Conversation Guide to Reopening Your Church Building
American Baptist Churches, USA
Conversation Guide to Reopening Your Church Building
As local, state and governmental leaders begin to announce plans for reopening the country, it seems wise for pastors and church leaders to begin holding conversations and making preparations for reopening our places of worship. It is important to recognize that safety concerns will require our worship and ministry to be conducted differently as we return to a new reality. Gathering guidelines from officials may be implemented in stages and may be different from one county to the next. Advance preparation may be the key to keeping persons safe when we return to our activities. This guide is designed to help you ponder various points of consideration as your church implements new methods, policies and procedures. It specifically focuses on two core areas, the physical and the personal.
Click here to learn more.
ABCCONN’S 2020 LAY MINISTRY INSTITUTE
Registration is now open for ABCCONN’S 2020 LAY MINISTRY INSTITUTE.
Class Cycle Dates
Cycle 1: September 11th-16th
Cycle 2: October 23rd-24th
Cycle 3: November 14th
Click here to learn more and complete the registration form.
Time-Sensitive Financial Relief for ABCCONN Churches – Federally Funded CARES Payroll Protection Plan (PPP)
ABCCONN Churches are encouraged to make an application for federal funds under the Payroll Protection Plan, a part of the CARES Act recently approved by Congress and signed by the President.Eligibility and Requirements
Churches and other non-profits are eligible under this program.
Churches would be eligible for a loan of approximately 2.5 times the monthly payroll. The loan would be through a participating Bank of your choosing.
Using the Quarterly 941 forms, your church can determine the potential amount of your church loan.
This is a first come, first serve program. It is important that your church file an application quickly.
FAQs
What can the loan be used for? Payroll Costs (This is the prime reason for this program), Utilities, or Group health benefits If this is a loan, what is the interest and how long do we have to pay it back? It will depend on your bank. No guarantee or collateral is required. Is there Loan Forgiveness? Any monies spent for payroll during the eight-week period after the loan is originated (starts) are forgiven. Also, utility payments made prior to 2/15/20 are eligible for forgiveness. Is there a down-side to this application? Your church would have to make every effort to retain the number of current staff.For additional information please click here.
Further assistance is available by calling the ABCCONN office during normal business hours at 860-521-5421. Please follow the prompts to be connected with the Executive Minister.
ABCCONN COVID-19 Update
ABCCONN Covid-19 Update
Greetings All,
This is an update to keep you apprised of what is happening in ABCCONN. After meeting with the Executive Committee on Sunday, March 15, 2020, it was decided that all office work should be done remotely. Therefore, all meetings and appointments will be done virtually via Zoom, phone, and email.
It was also decided to postpone the Annual Gathering to be held in April. We are looking at a date to be determined in the Fall of 2020. Please stay tuned for more details. I know that choosing to close or go to a virtual platform is a difficult decision. However, a webcast is the best decision for both you and your congregants. ABCCONN seeks to be a relevant and added value partner in these times. Therefore, please join me this Thursday at 1:00PM via Zoom. We will share, pray, and seek to encourage each other in the Lord. This gathering is for lay and clergy. Please join me.
With hope,
Rev. Harry Riggs
Executive Minister of ABCCONN
A Statement re COVID-19
Please take a moment to review a statement on COVID-19 prepared by Rev. Riggs.
Pre-Annual Gathering -MMBB Ministers Luncheon, April 24th!
DUE TO THE CURRENT GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS, ABCCON'S 2020 PRE-ANNUAL GATHERING EVENT SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 24, 2020 HAS BEEN POSTPONED. A NEW DATE IS TO BE DETERMINED.
Please join us on April 24, 2020, from 8:30AM until 1:00PM for our Pre-Annual Gathering event featuring Colin E. Nass, CFP, AEP, RICP, Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Gradia McKinney, MBA, Retirement Benefits Consultant.
This event is for MMBB members and clergy who would like to join MMBB. There will be an opportunity for a 30-minute consultation with a certified financial planner from 1:00PM-4:00PM, on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here to complete registration for this FREE event. The deadline to register is April 15, 2020.