Health Resources
With the outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wisconsin, across the country, and around the world, congregations need to be well-informed and well-prepared. The following information offers guidance as we minister to and engage with each other, and within our communities, as the body of Christ. This page will be continually updated as often as possible as more information is shared from the ELCA and the synod.
#ELCAChurchTogether
New resources are continually added to the ELCA Public Health website including information on the Federal Government’s response, small business loans, the CARES Act, the Families First Act and more.
ELCA Vaccine Confidence Guide
Vaccination hopes, fears and falsehoods are around us in this time of heightened anxiety. ELCA Advocacy has provided this comprehensive guide to the vaccines and the vaccination process to help ELCA pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and members learn more and be advocates for the COVID-19 vaccines.
Wisconsin COVID-19 DHS Dashboard
Comprehensive information regarding the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Wisconsin including specific data broken down by state, county, locality, and zip code along with resources for staying healthy and safe in order to stop the spread.
Current Health Information & Resources
January 6, 2022: Recognizing that the pandemic, and our response, has continually changed very rapidly we have removed what were deemed to be “outdated” resources and communications in order to ensure only the most timely and germane information is presented – this includes any governmental resources/orders that are outdated, have been rescinded, or expired.
As cases of the COVID-19 infection are on the rise and with the new Delta variant, the CDC mask guidance has been updated as of October 25, 2021 to reflect a new recommendation that all persons wear face coverings while in indoor public settings in areas considered to have high COVID-19 virus spread according to CDC metrics. Many local and county health departments are currently evaluating their existing mask recommendations as a result.
If you are needing any earlier communications from our current Bishop Mortensen-Wiebe, Interim Bishop Rogness, or the synod please contact the synod office. For all ELCA communications and resources visit the ELCA Public Health website.
Note: The information & resources provided below are listed in the order in which they were issued with state mandates appearing first and then county.
- Message from Bishop Joy Regarding COVID Omicron Wave
January 6, 2022 message from ‘What Matters’ from Bishop Joy regarding safe practices in time of this current wave of COVID-19 illness.
- Dane County Indoor Mask Mandate Extended
Effective January 3, 2022 at 12:01am until February 1, 2022, face coverings are required among people ages two and older when in any enclosed space open to the public where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit, are present. *Note: This Order (#6) mirrors the previous face covering order (#5).
- Links to SCSW County Health Departments
As of December 1, 2021, we are not aware of any counties, other than Dane County, in the synod territory that have any public health policies or orders in place relating to COVID-19. This document provides link to all county health departments. Please continue to check with your local authorities for local resources and recommendations as necessary.
- Wisconsin Council of Churches Urges Return to Distanced Ministry
January 5, 2022: News release from Wisconsin Council of Churches strongly recommends that churches statewide temporarily return to remote operations as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations soar due to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant in Wisconsin. - Wisconsin Council of Churches “Returning to Church 3.0” – With One Body & One Spirit
September 21, 2021: This new resource builds on the 2.0 recommendations from January, 2021. The WCC seeks to expand on the theological basis of those claims as we situate Christian life in the context
of the pandemic. Next, we consider how to live our values in the current situation by providing basic guidelines for unsafe, safer, and safest conditions, and by suggesting corresponding mitigations that can reduce (but never eliminate) risk, and that are particularly effective if they are layered in use together. - Wisconsin Council of Churches “By Faith We Stand Firm” Supplement to Returning to Church
July 27, 2021: By Faith We Stand Firm is a continuation of the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ ongoing guidance to churches for how to make safer choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. We say safer choices, because no choice is definitively safe. We can only mitigate risk, not eliminate it altogether. This document builds on the recommendations contained in Returning to Church 2.0, released in January 2021 and its successor documents Bearing with One Another in Love and Love Builds Up, released in spring 2021. - Wisconsin Council of Churches “Love Builds Up” Supplement to Returning to Church Responding to New CDC Mask Guidance
May 13, 2021: In light of guidance released 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 recommends that congregations continue to exercise appropriate caution and provide thoughtful leadership in how they gather. - Wisconsin Council of Churches “Bearing with One Another in Love” Supplement to Returning to Church 2.0 Recommendations
April 16, 2021: Updated guidance under the understanding that we are at a point in the pandemic where we must consider how to live with COVID19 in our communities. At the same time, that does not mean we abandon safe practices or return to the status quo pre-pandemic. - Wisconsin Council of Churches Returning to Church 2.0 Recommendations
January 14, 2021 Update: “Holding Our Plans Loosely” - Wisconsin Council of Churches “Holding Our Plans Loosely” Webinar Recording
Recording from Webinar Held on January 14, 2021 - Wisconsin Council of Churches Webinar PowerPoint Slides
Corresponding Presentation from “Holding Our Plans Loosely” Webinar
- Letter from Bishop Joy Mortenson-Wiebe Regarding COVID-19 Increase
August 5, 2021 letter from Bishop Joy regarding rise in COVID-19 Delta Variant cases in south-central Wisconsin and our faithful response.
- Care-filled Worship & Sacramental Life in Lingering Pandemic
Released June 8, 2021; a comprehensive update from the Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices consultation. Incorporating the latest CDC guidance, this update informs decision making and basic practices of Christian worship and congregational life at this stage in the pandemic. The ELCA has been an ongoing partner in this consultation. - A webinar was held on June 16, 2021 with a roundtable discussion with public health experts and pastors in a time of progress and uncertainty concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. You can view the video recording of the webinar here:
- Wisconsin DHS Statement Supporting New CDC Mask Guidance
On May 14, 2021 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued a statement supporting the May 13, 2021 guidance from the CDC that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without masks.
- Wisconsin DHS COVID-19 Website
Website with Information & Resources from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. There are currently no statewide orders or mandates relating to COVID-19 in place following the expiration of Executive Order #105 on April 4, 2021.
*Note that links to resources above do not necessarily represent endorsement by the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA; they are simply provided as a public service. Be sure to carefully vet any information, offer or service.