October 14, 2020
UPDATED 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 life as sacred and believe the imperative to protect and preserve life outweighs all other considerations.
Our state is facing a crisis and we must meet this challenge together. Wisconsin is one of three states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Only Texas and California, with much greater populations than Wisconsin, have higher numbers.[1]
As people of faith, we trust in a higher power to help us through crises. But we must also trust science and what the medical experts are telling us. The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to keep contacts outside our household to an absolute minimum. Wearing masks, washing hands, and staying physically distanced are all important and vital measures we all must take. But reducing our contacts with anyone beyond the people we live with is the best way to keep us all safe.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued an order to keep public gatherings to under 25% of capacity. Houses of worship have been exempted from this requirement. However, as faith leaders, we pledge to steward the health of all by prioritizing remote worship and other activities until this crisis has passed.
It is crucial that we stay home as much as possible to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and especially first responders and health care workers who risk their lives to care for us. As the Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, has said, “Being a faithful people is not abstract; it is about applying our faith when it matters. This virus is not going to get itself under control. We have a responsibility to each other. We are able to worship, pray, provide faith formation and pastoral care, and address other community needs in ways that limit the risk of spreading COVID, to save lives and relieve the strain on the health system. We have a moral imperative to do so.”
Embracing that moral imperative, we pledge to stay safe, for all our sakes!
Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director, WI Faith Voices for Justice
Reverend Kerri Parker, Executive Director, WI Council of Churches
And the undersigned faith leaders (congregations/organizations for identification purposes only)
Bishop Jim Arends, La Crosse Area Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Pastor Adam Clausen, Life Center Madison
Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Milwaukee, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Katherine Finegan, Northern Great Lakes Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Hee Soo Jung, Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church
Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Armenian Church, Eastern Diocese of N. America
Ms. Linda J. Ketcham, Executive Director, JustDane
Bishop Gerald Mansholt, East Central Synod of WI, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
The Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes, General Presbyter, Winnebago Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, South Central Synod of WI, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Bruce Nelson, President of the Western District Executive Board, Moravian Church
The Rev. Franz Rigert, Conference Minister, WI Conference United Church of Christ
Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson, Northwest Synod of WI, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rabbi Steven Adams, President, WI Council of Rabbis
Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Madison
Rabbi Benjamin Altshuler, Mt. Sinai Congregation, Wausau
Rev. Meredith L. Anderson, United Church of Christ, West Allis
Rev. Paula Anderson, United Christian Church UCC, Campbellsport
Rev. Kris Androsky, Community United Methodist Church, Elm Grove
Rev. Jennifer Arneson, United Methodist Church, Sun Prairie
Rev. John Ashland, Hardies Creek & South Beaver Creek Lutheran Churches Ettrick, WI
Rev. Nathan Athorp, Our Shepherd UCC, Howards Grove
Deacon Robert Bagley, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, Racine
Rev. Brian Bankert, Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton
Rev. Joseph Baring Jr., African Methodist Episcopal Church, Madison
Rev. Tammy Barthels, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rhinelander
Rev. Mary G. Bauer, First English Lutheran Church, Waupaca
Rabbi Renee H. Bauer, Jewish Social Services of Madison
Rev. Kelsey Beebe, Union Grove Congregational UCC, Union Grove
Deacon David Rask Behling, Northwest Synod of WI ELCA
The Rev. Martha Branson Berger, Wauwatosa
Rev. Dr. Debra Bergeson-Graham, Presbyterian Church (USA), Greendale
Rev. Kristin Berglund, St. Peter Lutheran, Sheboygan
Rabbi Marc E. Berkson, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jshurun, Milwaukee
Rev. Charles Berthoud, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Madison
Rabbi Jonathan Arthur Biatch, DD, Temple Beth El, Madison
Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd, Presbytery of Milwaukee, Waukesha
Rev. Winton Boyd, Program Director, Center for Courage and Renewal, Madison
Rev. Ruth Wagner Bradshaw, Olivet Congregational UCC, Columbus
Rev. Susan Bresser, First United Methodist Church, Whitewater
Pr. Harald Bringsjord, ELCA, La Crosse
Rev. John Brink, Cross Lutheran Church, Burlington
Rev. Dr. Laurie Brubaker Davis, First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield
Rev. Susanne Burwell, United Methodist Church (retired), Cudahy
The Rev. Matthew L. Buterbaugh, St. Matthew’s, Kenosha
Fr. Steven Capitelli, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Sussex
Rev. Mary Carlin, St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Milwaukee
Pr. Roy Carter, New Life Christian Fellowship, Racine
Rev. Stacy Cavanaugh, Union Presbyterian Church, Monroe
Pr. Amy Celikay, Caldwell UMC, Mukwonago
Rev. Lorraine Ciniceros, Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ, Associate Conference Minister, DeForest
Rev. Catherine Christman, Stoughton UMC, Stoughton
Rev. Douglas Clement, Portage UMC, Portage
Rev. Dara Quinn Clifford, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Combined Locks
Prof. Charles Cohen, Temple Beth El, Madison
Rev. Sharon Cook, Crossways Camping Ministries, Combined Locks
The Rev. Ruth Costello, Community Church of Fontana, Fontana
Mrs. Stacy Craig, Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Rev. Cindy Crane, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Madison
Rev. Kate Croskery Jones, North East District UMC District Superintendent, Neenah
Rev. Laura Crow, United Church of Christ, Middleton
Pr. Kenneth Cutler Sr., Greater Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Penny Dahl, North Windsor UMC, DeForest
Rev. Glenn Danz, St. Paul’s UCC-Erin, Colgate
Rev. Christopher Davis, Grace Presbyterian Church, Beaver Dam
Rev. Janice L. Davis, United Church of Christ (retired), Green Bay
Rev. Steve Davis, Congregational UCC, Sparta
The Rev. Timothy Dean, McFarland Lutheran Church, McFarland
Rev. Krysta Deede, First United Methodist Church, Tomah
Rev. Dean Desilet, All Saints Lutheran, Oshkosh
Mr. Matt Dietsche, Pilgrim Lutheran ELCA, Superior
Rev. Jeffrey Dodson, First Congregational Church UCC of Ripon
Rev. Mx. Colin Douglas, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Janesville
Rev. Jeannie Douglas, First Congregational UCC, New London
The Rev. Dr. JonPaul Dragseth, Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, Eleva
Rev. Shaun Drefahl, Congregational UCC, Evansville
Rev. Bill Dunlop, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Watertown
Rev. Tim Ehrhardt, Reformed Church in America, Milwaukee
Rev. Julie Marie Eklund, Redeemer UCC, Pewaukee
Rev. Amy Engebose, Bishop’s Associate for Rostered Leadership and
Congregations in Transition, East Central Synod of WI, ELCA
Vicar Michelle Engh, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Viroqua
Rev. Douglas Fauth, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Baraboo
Rabbi Dena Feingold, Bethel Hill Temple, Kenosha
Rev. Richard Feyen, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Kewaunee
Rev. Bridget Flad Daniels, Union Congregational United Church of Christ, Green Bay
Rev. Andrea Fluegel, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Eagle River
Rev. Dr. Jerry Folk, retired, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Madison
Rev. Amy Fondroy Eich, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Prescott
Rabbi Betsy L.B. Forester, Beth Israel Center, Madison
Rev. Kelly Fowler, United Methodist Church, New Berlin
Rev. Dr. Mark A. Fowler, First United Methodist Church, Madison
Rev. Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld
Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Madison
Rev. Stacy Gahlman-Schroeder, Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church, DeForest
Rev. Michael Goodwin, Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton
Rev. Julie Goranson, Grace United Church of Christ, Wausau
Rev. Kristin Gorton, Fitchburg Memorial UCC, Fitchburg
Mr. John Gosling, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Appleton
Rev. Joylynn Graham, United Church of Christ, Dodgeville
The Rev. Dr. Kendra Grams, First Presbyterian Church, Hudson
The Very Rev. Micheal Greene, Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire
The Rev. Dr. D. Jonathan Grieser, Grace Episcopal Church, Madison
Rev. Reirin Gumbel, Milwaukee Zen Center, Milwaukee
Rev. Karen Hagen, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Susan Angus Haller, Deacon, United Methodist Church
Rev. Cathy L. Hamblin, Hayward United Methodist Church, Hayward
Rev. Ruth Hansen, Salem UCC, Wayne
Rev. Nan Hanson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Washburn
Rev. Tamra M. Harder, Faith Lutheran Church, Cameron
Dr. Mushir Hassan, Former Board Member, Islamic Society of Milwaukee
The Rev. Dr. Miranda Hassett, St. Dunstan’s Church, Madison
Rev. Eldonna Hazen, First Congregational UCC, Madison
Rev. Michelle Henrichs, Presbyterian Church (USA), Milwaukee
Rev. Francis Hewuse Jr, United Methodist Church, Tomah
Rev. Michael Hibbs, First Presbyterian Church, Galesville
Rev. Greta Hietpas, First United Methodist Church-Waukesha
Pr. Lynne Hines-Levy, Cudahy & Milwaukee Summerfield United Methodist Churches, Milwaukee
Rev. Barry Hoerz, Vermont Lutheran Church ELCA, Black Earth
Rev. Doug Holtz, Calvary Lutheran Church, Oshkosh
Rev. James Honig, Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, Ellison Bay
Rev. Libby Howe, Asst. to the Bishop, La Crosse Area Synod ELCA
Rev. Deborah Howland, United Church of Christ, Waukesha
Rev. David J. Huber, Plymouth United Church of Christ, Eau Claire
Rev. Mary Jane Huber, St. John’s UCC, Merton
Mr. TJ Humphrey, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Beloit
Rev. Breanna Illene, Trinity Church, Madison
Rev. Sonja Ingebritsen, Community of Hope UCC/Madison Christian Community, Madison
Rev. Greg Jewison, Bethany United Methodist Church, Madison
Rev. Willard Jewson, Asbury United Methodist Church, Janesville
Rev. Paul D. Johnsen, United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson
Rev. Sarah Johnsen, United Methodist Church (retired), Ft. Atkinson
The Rev. Jane Johnson, Beloved Community, Stevens Point
Rev. Kimbrel Johnson, First Presbyterian Church, Neenah
Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers, First Congregational Church, River Falls
The Rev. Andrew Jones, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison
Rev. Kemp Jones, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau
Miss Lisa Jones, Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope, Milwaukee
Rev. Mary Kannass, Hephatha Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
The Rev. Judy King, Community Baptist Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Jonathan Eric Kirkegaard, Peace United Church of Christ, Kewaskum
Rev. Lori Kleppe, De Soto and Freeman Lutheran Churches
Rev. Dr. Keith Kolstad, Zion Lutheran Church, Marinette
Rev. Steven Kottke, Assistant to the Bishop, South-Central Synod of WI ELCA
Rev. David Kraemer, United Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Waukesha
Rev. Steve Kuhl, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, East Troy
Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, LMFT, JDK Counseling and Consultation LLC, Milwaukee
Rev. Mary Jo Laabs, Community United Church of Christ, Medford
Pr. Bryan Lagerstan, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam
Rev. Marilyn Lange, Bethel Lutheran Church, Mosinee
Rev. Walter Lanier, Progressive Baptist Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Jan L. LaVake, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Neenah
Rev. Dr. AHyun Lee, United Methodist Church, Oakfield
Rev. Lawrence Scott Lee, Bayfield Presbyterian Church, Bayfield
Rev. Christina R. Leone-Tracy, Fox Valley UU Fellowship, Appleton
Rev. Julianne Lepp, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Eau Claire
Ms. Kate Lieber, Madison Monthly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends
The Rev. Richard Likeness, Ascension Lutheran Church, Minocqua
The Rev. Mary Limbach, St. Simon the Fisherman Episcopal Church, Port Washington
Rev. Dawn Lindberg, Peace Lutheran Church, Tomah
The Rev. Pippa Lindwright, St. Mary’s, Dousman
Rev. Cynthia Little, First Presbyterian Church, Sheboygan
Rev. Brenda Lovick, East Koshkonong Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Rev. Dr. Rob MacDougall, Associate Conference Minister, United Church of Christ
Rev. Jason Mack, Underwood Memorial Baptist Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Jason Mahnke, People’s United Methodist Church, Oregon
Mr. Peter Mannoja, Tanum Forest Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay
Bishop Gerald Mansholt, ELCA East Central Synod, Appleton
Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler, Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church, Cambridge
Cantor Debra Martin, Congregation Emanu-El, Waukesha
Rev. Timothy Maybee, St. Luke’s Lutheran, Middleton
Rev. Robb McClintock, Bethany Church UMC, Green Bay
Rev. Rose McCurdy, First Presbyterian Church, Winnecone
The Rev. Dr. David McDonald, Congregational United Church of Christ, Whitewater
The Rev. Melesa McEwan Skoglund, St. Andrew’s, Madison
Rev. Laura McLeod, Brookfield Congregational UCC
Ms. Mary Meierotto, Bethesda Lutheran/Immanuel Lutheran, Bayfield
Rev. Dr. Kathy Monson Lutes, Trinity Episcopal Church, Janesville
Rev. Mark Thomas Moore, St. Luke’s, Racine
Rev. Richard Moore, retired, Presbyterian Church (USA), Neenah
Rev. Sarah Moore-Nokes, Neenah
Rev. Will Mowchan, Pilgrim Lutheran Church ELCA, Superior
Rev. Robert Mutton, retired, United Church of Christ, Sun Prairie
Rev. Martha Nack, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Madison
Mrs. Janan Najeeb, Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, Greenfield
Rev. Peter Narum, St.. James Lutheran Church, Verona
Rev. David Nelsestuen, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Janesville
Mr. Edward Neu, Pastor-parish, Union Grove United Methodist
Rev. Rebecca Ninke, Brooklyn Lutheran Church ELCA, Cottage Grove
Rev. Ashley Nolte, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Grafton
Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Rev. Erik Olsen, First English Lutheran Church, Wausau
Mr. Cameron Overton, Zao MKE Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Jonah Overton, Zao MKE Church, Milwaukee
Rev. Kathleen Owens, First Presbyterian Church, Oregon
Rev. Patrick Patterson, Trinity Lutheran Church, Eau Claire
Rev. Beth Patton, North Shore Presbyterian Church, Shorewood
Rev. Ken Pennings, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, Madison
The Rev. Betsy Perkins, First Baptist Church of Delavan, Delavan
Rev. Rich Pleva, Zwingli UCC (Paoli), Belleville
The Rev. Lori Powell, Faith Inclusion Network, Madison
Rev. Karen Quinlan, James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Madison
Rev. Nancy Raabe, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marshall
Rev. Dr. Sara Rabe, Covenant Lutheran Church, Stoughton
Rev. K Tina Racheli, The Washburn and Ashland UMC’s
Rev. Mamy Ranaivoson, Journey Lutheran Church, Onalaska
Rev. Ellen R. Rasmussen, Brown Deer United Methodist Church, Brown Deer
Rev. Kathryn Reid Walker, First Presbyterian Church, Eau Claire
Rev. Kathleen Remund, First Congregational UCC, Menomonie
Rev. Kristin C. Rice, Community Chaplain, Attic Angel Community
Rev. Joanne Richmond, Our Savior’s ELCA, La Crosse
Rev. Matthew Rose, Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hartland
Rev. Linda Ann Rozumalski, West Denmark Lutheran Church, Luck
Mrs. Andrea Rubesch, ELCA, Duluth
Rev. Tanya Sadagopan, Janesville UCC, Janesville
The Rev. Barbara Sajna, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sister Bay
Rev. Dr. Matthew Sauer, Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry
Rev. Dr. Steven Savides, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Appleton
Rev. Tim Schaefer, First Baptist Church, Madison
Rev. Leslie Schenk, Plymouth UCC, Madison
Rev. Karla Schmidt, The Crossing Campus Ministry, Madison
Rev. William J. Schroeder, Lakeside Community Lutheran, Webster
Rev. Dan Schwerin, First United Methodist Church of Waukesha
Rev. Allie Scott, Peace UMC, Brookfield
The Rev. Scott Allen Seefeldt, Zion Episcopal Church, Oconomowoc
Rev. Dr. Larry Leroy Sexe, President, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
Mrs. Mary Ann Shippert, North Windsor UMC, Rio
Rev. Valerie Showalter, Madison Mennonite Church, Madison
Rabbi Natalie Louise Shribman, Temple Beth El, Wausau
Rev. Patrick Siegler, Zion Faith Community, Madison
Ms. Carol Smith, Deacon, Grace Episcopal, Madison
Rev. Gail Sowell, St. John/St. Stephen ELCA, Edgar
Rev. Peter St. Martin, First Congregational UCC, Hartland and Genesee
Rabbi Moishe Steigmann, Glendale
The Rev. Kevin Stewart, Missioner for Community
Engagement, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Rev. Gloria Stubitsch, Bethany Lutheran Church, Mouston
Rev. Nancy Taylor, First Congregational Church of Oshkosh
Rev. Jeff Tengesdal, First English Lutheran Church, Appleton
Rev. Zayna Thomley, First Congregational UCC Platteville
Rev. Deborah Thompson (retired), Milwaukee
Rev. Dr. Mary Stoddard Trainor, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Menomonee Falls
The Rev. Jana Troutman-Miller, St. John’s On The Lake, Milwaukee
Rev. Alexis A Twito, Advent Lutheran Church, Cedarburg
Rev. Andy Twiton, Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison
Rev. Dr. Mary Ubuntu, Resurrection Lutheran Church, New Berlin
Rev. Dawn E. Volpe, Ephraim Moravian Church, Ephraim
Rev. Rebecca Voss, First UMC of Wausau
Rev. Robert Wang, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Burlington
Rev. Dr. Julia Weaver, Madison Area Lutheran Council, Madison
Rev. Cathy JN Weigand, Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, Oshkosh
Mr. Michael Wendorf, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton
Rev. James A. Wendt, First Lutheran, Beaver Dam
Rev. Gregory Scott Whelton, St. John’s UCC, Sheboygan
Rev. Heather Wigdahl, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie
Rev. Benjamin Williams, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Cicero, Black Creek
Pastor Gary Wilner, Zwingli United Church of Christ, Mt. Vernon
Rev. Julie Wilson, Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church
Rev. Thad Winkle, Bethel-Bethany UCC, Milwaukee
Rev. Duane Wisner, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Fond du Lac
Rev. Janet Wolfe, First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield
Rabbi Michal Woll, Congregation Shir Hadash, Shorewood
Rev. Laura Yurs, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Plymouth
Rev. Dr. Mark Yurs, Salem United Church of Christ, Verona
Rev. Steve Zekoff, United Methodist Church (retired), Lake Mills
Rev. Dr. Susan Gilbert Zencka, Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, Stevens Point
The Rev’d Canon Aaron Zook, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire
We invite you to make a recording of yourself making this pledge, and share it online. Download the script below to get a head start on recording an abbreviated version. On social media, use #wichurches #wfvj #covidsafepledge.
[1] As of Oct. 7, the CDC reported that in the previous seven days Texas had 30,151 cases; California – 21,036; Wisconsin – 17,066. Florida and Illinois are next highest, with 15,187 and 14,260 respectively – https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesinlast7days
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