.

Association of Professional Chaplains: COVID-19 Resources

Association of Professional Chaplains: COVID-19 Resources

The Association of Professional Chaplains coronavirus page offers resources (healthcare, spiritual care services, self-care, etc.) curated by leaders in healthcare, safety and disease control that pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Ohio, the Amish Take On the Coronavirus

In Ohio, the Amish Take On the Coronavirus

A famously traditional community has mobilized to help hospitals with medical supplies, even as it struggles with reconciling its communal way of life with the dictates of social distancing.

Go ahead, have a shvach seder

Go ahead, have a shvach seder

You’re living through an international pandemic – you just don’t need to obsess about creating that inspirational, unforgettable Passover experience.

Hundreds at Louisiana church flout COVID-19 gatherings ban

Hundreds at Louisiana church flout COVID-19 gatherings ban

Hundreds of people flouted Louisiana’s COVID-19 ban on gatherings, coming on buses and in personal vehicles to the first of three Sunday services at their church a day after New Orleans police broke up a funeral gathering of about 100 people.

A Blessing for Handwashing During a Pandemic

A Blessing for Handwashing During a Pandemic

This prayer is recited over the course of about 30 seconds, offering the one offering the prayer a chance to quiet their mind and reflect while ensuring that they provide sufficient time for optimal handwashing effectiveness.

Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebook

Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebook

The purpose of this guidebook is to help congregations take some basic and important steps toward resiliency and intentionality in response to disaster so that they will be better able to serve their communities when disasters strike.”

Websites/Web Platforms

Guidance for Phasing Forward to In-Person Gatherings

Guidance for Phasing Forward to In-Person Gatherings

The Southern New England Conference – United Church of Christ (SNEUCC) have been reviewing dozens of documents and websites on next steps for places of worship. This document is an integration and distilling of those resources tailored for their churches.

Sitting shiva via Zoom, it turns out, has its upsides

Sitting shiva via Zoom, it turns out, has its upsides

Some day we will be able to return to traditions currently on pause due to the global pandemic. And I will welcome them. But when we do, I hope innovations like streamed funerals and scheduled shiva calls are not soon forgotten, offering more flexible and meaningful ways for mourners to connect with one another in their grief.

Ringgold church now linked to three COVID-19 cases

Ringgold church now linked to three COVID-19 cases

Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle announced it would suspend in-person church services because of COVID-19 concerns — just 16 days after church members were allowed to return to the sanctuary for service.

COVID-19 Ramadan Toolkit

COVID-19 Ramadan Toolkit

The Family and Youth Institute conducted a needs assessment about the concerns and needs of American Muslims as they prepare for a COVID-19 Ramadan–you can read about the findings here.

CDC-Funeral Guidance for Individuals and Families

CDC-Funeral Guidance for Individuals and Families

Grieving the loss of a loved one during the fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming. This guidance is for individuals and families as they work with funeral directors, community and religious leaders, and others to plan and hold funeral services and visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Interfaith Leadership Looks Like Online

What Interfaith Leadership Looks Like Online

Amanda Quraishi, Rabbi Joshua Stanton, and Dr. Simran Jeet Singh each shared their distinct, yet intersecting approaches to online Interfaith Leadership. Over the course of the Webinar the panelists covered essential elements of online interfaith leadership.

Dial-a-Priest

Dial-a-Priest

Dial–a–Priest is available to health care professionals and families in hospitals and nursing homes around the country through a single number that connects callers to an Episcopal clergyperson for prayer, especially before intubations or surgeries, or last rites when needed – no matter a patient’s faith tradition or absence of faith tradition.

Association of Professional Chaplains: COVID-19 Resources

Association of Professional Chaplains: COVID-19 Resources

The Association of Professional Chaplains coronavirus page offers resources (healthcare, spiritual care services, self-care, etc.) curated by leaders in healthcare, safety and disease control that pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A global call to prayer

A global call to prayer

A prayer initiative sponsored by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), which is composed of Muslim and Christian religious leaders called for May 14 to be a day dedicated to fasting, works of mercy, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity, so that God will end the pandemic.

The Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice

The Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice

Wendland-Cook is a religion and justice program at Vanderbilt University that believes addressing the relationship between religion and matters of economic and ecological justice is foundational to the flourishing of all people and the planet.

Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19

Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19

Countries around the world are taking different measures to control the spread of COVID-19. This document highlights public health advice for social and religious practices and gatherings during Ramadan that can be applied across different national contexts.

American Muslim Health Professionals: COVID-19 Resources

American Muslim Health Professionals: COVID-19 Resources

The American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) brought together over 30 national Muslim led non-profits with expertise in the healthcare, social services, faith and fiqh, and policy to compile resources and address the unique needs of American Muslims across the country.

Telechaplaincy

Telechaplaincy

A team of chaplains and researchers discuss practical tips for implementing telechaplaincy, as well as what growing research says about this significant method of spiritual care.

Faith and COVID-19 Resource Repository

Faith and COVID-19 Resource Repository

A comprehensive resource list for faith communities, religious leaders, and religious traditions that documents COVID-19 response efforts by faith actors at local, national, and global levels.

Addressing Isolation and Quarantine

Addressing Isolation and Quarantine

This podcast by Episcopal Relief and Development discusses a variety of issues that complicate self-isolation and quarantine as prevention measures.

Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis

Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis

“The greatest gift we can give our world is our presence, awake and attentive. What can help us do that? Here, drawn from ancient religions and wisdom traditions, are a handful of practices.”

Resources for Homeless Shelters

Resources for Homeless Shelters

A web platform from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that offers guidance to community organizations working with those who are homeless to address outbreak prevention and mitigation.

Resources for Clergy on COVID-19

Resources for Clergy on COVID-19

An extensive blog by a clergy person in metropolitan Seattle, offering first-hand advice on precautions, worship models, pastoral care, and self-care from a congregation in a community with a high incidence of infection.

Epi-Win

Epi-Win

This website offers various resources from the World Health Organization for preventing or slowing the spread of COVID-19. Materials have been developed for both medical providers and for the general public. The site includes specific guidance, helpful video, and slide sets.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Updates

This church-based website offers various resources, including linkage to a daily video devotional developed by the church’s ministers and available on the congregation’s facebook page.

Social Media

Online Faith Collective

Online Faith Collective

This website provides a centralized platform for recorded and archived worship services from a variety of faith traditions.

Webinars/Town Halls

Pastoring in a Time of Pandemic

Pastoring in a Time of Pandemic

Solihten Institute and Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta present a live interactive webinar “Pastoring in a Time of Pandemic,” a conversation about the intersection of faith and mental health in these unprecedented times.

A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of Covid-19

A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of Covid-19

The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing offers a series of webinars exploring the public cry out to God regarding the loss of lives and livelihood during this pandemic each followed by a period of Q & A.

Telechaplaincy

Telechaplaincy

A team of chaplains and researchers discuss practical tips for implementing telechaplaincy, as well as what growing research says about this significant method of spiritual care.

Faithfully Demanding Equity Tele-Town Hall

Faithfully Demanding Equity Tele-Town Hall

Faith in Action will host a Faithfully Demanding Equity Tele-Town Hall to discuss our role in supporting communities and social distancing as a spiritual discipline following the coronavirus outbreak.

Podcasts

A New Way to Mourn

A New Way to Mourn

An interview with a retired United Church of Canada pastor whose wife recently died. They discuss the process of arranging an online funeral for her, the technical difficulties he encountered, and how people are creating new rituals during this crisis.

Islam and COVID-19

Islam and COVID-19

A podcast featuring an interview with Imam Osamma Bahloul discussing how the outbreak has reacted the community at the masjid he serves in Nashville, TN (USA)

Videos

When Resources are Limited, What Would an Ethicist Do

When Resources are Limited, What Would an Ethicist Do

Dr. Paul Root Wolpe and Kathy Kinlaw discuss the unique ethical challenges of triage, ventilator allocation, DNR orders, and other difficult decisions related to treatment of COVID-19, and how hospitals locally and across the nation are handling these challenges.

Passover 2020

Passover 2020

SAJ: Judaism that Stands for All, an organization based in New York City developed a video series to help congregants celebrate Passover Seder at home.

COVID-19 in the Jewish Community: Lessons Learned from Italy

COVID-19 in the Jewish Community: Lessons Learned from Italy

This is webinar and discussion with a leading member of the Jewish community in Italy in which he describes his experiences there with his suggestions for how other communities can build on lessons learned from his community’s experience.