GNW COVID-19 crisis management team continues monitoring situation
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has been convening calls with a Greater Northwest Area COVID-19 crisis management team since March 6 to monitor the ever-changing coronavirus and the impact it has on local communities and churches across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
This team — which represents the Alaska Conference, Oregon-Idaho Conference, and Pacific Northwest Conference — is comprised of conference leaders, clergy, laity, and emergency response team coordinators. The Rev. Carlo Rapanut, Alaska Conference District Superintendent, serving as the team leader.
The team meets at least twice a week to monitor news and updates from health departments at the state and federal level. The team also includes working groups that focus on issues such as worship restrictions, resources, and tech support, financial resiliency of local churches, ministries with vulnerable populations, and communications.
The team continues to monitor and survey local church leaders to assist the Bishop to discern strategic next steps, as she offers careful guidance to more than 400 congregations across 900,000 square miles.
As decisions are made, news and information is shared via email, social media and the Greater NW Area website where resources continue to be posted or modified: www.greaternw.org/coronavirus.
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