Posted: November 15, 2020 2:21 PM
WISCONSIN — As COVID-19 cases rise in Wisconsin, clergy and leaders from a variety of religions plan to hold a virtual press conference at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15 to advocate for adherence to health department safety guidelines.
“As faith leaders, we’re standing together in this critical moment to emphasize the importance of basic behaviors that will save lives as the COVID crisis intensifies. This is a time to honor the sacrifices made by caregivers, lament losses of life and health, and unite in our commitment to turn things around,” said Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of Wisconsin Council of Churches.
The faith leaders said in a release that they are also calling upon elected officials to pass meaningful legislation to enforce these measures and to address the growing economic fallout from the pandemic. They express gratitude both for health care workers and chaplains who are on the front lines and for public health officials.
“We are rallying our faith to preserve life,” said Rev. Willie Brisco, president of WISDOM, a Wisconsin social justice organization.
The press conference is co-sponsored by Wisconsin Council of Churches, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, WISDOM and WISDOM affiliate, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy Wisconsin, the Urban League of Greater Madison, Circle Sanctuary, Buddhist Peace Fellowship of Milwaukee, Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Rabbi Betsy Forester.
The press conference is co-sponsored by Wisconsin Council of Churches, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, WISDOM and WISDOM affiliate, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy Wisconsin, the Urban League of Greater Madison, Circle Sanctuary, Buddhist Peace Fellowship of Milwaukee, Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Rabbi Betsy Forester.
In addition to Brisco, participants will include Rev. Reirin Gumbel, Resident Priest, Milwaukee Zen Center; Dr. Ibrahim Saeed, Islamic Center of Madison; Father Yeprem Kelegian, St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Racine; Pastor Ernest Ni’A, Wayman AME Church in Racine; Reverend Tanya Sadagopan, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Janesville; Rabbi Dena Feingold, Beth Hillel Temple , Kenosha; Rev. Marian Boyle Rohlof, West Side Moravian Church, Green Bay; Reverend Elizabeth (Libby) Howe, Assistant to the Bishop, ELCA, LaCrosse; Reverend Selena Fox, Senior Minister, Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld, Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson, ELCA Northwest Synod, Menominee/Chetek, Sister Pam Mitchell OP, Vicaress, Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, abd Anahkwet Guy Reiter, Executive Director of a Menominee Indian community organization Menīkānaehkem, Inc.