Returning to Church

WHERE ARE WE? Faith leaders often ask us “What activities are safe to engage in right now?” We urge you to follow any guidelines established by your wider church body; if you need further guidance, our most recent recommendations are always posted below. We track the COVID-19 dashboard offered by DHS and keep you updated, based on our conversations with public health experts regarding current conditions and what prudent and pastoral choices you might consider. We also recommend monitoring the data maintained by your county to keep track of more local conditions.

May 16, 2022 Update:

Vaccinations completed in WI: 61.1% Source: WI DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Data
Daily New Cases/100K population = 39.9 (7 day average) Source: globalepidemics.org
Daily Positive COVID tests = 13.7% (7 day average) Source: WI DHS Summary Data

The primary figure we watch is daily new cases/100 thousand. The omicron variant is the predominant COVID variant in Wisconsin. This variant is much more transmissible than what we’ve seen so far. That can add up to big trouble quickly if we relax precautions. There is still a large reservoir of people in Wisconsin who are not vaccinated, are only partially vaccinated, or for whom vaccines offer less protection. In the current phase of the pandemic, these neighbors are still experiencing significant risk and illness.

Encouraging people to get vaccinated is absolutely critical right now. This is not a time to send mixed messages. In addition to increasing vaccination rates, wearing masks, physical distancing, and soap-and-water cleaning are among the best tools we have to keep communities healthy. We want to limit sharing air with someone who is or may be infected. It’s time to make sure you’re still following your COVID safety plan and not letting the details slide.

On Singing: We take a cautious stance on congregational singing indoors; see the Center for Congregational Song for more information.

On Outdoors vs. Indoors: While it does decrease risk, and we do recommend outdoors options whenever possible, there is nothing magical about being outdoors for your church gatherings: remember to distance from those with whom you don’t share living arrangements.

On Masking: A little over half of Wisconsinites are fully vaccinated, but we invite you to be mindful of those who are not yet vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated. Confused about when you need to mask if you’re vaccinated? We currently recommend universal masking indoors.

LATEST The Needs of the Saints: Returning to Church 4.0


RETURNING TO CHURCH – Ministry during the COVID-19 outbreak
The Wisconsin Council of Churches has released Returning to Church Guidance and updates throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. The previous updates are archived here. Please consult our latest guidance listed above for uptodate recommendations.

Returning to Church Archive
4/23/2020: Returning to Church 1.0
5/8/2020: Returning to Church: Church Music supplement
5/26/2020: Returning to Our Houses of Worship: An Interfaith Resource
6/12/2020: Returning to Church: Possible, Prudent, and Pastoral Choices

7/31/2020: Returning to Church: July 2020 Recommendations
9/21/2020: Returning to Church: Early Fall Update
10/6/2020: WCC Urges Churches to Return to Remote Ministry
1/21/2020: Holding Our Plans Loosely: Returning to Church 2.0
4/16/2021: Bearing with One Another in Love: A Returning to Church 2.0 Supplement
5/13/2021: Love Builds Up: A Returning to Church 2.0 Supplement
5/13/2021: El Amor Edifica: (español)

5/27/2021: By Faith We Stand Firm
12
/2021: How to Make Your Church Safer: Another COVID Christmas
9/21/2021: With One Body and One Spirit: Returning to Church 3.0
3/4/2021: For the Needs of the Saints: Returning to Church 4.0
3/4/2021: Las Necesidades de los Santos: Regreso a la Iglesia 4.0 (en español)


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