Campaign Spread Some Love, Help Others Save Lives

Are you looking for a way to reach out in love during this time of COVID-19?  Are you wondering, “Is there something I can do to make a difference?”  Yes, there is!  Today, there is undoubtably more pressure and stress on the hospital system than any period in our lifetime.  That stress is continuing to increase with the influx of COVID-19 patients and families.  The impact of this stress on our healthcare system is frightening to consider.  With the help of our parishioner, Dr. Michael Moore, Chief Medical Officer of UAB West, we have adopted his hospital in Bessemer to shower love and support to the healthcare workers and the staff of the ER, with the goal of helping reduce their stress levels and burnout.  This can be done by people of all ages!  Cards and letters of support and encouragement will be written and collected, and we will distribute weekly to the hospital staff. 

How do I start? Email Kathryn Dorlon at kathryn@ssechurch.org to sign up.  Kathryn will email you one of eight different lists with about 20 names on it.    

What do I write?  Once you have you have your list, write a card to each person on the list and put their full name on the outside of the card.  You can say things like, “Thank you for your care of our community,” or “I am so thankful for your work and pray that you have the strength to endure.”  Children can trace hands and give thanks for loving hands, or they can draw other pictures. Please remember that the caregivers are from all different faith traditions and this is not an appropriate opportunity to proselytize.   

What do I do when I finish? Place your notes in a Ziplock bag and label the bag based on the list you received (e.g., ICU Roster 1 of 2) and drop off at Saint Stephen’s.  There will be a water-resistant box on the front steps of the church closest to the nave, under the eave where people enter.    

How will they be delivered? Michael will pick up the letters weekly and distribute to the manager of each department based on the list.    

What should I do next?  I would suggest writing the same group every two weeks.  This is a wonderful way to specifically pray for people in the community and support people on the frontlines of this pandemic.   

I hope you find joy in knowing that you can make a difference in the lives of others in this time of social distancing and our community is grateful for your participation.     

Faithfully, 

John