Bay Area

The Church Community Responds to COVID-19

Published

6 years ago

May 6, 2020

“God is our refuge and strength…therefore we will not fear.” Psalm 46: 1-2

Much has been discussed about the coronavirus and how it has impacted grocery outlets, schools, businesses, gyms, salons and recreational facilities. Yet minimal attention has been given to how COVID-19 has affected the church community.

Dr. Cindy Christovale, co-pastor at River of Life Christian Fellowship Church in Oakland, noted that COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way church services are held and how using technology is now the new norm to reach parishioners.

“With social distancing and amid health and safety concerns, congregations have creatively reached out to church members through the internet, social media and sites such as steaming live on Facebook, Periscope, YouTube, and Twitch to conduct services for smaller churches,” said Christovale.

“Additionally ZOOM, the site for meetings and video conferences, has become a very useful tool to effectively reach church-goers that have sheltered in place, especially for older generations.

“Everything we talk about at River of Life is based on the biblical foundation of truth,” she said. “We realize that COVID 19 has affected everyone, spiritually, physically and financially. Knowing the hardships people are facing, we have to reach out to our congregations via phone, text messaging, and social media to let them know the church is there for them.

“The Body of Christ is responsible to come together and pray about our situation,” she added. “We are now suffering because the Body of Christ has been separated since the last presidential election. The enemy has caused division among the Body of Christ.

“As a result of this, we were not prepared for this pandemic and we were lacking our armor. We should continue to read our Bible and pray every day, and not just when we have a present need.”

Rev. Anthony L. Hughes, MDIV, senior pastor at St. Paul AME Church in Berkeley, said parishioners are missing the face-to-face contact, but it’s necessary because of the pandemic. “We no longer have that opportunity to have close contact,” said Hughes. “Reaching out by phone and video streaming is now commonplace.”

“This also applies with giving to the church,” said Hughes. “People have adapted to paying their tithes and offerings electronically. This can be done using the app Givelify on your smart phone by simply identifying your church and the ministry you want to give to.

“Alternatively, if you bank online, parishioners can use Zelle which is a giving program that all banks have. Monies can be transferred to your church by simply entering the church’s email address or phone number, and select the ministry you want to provide funding.”

Hughes stated that during these difficult times, it is important to consider prayer. “One of the main things prayer does is that it keeps us in touch with the spirit of God,” said Hughes. “That’s where we get our direction, our assurance and that’s how we keep our faith strong.”

“Those things come through prayer, so it’s very important that we pray to reach the church community. When this pandemic is over, people will be more appreciative of each other and we will strengthen our ministries with a new enrichment that was not present before.”

Both Christovale and Hughes believe the churches that have ignored orders to shelter-in-place have not used wisdom, and those pastors have been holding services to their peril.

“God has never allowed us to put ourselves in danger,” said Hughes. “What those churches are doing is problematic. They should be prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of their members, especially those congregations that have seniors and people with compromised medical conditions.”

Christovale said that the actions performed by defiant churches are unlawful. “The Bible says to abide by the laws of the land, and those churches are unwise for encouraging activities that put their congregations in danger,” she said.

“Churches in the future will be of a new order,” she added. “Places of worship will need to be cleaned and sanitized, and in many instances, people will still have to remain six feet apart. The technology now in use will most likely continue even more so in the future. It will be a new way of life.”

Clifford L. Williams

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.