Released May 13, 2021A “Returning to Church” Supplement INTRODUCTION …we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Cor 8:1, NRSV) In light of guidance released today by the Centers for Disease Control advising that vaccinated Americans can go without masks or social distancing in most public settings, the Wisconsin Council of Churches…
Wisconsin clergy: we want to hear from you! In summer 2020 we completed a groundbreaking survey of pastors in our state, exploring their ministry experiences during the time of COVID and uncovering the significant stressors in their (your) practice of ministry during the pandemic. We’re now conducting a followup, asking similar questions, and expanding to new topics which are pertinent…
BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVEA “Returning to Church” SupplementReleased April 16, 2021 The most recent consultations with our public health advisers indicate that the benchmarks for safe gathering in the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ Returning to Church 2.0 document released in January 2021 continue to be sound. These benchmarks address thresholds for safer gathering options based upon vaccination rates…
March 23, 2021 Faith Leaders Covid-19 Thank You As representatives of the interfaith community in Wisconsin, we want to say thank you to Health Care Workers and First Responders. You have been providing emergency care for over a year under very difficult conditions. Every day you have shouldered the responsibility of showing up for neighbors in need, respecting their humanity…
Time to talk about Vaccines with your Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist Do you have questions about COVID vaccines and vaccination? Dr. Emily Smith is known as Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist (FNE) on Facebook and through her personal blog. She’s faculty member at Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences and a woman of faith. As FNE, Professor Smith writes with…
Faithful Action for a Healthy Wisconsin, November 16 Faith groups organized a statewide virtual rally to show support for health care workers serving our communities during the pandemic. We lifted up public health officers and government officials who are promoting the Wisconsin Department of Health Services guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Nearly 200 clergy and people of faith…
Project Recovery Webinar offered in Spanish! El Proyecto de Recuperación: Consejeros de Crisis ofrecen apoyo con COVID-19, recursos para poder entender nuestras respuestas a la pandemia. El Proyecto de Recuperación es un programa de asesoramiento sobre crisis financiado por FEMA que está activo en Wisconsin para la pandemia de COVID-19. Este seminario web explicará el programa, cómo funciona, consejos para la reducción del estrés y reacciones comunes en situaciones de desastre. Yoana Valdez y Karla Rojo; Consejeras De Crisis para la comunidad hispana en Wisconsin, presentan información…
There are a number of ways that spiritual and faith leaders can continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than get caught up in constantly changing metrics or politically charged situations, it can sometimes be helpful to focus on the most fundamental practices that lead toward safer choices for the whole community. The Wisconsin Council of Churches has worked…
October 14, 2020UPDATED as of Feb 18, 2021 Faith Leaders Pledge to Keep Wisconsin Healthy and Safe We the undersigned clergy, representing diverse faith communities across Wisconsin, pledge to do all in our power to keep our congregations and communities healthy and safe in the midst of this pandemic. While we have varying practices and theologies, all our traditions hold…
