October 5, 2022 Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago: I am giving thanks for this week’s news that COVID in Illinois is at its lowest rate since last spring, and for the new bivalent boosters that have made this progress possible. If you have not yet received your booster, I encourage you…
Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago, With the announcement by Governor Pritzker on February 9 that Illinois’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted at the end of the month, we believe it is again time to release you from restrictions imposed by diocesan guidelines, and ask that you and your leadership work…
On a video call held December 22 to address rising concerns about the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and in-person worship, Bishop Chilton Knudsen encouraged clergy and lay leaders to adapt worship and ministries in whatever ways make sense to keep their communities safe. She also asked that the following temporary changes be made until the…
As Christmas approaches and we enter another COVID surge and the uncertainty of a new variant, we thought it would be important to remind congregations of our COVID guidelines and make some recommendations for this season. There are two Diocesan requirements that remain in place. In accordance with the State of Illinois mandate and at…
On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance for vaccinated people to maximize protection and spread of the Delta variant, including wearing masks indoors and in areas where the virus is surging. Following the CDC announcement, Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced that Illinois will follow the CDC’s recommendations. The CDC Covid Data…
Dear Friends, Since the day 15 months ago when Bishop Lee issued a directive to close our church buildings and cease in-person gatherings in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, you have faithfully and graciously led your congregations through the changes wrought by the pandemic. Together, we discovered new ways of worshiping virtually. You found…
