The Online Plate

Many churches around the country are struggling with how fund necessary, ongoing, and new ministries during the COVID-19 crisis. This article from the Vital Practices blog of the Episcopal Church Foundation poses some important questions and offers a variety of possible solutions:

The arrival of COVID-19 will mean fewer people attending church—and probably some services cancelled altogether. Yet churches need to pay the bills whether people come on Sunday or not, and innovative ministries that adapt to the crisis (Zoom Bible studies, streaming sermons, etc.) require resources, too. How can you pass the plate when people aren’t there to pass the plate? And how can your church safely receive payments if the virus can possibly survive for hours on printed materials (i.e. the mail)?

– Jason Smith, published on ECF Vital Practices

If you are interested in conversations like these, and in helping St. Michael’s to figure out our way forward, ask Father Andrew about getting involved with the Finance Committee or Stewardship Committee!