Illinois South Conference COVID-19 Response
UPDATE #10, May 18, 2020
What Will You Do After Shelter-In-Place Ends?
After the end of shelter-in-place expires and we move to the next phase of reopening Illinois, you will have a lot of decisions to make. When will you choose to return to in-person worship? Or will you stay suspended for the foreseeable future? There are many factors to consider, from public health to the specific practicalities and needs of your congregation. You can download a copy of Faithfully Phasing Forward on the ISC website. This document poses questions to consider, relates to the Restore Illinois plan, and includes some best practice guidelines for worship and church-sponsored activities.
ISC Spirit
If you know of stories that show people being the church, please send it to ISCspirit@iscucc.org. Share the stories that are warming your heart. #ISCspirit.
Thank you to the Hunger/Food Action Committee, who recently awarded grants of varying amounts to 23 different churches/organizations in our region.
Bethel UCC (Twigs Summer Lunch Program)
Cahokia Community Basket
CCBA Food Pantry
Community Interfaith Food Pantry
Dupo Community Backpack Angels Summer Lunch Program
Highland Area Christian Service Ministerial Alliance (Food Pantry)
House of Neighborly Service
Marion Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry
Mascoutah Food Pantry
Mascoutah Summer Lunch Program
Murphysboro Food Pantry
Trenton Council of Churches Food Pantry
Funds for the Three Great Loves Vegetable Seeds Program:
Belleville - St. Paul UCC
Brighton - St. John’s UCC
Marissa- Friedens UCC
Mascoutah- St. John UCC
Marion - Zion UCC
Maeystown - St. John UCC
Moro- St. John’s UCC of Midway
New Hanover- Zoar UCC
Trenton - St. John UCC
Waterloo- St. John UCC
Waterloo- Zion UCC
Thank You to the Steve and Emily Walton Family Foundation. They sent a $5000 grant to DuBois Center, which will help the loss of summer camp income.
St Paul Lebanon sent email cards to all the mothers in their congregation for Mother’s Day to let them know they were remembered and appreciated even in a time of social distancing. Submitted by Rev. Don Wagner
Thank you to these churches for their OCWM donations received last week. These donations continue to support all the work of the Conference.
Brighton – St. John’s UCC
Centralia– St. Peter UCC
Collinsville– St. John UCC
Columbia– St. Paul UCC
Moro – St. John’s UCC of Midway
New Baden – Zion UCC
Troy – Friedens UCC
And anonymous gifts from individuals
Helpful Information
- The United Church of Christ has just started the Pandemic Relief Loan Program. This fund makes loans of $5000 to $20000 to churches. Go here for details.
- Especially for Pastors: a self-care workshop titled Pastoring in a Time of Pandemic, presented by the Solihten Institute and Care and Counseling: May 21, 2020, 1-2:30pm CT. The discussion will be on the intersection of faith and mental health. See the flyer with the call-in details on the ISC website.
Worship Resources
- We now have a worship resources section on the Conference website, with a link on the home page.
Together in Christ's ministry with you,