Seven Recommendations From Wisconsin Conference Leaders Related to COVID-19 as of 3/16 Meeting (Also in Spanish below) – Wisconsin Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Dear Wisconsin Conference Family,

We are living in uncertain times. The spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused many around the world to tremble in fear. It has caused governmental authorities at all levels to seek to find ways to minimize the spread of this virus, and care for those who have it.

As we look at how we as a conference family should relate to both governmental and health guidelines we recognize that some significant adjustments need to be made to continue ministry while seeking to minimize risk.

1. Follow CDC guidelines and our governor’s declaration.
2. All churches whose attendance is greater than 50 people should seek alternate ways of having church services or other church events. These could include live-streaming of services, having multiple services to stay within the meeting size guideline, meeting in homes, or other small venues. Update 3/17 9:30 pm: Effective immediately, all churches are to remain closed, until notified that we may open them again. All church events should also be cancelled, or should be done remotely using the phone, Facebook, etcIf you are not able to attend church, here are links to Wisconsin churches that are live-streaming their services on Facebook:

a. Ashland: https://www.facebook.com/ashlandsdachurch/
b. Chippewa Valley: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8ekshKDv1wEjaPfthSGHA/featured?fbclid=IwAR1h_iNWMVf1e5vytmoLrgzbRylDJWIY4Od0VPn1mucyYJU3lt_A5h6IirU
c. Greater Milwaukee Adventist Fellowship: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY7ya9EdqJ0e2D_JAyt9QOQ?fbclid=IwAR0Vr3zZ1N4aFVzQrSILD5Be_ZESyrKOr0PC0SJg3gqv06l7gYTqPfOS480
d. Green Bay: https://www.facebook.com/greenbaysda/?ref=settings
e. Kenosha Company: 11:00 am Sabbath, to join phone conference dial: 425-536-6353, code: 167229.
f. Living Faith: https://www.youtube.com/user/LivingFaithSDAchurch?fbclid=IwAR00EXRfnskeqO5YrgKJhy5F3cREOy5bAGDByY1D3PS8r8slPRbx8hpEuOM
g. Madison East: https://www.facebook.com/madisonadventistchurch/?eid=ARCrLtO0QvUXJiYCxXPa3wI
h. Shepherd’s House: 10:00 am Sabbath School, 11:00 am Church: https://www.facebook.com/theshepherdshousewausau/ or https://www.facebook.com/theshepherdshousewausau/
i. Willow River Christian Fellowship (New Richmond): https://www.facebook.com/Willow-River-Christian-Fellowship-658596597642261/
j. Wisconsin Academy: https://youtu.be/RpL9dogvIbY

3. Follow health guidelines, including hand-washing, social distancing, and when appropriate, voluntary quarantine, to protect yourself and others.
4. Find ways to communicate with and serve those who are unable to attend church services.
5. Be faithful in your stewardship. If you are unable to attend church you may still give through on-line giving (link at our conference web site: https://wi.adventist.org) or mailing a check to your church treasurer.
6. Pray for others. Pray for your church family, health-care providers, and those who are experiencing the results of having the COVID-19 virus.
7. Remember that God is still in control.
8. Update 3/17 9:30 pm: All schools are to remain closed until further notice.

When the disciples were being thrown about by the fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee they panicked because they forgot that Jesus was in the boat with them. It was Jesus who brought calm, to the waves, and to their hearts. May we experience His peace today amidst the current storm around us.

In Christ’s service,

Mike Edge, President
Brian Stephan, Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Adam Case, Ministerial Director
Sue Nelson, Superintendent of Education

REPEAT IN SPANISH BELOW

Estimada familia de la Conferencia de Wisconsin:

Estamos viviendo en tiempos inciertos. La propagación del virus COVID-19 ha causado que muchos, en todo el mundo, tiemblen de miedo. Ha provocado que las autoridades gubernamentales en todos los niveles busquen formas de minimizar la propagación de este virus y cuiden a quienes lo tienen.

A medida que observamos cómo nosotros, como familia de la conferencia, debemos seguir las pautas gubernamentales y de salud, reconocemos que se deben hacer algunos ajustes significativos para continuar el ministerio mientras se busca minimizar el riesgo.

1. 1. Siga las pautas del CDC (Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades) y la declaración de nuestro gobernador.

2. Todas las iglesias cuya asistencia es mayor a 50 personas deben buscar formas alternativas de tener servicios religiosos y otros eventos de la iglesia. Estos podrían incluir la transmisión en vivo de servicios, tener múltiples servicios para mantenerse dentro de las pautas del tamaño de la reunión y/o reunirse en hogares u otros lugares pequeños. Si no puede asistir a la iglesia, aquí hay enlaces a las iglesias de Wisconsin que transmiten en vivo sus servicios en Facebook:

3. Siga las pautas de salud, incluido el lavado de manos, el distanciamiento social y, cuando corresponda, la cuarentena voluntaria, para protegerse y proteger a los demás.

4. Encuentre maneras de comunicarse y servir a aquellos que no pueden asistir a los servicios de la iglesia.

5. Sé fiel en tu mayordomía. Si no puede asistir a la iglesia, puede hacerlo a través de donaciones en línea (enlace en nuestro sitio web de la conferencia: https://wi.adventist.org) o enviando un cheque por correo al tesorero de su iglesia.

6. Ora por los demás. Ore por la familia de su iglesia, los proveedores de atención médica y aquellos que están experimentando los resultados de tener el virus COVID- 19.

7. Recuerda que Dios todavía tiene el control.

Cuando los discípulos casi fueron arrojados por la fuerte tormenta en el Mar de Galilea, entraron en pánico porque olvidaron que Jesús estaba en el bote con ellos. Fue Jesús quien trajo la calma, a las olas y a sus corazones. Que podamos experimentar Su paz hoy en medio de la tormenta actual que nos rodea.

En el servicio de Cristo,

Mike Edge, presidente
Brian Stephan, Secretario Ejecutivo/Tesorero
Adam Case, Director Ministerial
Sue Nelson, Directora de Educación