On October 10th I, along with Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler and Rev. Jeff Wild of Guns to Gardens Wisconsin, attended the Emergency Gun Violence Summit hosted by the 80% Coalition in Milwaukee. It was a long and taxing day of reviewing statistics, witnessing stories, and hearing from state leaders – but ultimately, there was a resounding message of hope and optimism in our country and our communities that we can “be the change.”

 As we head into election day tomorrow and beyond, we continue to pray and engage. We continue to share the belief that every vote is sacred and will continue to show up in our communities to support the checks and balances that ensure our elections are free and fair.

As we approach the highly contentious 2024 election, pastors and church leaders face unique challenges in guiding their congregations. With emotions running high, many people are looking to their faith communities for clarity, comfort, and a way forward. The role of clergy and churches during this period—leading up to Election Day and beyond—is critical.

Wisconsin voters who cast a ballot in the General Election on November 5 will be confronted with a question on their ballot that, if it receives a majority of “yes” votes, will amend the Wisconsin Constitution. It is important for all Wisconsin voters to understand why this question has been placed on the ballot and what it will mean for our state if it receives a majority of “yes” votes. And it is important for all of us who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ to consider the purpose and potential impact of this proposed amendment in the context of our shared faith.

As the election season continues to ramp up, there are laws about what churches (as 501c3 organizations) can and cannot do to engage in the political process. The WCC’s Director of Ecumenical Innovation and Justice Initiatives, Rev. Breanna Illéné sat down with Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary and co-founder of the Clergy Emergency League to talk about how to navigate this season.

Wisconsin voters who cast ballots in the statewide Partisan Primary Election on August 13 will be confronted with two questions on their ballot that, if they receive a majority of “yes” votes, will amend the Wisconsin Constitution. It is important for all Wisconsin voters to understand these questions and what they will mean for our state if they receive a majority of “yes” votes. And it is important for all of us who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ to consider the impact of these proposed amendments in the context of our shared faith.

I, along with many of the staff at the WCC, have been sitting in this idea of the apocalypse for quite some time and we have found that whether we are sharing the ideas with colleagues or even partners at secular organizations we work with, the apocalypse actually offers a word of hope in a world that sometimes seems unrecognizable.

The WCC is hiring an intern for the 2024 school year (fall and spring internships available). The Gun Violence Prevention Project intern will learn about faith-based (primarily Christian) involvement with gun violence prevention and how to guide learning, consensus-building, and movement toward action in a church context.

More than fifty thousand visitors will be coming to Milwaukee this July for the Republican National Convention, each with their own agenda and this guidance is designed for those living in the city to prepare fr this event. It is based on our discussions with leaders in Peacemaking, Depolarizing, Civil Rights, and Emergency Management fields.

The stories of hope, loss, change, and perseverance that defined how the church in Wisconsin responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. In production now.

Part of a church’s digital ministry should also include digital equity. The reality is that we live in a world where digital access is a requirement for daily life.

It’s not the beginning of joke; it’s the beginning of a story about local clergy engaging in an act of public theology and community advocacy. It’s a story about justice, courage, and holy imagination.

Examen is an opportunity for peaceful daily reflective prayer. This tool provides an opportunity to do that in the context of your local government.

Over the past year, the Manitowoc Public School District’s Board of Education has become more agenda-driven as it has reviewed policies, particularly those that limit discussion on “controversial topics” and those that address trans rights.

During Holy Week, I had an opportunity to join the Greater Milwaukee Synod ELCA for the Chrism Mass, where participants renewed their baptismal promises and rostered leaders renewed their ordination vows.

While churches are typically most used on Sunday mornings, many of our buildings are valuable assets for the entire community and provide services throughout the week. One way that churches help their communities is by opening their doors during elections and serving as a polling location.