New report from Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago captures experiences and challenges of local faith communities
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.
“This is the first survey of which we are aware that assesses a broad range of faith traditions,” said Council President Barbara Abrajano. “This report gives policymakers and funders critical direction for how to help congregations get through this crisis.”
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.
The study was conducted by Stephen Baker, PhD at the University of Chicago. The Report and Executive Summary are here.
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The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago is comprised of the head religious leadership of practically every major religious tradition in the broader Chicago area, representing nearly six million people. The Council is dedicated to building networks of friendship and respect among the faith communities of Chicago. The Council speaks with a unified moral voice on issues of the day; creates a climate of better interfaith understanding and cooperation; and participates in programs which advance its work.
www.crlmc.org/covid19impactrpt.html
Contact
Nisan Chavkin
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