Valley religious leaders thank God for coronavirus vaccine
Feb 4, 2021, 4:55 AM
(Twitter Photo/@AZGOYFF)
(Twitter Photo/@AZGOYFF)
PHOENIX — Valley clergy consider the coronavirus vaccine a gift from above and urge their congregations to take it when they can.
They rolled up their sleeves and took their shots at an event with the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family on Wednesday.
One pastor thanked God for scientists.
“God has provided through their hands — and through their discovery — a vaccine that can help our nation recover,” said Rev. Benjamin Thomas, Sr. of the Historic Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Phoenix.
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“Christ has covered us with his blood for our sins. Now, the vaccine prayerfully will be able to put us back together with friends, family and loved ones.”
Rabbi John Linder at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley says the vaccine has answered his prayers.
“We will only get over the hump of this pandemic — safely back to work, in the classrooms, in the pews — if we are doing our part,” he said.
Rev. Gloria Smith at Encanto Community United Church of Christ in Phoenix says the vaccine means hope for Arizona families who have grieved alone through the pandemic.
“Trust the scientists. Thank God for the inspiration they received,” she said. “Trust science. Take the vaccine. Choose life.”
The valley clergy hope and pray more doses arrive soon from the federal government.
At this same gathering, Arizona’s health director announced her team is boosting communications to low-income and minority communities that COVID-19 has hit the hardest.
Dr. Cara Christ asked leaders of minority communities to set personal examples by taking the vaccines and talking about their experiences to build confidence among their people.
She knows stories like the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment — when the U.S. government injected syphilis into Black men under the guise of free health care in the mid-20th century — still haunt minorities.
“We’re going to do everything we can to build confidence that [the vaccine] is scientifically based and show what we’re really trying to do is protect them and save lives,” Christ said.
Health Services is also increasing Spanish-language communications about the vaccine.
