Essential Actions and Updates | Week of May 11

May 19, 2020 | COVID-19, Essential Actions

Dear GNJ leaders,

Thank you everyone for your continued support and follow through with these important actions and information. The purpose of this weekly letter is to focus on urgent activities for the week. The goal is to be direct and brief. Let us know how we are doing and what is helpful in these emails.

Essential Actions and Information Week of May 11

1. Update and Action:  Finance Chairs, Treasurers and Pastors
CARES Act (PPP) Reporting. Congregations who have received CARES Act Funding are to give careful attention to the reporting requirements. We are here to support you so that your funding becomes a grant and not a loan. Reporting advice can be found here. In addition, last week, GNJ held a conference call addressing questions. You can listen to the recording of the call here. You may also email CARESact@gnjumc.org to answer any questions.
2. Update and Action:  Mission Chairs, Finance Chairs, Pastors
Food Distribution. GNJ and A Future With Hope are working with congregations, nonprofit organizations and state agencies to provide food for people during the financial crisis caused by COVID-19. We have helped secure grants for 11 of our food banks.
  1. Register your food pantry with GNJ here to be considered for grants and support.
  2. Help us raise additional funds for this project. Find out more.
  3. Find out how you can collect and participate in food distribution on our mission pages.
3. Update:  Finance Chairs, Trustees and Pastors
Shared Ministry Holiday. Bishop Schol announced last week that GNJ extended the shared ministry apportionment holiday for June and it will most likely extend it through July for a total of four months – April, May, June and July. A shared ministry holiday means you do not have to pay shared ministry apportionments for these months unless you are able to. You can still receive 100% apportionment credit if you do not pay for these months. If you can fullfill your shared ministry, or later in the year you find you can, you will receive special GNJ recognition and help extend our mission globally. You may read Bishop Schol’s address here or watch the video here.
4. Update:  All
GNJ Staffing
.  GNJ is moving toward interviews for a new CFO/Treasurer. If you or someone you know is interested in the position, you should apply immediately by selecting this link.
5. Update:  Pastors, Trustees
Building Openings.  Governor Murphy has extended the executive order to close all business including churches through June 5 and this order may be extended further. GNJ is working on guidelines and expects them to be available by the end of May. Our goal is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ while flattening COVID-19 and ensuring there are zero infections spread by United Methodist activity. Every congregation will use and further develop the guidelines to meet this goal through your congregation.
Thank you for your leadership and service to the community and church.In Christ,

GNJ Leadership

Quick Links to items mentioned in this letter
CARES Act (PPP) Reporting