Churches around the world are learning how to be imaginative in their ministry in order to be present to those in need in a time of social disruption. From the experiences of communities facing crises around the world, we know that faith leaders can play a transformational role in calming fear, disseminating accurate information, and modifying religious practices to help keep people safe while providing spiritual care and honoring important community traditions.
We see our role as churches, leaders, and compassionate Christians as:
- combating fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma
- maintaining operational continuity and continuing expressions of Christian life in the case of quarantine and disruption
- showing God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected
We will continue to update our collection of resources in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) here as we create and add to them.
RESOURCES FROM WCC
Flu Season, the Coronavirus and the Church
- What is our role?
- What do we need to prepare for?
- A church view on keeping people healthy
- Responding to Our Neighbors’ Needs
- Ministry Amid Social Disruption
- Where can I find trustworthy information about the current public health situation?
- Denominational Resources
Caring for the Pastor Resources
- What’s My Pastor Doing (now that they’re not at the Church?)
- Mental Health Resources
Church Administration Resources
- Finance
- Leadership
- Pastoral Transitions
- Social Media
- Zoom and online meetings
- All Ages Faith Formation
- Children’s Ministry
- Mission Projects
Pastoral Care in the Time of COVID-19
- Alcohol and other Drugs
- Domestic Violence
- Mental Health
- Funerals and Grief Care
- Returning to Church – our original recommendations
- Returning to Church – periodic updates
- Singing and COVID-19
- Sample Covenant for People Returning
- Building care
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources from NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness)
- Mental Health Information For Disease Outbreaks from Mental Health of America- Wisconsin
- Project Recovery– Crisis Counseling & Other Resources for Understanding Our Responses to Disaster. Webinar with staff members from Project Recovery. Dial 211 or visit their website to access services.
Pastoral Transitions in the Age of COVID-19
- Saying Goodbye Well
- Calling a New Pastor
- Transitioning into a New Congregation in the age of COVID-19
Love Your Neighbor, Wear a Mask!
- Education on Vaccines
- Denominational Resources about Vaccines
- Wisconsin COVID-19 Registry
- On Ministry Choices and the Commandment to Love
- Preparing for “Safer at Home”
- WCC Response to State Supreme Court Ruling
- Faith Leader COVID Safety Pledge
- Faith Leaders Covid-19 Thank You to Health Care Workers and First Responders
Wisconsin Churches who are Live Streaming Worship (don’t see yours? let us know!)
- Advent and Christmas Resources
- Online and Holy Week Resources
- Music in the Age of COVID-19
- Resources for Streaming Worship
- Singing and COVID-19
- Creating Live-Streamed Worship Webinar
- Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life (from Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments)
COVID WEBINARS FROM WCC
Epidemic Preparedness for Faith Based Organizations (March 10, 2020)
Creating Live-Streamed Worship (March 19, 2020)
COVID Science for Churches (August 12, 2020)
Project Recovery (Sept 24 and 29, 2020)
Holding Our Plans Loosely: Returning to Church 2.0 (Jan 14, 2021)
About COVID Vaccines with Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist (Feb 12, 2021)
COVID Vaccine Equity: A Wisconsin Partners Conversation (March 25, 2021)
Have you appreciated or benefited from our crisis response ministry with respect to the coronavirus? Please share a word of testimony, or make a donation to sustain this work, which is helping clergy and churches here in Wisconsin, and across the nation.
