Coronavirus: U.S. summary: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a brief summary of the situation that's updated daily with the latest information.
High-risk populations: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention names the populations that are at higher risk of contracting coronavirus and best practices for them to follow.
Minnesota
Coronavirus: Minnesota summary: The Minnesota Department of Health provides the latest number of cases in Minnesota, along with a list of the counties reporting cases.
Latest Minnesota recommendations: The Minnesota Department of Health provides its latest recommendations to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Minnesota.
Minnesota Annual Conference
Bishop's pastoral letter: Staying the course: In light of Gov. Walz relaxing restrictions for churches’ gatherings, Bishop Ough urges congregations to stay the course, worship online, and remain cautious.
Osterholm and Walz talk COVID-19 and churches: Dr. Michael Osterholm encourages churches to embrace virtual gatherings, and Gov. Tim Walz said he is committed to partnering on guidance for faith communities.
Guidance for returning to in-person worship: Bishop Ough asks every Minnesota congregation to continue to suspend in-person worship through May 30 and develop a plan for how to return in a gradual manner. Here are some key recommendations for developing your plan.
Bishop: Easter cannot be canceled: Bishop Ough is asking that all congregations suspend in-person worship until at least May 10 but points out that Easter cannot be canceled.
Bishop's COVID-19 recommendations: Bishop Ough asked all Minnesota congregations to suspend in-person worship and offers our membership vow as a template for ministry during this season.
Bishop Ough: Preventing the spread of coronavirus: Bishop Bruce R. Ough shares how the spread of coronavirus is being monitored and how faith communities can assist in containing the spread of the illness, and addresses concerns about General Conference in Minneapolis.
Bishop Bard to lead MN in 2021: Bishop Ough will retire January 1, 2021, and Bishop David Bard of the Michigan Area will assume temporary responsibility for the Minnesota Conference.
North Central Jurisdictional Conference postponed: A big question this postponement raises is: Who will be our bishop between September 2020 and the rescheduled jurisdictional conference? We do not yet know.
General Conference to be rescheduled for 2021: The Commission on the General Conference will pursue negotiations to hold the General Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center at a new date in 2021.
Bishops ask for postponement of General Conference: The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has asked for the postponement of the 2020 General Conference because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now up to the Commission on General Conference to decide whether to act on that request.
