2021 Updates will be posted as received- Stay Tuned If there is information you do not see on this page and feel will be helpful, please do not hesitate to reach out to office@kcdisciples
Historical reference of resources and material published in 2020:
"What's Next?" is the question of the day for most congregations. Rev. Bruce Barkhauer offers a way to start the conversation. In addition, he has prepared additional resources available to help with stewardship during a time of social distancing. This link will take you to a shared Dorpbox file with that information. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f9og6jao0nb63np/AAAWVtjVIfLt9Ofvw-wMdemMa?dl=0
Some congregations may be facing serious financial stress. (KC STAR Article). The good news for Disciples of Christ is that we never have to face that prospect alone. There are ways that Discip[es Church Extension Fund can help.
Our Region is among those Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) units that have applied through Disciples Treasury Services for the Paycheck Protection Plan
We have been cautioned that not all applications can be honored by the Small Business Administration
Our Regional Minister would like a confidential visit by phone or email from any minister with standing who is personally facing a financial crisis as a result of the quarantine and workplace shutdown. We do have resources through our Week of Compassion and Pension Fund.
We also want to hear from congregations that are facing severe financial challenges. Our Disciples Church Extension Fund has ways to assist.
Thanks to Rev. Dr. Bob Hill for the following information: 1) Re: PPP & MORE Congress is getting ready to release more relief funds for small business and qualifying organizations. Several of you have applied for the first rounds of those funds, and others have expressed interest in finding out more information about them. In anticipation of the future funds becoming accessible, CornerStone Inc. is offering one-hour (FREE) seminars to highlight what financial relief may be available to you and your non-profit organization (as well as businesses). (CLick here for more info about CornerStone and these events.) Cliff and Latasha WIlson will identify how to access the available resources that can help you obtain the financial assistance needed during this unprecedented time. Session 1 – Friday 4/24 from 12pm-1pm
Highlights of FFCRA & CARES Act
One-Time Stimulus Payments - Where's Yours?
Student Loan & Interest Payment Relief
Emergency Unemployment & Paid Sick Leave Benefits (Also available for part-time employees)
Rick Reisinger CEO and Jennifer Gallagher CFO of Disciples Church Extension Fund share information and field questions from lay leaders in congregations and others in this YouTube recording of a Zoom conversation about the Paycheck Protection Program
A LETTER TO THE CHURCH from our Regional Minister: What Will We Do With the Stimulus Money?
Webinar from Convergence: WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR CHURCHES? (Cameron Trimble, Diana Butler Bass, Traci Blackmon, Brian McLaren, and Jacqui Lewis - part of a series in a course.There is a fee.)
This from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Florida: Congregations: protect your offerings mailed to the church by getting a key-lock mailbox. Can make extra keys. We already have a congregation dealing with 2 checks (could be more they aren’t aware of) that were fraudulently cashed!!
(P.S. this is a good time to get the congregational treasurer/financial recording secretary to help check-writers set up arrangements with their banks to make donations by wire transfer to the bank handling your congregation's deposits.) We are hearing stories that previous resistance to this idea is waning a bit.
Please see the CV Opportunities to Serve page for this date's announcement of the NBA COVID -19 Response Grants
Disciples Church Extension Fund is offering free help to all Disciples congregations, Regions, and General units and recognized ministries with applications for the Payroll Protection Program of the CARES ACT. This letter explains what is offered and provides a link to begin the connection - effective Monday, April 6th.
From OGMP Chief of Staff Lee Hull Moses: Here is a summary of resources available to congregations right now, including grants from Week of Compassion and NBA; info about the CARES Act and assistance from DCEF in applying for SBA loans; financial support for pastors from Pension Fund; electronic giving information from the Center for Faith and Giving; worship ideas, and more.
"People who do not have direct deposit information on file with the Internal Revenue Service may have to wait up to 20 weeks to receive cash payments included in the $2 trillion coronavirus relief legislation . . . "NPR.ORG ACCESSED 4.2.2020. (Although this suggested timeline may be improved soon, we may need to help members of our congregations to work through any significant delays in receiving relief . This is the time to begin asset mapping in our congregations
FROM DISCIPLES TREASURY SERVICES: Treasury Service Partners,
We are in the process of learning more about the Federal Reserve program loans. However, some questions that I wanted to get answered ASAP:
If you need a 501c3 certification letter to show your ministry is part of the group exemption, please email yearbook@disciples.org.
Your ministry/region will need to apply for the loan programs separately, initiating the process as you see fit.
Treasury Services can assist in providing payroll reports and healthcare premiums paid documents in order for you to fulfill those applications. Please email treasury@disciples.org with your specific request of documents.
One of the programs is a loan through a bank. I am awaiting a reply from our bank, Fifth Third Bank (who is an existing SBA lender), on how we can connect you with a lender. If you have banking contacts in your city, feel free to start the process.
Comprehensive Information updated frequently in the Office of General Minister and President working with our General Unit partners is available at: https://disciples.org/dns/disciples-and-covid-19/
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act from the U.S. Senate Banking Committee: https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act US Chamber of Commerce Guide to the CARES Act: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/cares-act-small-business-guide