COVID-19 INFORMATION
Our last message regarding the 2020 Summer Camp was sent on May 1, 2020. Then, we shared that our church facility intended to remain closed for the next 15-30 days (presumably until the end of May). We let you know that camp staff training and our annual camp parent meeting were suspended. And, we urged you to possibly consider other options if summer childcare is essential for you and your family. Today, we want to provide a more definite answer on offering summer camp this year. Although the state is reopening, our church is deciding to remain closed until at least mid-late June for the health and safety of our members and community.
We had a new Counselor in Training program, new summer specials, and activities/field trips planned for our campers this year; and we know how much they look forward to summer fun and friends here at Sixth Avenue. To us, and hopefully, to you, our summer camp is so much more than childcare – it is a high energy, close contact environment filled with exciting experiences. Our camp greeters and admin love to give morning hugs and encouraging high fives throughout the day. Our counselors enjoy leading class experiments, refereeing kickball games, and surprising campers with crafts and treats. However, there is still so much we do not know about the virus. Therefore, we feel it is in the best interest of our children, families, and staff to not offer group activities such as Summer Camp in this current health climate.
Please know this has been a difficult decision for us, just as we understand this is a challenging time for you as parents. We love you and we will certainly miss you in these coming weeks. If there is any other way we can support you, please let us know.
We want you to know our standard non-refundable registration fee policy DOES NOT apply in this crisis. If you completed registration for Summer 2020, we will issue a full refund (for registration and/or any tuition) in the same method by which it was received. For example, if you paid online through Camp Doc, the refund will be returned to the card you used at the time of registration. If, for some reason, you made an in-person payment, your refund will be issued by check. Monies will be returned with standard banking return times after processing (which is usually 7-10 business days).
We will begin this process on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Thank you for your patience!
Ms, Leticia
We have truly enjoyed sharing meals with the children of Birmingham Monday – Friday. We realize that many meal programs only cover weekdays.
We are blessed to have received grants and support from multiple organizations to support our Weekend Pack Program.
United Way of Central Alabama and Our Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, by way of Lucille Beeson Fund for the Poor and CFGB Giving Together Grants Fund, have provided us enough funding to provide around 225 meals EVERY FRIDAY to ensure children across our city have meals on Saturdays and Sundays.
With this support, we will be able to provide nearly 2500 Weekend Packs!
Thank you to all of our sponsors! Thank you to all of YOU who have donated food, money, and time to providing these blessings to our community.
BREAKING NEWS
Sixth Avenue Baptist FCU Board of Directors
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update.
The Sixth Avenue Baptist Federal Credit Union has now been approved to participate in the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)as one of its institutional lenders. The Small Business Association (SBA) has allocated funds that are now available to small business owners to assist in retaining minority businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are interested in applying for an SBA PPP Loan, please contact General Manager Michele Days at (205) 322-6654 or by email at mdays@sixthavebaptistfcu.org for additional information concerning the application process.
Additional information may also be found by visiting the Small Business Administration website using the link below.https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program#section-header-8
PLEASE NOTE: All loans are made on a first-come-first-served basis. Consequently, time is of the essence.
We would greatly appreciate your business and look forward to serving you.
March 17, 2020
As we work to do our part in slowing the spread of Coronavirus throughout our country, state, and community, we have made the decision to officially close effective tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 12:00PM (noon).
We know God is in control.
We know God is a healer.
Our faith is in God as we continue to pray for our city, state, and country leadership as they make sound decisions going forward.
We are taking this step to not only be in compliance with orders and guidance provided by leadership, but also to protect our church family and community by allowing our staff the opportunity to be safe and healthy.
This will not affect #MealsAtTheSixth drive-up meal service for children. This service will still be in place with Kickstart, Inc. as stated in our previous announcements.
We will continue to update our website, www.sixthavebaptist.com, our social media channels (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook) with information as it develops.
This closing is in effect until further notice.
Sunday services will be held online.
Check www.sixthavebaptist.com/covid19information for additional related information.
Pastor John Cantelow III & Sixth Avenue Baptist Church Staff
For our members’ safety and to comply with state health department and national recommendations to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 in our communities, we have canceled our March 29th Family on the 5th outing. All members who purchased tickets will receive a refund upon request. Please email lwatkins@sixthavebaptist.org to initiate that process.
Meals at the Sixth:
SABC family and community friends, thank you for your resounding support of the Meals at the Sixth initiative to help feed children during this difficult time. We have now reached our maximum number of allowed volunteers. We will keep you posted on other ways we can serve our community together. Thank you for your selflessness.
March 16, 2020
March 13, 2020
Due to rapidly developing COVID-19 concerns, and many areas facing two-week quarantine to increase social distancing, in agreement with our host missions site which has also closed its campus, we will not proceed with our Spring Break plans.
Next Steps
We know our youth were looking forward to the trip (as were we) but ensuring everyone’s safety is of critical importance. At this time, we are unable to provide a potential rescheduled date but we are working to make that a possibility. All payments will be refunded, but please allow a couple of days to begin that process.
Building a community of youth who love as one family is one of our core Collision values. And we would want to salvage their Spring Break if possible and bring them together to continue making memories. However, at this time, we believe it is best to not assemble as a large group in highly populated entertainment centers. We will communicate any changes to parents and youth.
March 11, 2020
There will be no on-campus activities this Sunday, March 15.
We will worship exclusively online and be viewed on our church website, www. sixthavebaptist.com.
We feel this is one of the better ways to honor the nation’s, state, and local government request, love each other, and faithfully offer God our worship.
You can watch the service at any time on Sunday. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LIVE STREAM.
COVID-19 will not stop our mission at Sixth Avenue. Your continued faithful giving to God’s work here extends locally and throughout the world.
CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE GIVING or mail it to 1101 Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW, Birmingham, AL 35211.
Important information for our Health & Wellness Ministry:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people take everyday precautions to prevent transmission of the new coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. Here are 7 ways you can protect yourself:
Wash your hands
One of the best prevention methods is to wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Try to keep a distance of about six feet from people who have a cough or other respiratory symptoms. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid close contact with others.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
The virus can live on contaminated surfaces and objects, so try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Use a tissue
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your bent elbow, and immediately dispose of tissues in the trash.
Wear a mask when needed
Healthy people don’t need to routinely wear face masks to prevent infection. Instead, face masks should be worn by people who show symptoms in order to stop the spread of droplets that can transmit the virus to others. Face masks should also be worn by health care professionals and anyone caring for someone sick at home.
Clean surfaces regularly
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces—such as door handles and light switches—using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Stay home if you are sick
If possible, stay home if you are sick to prevent transmitting the virus to others. If you think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, contact a health care provider promptly if you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Before you go to a clinic or hospital, call ahead so the staff can take appropriate precautions.