Religious Congregations Respond during COVID-19 | Impact Report
SPECIAL REPORT FROM COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
CAPTURES EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES OF LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITIES
CAPTURES EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES OF LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITIES
October 29, 2020 | Despite differences in size, budget, location, and tradition, Chicago area religious congregations are grappling with many of the same challenges as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s one of the key findings from the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago’s newly released report, Religious Congregations Respond during COVID-19. The report is based on responses from more than 120 congregations in Northern Illinois, representing 24 different faith traditions, to a survey conducted in July and August.
Among the report’s key findings:
Among the report’s key findings:
- In-person routines have given way to myriad other ways to enact the rituals of fellowship and worship, mourning, and celebration.
- Some congregations are finding new benefits to regular telephone calls, more frequent contact, and more attention to those most in need of companionship and safety.
- Congregations have revamped arrangements for providing material support, and food in particular, for service activities.
- Financial supports have become more uncertain. While some income loss is partially offset with fewer in-person activities and associated costs, 40% of respondents express concern (from slight to extreme) that they may not be in operation at all within 12 months.
Support for this report was provided in part by a Nehemiah Grant from the Chicago Sunday Evening Club
