Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation. Continue to check the CDC website for up-to-date information and guidance. 

The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation (a joint initiative of Advocate Aurora Health and the Office for Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships at the University of Illinois at Chicago) is compiling a list of COVID-19 resources, and will continue to update the list over the coming weeks.

Some highlights from the resource list include:


If you would like to submit a resource, please click here .

If you would like to start receiving Advocate Aurora Faith and Health Partnerships weekly COVID-19 e-bulletin, please click here .
April is National Stress Awareness Month
Share this National Stress Awareness Month bulletin insert and worship slide with your faith community:




  • Bulletin inserts on many other topics are available in our archive.  
Psychological First Aid Webinar
In times of distress and uncertainty, people look to their faith community leaders for support and guidance. Psychological First Aid (PFA) training equips faith community leaders to provide basic immediate emotional support to people in distress and anxiety. This approximately 20-minute video equips faith community leaders with the basics of PFA and shares information about further training. 

Click  here to see the webinar, “Thriving in Challenging Times: Crisis Response Training for Faith Community Leaders," led by Rev. Kevin Massey, System Vice President, Mission and Spiritual Care and Spiritual Care Leadership, Advocate Aurora Health Care.
Advocate Aurora Health News
MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL : How to erase the stigma and address the growing issue of mental health in the workplace. A recent study suggests when company leaders speak openly about mental health, employees understand it’s OK to seek help.

 WBAY-TV 2 ABC GREEN BAY : Early Pregnancy Loss Project helps Oshkosh families grieve. Rachel Juckem, RN at Aurora Health Center in Oshkosh, and Molly Butz, Aurora Foundation development coordinator, discuss the Early Pregnancy Project that helps grieving parents cope with the loss of a pregnancy or young baby. See the video .

WISCONSIN HEALTH NEWS : Milwaukee County gets federal grant for opioid-use-disorder treatment. The federal grant will pay for development of a plan to reduce the risk of overdose deaths and enhance treatment at the county's House of Correction.

WISCONSIN HEALTH NEWS : Experts talk future of mental health crisis in Milwaukee County, state. More work needs to be done to support Milwaukee County’s transition to boost community mental health services and Wisconsin’s crisis services, experts say.
2020 Census Resources for Faith Communities
Faith in Public Life is working to ensure the 2020 Census is fair and accurate. This Census will affect how much federal funding each state will receive for your local schools, roads and hospitals. Learn how you can educate your friends, neighbors and congregants about how the Census works and how important it is to be counted! 

See the 2020 Census Faith Toolkit available through Faith in Public Life. 

United States Census 2020 offers a flyer, "Why Your Faith Community Should Become a 2020 Census Official Partner." See it here.

The City of Milwaukee has created a 2020 Census Toolkit for Faith-Based Leaders.
Aurora Health Events, Classes and Groups
Please note: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please check ahead of time to see if events are cancelled or postponed.
See details about a wide range of continuous classes and groups, including:

  • Senior Exercise Class
  • Art Therapy Workshop
  • Stroke Support Group
  • And More!

In addition, Aurora Health Care offers classes on a variety of health topics. Select a Hospital/Medical Center and click on search to see what is being offered in your area.
Other Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Please note: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please check ahead of time to see if events are cancelled or postponed.
April 1, 11:00 a.m.
Learn how the combination of a trauma-informed faith community and a unique, faith-based emphasis on wraparound care may reduce negative outcomes and increase flourishing in individuals with past trauma and/or substance use disorder.  

April 6
PBS "Broken Places" Premier
From April through May, PBS will air new series and specials that shine light on health and well-being. Among them: "Broken Places," which will air on Monday, April 6. The program will explore why some children are severely impacted by early adversity while others are able to thrive. Revisit children profiled decades ago to see how early trauma shaped their lives as adults. See trailer and other details.

April 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Aggie Stewart, a counselor and yoga therapist, will discuss the role of yoga and other mindful practices in organizational wellness plans and in preventing burnout among staff.

April-June
The Church's Response to Mental Illness
Wisconsin and Minnesota locations
This course is designed to help local congregations develop a faithful and loving response to those living with mental illness. It will include coverage of important mental health terms and concepts, exploration of resource availability, and theological reflection on the realities faced by people and families facing mental health struggles. Learn more.

Other Opportunities

  • Companions in Ministry Program
  • Contemplative Renewal Welcomes Applications
  • Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Come Alive! Program for a More Abundant Spiritual and Physical Life
  • See details on these events here.
Steps on the Journey Online Retreat
Steps on the Journey: A Healing Online Retreat
April 24-26

An online retreat for women (18 years and older) who have experienced rape, sexual assault, and/or childhood sexual abuse (including marital/partner rape, date rape, and stranger rape). To learn more, contact Lisa Hart at lhart@wcucc.org or 608-438-1571.  
Health and Wellness Resources
Faith & Gun Violence Study-Action Guide
“Who is My Neighbor: Multi-Generational Conversations on Faith & Gun Violence”

Created by the Wisconsin Council of Churches, this free study-action guide includes worship-planning guides, discussion guides, reflections, video testimony by youth, resources and action steps. Download the guide here.


  • Find a Behavioral Health Specialist
  • Services and Treatment
  • Programs for Adults, Children and Adolescents
  • And More!


  • Weight Management Programs
  • Integrative Health Coaching
  • National and Local Resources
  • Fitness and Wellness Centers
  • And More!

Stroke Risk Assessment
Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, and many of the risk factors are controllable. Take Advocate Aurora Health’s online  Stroke Risk Assessment  to estimate your chance of experiencing one and learn about the ways you could minimize it.

If you are interested in starting a health ministry or health council in your congregation, contact Kirsten Peachey , Director of Faith and Health Partnerships for Advocate Aurora Health . She'd love to talk with you about getting started.

Advocate Aurora Health eNews Service
Get daily articles on a host of health topics that come to you via email. Subscribe to our  Health eNews service . 
April Holidays and Observances

April 2 Ramanavam - Hindu
April 5 Palm Sunday - Christian
April 6 Mahavir Jayanti - Jain
April 8 Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
April 8-16 Passover - Jewish
April 9 Theravadin New Year - Buddhist
April 9 Maundy Thursday - Christian
April 10 Good Friday - Christian
April 12 Easter - Christian
April 12 Palm Sunday - Orthodox Christian
April 14 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) - Sikh
April 14 Tamil New Year - Hindu
April 17 Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian
April 19 Pascha - Easter - Orthodox Christian
April 19 First Day of Ridvan - Baha'i
April 20 Yom HaSho’ah - Jewish
April 21 Lailat al Bara'ah - Islam
April 23 Ramadan begin - Islam
April 26 Akshaya Tritiya - Hindu
April 29 Yom Ha’ Atzmaut – Jewish
We Want to Hear From You!

We hope you find this update helpful as you promote the health of your members and community. Please contact Cindy Novak or Anya Gordon if you have topics you'd like us to address or if you have questions or concerns.
Advocate Aurora Faith and Health Partnerships | AdvocateAuroraHealth


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