Five Metro District churches help provide over 1500 COVID-19 vaccines

By: Aimee Yeager, WNCC Communications Ministry Assistant

For five Metro District churches, Holy Week in 2021 brought socially distanced lines of masked community members eagerly anticipating their turn to roll up their sleeve. 

Hickory Grove, University City, The Place, North Davidson, and St. Mark's United Methodist Churches, in partnership with VAX VAN, a mobile service serving the Charlotte area with rapid testing and vaccinations for COVID-19, provided convenient, safe, and hospitable locations for members of their diverse communities to receive their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

"We experienced deep, holy moments each day," says Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, Metro District Vitality Associate. "Ordinary people helping ordinary people. There were volunteer translators on-site who translated, but we also witnessed everyday people, [who were there to receive a vaccine] allow those in wheelchairs, walkers, and elderly to jump to the front of the line. We saw community members step in to help those who needed assistance with navigating the check-in and registration process. Even after they had completed their fifteen-minute observation after receiving their shot, they stayed to ensure the person(s) they assisted completed the duration of the vaccine process." Church volunteers not only assisted with logistics at the vaccine sites, but also had the opportunity to talk with community members, pray with them, and provide comfort to those who were nervous and scared. 

Over the course of three days, these five churches were able to provide space for over 1500 people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. 

"Once again I am reminded of the power of being a connectional, global church," says Dr. Hand. "I would like to say thank you to my colleagues, to the churches and volunteers, to the people who came out for their vaccines, and to our community partners - The Latino American Coalition, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, WSOC, and all those who shared this opportunity on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and their community apps. I thank God for the privilege to serve the Metro District with each of you. The Church is the light of Christ in the world that leads to transformation. Praise be to God!"