Our hearts are certainly heavy in this season as we grieve the death of Corey Ruiz, who was shot and killed by Madison police. In the wake of this tragedy, the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin Streets has transformed into a sacred space of community mourning, lament, and protest. 

A Black man was murdered, and there are flowers.

Rest in peace, Corey Durell Ruiz. Rest in power.

I first heard about spiritual direction in seminary. The idea sounded interesting, but not essential, so it quickly went to the back burner.

Years later, while attending a retreat, I noticed that spiritual direction was offered as an optional add-on. I was in the midst of discerning an emerging ministry opportunity, so I signed up, not quite knowing what to expect. What I encountered was an invitation to slow down and pay attention—to notice what was bringing life and energy, and what was not. The experience brought clarity, and I left feeling deeply seen and understood. Years later, spiritual direction remains one of the practices that has sustained me in ministry and, more importantly, helped me continue loving God through challenging seasons.

On Tuesday, July 7th, Wisconsin clergy in Eau Claire, Milwaukee, and Madison spoke in solidarity as part of a national day of action to “Protect Our Vote.” The day included 15 press conferences held across the country following a letter signed by 2000+ clergy, including 265+ in Wisconsin. 

Campaign signs are popping up in neighborhoods across the state as we move towards the fall elections. This year we are facing an August primary and a November election that includes highly contested congressional elections, state offices that could shift the control of the state capitol - including electing a new governor, constitutional amendments, and other local issues.

On Tuesday, June 9^th, the Clergy Emergency League and the Wisconsin Council of Churches presented a workshop for faith leaders across the country, to provide context and resources for planning worship on July 4^th weekend that resist the pervasive narrative of Christian Nationalism. You can find resources collected from the presenters and participants below and watch the full workshop recording here.

As we approach the beginning of summer, the WCC’s youth engagement is gearing up. Over the past few years, summer break has been a time that youth from Wisconsin (and sometimes beyond) engage with the work of the Council.

Earlier this year, Linda Ketchum, Executive Director of Just Dane, joined us for a Taking a Faithful Stand webinar about how local municipality budget shortfalls impact vulnerable communities. The recording has become our most watched video of the year on YouTube.

Earlier this year, FFAN Project Director Mr. Eyon Biddle, Sr. and Director of Ecumenical Innovation & Justice Initiatives Rev. Breanna Illéné visited the three congregations participating in the project and recorded conversations with nearly two dozen people. During those conversations, they encouraged participants to tell stories about times when the church helped people in the past, and to imagine ways the church can help in the present and future.

In WI we know freedom, safety, justice, & joy belong to ALL of us - when they are taken from one of us, it's a danger to all of us.  Mr. Sarsour was targeted. It we don't stand up it will keep happening. #BringHimHome

Despite what seems to be some uncertainty across our country right now, in Wisconsin we remain steadfast that freedom, safety, justice, and joy belong to ALL of us. And we know that when those rights are withheld from one of us, it's a danger to all of us. The WCC is one of 40+ WI orgs calling on our Congressional Delegation to take action.  We want #ActionForSalah now.  Stay tuned for actions we can ALL take to make it happen. #BringHimHome

Do you want to learn to use social media for good? Apply to join our faith, freedom, and the common good influencer cohort.

This 6-month cohort led by Rev. Elizabeth Riley (@therevriley on social media) will bring together people from around the country for coaching and collaboration.  Application deadline is May 1st.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches expresses its solidarity with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM) and the family of Mr. Salah Sarsour, its president, in the wake of his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday, March 30th outside his home.

“Using the Swiss cheese model” or layered mitigations is a concept the WCC has been using for years. It was part of our recommendations during the COVID pandemic, and we’ve also used it to talk about gun violence prevention. Now, we invite you to use it to consider your role in responding to an ongoing crisis: caring for vulnerable neighbors.

In recent years, many Christians have embraced Matthew 25:31-46 as Jesus’ call to action. Churches have recentered service to “the least of these” as a way to serve God. And it is my perception that the church folk do a pretty good job of acknowledging their duty to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick…but less so with the incarcerated. Maybe it is because the incarcerated are out of sight behind locked doors.

When Christians gather publicly to express our faith and values, it is not always evident to onlookers who we are and why we are there. Clergy might wear religious garb – robes, stoles, clergy collars. Some folks might wear tshirts, carry banners or signs. Public action requires discernment. What should the signs say? Do we carry a cross? What do we chant or sing? How and when do we join with others? Which others?

“Every week, in congregations across Wisconsin, we hear stories that remind us of a simple truth: hunger is not an abstract issue. It has a name, a face, a family. It sits in the pews with us, showing up in after school programs, in conversations at church suppers, and in quiet moments when someone pulls a pastor aside to ask whether we know where they can find groceries before payday.” WCC Executive Director Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker recently wrote these words in an op-ed, and with the shifting landscape of food aid, hunger may be showing up even more in our communities.

Recently, FFAN Project Director Mr. Eyon Biddle Sr and Director of Ecumenical Innovation & Justice Initiatives Rev. Breanna Illéné sat down for a conversation about the Faith Food Action Network (FFAN). The FFAN is a mutual aid project with the Wisconsin Council of Churches in conjunction with the Medical College of Wisconsin, in partnership with Milwaukee-area churches and the general community. 

Our colleagues at Forward Latino have released new training videos in both English and Spanish that combine "Know Your Rights" and "Family Preparation" presentations.

We are living in challenging and chaotic times. As we bear witness to the unprecedented assault on our immigrant neighbors and friends in the streets of the Twin Cities, Chicago, and elsewhere, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event such action comes to Wisconsin. We, the undersigned leaders of faith communities in Wisconsin, call upon all elected officials, all people of faith and goodwill, and all who care about the future of our democracy to engage in concrete acts of advocacy, solidarity, and compassion. The constitutional rights and freedoms we hold dear are under assault, and the time for action is now.  

If you have been wondering what you can do to make a difference, amid the swell of violence and anxiety of this time, we invite you to specific efforts of community preparedness to protect vulnerable neighbors.