Let’s Talk: Digital Equity & Access
Justice & Community Care Conversations
“Churches as centers of justice and community care.” This is an idea we have been leaning into more and more at the Council. Imagine: what would it look like if people in our communities knew they could walk into a church building and be connected to a variety of resources? What would it look like if churches were centers of organizing to work for justice and build stronger communities?
The reality is that many of our churches are already living out this vision in a variety of ways. We hear the deep needs around us and respond. Sometimes, it’s offering space or resources in emergencies, and sometimes, it’s meeting ever-growing needs on a regular basis through a food pantry, or clothing closet, or tutoring, or so many of the ways our churches serve the needs of their communities.
One of our goals at the Council is to help build on the good work that is already happening and continue to grow this vision. Rather than start yet another program, can your congregation look at what you are already doing and layer something on top?
We are inviting you to do just this with work around digital equity this spring. Last summer, in partnership with United Way of Wisconsin (through a grant from the Public Service Commission), we hosted community listening sessions around digital equity. We heard about the fact that internet access is no longer a luxury but a vital need to access a myriad of services ranging from healthcare to education and more, including, yes, church ministry. But the reality is that internet access is expensive and becoming more and more difficult to access as the prices of everything are increasing.
What if the digital ministry of Churches included not only live streaming services but also helping people in your community afford access to the internet? There are programs that can help increase affordability, and while they are not large, we currently live in a world where every dollar counts and these subsidies can free up funding in people’s budgets for other necessities like food, gas, etc. We have also realized that there are many people who qualify for these programs that may not realize it, including people in our pews and people who access other programs through our churches.
What would it look like to use your coffee hour to increase digital access in your congregation by enrolling people in Lifeline? Or maybe training a volunteer to sit at a table at your food pantry or other community service and help get people enrolled? What would it look like to create a designated space using Church wifi for community members to attend online appointments? What if we brainstormed together to think of other ways our Churches could help increase digital access and increase community care?
We will hold two online and two in-person trainings, Let’s Talk: Digital Equity & Access as a launch to our Justice & Community Care Conversations. In-person training will take place in northwest WI and will be announced soon (let us know if you want to host).
Online will be: April 23, 2:00pm, May 2nd 10:00 am
