Yazoo’s faith community is banding together to show some support for those who must carry on their essential duties while many are being encouraged to stay at home and reduce their risk of becoming infected with COVID-19.
The Yazoo Ministerial Association has formed Operation Encouragement in an effort to combine local efforts to support local healthcare professionals, first responders and other essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I would like to see every church and every civic club in this community support this effort,” said Rev. Ken Lynch, pastor of Parkview Church of God.
“We learned during the response to the flood last year that each of our churches has particular strengths and big things happen when we all come together,” said Irma Newell Hart, who is helping direct First United Methodist Church’s efforts. Hart said fellow church member Allison Hughes immediately began looking for ways to help when the pandemic arrived in Yazoo County, and Operation Encouragement fits perfectly with those efforts.
Lynch said local churches quickly began making commitments. Parkview Church of God dropped off a shipment of drinks and snacks at the hospital last week.
“One of the things we’ve were told is that many of our hospital workers are so busy that they don’t have time to sit down and have a meal,” Lynch said. “We wanted to provide them with a supply of snacks and drinks that they could enjoy quickly.”
Notes of encouragement are also included in the care packages.
Lynch said World of Faith and Tabernacle of Faith churches quickly made commitments and others have followed. The Yazoo Ministerial Association is a coalition of numerous local churches with a history of serving the community.
First United Methodist will serve carry out meals to local police and firefighters on May 11 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church
For more information or to get involved contact Irma Newell Hart at 662-571-7779 or Linda Jenkins at 662-746-4298.
Operation Encouragement has also established a Facebook page to provide regular updates.
