Clergy working to slow spread of COVID-19

We the undersigned clergy, representing diverse faith communities across the state of Montana, pledge to do all in our power to keep our congregations and communities healthy and safe in the midst of this pandemic. While we have varying practices and theologies, all our traditions hold life as sacred and believe the imperative to protect and preserve life outweighs all other considerations.

Our state and our country are facing a crisis and we must meet this challenge together.

As people of faith, we trust in a higher power to help us through crises. But we must also trust our medical experts and caregivers. The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to keep contacts outside our household to an absolute minimum. Wearing masks, washing hands and staying physically distanced are all important and vital measures we all must take. But reducing our contacts with anyone beyond the people we live with is the best way to keep us all safe.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has issued an order to keep public gatherings limited to 50 people in Phase 2. Houses of worship have been exempted from this requirement. However, as faith leaders, we pledge to steward the health of all by prioritizing remote worship and other activities until this crisis has passed. Additionally, we pledge to take care in planning and celebrating our holidays in the upcoming months so that we do not spread the virus.

It is crucial that we stay home as much as possible to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and especially first responders and health care workers who risk their lives to care for us. We know that we can meet our sacred mission of worshipping together, learning together and caring for each other in ways that limit the risk of spreading COVID-19, saves lives and relieves the strain on our healthcare system.

We pledge to keep our community healthy and safe, for all our sakes!

Signed,

The Rev. Tyler Amundson, Shiloh United Methodist Church, Billings

The Rev. James Bell, Fromberg United Methodist Church, Fromberg

The Rev. Connie Campbell-Pearson

The Rev. John Daniels, pastor, First United Methodist Church, Missoula

The Rev. Tracia Deal, Chaplain KRMC

Pastor Peter Erickson, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Columbia Falls

Mary Fagenstrom, Presbyterian, Great Falls

Pastor Jeryl Hollinger, Mountain View Mennonite Church, Creston

The Rev. Rick Hulbert, Helena

Pastor Eric Huseth, Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Bonner, Bonner

The Rev. Julie King, Choteau UMC, Brady UMC, and Dutton UMC, Choteau

The Rev. Roxanne Klingensmith, Bozeman

Father Charlie Knuth, Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church, Whitefish/Columbia Falls

Jasmine Krotkov, Religious Society of Friends, Montana Gathering of Friends, Great Falls

Rabbi Mark Kula, Missoula

The Rev. Marcia Lauzon, Deacon, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Great Falls

The Rev. Patrick Lewis, Billings First United Methodist Church, Billings

Pastor Jack Mattingly, Harlem Yoked Parish and Chinook UMC

The Rev. Miriam Mauritzen, Community Pastor and Exec.Dtr of Serious JuJu, Kalispell

The Rev. Jody McDevitt, Bozeman 

The Rev. Duffy Peet, Bozeman

The Rev. John Ritchie, Great Falls

The Rev. David H. Rommereim, Lutheran, ELCA, Whitefish

Rabbi Francine Roston, Glacier Jewish Community/B’nai Shalom, Flathead County

Pastor William Sappington, Billings

The Rev. Canon Clark Sherman, Bozeman

Lorca Smetana, Celebrant, Bozeman

The Right Rev. Marty Stebbins, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Montana

The Rev. Jared Stine, Columbia Falls United Methodist Church, Columbia Falls

The Rev. Dr. Terry E. Turner, retired United Methodist Clergy, Helena

Rev. Valerie Webster, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer, Episcopal Diocese of Montana

Rev Mary Wellemeyer, Kalispell

Rev. Andrew Wendle, Eidsvold Lutheran Church, Somers

Rev. Dr. Jan Witman, District Superintendent, Mountain Sky Conference, United Methodist Church