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
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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