Coronavirus Resources

On these pages you will find resources and ideas around pastoral care in times of isolation, remote stewardship strategies, live stream worship services, on-line spiritual resourcing, virtual meeting platforms and more.  Thanks to all who have shared resources. If you have resources to share please send them to resourcecenter@wcucc.org.

Find resources for your church below and in the menus on the right side of your screen, both upper and lower.

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RESOURCES & REFERENCES FROM THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – JULY 29, 2020

Knowing that one of the biggest frustrations for leaders is the difficulty of finding non-biased, reliable resources, we offer the following websites. Don’t be overwhelmed by all of the data; choose one or two sites that seem to address the particular questions of your task force, or that present information in a way that makes it accessible to and understandable by your group.

• Badger Bounce Back Dashboard: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/prepare.htmand trajectory by region/county https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/local.htm
• Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP): Tracks and analyzes COVID news. Includes link to podcasts by Dr. Michael Osterholm. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19
• COVID by Wisconsin County and Census Tract, WI-DHS: evaluate the prevalence of COVID in your local community. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/cases-map.htm
• Key Metrics for COVID Suppression: from Pandemics Explained, evidence for better decision-making. A collaborative of organizations, including the Harvard Global Health Institute. County by county or statewide look at recommended strategies to suppress the spread of COVID based on local transmission. https://globalepidemics.org/key-metrics-for-covid-suppression/
• The Other Epidemic – Misinformation: from Pandemics Explained. Curated stories and tips on how to navigate news with an eye for questionable sources, ways to look for consensus among experts. Includes list of subject matter experts who provide evidence-based updates. https://globalepidemics.org/the-other-epidemic-misinformation/
• R₀(Effective Reproduction Rate) for Wisconsin: (the average number of people who become infected by an infectious person). Needs to be below 1 to achieve reduction in spread. https://rt.live/us/WI
• Risk assessment map, Georgia Tech:evaluate likelihood someone who is COVID-positive is to be present in a gathering of various sizes (by county). https://covid19risk.biosci.gatech.edu/
• Wisconsin Council of Churches Coronavirus Resources:Updated regularly with curated ministry resources, Council statements and recommendations, links to webinars. https://www.wichurches.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus/
• Wisconsin Council of Churches Clergy Survey, July 2020 – results to be released in August.
• WI Council of Churches “Returning to Church”series (links to original document and subsequent releases)  https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/ and Coronavirus Resources Index  https://www.wichurches.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus/

DONATE TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND

The Emergency Response Fund of the Wisconsin Conference will provide help as congregations deal with critical needs caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Donate here.

GRANTS FOR CHURCHES  Thanks to the tremendous support for the Emergency Response Fund, the Conference can now offer ministry grants to congregations financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  For more information and to apply for a grant, click here.

Sign up for Coronavirus communications to make sure you don’t miss important news and information, and check the Coronavirus Communications box.

Download a list of staff contact information here.

Find resources for your church in the menus on the right side of your screen, both upper and lower, and below.

RESOURCES

Governor’s Badger Bounce Back Plan

The Wisconsin Council of Churches resources

• April 23, 2020 – Returning to Church: Ministry during the COVID-19 outbreak
• April 9, 2020 – A letter from the Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) “On Ministry Choices and the Commandment to Love”  READ ENTIRE LETTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS HERE
• Download the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ guide Preparing for “Safer at Home” here.
• A Faith-based Response to the Coronavirus comprehensive resource – download here.
• Webinar Epidemic Preparedness for Faith-based Organizations can be viewed on demand here.
• Webinar March 24, 1:00 pm, free – Creating Live-streamed Worship.  Register here
• Other resources for streaming worship can be found here

Guidance for Phasing Forward to In-Person Gatherings

From the Southern New England Conference UCC, here is guidance to phasing into in-person gatherings

General Coronavirus Information

• Comprehensive information about Coronavirus/COVID 19 on Healthroid.com
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• CDC COVID-19 Updates
• CDC New Travel Alerts
• World Health Organization Updates
• Let’s P.R.E.P Infographic

United Church of Christ Coronavirus and the Church web resources

April 8, 2020 – Wisconsin faith leaders sign letter of concern in response to suggestions of government leaders that the Safer At Home order be lifted on the occasion of upcoming holy days.  Signers urge churches not to congregate at this time, for the health and safety of all.  Read letter.

Conference Minister Coronavirus Updates:

• April 23, 2020  Read update here
• April 7, 2020  Read update here
• April 1, 2020  Read update here
• March 31, 2020  Read update here
• March 30, 2020  Read update here
• March 24, 2020  Read update here
• March 19, 2020   Read update here
• March 16, 2020   Read update here
• March 14, 2020   Read update here
• March 12, 2020   Read update here