It’s Friday and Sunday’s Comin’!
I love this cartoon. It reminds me of how we all feel these days: who knows what germs cover us like birdseed when someone sneezes or coughs?!! I can only imagine how teachers are feeling.
My sister will become a grandmother in March; she is also a 7th-grade science teacher in Tennessee. She said to me this week, a bit jokingly but with an underlying concern, “I’m going to be really mad if I get Covid and die before I get to see my grand baby.” Another teacher said, “If I get sick and die, help watch over my child.”
These are examples of how teachers are feeling these days, but they are also stories that call us to action. How do we support and care for those who are on the front lines of dealing with the pandemic? In the past months concern for front line workers has focused on healthcare workers, and their efforts continue to be amazing. Now with the opening of schools teachers join their ranks.
I hope you’ll join me in praying for our schools — for teachers, staff, paraprofessionals, administrators and students. I also invite you to use your creativity in thinking of ways that we as a church can reach out with concrete expressions of encouragement and love. Share your ideas by sending them to Deb Beckinger at debeckinger@gmail.com or to me at mary.cartwright@nashvilleumc.com.
Blessings always,
Pastor Mary
