As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact our lives in unparalleled ways, it also offers unique challenges for ministries and church volunteers across the country. Even though there’s so much on your plate right now, you may be asking yourself, “What more can we do?”
Churches across the country may be temporarily closing their doors, but they’re opening their hearts to their communities. Here are a few tips you can use to support those in your community with the help of your volunteers.
Deliver medical items to the elderly or immune-deficient
Since the coronavirus has the most impact on those who are elderly or immune-deficient, it is recommended that they self-quarantine unless absolutely necessary. Delivering needed goods such as hygienic care items, over-the-counter medications, or important prescriptions is a great way to help them stay quarantined and also leave a lasting impact on those in your community.
Using your church’s website or Facebook page, simply let your community know that your church would like to help those in need with medications or other hygienic items. Most pharmacies require you to provide the name and birthday of the prescription holder, so be sure those who are requesting this need provide that information.
Churches using Realm are able to create different groups for their volunteers so everyone knows how they can help. From there, tasks can be created, such as picking up medications for someone, and a church volunteer can be assigned to those tasks so they know exactly what to do.
Provide food to families with children
Across the U.S., millions of children rely on school lunches, and in some cases, school lunch may be their only meal of the day. COVID-19 has made it very difficult for some children to receive the nutrients they need. However, one of the ways your church can help is by creating a food drive.
First, reach out to your community through your church’s Facebook page to ask what food types of food are needed. Churches that use Realm are then able to call on the hearts of their entire congregation to help provide food for the community. The church can specify what those needs are through events, such as bread, cereal or canned goods, and even the quantity needed. Each church volunteer can comment on what they can bring so you always know in real-time what is being provided. Once you start collecting food, make a post on your church’s Facebook page informing those in your community that your church is prepared and ready to help with the food provided.
Prayer groups
Last, but certainly not least, is by creating prayer groups. During these trying times, sometimes opening our hearts to prayer is the best way to answer the needs of your community.
Create a post in your church’s Facebook group to ask if there are certain prayers your community would like to ask of your church. Churches that have implemented Realm can post those prayers churchwide so everyone in their congregation can see and respond, functioning as one giant prayer group. Specific groups can be created and individuals added to those groups so they can offer more specific prayers for the community if needed.
Though COVID-19 may temporarily close the doors to your sanctuary, it will NEVER close the heart of your church. Lean on your church volunteers during this time, and you’ll create a thoughtful way to contribute to the health of your community as well as your ministry.
Read more:
Your Church and the Coronavirus: Supporting Local Ministry During the COVID-19 Pandemic
