Guidelines COVID19 Relief Fund
As the North Carolina Synod, we are better together. Our call is to walk alongside congregations as they pursue vitality and leaders as they pursue wholeness and health. We know that in the time of this global pandemic, both our congregations and leaders are experiencing immense challenges.
With gratitude to God for generosity across our synod, we announce and make available the COVID19 Relief Fund.
In this extended time without large gatherings, including worship, many congregations and agencies face financial challenges. The COVID19 Relief Fund is designed to help congregations and our agencies and institutions make it through short-term shortfalls of cash until regular operations can continue.
For many, the largest cost is salary and benefits for rostered ministers, which will still need paid during this time of social distancing. The first priority of COVID19 Relief funds will be salary and benefits of the rostered minister. Additionally, we recognize the need to care for staff teams. Applications will be received for other needs such as the salary of a sexton, youth ministry staff, or other bills.
These funds are limited to the cash we have on hand. They should only be requested for shortfalls that cannot be covered from your cash on hand through sources including reserves, foundations, etc. For example, if your payroll for a pay period is $10,000, you have $8,000 on hand, and the remainder cannot be supplied by reserves, you can request the other $2,000 in order to cover that shortfall. These funds are not for loss of income, but to help cover gaps in actual dollars - primarily for wages and benefits.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. By rolling basis we mean, we process them in the order they come and there is not a deadline to abide by but please keep in mind that funds are limited.
As Bishop Smith often reminds rostered ministers, “Our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” God is doing a new thing, and we look forward to when we can gather again in our communities and sing praises to our God.