Dear GNJ Leaders and our congregations,
The following are essential actions and information for this week. Review the information and follow up as appropriate.
1. Registration is Open for the 2021 Annual Conference
To register for the May 24-25 virtual event and secure your ability to vote on new legislation, click here. On May 5 GNJ will also host an information session to discuss the recent report released by the Independent Financial Review Team. We encourage you to join this session at 7:00 p.m. as there will not be another opportunity at Annual Conference to discuss the report. Two additional information sessions will be held on May 12 and 18 to discuss legislation. For all details about these three sessions as well as more information related to Annual Conference, click here.
2. Gov. Murphy Issues New COVID-19 Guidelines Starting in Two Weeks
NJ Gov. Murphy announced yesterday that more than 2.8 million people, or 60%+ of the state’s population have been vaccinated. Starting Monday, May 10, the indoor room capacity allowed for funerals and memorial services will increase to 50%. Also, the outdoor gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500. As you continue to use caution in planning how you will operate for the next several months, please revisit our reopening guidelines and resources related to the vaccine, click here.
3. Clergy Appraisals Now Being Accepted
GNJ is committed to work with every pastor and every church to help them grow their mission and vitality. By administering these clergy appraisals, which will be accepted until June 30 and are available in English, Spanish and Korean, we are able to gather valuable feedback so that clergy and their congregations are poised to thrive. This year, each SPRC chair has received an email about how to access the Clergy Appraisal form in Arena. For more details and to access the appraisal, click here.
4. SBA Opens Up New Funding
Last Thursday the Small Business Administration launched a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance called Supplemental Targeted Advances, which is designed to provide $5 billion in additional assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been most severely affected by the economic effects of the pandemic. This funding is targeting those small businesses in a low-income community who have suffered greater than 50 percent economic loss. For more details and to determine if you qualify, click here.
In Christ,
GNJ Leadership