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Covid 19 Response

The UCC and Vaccines

As people consider returning to church in the fall, ministry personnel and Communities of Faith naturally have questions about how to safely be together once again.

One of the many concerns that has surfaced is whether Communities of Faith can require worshippers and staff to be vaccinated before returning to in-person gatherings.

EMPLOYEES
Regarding whether the Community of Faith can require its employees to be vaccinated prior to returning to the workplace, the United Church of Canada legal counsel says:

“Non-health care employers cannot refuse worksite access to non-vaccinated employees. In fact, currently refusing to allow a non-vaccinated employee, who has passed the screening protocol, entry into the workplace currently bears the risk of a finding of constructive dismissal against the employer, with ensuing wrongful dismissal damages owing to the former employee.”

Please read the full document here.

COMMUNITIES OF FAITH

As for community members attending worship, General Council states that while it may be reasonable for Communities of Faith to implement mandatory vaccination policies, they will need to be mindful of the consequences and will need to give thought to accommodations where necessary. There are also significant privacy concerns that would need to be considered. Any policy that restricts access to a service needs to be reasoned and coherent, and would need to demonstrate why the policy is necessary and proportionate to mandatory requirements that it is imposing. In other words, if there are safe alternatives, or the requirement is not proportionate to the benefit, it may not be acceptable or advisable to have such a policy.

Please read the full document here.

If you are a Community of Faith looking for assistance, please contact Melody Duncanson Hales at mduncanson-hales@united-church.ca

If you are an M&P Committee looking for support, please contact Rob Smith at rsmith@united-church.ca

Beyond the letter of the law, as people of faith, we are called to uphold the whole community and contribute wherever we can to well-being and safety. After such a long time of being apart, we understand the desire to come together for worship, but also the questions this coming together poses. It is important for Communities of Faith to assess for themselves when they are able to offer in-person worship safely.

We are mindful of all the ways communities of faith have continued to be the church, even while not being able to gather, and we continue to hold all of you in our prayers.

Canadian Shield Regional Council Staff

 

United Church of Canada

Emergency funding, reopening, and more…

Recent Updates

CSRC Staff Lead

Our Emergency Coordinator for Canadian Shield Regional Council is Rob Smith. He will facilitate coordination in the event of an emergency.  Please ensure that someone from your community of faith signs up for the Emergency Preparedness Committee.  For more details and to sign up, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.  Thank you! 

Rob Smith
Pastoral Relations Minister
Canadian Shield Regional Council
Phone: 705-474-3350  |  1-833-236-0281
Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca  

 

Reopening Buildings

Reopening: Canadian Shield Regional Council

Reopening: Wider United Church Resources

Reopening: General Articles

Employment

Employment Resources

Employment Guidance for Communities of Faith during COVID-19 PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT FIRST Updated September 8, 2020

GCE Extends Temporary Amendment of ByLaws re: Pastoral Relations for urgent decisions related to call or appointment. Updated August 27, 2020  GCE web page for original decision Temporarily Amends Pastoral Relations Policies

ADP United in Learning Webinar, 04.14.20 Slides from webinar.  

Employee and Family Assistance Program 

Regional Staff

Rob Smith
Pastoral Relations Minister
Canadian Shield Regional Council
Phone: 705-474-3350  |  1-833-236-0281
Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca  

 

Governance

Resources

CEBA The Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program has been extended and will end on October 31st. Congregations must complete the application by this date. Remember these applications require regional approval.  Regional Staff contacts: Jody Maltby or Kim Uyede-Kai.  See the Government Emergency Program page on The United Church of Canada website for more information.
 
COVID-19 and Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers August 1, 2020 Information from Erik Mathiesen

Congregational Finances and COVID-19 What Churches can do right now Updated June 10, 2020.

CanadaHelps and The United Church United in Learning Webinar May 28, 2020

Regional Council Implementation of Temporary Change to Pastoral Relations Policies April 28, 2020

United Church of Canada Emergency Support  April 27, 2020 Information on denominational ways to bridge the financial strain on communities of faith and link to loan application form.

Governance in Congregations during COVID-19 April 16, 2020

Toronto United Church Council TUCC COVID-19 April Update includes the Investing in Ministry Fund, camping ministries, Innovative Ministry Centre, the Centre for Church Development and Leadership and property management information. April 13, 2020

Generosity in Unprecedented Times Practical, recommended, tools to invite an ongoing commitment from the Philantrhropy Unit, March 28, 2020

The United Church of Canada Emergency Plan March 2020 

CSRC Staff Lead

Rob Smith
Pastoral Relations Minister
Canadian Shield Regional Council
Phone: 705-474-3350  |  1-833-236-0281
Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca

Pastoral Care

Resources

Outline for a Zoom gathering at the time of death, shared by Karen Hilfman, April 28, 2020 

Grieving and Remembering at Home, ideas from Susie Henderson, April 28, 2020 

Moderator Asks to delay funerals March 24, 2020

6 Tips to Avoid “Zoom Fatigue” in the Age of COVID-19, by Leah D. Schade April 3, 2020

Talking with Children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Talking Points from Jeffrey Dale, Shining Waters Regional Council  March 20, 2020

How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus Pandemic by Alan Wolfelt at the Center for Loss and Life Transition,  March 19, 2020

Things That Matter YouTube Channel by Diane Strickland

Pastoral Care for Grieving Families A Google Doc from our partner church in the U.S. The United Church of Christ

Responsive Prayer Model for On-Line Funeral Google Doc from the United Church of Christ

Regional Staff

Rob Smith
Pastoral Relations Minister
Canadian Shield Regional Council
Phone: 705-474-3350  |  1-833-236-0281
Ext. 3
Email: rsmith@united-church.ca

 

Video Library

Community of Faith Emergency Contact – Emergency Preparedness Committee

The region will continue to communicate to Communities of Faith through our traditional contacts, generally an administrative e-mail with each community of faith.  If you have an additional contact for our list, for example a community of faith Emergency Response team leader, please use the following form to add them to our mailing list. 

The United Church of Canada’s emergency preparedness plan asks that each community of faith/pastoral charge establish an Emergency Preparedness Committee. The Committee serves as the link between the region and the community of faith(s) for communications during an emergency. Please register your committee contact information below. Thank you.