A clergy response to the covid-19 vaccine
This past week the New York Times did an article on my hometown in Greene County, TN. The article was about the role the church (and clergy in particular) have played in the hesitancy of people in the area to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Like all articles, I am sure, there where some points that I felt did not give Greeneville a fair shake, but there were other parts I found to be spot on.
One issue I do take with the articles is that the story was not balanced. The New York Times did not speak to a wide array of clergy in the area. They only spoke with pastors who were purposefully not vocal about recieving a shot or who did not receive the shot at all. The New York Times did not give a counter argument or speak with any clergy that have received the vaccine and have encouraged others to do so. I know that one church in Greeneville reached out to members and volunteered to help their members make appoints and even offered rides to go to the appointment to receive the vaccine.
There are clergy in the area that support the need for the vaccine. Therefore, several pastors in Greeneville have come together to speak out in support of the covid-19 vaccine and to urge others to consider doing so as well. Here is the statement:
Clergy Support for COVID-19 Vaccine
We are pastors and clergy who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, believing it is effective and trusting in its safety.
We did so as a way of living out our Christian calling to love our neighbor in word and deed, which is affirmed in scriptures such as : "... since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us (1 John 4:11-12)" and “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you (John 15:9-17).
While we understand that the COVID-19 vaccine may not be a viable choice for everyone, we would like to invite you to talk to your primary care physician to determine if you are a good candidate, and if so, we invite you to join us in this step of love and care. Thank you.
I have signed my name to this document. If you would like to as well, you may do so with the link below.
