Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last updated: 4/13/20, 9:20am

With the continuous rise and spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), people are asking how to stay safe and asking if there are new protocols when attending worship services. This page will answer some of those questions and provide updates on upcoming conference sponsored and supported events.

Up-to-date information is a good solution for anxiety. Visit trustworthy websites for reliable information—a list of resources has been provided at the bottom of the page. During this time of uncertainty, trust God, and don’t be anxious, get plenty of rest, eat healthily and make conscious and thoughtful decisions about your health and the health of those around you.

We invite you to join us in prayer for the countless individuals around the world who are infected, their families, neighbors and colleagues. Pray also for the nurses and doctors assigned to care for the sick and the scientists who are searching for an effective vaccine.

Many conference sponsored events schedule to take place in the upcoming months have been canceled or postponed. Please click the here to see a list.

Click the following links and check with the following organizations for the latest information on the CONVID -19:

•  World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Health
• U.S. State Department
• Maryland Department of Health
• Virginia Health Department of Health
• Washington Adventist University
• DC Health

Congregations are currently not meeting in a physical buildings. Below is a list of churches in the Potomac Conference that provide live streaming and/or have archived services.

Online Church Services

• Beltsville Church
• Burnt Mills Church
• Community Praise Church
• Courthouse Road
• Fredericksburg Church
• Greater Than I
• Living Hope
• Manassas Church
• Meadowbridge Church

• New Market Church
• Olney Church
• Patterson Avenue Church
• Petersburg Church
• Piney Forest Church
• Pulaski Church
• Restoration Praise Center
• Seabrook Church
• Sligo Church

• Solid Rock
• Southern Asian Church
• Staunton Church
• Takoma Park
• Vienna Church
• Washington Brazilian Church
• Washington Spanish Bilingual 
• Woodbridge Church
• Woodbridge Spanish

Online Prayer Meeting

• Living Hope
  (Daily, 6pm)
• Piney Forest Church
  (Wednesdays, 7pm)
• Solid Rock Church
  (Wednesdays, 7:30pm)

Online Morning Devotional

• Bible Boot Camp
  Daily, 5 – 5:30am
• Solid Rock
  M-F, 7:30am

Sabbath School

• Living Hope, 10am
• Seabrook Church, 10am
• Solid Rock Church, 10am
• Greater Than I, 10:15am
  (includes kids’ bible studies)

Worship Resources for Children

Live-Streaming for the First Time?

From the North American Division: We want our church to come back stronger and more unified from this experience. Normally we talk about how digital technologies are a powerful means to scale up traditional ministry and evangelism, but COVID-19 has pushed the need for digital to be the priority. Below are several resources we think you will find useful to help migrate your worship service and help you build an online community for your church. We’ll keep this page updated as we add more resources.

During this time, we encourage you to make use of online giving to ensure God’s work continues strongly. Tithe and offering can be given through the AdventistGiving App or their online platform. Please check with your church’s website or with your local treasurer in case a different online platform is used.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV): “Remember this… whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Trust Services and Planned Giving

During this time, leadership in the Stewardship and Planned Giving Department will work remotely / online with constituent members who are establishing their estate plan (Last Will and Testament, Advanced Medical Directives & Power of Attorney for Finances) through this office.  Reach out to Tony Reyes or call 540.886.0771 ext. 202 for the following  two options:

• Zoom meeting (we will fill the forms via zoom)
• Online platform (pcsda.giftlegacy.com) where each church member can create an account and go through the process at their own pace.

Leaders of Potomac Conference’s Office of Education continue to help provide support to our principals and their staff.  We are so proud of all that our dedicated educators are doing. Every Monday, the Office of Education administration have zoom meetings with principals to give updates as well as address any needs or concerns.  In turn, principals are staying in constant communication with their staff as well as keeping parents informed.

Through the use of such teaching tools such as online learning, student packets and FaceTime, quality instruction is happening. Each school week involves lesson planning, instruction, grading and home reporting.  Although present conditions are unusual, our commitment to quality education continues.  As of March 26, Maryland announced schools will remain closed until April 24 and any future information shall be monitored and passed along. Virginia schools are closed through the end of the year.  A big thanks to prayers being lifted up for our schools.  They are being answered!

• The best practice to prevent any illness is to wash your hands frequently using the proper technique: wet-lather-scrub-rinse-dry.
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.  Keep a supply at your desk, in your car and your purse or briefcase.
• Avoid touching your face, specifically your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this is how germs enter your body.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cough into your elbow, NOT your hand.
• Stay home if you’re feeling sick.

• Avoid handshakes, hugs, and kisses.
• Fist and elbow bumps are appropriate, and safer, greetings.
• Make sure hand sanitizer is available as people enter and exit the church.
• Wipe down and disinfected surfaces.
• Refrain from hosting potlucks.
• Develop a plan to ensure that members who are at high-risk have their medications, food, and water.
• Postpone evangelistic meetings.

• If circumstances require that you must stay at home for an extended period of time, here are several items you will want to have on hand:
• Plenty of paper products; toilet paper, tissue, and paper towels.
• Cleaning supplies.
• A 14-day supply of non-perishable food items.
• A 30-day supply of your prescription medicine.

• Should Your Church Stop Meeting to Slow COVID-19?
• 7 Lessons from Singapore’s Churches for When the Coronavirus Reaches Yours
• How to Stay Digitally Connected with Your Community and Church Family

Below are some resources on how to keep yourself and your kids moving while maintaining a social distance during the coronavirus.

• “How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus”
• Talking to Children about COVID-19
• “How to keep yourself and your kids active during lockdown”
• “Crowded house: Keeping kids entertained at home during coronavirus lockdown”
• “10 Tips for Preparing to Stay at Home Due to the Coronavirus”
• “Free Resources to Keep the Kids Learning and Entertain During Coronavirus Shutdowns”
• “How to Stay Busy at Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak”
• Scholastic Learn at Home
• 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours 
• Online churches…what does that mean for children?
• 20 Virtual Field Trips to Take with Your Kids
• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 

• Managing Anxiety & Stress
• Protect Your Mental Health
• 8 Ways to Protect Look After Your Mental Health
• Caring for Mental Health Despite the Coronavirus
• NAMI Updates on Coronavirus
• The Family Lockdown Guide