O Evening Host, you call us with slashes of orange light seeping through the darkening horizon; your invitation beckons us home again into the enfolding freedom from our daily routine. Here in this calm closing, you offer breathing space to remember how you have carried us through the hours and how you are opening windows and doors to free us from our tensions. May we enter these moments in quiet reflection . . . . . . . . . . For your gift of this day of living under your glorious sun, we bow in gratitude.
Fortress of Forgiveness, we are a rushed people, and in our haste, our words have punctured suggestions made in earnest and ideas that showed promise. Our unkindness and lack of grace blindsided even those closest to us. For the ways in which we have failed you, our sisters and brothers, and ourselves, we ask for holy pardon, especially for . . . . . . . . . . . . We also pray you would show us how to pardon those who have caused us pain, particularly . . . . . . . . . . Perhaps if we picture your candle of grace shining above each one who has hurt us, we would see that their own struggles are no different than our own.
As you work through us to further your own purposes, we ask that you would infuse our national leaders with you new vision, granting that the groundwork they lay will support a system where all have ample opportunity to thrive in this good land you have given us. Discipline us to pray daily for our leaders at every level, as we also pray for our fellow pilgrims across the world, for ourselves, and for each of these Church Street friends whose situations are already known to you:
Gratitude for the life and witness of a cherished colleague
Ten offer gratitude for virus vaccinations
Thanksgiving for minimal side effects of chemo
Family grateful that father’s illness has stabilized
Many express thanks for communion worship
Gratitude: Family of four healed from Covid
Thanksgiving for vaccinations for family members in UK and Missouri
Thankful for answered prayers of wider vaccine distribution
Courage for one with newly diagnosed cancer
Dear sister depressed from isolation
Prayers for two in treatment for pancreatic cancer
Comfort for family, husband killed in accident
Healing: Husband in deep depression
Healing for one suffering leg pain
Pray for mother recovering from brain bleed
Discernment for one making weighty decision
Strength for friend very ill physically and emotionally
Families mourning recent deaths of loved ones
Continued healing for heart patient
Healing for one whose cancer has spread
We conclude our prayers, Holy One, looking forward to your healing touch of sleep. Watch over all who are closest to our hearts, we pray, and with the dawn, may we place our steps in the footprints of Jesus as we walk his road to heaven:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Waiting One, we come humbly before you as the shadows grow deeper, for we have struggled today and confess our thoughts and deeds have been less than our best; and here in the quiet hours, we feel the sting of our misdeeds, particularly . . . . . . . . . . Our regrets are more than we would like them to be; but we know you will not turn away from us, as you always stand ready to offer your gift of pardon when we sincerely repent. Embrace us with your forgiveness, we pray, and with your help, tomorrow may be a different story altogether.
You feed us the bread of mercy, Sustaining One, and offer us the cup of grace. And for all the mercies that have found us today, hear our prayers of thanksgiving . . . . . . . . . . For many of our brothers & sisters, pain has cut a wide swath, so comfort the grieving, heal the hurting, fill all who are empty, and sustain those too weak to form any words. And for those who have forgotten you, open their ears that they may hear your voice calling them home. We are all wanderers and we know we cannot make this journey alone. May your love be our companion as we travel toward your grace of eternity.
Again and again, Great Healer, you remove the thorns of our losses and cover our wounds with your balm of hope. Receive these most recent expressions of gratitude for your work among us; and accept these prayers for holy assistance from your children at Church Street:
Grateful for prayers: member has obtained funding to begin her chemo treatments
Eight express thanks for virus vaccinations
Couple healing from Covid: Grateful for prayers
Member grateful for promising medical report
Thanksgiving: Mother ill at home is improving
Prayers for two in treatment for pancreatic cancer
Healing: Husband in deep depression
Sons mourning the death of their mother
Patience for one healing from surgery
Prayers for improvement in stroke victim
Continued healing for heart patient
Comfort for family: Husband killed in auto accident last week
Healing for one whose cancer has spread
One enduring chemo treatments
Healing painful leg condition
Good Keeper, we are never out of your sight by daylight, and you make your pallet beside our bed each night. If we call out, you are only a heartbeat away. And should you happen to speak, may our hearts open to your whispered words: “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we offer our collective prayers:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
O Calm Beyond the Sunset, you have designed this shimmering day and extended it to us freely through your grace. And now the evening wind picks up and breathtaking shadows lengthen across the fields; this is another of your invitations as we stand on the edge of your pool of darkness. “Come, enter the restorative flow,” you say, “the temperature is refreshing and all your daytime distractions are hidden away.”
We do long to lay down our troubles on the banks of healing shade and step inside. Give us such courage. While others may follow the world’s path and continue their work through the darkest hours, grant that we might linger awhile with the Holy One who beckons, giving rest to the weary and fulness to the depleted. . . . . . . . . . .
Sea of Mercy, look down this eve on those living in the land of broken dreams, your beloved who desperately yearn for solace: the hungry, the refugee, the prisoner, the lonely, those far from home and those whose homes have been turned upside down by illness, the loss of a loved one, by personal conflict. Break into their lives with waves of your healing assurance, reminding them they are not forgotten. Grant that they, and each of us who pray this night, may hear the rippling calm of your voice which gives us courage to wait in times of sorrow.
Already, we feel you working on our behalf and extend our deepest gratitude. And also lay before you these deepest concerns on the hearts of your Church Street community:
Ill member thankful to be released from hospital
Cancer survivor thankful for prayers, all going well
Praises for wife whose radiation treatments are complete
Member thankful for meds that are helping her pain
Two express gratitude for Bible Study offerings on Zoom
Gratitude: Young couple with Covid greatly improved
Fourteen express thanks for virus vaccinations
Healing prayers for cousin suffering from stroke
Comfort for family: Husband killed in auto accident last week
Healing for one whose cancer has spread
For chemo funds to be approved
Mother in treatment for pancreatic cancer
One enduring chemo treatments
Courage for alcoholic son to enter rehab
Proper diagnosis and treatment of painful leg condition
Pain relief for cancer victim
Healing: Husband recovering from heart surgery
We are neither righteous nor devout, nor even worthy; still you have drawn close to us and wrapped us in your amazing love. You hear our cries and you touch us with your mercy, especially in these ways: . . . . . . . . . . As we close our eyes and enter that chamber of rest tonight, fill our hearts with thanksgiving to the One who offers us life eternal:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Gift-Giving God, you are pouring your quiet darkness over another full and often-disordered day, telling us it is time to slow our pace and put away the tools of our trade. Empty our hands and hearts that we might accept this unopened gift of melon-colored twilight, knowing it is offered with love. Inside there are promised treasures of comfort, rest, and reflection. May we honor both the gift and the divine hand that provides it.
As we meditate upon this day of radiant sunshine, we are humbled by all the favors you have brought to pass and the goodness shown to us by others. Especially we recall . . . . . . . . . . We praise you for your overarching benevolence; and even now your snowy ridges are smoothing out those harsh thoughts and hasty actions we deeply regret, especially . . . . . . . . . . . Draw us close, Lord, and dust away those ugly vices that cling to our boots. And as we pass through the new day to come, may others think of Jesus as we walk by.
Gracious Guardian, it is difficult for us to recognize the depth of need that many still face during this pandemic, especially now that the temperatures have dropped. Guard, we pray, those without shelter or adequate food on the table, the ones facing eviction, the unemployed, the ill, confused and dying. Dry the tears that fall all too frequently these days, and in your mercy, continue to lighten the loads of all your cherished ones, including your friends at Church Street:
Member family celebrates birth of new baby boy
Prayers appreciated: Grandmother died peacefully
A friend is vastly improved from knee surgery
Grateful that toddler is tolerating chemo
Thanks for prayers: Sister’s surgery was successful
Single mother thankful for an unexpected gift
Gratitude: One tolerating radiation treatments well
Healing for one whose cancer has spread
For insurance to cover chemotherapy
Courage for alcoholic son to enter rehab
Recovery for young couple with Covid
Proper diagnosis of painful leg condition
Strength and courage for two caregivers
All who need virus vaccines
Blessings for all assisting with vaccinations
Pain relief for cancer victim
Healing: Husband recovering from heart surgery
Two recovering from serious heart issues
Continued prayers: one enduring chemo
Eternal Companion, you have poured out your divine hope upon us and we place our souls, and the souls of all whom we love, into your hands this cold night. We close our eyes in peace, feeling your warming presence beside us; and with the dawn, we will find you there still, ready to support us in whatever lies ahead. Pull together all our prayers, for we offer them in the name of Hope, Jesus our Savior, who prayed in this way:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
O Great Silence, you live beyond the realm of words, in that space we rarely visit. Turn off that spigot of chatter that floods our minds and our mouths, and for this one evening may we join you there to merely keep company with you in your deep mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Teach us the beauty of regular resting in you, that we may learn what true restoration is. In our culture where highest praise is directed to production, remind us that we are esteemed by you each time we seat ourselves at your feet and take in whatever glories you choose to whisper.
Once filled with summer’s happy green fans, the oak’s bare branches now wave to us through the windowpane. The empty trees take their losses with more grace than we, knowing in their ancient wisdom that fretting is futile. Our own losses these past long months have been bitter, and we find it difficult to open our hands and let them fall freely as fragmented leaves. But, Nourishing God, as you enrich the soil with leafy shards, so use our shredded despair and broken dreams to fortify us. We may never stand as stately as the oaks, but you will make us strong enough to lean into the winter winds, as we wait for your next season of greenness.
Within your great silence, you have heard the cries of our hearts and have blessed us in many ways. We pray that, as you already have bolstered the spirits of many, you would attend also to these friends and families whose hope is in you:
Three celebrate recovery from Covid
Thankful family members have received vaccines
Gratitude: Husband’s depression is lifting
Thanksgiving: Mother discharged from hospital
Prayers appreciated: Young niece with infection now home
Gratitude for prayers: Son was able to visit his dying mother
Thankful that a heart malady is improving
God’s grace for colleague whose cancer has spread
For insurance to cover chemotherapy
Comfort and grace for those who mourn
All who need virus vaccines
Blessings upon all healthcare workers and volunteers assisting with vaccinations
Prayers for shrinkage of pancreatic tumor
Comfort for family grieving death of mother
Decreased pain for cancer victim
Healing mercy for sister recovering from surgery
Two recovering from serious heart issues
Infant cousin with tumor on spine
Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
Strength for caregiver under great stress
May your Silent Spirit rest our minds and hearts as we sleep, calming our fears and erasing our sins. Fold us and all whom we love into your embrace, we pray; and tomorrow, may we rise forgiven and free to serve in the name of Christ, who taught us to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
When Pat Bellingrath and Celia Ferguson met in conversation about the conviction they felt surrounding the treatment of Black community members in 2016, they never imagined their dream to do justice work across their church conference would come true.
Now, the pair, along with 20 other program planners, will host a four-week Sacred Conversations on Race (COR) series for the Tennessee Valley district of the Holston Conference.
“Conversation is the way you begin to change the world,” Ferguson says. “Conversation is how you build relationships to make the change.”
Humble Beginning
Conversation looks different than it did when the COR Leadership group met for the first time. In 2016, Bellingrath and Ferguson were joined by Stephanie Blue, Rev. Leah Burns, Sandra Dimmick, Jean Galyon and Ivee Miles-Slater around a kitchen table in discussion.
“We heard stories that (proved) we just didn’t know how the world worked,” Ferguson says, providing “The Talk” about racism as an example. “There were incredibly difficult conversations we had. They were emotional.”
In November 2016, about 100 people of all backgrounds and faiths attended the first COR program, sitting around tables to converse with people unlike themselves.
Reflecting and understanding a need for more conversation, the original planning team of seven grew to 22, with a focus on eliminating racism in the larger United Methodist Church, starting with the Holston Conference.
“Our hope is to get churches to start conversations on these issues,” Ferguson says, adding that it’s not only amongst members, but on Sunday mornings during worship, too.
“For me, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Bellingrath adds. “It really is, to me, a cornerstone of our faith.”
Living the Gospel
When planning the COR program, the leadership team drew from the second of the Baptismal Vows and Article IV and V of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
The second of the Baptismal Vows
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
Article IV. Inclusiveness in the Church — The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection. In The United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition.
Article V. Racial Justice — The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons. The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.
COR also acknowledges the past of the church, including moments and eras the Methodist Church didn’t treat all races the same, and the times it did.
“We have to know our history,” Bellingrath says. “We really have to acknowledge the history of the United Methodist Church.”
Rooted in history and these texts, the program also relies on the sharing of stories as a powerful way to truly understand and connect to the experiences of others. Each session of the February Sacred Conversations on Race series will include time for conversation and stories, including a night of guest speakers in Session 2.
At the end of the program, the COR Leadership Team hopes that attendees will walk away with action steps toward biblical justice.
“Our call is to suffer alongside those who are oppressed,” Ferguson says, adding that although it’s uncomfortable to have these conversations, it’s the cross we bear. “Even though my white skin gives me an out, my heart can’t give up.”
Learn more and register for the Conversations on Race program here.
Program Details:
Session 1
Tuesday, February 2, 7pm-8:30pm
Starting a sacred conversation on racism: challenges, history, how to begin, how to engage in difficult conversations and a little John Wesley. Sharing of stories and time for conversation.
Session 2
Tuesday, February 9, 7pm-8:30pm
A host of speakers will be joining us this night from Holston and other conferences to speak to racism in the UMC and why we must engage with one another to end racism in our beloved church. Time for discussion and sharing of stories.
Session 3
Tuesday, February 16, 7pm-8:30pm
Discussing white privilege and systemic racism: what these are and how they affect every aspect of our lives. Sharing of stories and time for conversation.
Session 4
Tuesday, February 23, 7pm-8:30pm
Continuing the conversation: where do we go from here and how the UMC can become the beloved community. Time for conversation, discernment and commitment.
Ah, Lord, you have brought us safely once again to the edge of twilight, where we must confess we are an absent-minded people. Even today we failed to notice your song delivered by the bird on the windowsill, the gleam of sunlight filling a room, the parting of the clouds revealing an ocean-blue sky, the family of stately evergreens huddled close to shield us from the wind. But then, you are the God of Second Chances, so you will help us keep our eyes open wide tomorrow for those flowers of grace you keep unfurling, even in our era of bleakness.
God of the Ordinary, we long to do something of immense significance in improving our world’s vast needs. We cannot resolve homelessness, but we can lend a hand or financially support Habitat projects.We cannot fill every empty belly on the planet, but we can feed our neighbors at Soup Kitchen and Beacon of Hope. We cannot cure cancer and all injurious diseases, but we can send notes to and offer prayers of comfort for the hurting. We often wonder how our small acts actually dent these monumental challenges. Only Jesus knows, and it is in his name that we perform our small deeds in the ordinary ways open to us.
In our ordinariness, Lord, ease our anxieties when we feel we aren’t doing enough, and remind us you are making changes in individual lives and situations, not we ourselves. We rejoice at the ways you blessed us this day, especially in . . . . . . . . . . , while we also ask your forgiveness for the slights we may have inflicted upon others . . . . . . . . Glory to you, Lord Christ!
As the mundane becomes glorified through Christ, we offer these prayers especially for . . . . . . . . . . and on behalf of your people at Church Street:
Ten members offer gratitude to church for helping them acquire virus vaccinations
Member grateful for amazing support in her bereavement
Grandmother grateful for church’s spiritual guidance and nurture of her grandson
Thanksgiving: Infant tolerating cancer treatments well
Family of four celebrate recovery from virus
Thanksgiving that lung radiation is well-tolerated
God’s grace for dear colleague whose cancer has spread
Comfort for sons: Beloved mother nearing death
Member with cancer, for improved red blood count
Pray that son might be able to see his hospitalized mother before she succumbs to Covid
Prayers for colleague: Shrinkage of cancer so surgery may proceed
Healing for cherished cousin, stroke victim
Prayers for clarity for overwhelmed wife
Husband struggling with depression
Decreased pain for cancer victim
Three recovering from serious heart issues
Infant cousin with tumor on spine
Strength for two mothers: Sons gripped by addiction
Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
Strength for two weary caregivers
For insurance company to approve chemo
O Keeper of the Night, offer your mercy to all your children whose burdens are heavy. Cloak us in holy rest under the beam of the full moon, for we turn over ourselves, and all whom we cherish, into your care. And may our final thoughts before sleep be filled with gratitude, as the prayer of your Son sings in our hearts:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Even before our eyes opened this frosty morning, your blessings were floating down: the newspaper delivered before dawn, the floor toasted by the warm flow from the radiator, the purring cat on the stoop, and the dew on the grass sparkling as crystals strewn by a loving hand. You have walked with us through these long days of heaviness, Generous One; and because you deem us worthy, you granted us this, another day of living under your grace. Praise be to you, Giver of Life!
Now the dusky hours have arrived and we ponder the personal talents you have imparted to each of us – gifts of music, decision-making, hospitality, creativity, healing, teaching, and others – gifts not sought, but offered free of cost for the betterment of your world . . . . . . . . . . . And in review, we ask ourselves how we may have employed our individual talents today in the service of others . . . . . . . . . . Please forgive those instances we uttered idle words and performed hollow deeds, especially . . . . . . . . . . Because of Jesus, you do take notice of even our small efforts made in sincerity. May our simple services multiply as we mature in our faith, that in some unknowable way, your kingdom will be enriched.
Christ, our Confidant, surely the hallways of heaven are replete with pleas and petitions, perhaps even stacked to infinity. Maybe your rooms are filling up and there is little space left for the angels to pass through the hallways. But thanks to you, each prayer is received in earnest, as it is extended; each is valued, as is each one who offered it. Therefore, we unhesitatingly offer our private prayers in your name . . . . . . . . . . And we lift these also on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Member offers gratitude for ease of logging onto online worship and connecting to Sunday School class
Thankful niece’s health is improving
Gratitude for added donations to local missions
Husband and wife grateful for vaccine appointment
Comfort for sons: Beloved mother nearing death
One hospitalized with multiple maladies
Continued healing of young relative
Solace for member: Death of a beloved brother
Healing for cherished cousin, stroke victim
Couple struggling with virus recovery and depression
Mother with pancreatic cancer, wisdom for MD Anderson physicians
Guidance and wisdom for our nation’s leaders
For peace to reign in our country
Increased availability of virus vaccine
Aging father recovering from surgery
Three recovering from serious heart issues
Healing: Two families with Covid
Infant cousin with brain tumor, wisdom for physicians
Strength for two mothers: Sons gripped by addiction
Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
Strength for two weary caregivers
For insurance company to approve chemo
Our Christian journey began and will end in you, Holy One, for you have shown us that our lives do matter. Watch over us all as the darkness falls and give us the confidence to rest in you, with the prayer of your Son upon our lips:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
. . . Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
O God of Clarity, much of today was convoluted. Projects were initiated, then abandoned; simple tasks turned out to be knotted with baffling details; and throughout the hours there was a steady stream of interruptions. All these dashed our hopes of producing anything of value. Take these disordered pieces and false starts, we pray, and infuse them with some sort of meaning; and whatever effort you find worthy, may it serve your purpose in your own good time.
You have called us to walk that road of discipleship that is paved in humility. We freely admit that we have wobbled along that narrow passage that leads to the kingdom, for pride calls out from the wayside, tempting us to toot our own horns. There were those side trips of ego that lured us into criticizing others who had lost their way, and of course there were many jaunts when we insisted on having our own way. Make strong and steady our gait, Lord, along the straight and narrow. We would keep pace with Jesus, that eventually we may arrive at your door to hear your words: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Noble One, in the peace of this beautiful evening, as magenta streaks on the horizon turn to ash, we do think of those things of which the apostle spoke: the pure, truthful, commendable, and that which is worthy of praise. . . . . . . . . . . All these we celebrate and attribute to your benevolence, evidence of your holiness at work among us. Train our eyes and our thoughts to behold all that is honorable within our days and to dwell upon them. And in the spirit of thanksgiving, we turn to you with our gratitude and our concerns, praying on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Grateful for sunshine today that uplifted spirits
One thankful for support of her SS class
Son thankful for all who brought comfort in bereavement
Couple offer gratitude they sustained only mild cases of virus
Healing of son who entered a detox program
Beloved mother nearing death
Solace for member mourning death of a beloved brother
Healing for cherished cousin, stroke victim
Friend’s mother traveling to MD Anderson for treatment, wisdom for physicians involved
Guidance and wisdom for our President and our nation’s leaders
Continued prayers for three recovering from serious heart issues
Healing: family of four positive for Covid
Courage, guidance, and healing: A cousin’s infant diagnosed with a brain tumor, in treatment
Strength: A mother weighed down by son’s addiction
Healing for husband in deep depression and wife who suffers
For wider distribution of virus vaccine
Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
Father mending from broken hip
Strength for two weary caregivers
Comfort for one whose mother died of cancer and Covid
For insurance company to approve chemotherapy
Draw together our collective evening prayers, along with our blunders and uncertainties, we pray, and cast your coverlet of comfort upon us to heal our brokenness and to keep us warm this cold winter night. Keep your life-candle burning for us and for all whom we love, O Lord, that we might join you joyfully tomorrow – in that new day where impossibilities become possible:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Two vaccines are now being offered to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna vaccines have been released under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. Both are messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA) which work by teaching our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. The mRNA from the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. COVID-19 mRNA works with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity. These vaccines were >90% effective in clinical trials.
Two doses required. Pfizer vaccine is given 3 weeks apart, Moderna vaccine is 4 weeks apart. Both doses must be from the same manufacturer. You will receive a vaccination card with your first dose documenting manufacturer and lot number for the product you received. Take a picture of it to serve as a back-up. You will need to present it when getting the second dose and information from that dose will be added.
Allergic reactions are possible but rare. As with any vaccination, you will be asked to remain in the area for 15 minutes afterwards in case a severe reaction occurs. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you will need to stay for 30 minutes. Unlike other types of vaccines, these do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
Side effects are most common after the second dose. These flu-like symptoms are usually gone after 36-48 hours. Some vaccine centers are advising to avoid premedicating with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) and avoid for 6 hours after the vaccine. This is due to concerns these drugs might decrease your response.
How can I get a vaccine? There is a master plan based on specific groups because of limited availability. These two companies are working to supply not only the U.S. but countries around the world. Three more U.S. companies have a vaccine in clinical trials. Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Information | TN COVID-19 Hub and look at COVID Vaccine FAQs to find “How do I know when it’s my turn to receive the vaccine and how do I register?
Health Departments are scheduling appointments as they receive shipments. You do not have to be vaccinated in the county where you live. However, you should return to the same location for the second dose to ensure it is from the same manufacturer. More information can be found at County Vaccine Information – TN COVID-19 Hub.
Some Health Care Systems are partnering with Health Departments to offer vaccines to the public. Check with Covenant Health at COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Patients I Covenant Health to see when additional vaccination clinics will be available. If your primary care provider is part of the UT Health System you should contact their office to schedule a vaccine appointment at the medical center.
Pharmacies are currently vaccinating long term care and assisted living facilities but should have doses for the public when that phase is completed.
Get the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19. Duration of natural immunity (from actual infection with the virus) is not known. There are reports of re-infections occurring more than 90 days after the initial one.
Continue to wear a mask and follow precautions as before vaccination! It takes about 2 weeks after the second dose to achieve protection. And, there is not enough data at this time to know how long immunity lasts. There is also concern that an immunized person can be exposed to the virus and then shed it to others but not become infected themselves.
Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should speak with their doctor. Current guidelines from obstetric organizations recommend the vaccine, stating benefits outweigh risks. However, it is always best to discuss with your doctor to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Remember members of your Parish Health Team are available for help with questions or concerns! You may leave a message with the church office to request a call.
Submitted by: Vicky Shelton D.Ph.; Cathy Goff MSN, RN; and Kathleen Harwell MSN, MBA
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Evening Prayer – February 8
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
February 8, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
O Evening Host, you call us with slashes of orange light seeping through the darkening horizon; your invitation beckons us home again into the enfolding freedom from our daily routine. Here in this calm closing, you offer breathing space to remember how you have carried us through the hours and how you are opening windows and doors to free us from our tensions. May we enter these moments in quiet reflection . . . . . . . . . . For your gift of this day of living under your glorious sun, we bow in gratitude.
Fortress of Forgiveness, we are a rushed people, and in our haste, our words have punctured suggestions made in earnest and ideas that showed promise. Our unkindness and lack of grace blindsided even those closest to us. For the ways in which we have failed you, our sisters and brothers, and ourselves, we ask for holy pardon, especially for . . . . . . . . . . . . We also pray you would show us how to pardon those who have caused us pain, particularly . . . . . . . . . . Perhaps if we picture your candle of grace shining above each one who has hurt us, we would see that their own struggles are no different than our own.
As you work through us to further your own purposes, we ask that you would infuse our national leaders with you new vision, granting that the groundwork they lay will support a system where all have ample opportunity to thrive in this good land you have given us. Discipline us to pray daily for our leaders at every level, as we also pray for our fellow pilgrims across the world, for ourselves, and for each of these Church Street friends whose situations are already known to you:
We conclude our prayers, Holy One, looking forward to your healing touch of sleep. Watch over all who are closest to our hearts, we pray, and with the dawn, may we place our steps in the footprints of Jesus as we walk his road to heaven:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – February 4
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
February 4, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Waiting One, we come humbly before you as the shadows grow deeper, for we have struggled today and confess our thoughts and deeds have been less than our best; and here in the quiet hours, we feel the sting of our misdeeds, particularly . . . . . . . . . . Our regrets are more than we would like them to be; but we know you will not turn away from us, as you always stand ready to offer your gift of pardon when we sincerely repent. Embrace us with your forgiveness, we pray, and with your help, tomorrow may be a different story altogether.
You feed us the bread of mercy, Sustaining One, and offer us the cup of grace. And for all the mercies that have found us today, hear our prayers of thanksgiving . . . . . . . . . . For many of our brothers & sisters, pain has cut a wide swath, so comfort the grieving, heal the hurting, fill all who are empty, and sustain those too weak to form any words. And for those who have forgotten you, open their ears that they may hear your voice calling them home. We are all wanderers and we know we cannot make this journey alone. May your love be our companion as we travel toward your grace of eternity.
Again and again, Great Healer, you remove the thorns of our losses and cover our wounds with your balm of hope. Receive these most recent expressions of gratitude for your work among us; and accept these prayers for holy assistance from your children at Church Street:
Good Keeper, we are never out of your sight by daylight, and you make your pallet beside our bed each night. If we call out, you are only a heartbeat away. And should you happen to speak, may our hearts open to your whispered words: “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we offer our collective prayers:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – February 3
UncategorizedBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
February 3, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
O Calm Beyond the Sunset, you have designed this shimmering day and extended it to us freely through your grace. And now the evening wind picks up and breathtaking shadows lengthen across the fields; this is another of your invitations as we stand on the edge of your pool of darkness. “Come, enter the restorative flow,” you say, “the temperature is refreshing and all your daytime distractions are hidden away.”
We do long to lay down our troubles on the banks of healing shade and step inside. Give us such courage. While others may follow the world’s path and continue their work through the darkest hours, grant that we might linger awhile with the Holy One who beckons, giving rest to the weary and fulness to the depleted. . . . . . . . . . .
Sea of Mercy, look down this eve on those living in the land of broken dreams, your beloved who desperately yearn for solace: the hungry, the refugee, the prisoner, the lonely, those far from home and those whose homes have been turned upside down by illness, the loss of a loved one, by personal conflict. Break into their lives with waves of your healing assurance, reminding them they are not forgotten. Grant that they, and each of us who pray this night, may hear the rippling calm of your voice which gives us courage to wait in times of sorrow.
Already, we feel you working on our behalf and extend our deepest gratitude. And also lay before you these deepest concerns on the hearts of your Church Street community:
We are neither righteous nor devout, nor even worthy; still you have drawn close to us and wrapped us in your amazing love. You hear our cries and you touch us with your mercy, especially in these ways: . . . . . . . . . . As we close our eyes and enter that chamber of rest tonight, fill our hearts with thanksgiving to the One who offers us life eternal:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – February 2
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
February 2, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Gift-Giving God, you are pouring your quiet darkness over another full and often-disordered day, telling us it is time to slow our pace and put away the tools of our trade. Empty our hands and hearts that we might accept this unopened gift of melon-colored twilight, knowing it is offered with love. Inside there are promised treasures of comfort, rest, and reflection. May we honor both the gift and the divine hand that provides it.
As we meditate upon this day of radiant sunshine, we are humbled by all the favors you have brought to pass and the goodness shown to us by others. Especially we recall . . . . . . . . . . We praise you for your overarching benevolence; and even now your snowy ridges are smoothing out those harsh thoughts and hasty actions we deeply regret, especially . . . . . . . . . . . Draw us close, Lord, and dust away those ugly vices that cling to our boots. And as we pass through the new day to come, may others think of Jesus as we walk by.
Gracious Guardian, it is difficult for us to recognize the depth of need that many still face during this pandemic, especially now that the temperatures have dropped. Guard, we pray, those without shelter or adequate food on the table, the ones facing eviction, the unemployed, the ill, confused and dying. Dry the tears that fall all too frequently these days, and in your mercy, continue to lighten the loads of all your cherished ones, including your friends at Church Street:
Eternal Companion, you have poured out your divine hope upon us and we place our souls, and the souls of all whom we love, into your hands this cold night. We close our eyes in peace, feeling your warming presence beside us; and with the dawn, we will find you there still, ready to support us in whatever lies ahead. Pull together all our prayers, for we offer them in the name of Hope, Jesus our Savior, who prayed in this way:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – February 1
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
February 1, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage
and he shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord. (Ps 27:14)
O Great Silence, you live beyond the realm of words, in that space we rarely visit. Turn off that spigot of chatter that floods our minds and our mouths, and for this one evening may we join you there to merely keep company with you in your deep mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Teach us the beauty of regular resting in you, that we may learn what true restoration is. In our culture where highest praise is directed to production, remind us that we are esteemed by you each time we seat ourselves at your feet and take in whatever glories you choose to whisper.
Once filled with summer’s happy green fans, the oak’s bare branches now wave to us through the windowpane. The empty trees take their losses with more grace than we, knowing in their ancient wisdom that fretting is futile. Our own losses these past long months have been bitter, and we find it difficult to open our hands and let them fall freely as fragmented leaves. But, Nourishing God, as you enrich the soil with leafy shards, so use our shredded despair and broken dreams to fortify us. We may never stand as stately as the oaks, but you will make us strong enough to lean into the winter winds, as we wait for your next season of greenness.
Within your great silence, you have heard the cries of our hearts and have blessed us in many ways. We pray that, as you already have bolstered the spirits of many, you would attend also to these friends and families whose hope is in you:
May your Silent Spirit rest our minds and hearts as we sleep, calming our fears and erasing our sins. Fold us and all whom we love into your embrace, we pray; and tomorrow, may we rise forgiven and free to serve in the name of Christ, who taught us to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Turning conversation into change
Adult MinistriesWhen Pat Bellingrath and Celia Ferguson met in conversation about the conviction they felt surrounding the treatment of Black community members in 2016, they never imagined their dream to do justice work across their church conference would come true.
Now, the pair, along with 20 other program planners, will host a four-week Sacred Conversations on Race (COR) series for the Tennessee Valley district of the Holston Conference.
“Conversation is the way you begin to change the world,” Ferguson says. “Conversation is how you build relationships to make the change.”
Humble Beginning
Conversation looks different than it did when the COR Leadership group met for the first time. In 2016, Bellingrath and Ferguson were joined by Stephanie Blue, Rev. Leah Burns, Sandra Dimmick, Jean Galyon and Ivee Miles-Slater around a kitchen table in discussion.
“We heard stories that (proved) we just didn’t know how the world worked,” Ferguson says, providing “The Talk” about racism as an example. “There were incredibly difficult conversations we had. They were emotional.”
In November 2016, about 100 people of all backgrounds and faiths attended the first COR program, sitting around tables to converse with people unlike themselves.
Reflecting and understanding a need for more conversation, the original planning team of seven grew to 22, with a focus on eliminating racism in the larger United Methodist Church, starting with the Holston Conference.
“Our hope is to get churches to start conversations on these issues,” Ferguson says, adding that it’s not only amongst members, but on Sunday mornings during worship, too.
“For me, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Bellingrath adds. “It really is, to me, a cornerstone of our faith.”
Living the Gospel
When planning the COR program, the leadership team drew from the second of the Baptismal Vows and Article IV and V of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
The second of the Baptismal Vows
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
Article IV. Inclusiveness in the Church — The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection. In The United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition.
Article V. Racial Justice — The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons. The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.
COR also acknowledges the past of the church, including moments and eras the Methodist Church didn’t treat all races the same, and the times it did.
“We have to know our history,” Bellingrath says. “We really have to acknowledge the history of the United Methodist Church.”
Rooted in history and these texts, the program also relies on the sharing of stories as a powerful way to truly understand and connect to the experiences of others. Each session of the February Sacred Conversations on Race series will include time for conversation and stories, including a night of guest speakers in Session 2.
At the end of the program, the COR Leadership Team hopes that attendees will walk away with action steps toward biblical justice.
“Our call is to suffer alongside those who are oppressed,” Ferguson says, adding that although it’s uncomfortable to have these conversations, it’s the cross we bear. “Even though my white skin gives me an out, my heart can’t give up.”
Learn more and register for the Conversations on Race program here.
Program Details:
Session 1
Tuesday, February 2, 7pm-8:30pm
Starting a sacred conversation on racism: challenges, history, how to begin, how to engage in difficult conversations and a little John Wesley. Sharing of stories and time for conversation.
Session 2
Tuesday, February 9, 7pm-8:30pm
A host of speakers will be joining us this night from Holston and other conferences to speak to racism in the UMC and why we must engage with one another to end racism in our beloved church. Time for discussion and sharing of stories.
Session 3
Tuesday, February 16, 7pm-8:30pm
Discussing white privilege and systemic racism: what these are and how they affect every aspect of our lives. Sharing of stories and time for conversation.
Session 4
Tuesday, February 23, 7pm-8:30pm
Continuing the conversation: where do we go from here and how the UMC can become the beloved community. Time for conversation, discernment and commitment.
Evening Prayer – January 28
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 28, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Ah, Lord, you have brought us safely once again to the edge of twilight, where we must confess we are an absent-minded people. Even today we failed to notice your song delivered by the bird on the windowsill, the gleam of sunlight filling a room, the parting of the clouds revealing an ocean-blue sky, the family of stately evergreens huddled close to shield us from the wind. But then, you are the God of Second Chances, so you will help us keep our eyes open wide tomorrow for those flowers of grace you keep unfurling, even in our era of bleakness.
God of the Ordinary, we long to do something of immense significance in improving our world’s vast needs. We cannot resolve homelessness, but we can lend a hand or financially support Habitat projects.We cannot fill every empty belly on the planet, but we can feed our neighbors at Soup Kitchen and Beacon of Hope. We cannot cure cancer and all injurious diseases, but we can send notes to and offer prayers of comfort for the hurting. We often wonder how our small acts actually dent these monumental challenges. Only Jesus knows, and it is in his name that we perform our small deeds in the ordinary ways open to us.
In our ordinariness, Lord, ease our anxieties when we feel we aren’t doing enough, and remind us you are making changes in individual lives and situations, not we ourselves. We rejoice at the ways you blessed us this day, especially in . . . . . . . . . . , while we also ask your forgiveness for the slights we may have inflicted upon others . . . . . . . . Glory to you, Lord Christ!
As the mundane becomes glorified through Christ, we offer these prayers especially for . . . . . . . . . . and on behalf of your people at Church Street:
O Keeper of the Night, offer your mercy to all your children whose burdens are heavy. Cloak us in holy rest under the beam of the full moon, for we turn over ourselves, and all whom we cherish, into your care. And may our final thoughts before sleep be filled with gratitude, as the prayer of your Son sings in our hearts:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – January 27
UncategorizedBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 27, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Each of you should use whatever gifts you
have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10
Even before our eyes opened this frosty morning, your blessings were floating down: the newspaper delivered before dawn, the floor toasted by the warm flow from the radiator, the purring cat on the stoop, and the dew on the grass sparkling as crystals strewn by a loving hand. You have walked with us through these long days of heaviness, Generous One; and because you deem us worthy, you granted us this, another day of living under your grace. Praise be to you, Giver of Life!
Now the dusky hours have arrived and we ponder the personal talents you have imparted to each of us – gifts of music, decision-making, hospitality, creativity, healing, teaching, and others – gifts not sought, but offered free of cost for the betterment of your world . . . . . . . . . . . And in review, we ask ourselves how we may have employed our individual talents today in the service of others . . . . . . . . . . Please forgive those instances we uttered idle words and performed hollow deeds, especially . . . . . . . . . . Because of Jesus, you do take notice of even our small efforts made in sincerity. May our simple services multiply as we mature in our faith, that in some unknowable way, your kingdom will be enriched.
Christ, our Confidant, surely the hallways of heaven are replete with pleas and petitions, perhaps even stacked to infinity. Maybe your rooms are filling up and there is little space left for the angels to pass through the hallways. But thanks to you, each prayer is received in earnest, as it is extended; each is valued, as is each one who offered it. Therefore, we unhesitatingly offer our private prayers in your name . . . . . . . . . . And we lift these also on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Our Christian journey began and will end in you, Holy One, for you have shown us that our lives do matter. Watch over us all as the darkness falls and give us the confidence to rest in you, with the prayer of your Son upon our lips:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer – January 26
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 26, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
. . . Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
O God of Clarity, much of today was convoluted. Projects were initiated, then abandoned; simple tasks turned out to be knotted with baffling details; and throughout the hours there was a steady stream of interruptions. All these dashed our hopes of producing anything of value. Take these disordered pieces and false starts, we pray, and infuse them with some sort of meaning; and whatever effort you find worthy, may it serve your purpose in your own good time.
You have called us to walk that road of discipleship that is paved in humility. We freely admit that we have wobbled along that narrow passage that leads to the kingdom, for pride calls out from the wayside, tempting us to toot our own horns. There were those side trips of ego that lured us into criticizing others who had lost their way, and of course there were many jaunts when we insisted on having our own way. Make strong and steady our gait, Lord, along the straight and narrow. We would keep pace with Jesus, that eventually we may arrive at your door to hear your words: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Noble One, in the peace of this beautiful evening, as magenta streaks on the horizon turn to ash, we do think of those things of which the apostle spoke: the pure, truthful, commendable, and that which is worthy of praise. . . . . . . . . . . All these we celebrate and attribute to your benevolence, evidence of your holiness at work among us. Train our eyes and our thoughts to behold all that is honorable within our days and to dwell upon them. And in the spirit of thanksgiving, we turn to you with our gratitude and our concerns, praying on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Draw together our collective evening prayers, along with our blunders and uncertainties, we pray, and cast your coverlet of comfort upon us to heal our brokenness and to keep us warm this cold winter night. Keep your life-candle burning for us and for all whom we love, O Lord, that we might join you joyfully tomorrow – in that new day where impossibilities become possible:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Questions about Covid Vaccines?
covid, Featured, Parish Health MinistryTwo vaccines are now being offered to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna vaccines have been released under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. Both are messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA) which work by teaching our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. The mRNA from the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. COVID-19 mRNA works with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity. These vaccines were >90% effective in clinical trials.
Two doses required. Pfizer vaccine is given 3 weeks apart, Moderna vaccine is 4 weeks apart. Both doses must be from the same manufacturer. You will receive a vaccination card with your first dose documenting manufacturer and lot number for the product you received. Take a picture of it to serve as a back-up. You will need to present it when getting the second dose and information from that dose will be added.
Allergic reactions are possible but rare. As with any vaccination, you will be asked to remain in the area for 15 minutes afterwards in case a severe reaction occurs. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you will need to stay for 30 minutes. Unlike other types of vaccines, these do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
Side effects are most common after the second dose. These flu-like symptoms are usually gone after 36-48 hours. Some vaccine centers are advising to avoid premedicating with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) and avoid for 6 hours after the vaccine. This is due to concerns these drugs might decrease your response.
How can I get a vaccine? There is a master plan based on specific groups because of limited availability. These two companies are working to supply not only the U.S. but countries around the world. Three more U.S. companies have a vaccine in clinical trials. Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Information | TN COVID-19 Hub and look at COVID Vaccine FAQs to find “How do I know when it’s my turn to receive the vaccine and how do I register?
Health Departments are scheduling appointments as they receive shipments. You do not have to be vaccinated in the county where you live. However, you should return to the same location for the second dose to ensure it is from the same manufacturer. More information can be found at County Vaccine Information – TN COVID-19 Hub.
Some Health Care Systems are partnering with Health Departments to offer vaccines to the public. Check with Covenant Health at COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Patients I Covenant Health to see when additional vaccination clinics will be available. If your primary care provider is part of the UT Health System you should contact their office to schedule a vaccine appointment at the medical center.
Pharmacies are currently vaccinating long term care and assisted living facilities but should have doses for the public when that phase is completed.
Get the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19. Duration of natural immunity (from actual infection with the virus) is not known. There are reports of re-infections occurring more than 90 days after the initial one.
Continue to wear a mask and follow precautions as before vaccination! It takes about 2 weeks after the second dose to achieve protection. And, there is not enough data at this time to know how long immunity lasts. There is also concern that an immunized person can be exposed to the virus and then shed it to others but not become infected themselves.
Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should speak with their doctor. Current guidelines from obstetric organizations recommend the vaccine, stating benefits outweigh risks. However, it is always best to discuss with your doctor to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Remember members of your Parish Health Team are available for help with questions or concerns! You may leave a message with the church office to request a call.
Submitted by: Vicky Shelton D.Ph.; Cathy Goff MSN, RN; and Kathleen Harwell MSN, MBA
Learn more about the Parish Health Ministry Team here.