Dear Clergy and Congregational Leaders,
The following are the essential actions and information for this week.
1. Election Day – All
Today is election day. We encourage everyone to vote. This election season has been divisive. We encourage all pastors to connect with people and provide pastoral support as needed. See the GNJ Cabinet’s email to clergy here.
2. Find Out How Your Congregation Can Become a GAP Center – All Churches with Childcare Facilities or are Looking to Open Care Facilities
Childcare continues to be a great need in our communities and A Future With Hope has been working with state and local officials to resource childcare facilities in our churches and churches who wish to open a temporary childcare facility at this time. A Future With Hope is hosting its second resourcing forum to discuss GAP Centers for facilities providing care for children receiving remote instructions in NJ public schools. The forum is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. We will be joined by Bishop John Schol and Brian C. Ross, Esq. Assistant Commissioner for Legal, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. For information and registration.
3. COVID-19 Resurgence – All Clergy and Chairperson of Trustees and Church Council
COVID cases are surging across the country and in NJ. This will impact all of life including congregational life. Our goal is zero spread of the virus through United Methodist activities. All churches are to follow all state and CDC guidelines. We anticipate these will continue to be modified as the pandemic spikes. We will continually point GNJ congregational leadership to these guidelines and all churches are to follow the guidelines.
On Wednesday, October 28, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 192 which mandates health and safety standards for all workplaces effective November 5, 2020, including our churches. This order includes providing approved sanitation materials to employees and visitors at no cost to those individuals, routinely cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas, conducting daily health checks, excluding sick employees from the workplace, and notifying employees of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite. Read more. All congregations are required to make these modifications to their weekly worship and building reopening plans.
4. Bishop’s Days on the Region – All Clergy and Laity
Bishop Schol will be meeting via Zoom with all clergy and laity to listen and understand about the state of the church and share information about GNJ mission and priorities.
Clergy will meet from 9:00 a.m. on the following dates:
Southern Region | Nov 12, 9:00 a.m.
Central Region | Dec 2, 9:00 a.m.
Northern Region | Nov 19, 9:00 a.m.
Laity will meet on the following dates:
Nov 19, 7:00 p.m.
Dec 3, 9:00 a.m.
Thank you for your ministry. You are a blessing to GNJ and your community.
In Christ,
GNJ Leadership
Quick links to items in this email:
The GNJ Cabinet’s email to clergy
Childcare Forum Information and Resourcing
COVID-19 Resources
Bishop’s Days on the Region
Clergy: Southern Region | Nov 12, 9:00 a.m. | Central Region | Dec 2, 9:00 a.m. |Northern Region | Nov 19, 9:00 a.m.
Laity: Nov 19, 7:00 p.m. | Dec 3, 9:00 a.m.