COVID-19 Updates Worship Congregations Training

Summary

The COVID-19 Pandemic has taken a major toll on citizens across the nation and country. The health uncertainty of loved ones, small business closures and nationwide quarantine can be a stressful event for many. During a time where stress levels are running high and the unknown is around every corner, faith-based organizations and congregations are a major form of comfort. COVID-19 Updates Worship Congregations Training was presented to African Methodist Episcopal Churches in Georgia, sharing related to congregational care, environmentally safe surface cleaning techniques, and how to create informative signage to ensure safety measures are followed, along with proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as outlined by the CDC.

Situation

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began having confirmed cases in the United States starting in January 2020. By March 2020, there were confirmed cases in all 50 states. By June 2020, the U.S. had the most confirmed active cases and deaths in the world. COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. As of June 2020, the Georgia Department of Public Health reports 106,727 confirmed COVID-19 related cases, 2,930 deaths, 12,606 hospitalizations, and 2,519 ICU admissions. Medical practitioners are still researching the origin of the virus and identify measures to mitigate the spread of the virus and ‘flatten the curve.’ The rapid spread of the virus resulted in local hospitals and medical facilities becoming overwhelmed with an unexpected demand for services that they were ill-equipped to handle. On March 14, 2020, Governor Kemp executed an Executive Order declaring a state of “A Public State of Emergency on the Novel Coronavirus” which later led to a ‘Shelter in Place’ order being executed through April 13, 2020. To ensure that CDC recommendations were being communicated at the local community levels, UGA FCS Extension responded with developing a training geared towards educating faith-based organizations on creating new community best practices focused on COVID-19 safety to aid churches to re-open their doors and provide much needed services to the local communities they serve. The role that the AME church plays in the African-American community is more than just a place of worship, it is cultural staple. It was among the first denominations in the United States to be founded on racial rather than theological distinctions and has persistently advocated for the civil and human rights of African Americans through social improvement, religious autonomy, and political engagement and the services. This denomination provides services of counseling, food drives, homeless shelters and worship for communities throughout the state. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, these services were placed on hiatus. In Chatham County the African American community takes 41% of the population; and in a state of Georgia the African American community makes up 32%. Leaving many families without access to these services and churches unaware on how to safely and effectively reach them during this time. In the midst of the pandemic, churches were required to close due to theses environments being deemed as possible “COVID-19 spreaders.” There was limited information being disseminated to this audience to aid them in reopening safely.

Response

The University of Georgia’s Family and Consumer Sciences program launched a pilot initiative, ‘COVID-19 Updates for Worship Congregations’ a virtual training concentrating on African Methodist Episcopal (AME) faith-based denomination communities. The training was developed to assist them in returning to their pivotal role in Georgia’s communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot program educated clergy and clergy staff on protective measures for them to employ as it related to congregational care, environmentally safe surface cleaning techniques, and how to create informative signage to ensure safety measures are followed, along with proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as outlined by the CDC. Participants received access to printable signage templates, links to companies that offer PPE supplies and UGA Covid-19 Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The training also shared innovative, alternative and safe ways with for minsters to reach their congregations utilizing social media platforms, on-line newsletters (such as MailChimp), car drive in services, Facebook Live and YouTube.

Impact

The pilot successfully reached 40 churches located throughout the state of Georgia. Of the organizations surveyed 90% of them found the workshop content to be beneficial, and approximately 27% of them have been able to re-open utilizing appropriate signage to ensure congregational safety. Although, the remaining churches still have not reopened, they do have pending re-opening dates slated for later this year. Due to this training African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches were able to still create innovated and safe ways to reach their congregations via Facebook Live, Zoom and Mailchimp. Churches were also able to effectively and safely provide their communities fresh produce and can- goods through food drives, using UGA Covid-19 Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). In result of Covid-19 Updates for Worship Congregations virtual training • 11 Georgia counties participated in the ‘COVID-19 Updates for Worship Congregations’ virtual training. (Jefferson, Bibb, Lyons, Bleckley, Bulloch, Peach, Atkinson, Mitchell, Chatham, Muscogee, and DeKalb) • 90% of participants found this information useful • 27% have currently reopened • 60% is pending re-opening dates slated for later this year. • 13 churches took part in the ‘COVID-19 Updates for Worship Congregations’ virtual training • 11 churches have prepared their sanctuary with Covid-19 signage

State Issue

Other Programming

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: State
• County: Chatham
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • Family and Consumer Sciences

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