COVID-19: 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.
COVID-19: Minnesota summary: The Minnesota Department of Health provides the latest number of cases of Coronavirous 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.
COVID-19 Vaccine in Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Health provides information, data, and guidance around the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota.
COVID-19 Testing in Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Health provides information on testing locations, at-home tests, and who should get tested.
Minnesota Annual Conference
March 2021Bishop Bard's pastoral letter on new state guidance: The conference will not immediately change the dial on our Phased Re-Gathering Plan but plan to do so right after Easter, barring a new surge in cases.
Jan. 2021Bishop Bard: Moving the dial to orange: Bishop Bard is turning the dial on our Re-gathering Plan from red to orange while urging continued caution and prudence in decision-making.
Nov. 2020Bishop Ough: Staying safe, turning the dial to red: Bishop Ough is turning the dial on our Re-gathering Plan back to red and asking all congregations to return to virtual worship and have staff work from home.
Nov. 2020Faith communities and COVID-19: What you need to know: Health officials admonished clergy to use their influence to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and Gov. Tim Walz announced new restrictions for receptions.
Oct. 2020Conference Re-gathering Plan moves to Orange Phase: Bishop Ough shares data and explains the reasons for changing the dial from yellow to orange as COVID-19 cases surge in Minnesota and across the nation.
May 2020 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.
May 2020Osterholm 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.
April 2020 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.
March 2020Bishop: 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.
March 2020 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.
March 2020Bishop 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.
Feb. 2021General Conference postponed until 2022: Organizers have postponed the full General Conference, including proposals for a church split, until 2022 when delegates can meet in person. A special one-day, virtual General Conference is planned for May 8.
July 2020Bishop 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.
April 2020North 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.
March 2020General 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.
March 2020 General Conference to be postponed: General Conference will be postponed and will not occur May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis as planned.
March 2020 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.
