State engages with faith leaders

Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes

By Phil Haslanger
Collaboration Project Story Team

Faith leaders from across Wisconsin posed questions and shared ideas with Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandle Barnes on Friday morning as they and members of their congregations struggle with how to adapt to the realities of life in the era of COVID-19.

“There is a tremendous role the faith community in our state has to play,” Barnes told the 121 people on the call as it began. “We are looking for creative solutions. In the end, we want out congregations to be stronger places.”

(There will be two more calls this evening and Saturday morning. Details are below.)

Several pastors on the call noted the financial threats to the continued existence of their own congregations and asked if there could be a “faith relief fund” from the state. 

Barnes avoided getting into a discussion of the legal limits around the state giving direct aid to congregations, but noted that many congregations provide a variety of services to their communities and there could be a conversation about how to help fund those. 

A pastor asked that since so many church spaces are now empty, could the Red Cross use those spaces for blood drives could they provide shelter for homeless people? Another asked if it would be helpful to have faith leaders serve as chaplains to first responders or to the community? Barnes said he appreciated the offers and invited congregations that might have space or resources that could be used for the community to email his policy and legislative director, Wenona Wolf, at wenona.wolf1@wisconsin.gov.

There was concern about ways the state might be able to put a hold on rent and mortgage payments, both for individuals and churches. Barnes explained that is among the things now being discussed with the Legislature. 

Another pastor asked about ways to release at least some people from prisons or jails to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread in those institutions. Barnes said the governor is in conversation with the secretary of the Department of Corrections to see what the options are.

There were immediate pastoral concerns raised. If the state moves to a “shelter in place” order, will faith leaders still be able to go to their places of worship to lead virtual services? Barnes said that will be considered. What about funerals? No more than 10 people in any gathering, Barnes said.

There was concern from a Milwaukee pastor about whether the National Guard would be called out to move into the city, raising the specter of urban disruptions in the past. Barnes said the National Guard would be trained to fill in for specific functions where there is a shortage of workers. 

There was a concern from Madison that the Madison and Dane County Public Health has a form online asking people to report mass gatherings they know about. “We are concerned about asking neighbor to tell on neighbor,” a pastor said, suggesting that would “create division in our communities.” Barnes said he was not aware of the form but cautioned against what he called “vigilante behavior.”

A pastor from a United Methodist Church in Milwaukee suggested calling for a statewide Day of Prayer. Barnes urged the faith leaders themselves to take the lead on organizing this. 

(The Collaboration Project is hosting an online day of prayer next Wednesday, March 25, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Details are here.)

There were questions about how long the restrictions on public gatherings would go on, whether Wisconsin would adopt a shelter in place order.

Barnes stressed that state government is looking for ways to have partnerships with the faith communities, recognizing the important role they play and the fragility of this moment for many of them.

“We want to make sure this does not mark the end of congregations in our state.”

There are two more conference calls scheduled:

Friday, March 20 at 6:00 pm 
Call-in information: (608) 316-9000 Pin: 8987149#

Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 am 
Call-in information: (608) 316-9000 Pin: 5765927#

The lieutenant governor asks that you RSVP to  replying to wenona.wolf1@wisconsin.gov. and identify which call you will participate in.

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