Pandemic Update: A Message from Mitch
PRISMA Vaccinations, Williams-Brice Stadium-Columbia, SC
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The upcoming weeks will be eventful ones in the life of St. Martin's. I hope that this Sunday you will join us on The Point for the burning of the palms at 4:30 p.m. Libby Nicholson has led this liturgy for our youth for years. If you have palms from last Palm Sunday, you are welcome to bring them. The ashes from these palms will be blessed and used for our Ash Wednesday services. I hope that you will then stay for our Eucharist at 5 p.m. I promise we will be done in time to watch the Super Bowl. On the 10th, we will then celebrate Caitlyn's ordination, just in time for our Lenten programming to roll out.
Yesterday I had the privilege of volunteering at the drive-through PRISMA vaccine location next to Williams-Brice Stadium. I know there have been some hiccups for members trying to volunteer, some snafus with webpages, some folks who have volunteered and been told not to come, and some others who have shown up and been told they weren't needed. Knowing these things caused me to go for my scheduled time with a degree of trepidation. Once there, and once I found my name on the check-in sheet, my nerves started to dissipate. I went with the first-time volunteers into a tent and then was given my task.
While there, a few things really struck me. The first was that I was impressed by the common sense of purpose everyone on-site shared. From the National Guard to those checking people in to the doctors and nurses giving the vaccines to the volunteers directing traffic. Everyone there knew what they were doing was important and everyone was working together.
The second thing that struck me was the number of young people from USC's School of Nursing who were helping. These young people were impressive in their work, in their positive attitudes, in their professionalism, and in their energy. They were amazing. I had been told in the past that the College of Nursing at Carolina was one of the best programs in the country. Yesterday I was able to see one of the reasons why.
Finally, as I was there, the word began to be passed around that starting Monday, people age 65 and above would be eligible for the vaccine. As I looked around at the system they have set up, my impression was that this location and others around the city and state are ready. There may be some lines at first, particularly with new waves of people coming, but the people on the ground, free of the politics of who gets what and when, are ready and eager to serve you.
If you are eligible for the vaccine, I encourage you to get it. If you have the opportunity to volunteer, please take it. It was special to see such a diverse group of people working for the betterment of their community and the safety of all. I have often wondered what the Kingdom of God will look like. Yesterday, amidst the common purpose of all, in tears of joy from those getting the vaccine to the encouraging words offered from those giving it, I think I caught a glimpse.
In Christ,
Mitch+
