A Message from Rick Remmers, president, Chesapeake Conference

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has been making headlines for a number of weeks now. The impact in our local context is changing daily, and even moment by moment.  As a result, there are growing questions about what our churches, schools and members should do. 

The health and safety of everyone within our conference remains a top priority. We continue to work in cooperation with federal, state, local and denominational entities to actively participate in the effort to address public health concerns. The Chesapeake Conference administrative leadership team is providing ongoing guidance for our pastors and principals to equip and empower our local leaders to make decisions that will help maintain the safety of all of our communities. Let’s continue to pray for God’s protecting hand on our conference family and others around the world.

• If you need to contact one of our office personnel, please see our directory for contact info.
• If you would like to recieve weekly updates and inspiration, sign up for the Chesapeake Conference Currents.

Chesapeake Adventist Community Services (ACS) Response

The Chesapeake Adventist Community Services (ACS) department is coordinating with local churches and trained volunteers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak by establishing the following resources for anyone in need as well as ways to assist (click links for more info): 

• A network of 16 church-based Food Pantries
• A dedicated Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline in English and Spanish
• Four Medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donation Centers in partnership with Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

President Rick Remmers speaks with Ignacio Goya (on location), Adventist Community Services (ACS) director, via Zoom to discuss how Chesapeake is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACS is also looking for volunteers willing to serve the community in this time of need. Assistance is needed in the following areas:

• Emotional Care
• Spiritual Care
• Donations Management
• Health Care (licensed professionals)

If you are able to assist in any of the above areas, please fill out the short volunteer signup form.

Churches

• In order to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in our communities the Chesapeake Conference leadership is recommending to our churches that they follow the federal guidance to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people.
• All Chesapeake Conference churches are to follow federal, state and local government public health mandates.
• Current state guidelines are as follows:
  • For more information on Maryland guidlines go to this website
    • Maryland churches are allowed to facilitate live streaming of services from church buildings whille adhereing to attendance limit guidlines and other protocols and restrictions. See item #3 of the Interpretave Guidance document provided by the Office of Legal Counsel of the State of Maryalnd for more details.
  • For more information on Delaware guidlines, go to this website
  • For more information on West Virginia state guidlines, go to this website
• Local churches are encouraged to assess their individual congregational risks (members who are elderly, immunocompromised, etc.) when planning any church gatherings.
• In any gathering, please implement health protocols including the following:
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Use sanitizer regularly
  • If you are sick, have a compromised immune system or fall into any of the vulnerable categories, please stay at home
  • Cough into your elbow
  • Refrain from handshaking, fist bumps, or hugs
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Worship, Sabbath School, prayer meeting, Bible studies and church leadership meetings can all be conducted remotely. Churches are encouraged to utilize live streaming, online giving, teleconferences and video conferencing as a way to continue church ministry and business during this time of restriction.
• Most of our churches have canceled in-person worship services for a week or more. Please check your local church's website and Facebook pages for updates regarding closures and cancellations. 

Schools

• All Chesapeake Conference schools are to follow federal, state and local government public health mandates.
• Current state guidelines are as follows:
  • Delaware school buildings will be closed from May 15, 2020
  • Maryland K-12 school buildings will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year
  • West Virginia pre-K – 12 school buildings will be closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year

During building closures, Chesapeake schools will be participating in online/distance learning.

Highland View Academy

• HVA campus is closed until April 24, 2020
• Events and activities postponed until further notice
• HVA Alumni Weekend (April 24-26) has been cancelled

During campus closures, Highland View Academy will be participating in online/distance learning.

How to Return Tithes and Offerings

• Ways to give online:
  • Adventist Giving Tutorial Video
  • Adventist Giving Online - Web
  • Adventist Giving App - Android
  • Adventist Giving App - iOS
• If you would prefer not to give online, please contact your local church treasurer to explore other giving options.

Chesapeake Sabbath Live Streams

• Sabbath School
  • Atholton (Children's)
  • Connection Community
  • Ellicott City - Contact Pastor Debbie Rivera pastordebbierivera@gmail.com for Children’s Sabbath School connection details for Zoom.
  • Hagerstown (Children’s, Youth, and Adult)
  • Frederick (Children’s and Adult)
  • Linthicum & Pasadena
  • New Hope - Contact Pastor Marilyn Scott marilyn@newhopefulton.org for Children’s Sabbath School connection details for Zoom.
  • South Carroll
  • Triadelphia

• Worship
  • Atholton
  • Connection Community 
  • Ellicott City
  • Frederick
  • Hagerstown
  • Highland View
  • Life in Christ
  • Living Word
  • New Hope
  • South Carroll
  • Spencerville
  • Triadelphia
  • Waldorf
  • West Wilmington
  • Williamsport
  • Willow Brook

Spanish Chesapeake Sabbath Live Streams

• Iglesia Adventista Pacto de Amor
• Baltimore Central Spanish
• Baltimore Spanish Church 
• Reisterstown Spanish
• Iglesia Adventista Bowie
• Washington Spencerville Spanish

Conference Office

• The Chesapeake Conference office is now closed to visitors, but our staff continues to work normal hours remotely.
• If you need to contact one of our office personnel, please see our directory for contact info.
• Chesapeake Conference personnel have been asked to restrict work-related travel outside of conference territory except by administrative approval.

Conference Events

• Eastern Shore Gathering – Canceled
• Highland View Academy Alumni Weekend (April 24-26) - Canceled
• Pastors' Ministeriums remain as scheduled but will meet remotely via Zoom
• Pathfinder Bible Experience (Union and NAD) – Canceled
• Pathfinder Camporee – Postponed
• Spanish Health Fair – Postponed
• Spanish Men’s Retreat – Canceled
• Spanish Women’s Ministry event at Annapolis – Canceled
• Youth Leader Enrichment Day – Postponed

Congregational Exposure

• If you have been exposed to or test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), please do the following:
  • Contact your healthcare provider and follow the health protocols outlined by the CDC.
  • Inform your pastor promptly.

Resources & Links

• Adventist Learning Community - Online Worship Tools
• Children's Ministries Resources for Online Churches
• Advent Source FREE - Help I'm A Parent Book and DVD set
• North American Division Camporee Videos
• COVID-19 Digital Resources for Churches & Ministries Going Digital
• Frequently Asked Questions About coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities | Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• North American Division Provides Guidance for Churches
• Ted Wilson Calls for Prayer Regarding Worldwide Coronavirus Outbreak 
• Urban Life Center