COVID-19 Response

December 9, 2021

For the last 22 months, Arkansas United Methodist Churches have responded faithfully to help keep congregants and communities safe from the Covid-19 virus and its subsequent variants. At the same time you also have discovered creative ways to remain engaged in ministry in a rapidly changing environment. Yet all of this has taken its toll. Laity and pastors alike are exhausted.

Recently there have been an increasing number of glimpses of a post-COVID-19 life that offer hope. But once again there also is a rising number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Arkansas from COVID-19. We must not ignore the reports, but rather be ready to respond to the significant chance that there will be another surge during Advent and Christmas.

The Bishop’s Task Force on COVID-19 has met and offers several recommendations.

First, continue to use the ARUMC COVID-19 Dashboard as a resource to help you make decisions about appropriate actions for your congregation. It is updated every 24 hours and may be found here.

Second, continue to promote the importance of vaccines and boosters.

Third, continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control. Note that the CDC guidelines previously linked on the ARUMC website recently have been archived by the CDC. A link to the main CDC web page that provides recommendations for personal health, prevention, activities and events may be found here.

Thank you for your continued use of safety protocols that are designed to protect children. Thank you for all the exciting fruit that is being harvested through online discipleship, evangelism, missions and stewardship. And thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do in the future to keep everyone safe, connected and loved.

If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 guidelines or the dashboard, please contact Amy Ezell at amy.ezell@arumc.org.

If clergy families have any questions regarding the Mental Health Employee Assistance Program, please contact Mona Williams at mona.williams@arumc.org.