(MURFREESBORO) With almost a year of suffering through the COVID-19 pandemic, one local congregation is uniting with other churches and businesses to help encourage those hit hard by this crisis. First Baptist Church on East Castle Street is initially focusing on the funeral home industry with their Celebrating Our Comforters Project.
Pastor James M. McCarroll, Jr. said, “There is one group that - in my opinion- has been an unsung hero throughout this entire pandemic. The funeral home and crematory industry has borne the responsibility of dealing directly with more than 7,000 Tennesseans who died from the coronavirus, plus some of their family members were unknowingly infected with COVID.”
Pastor McCarroll’s Administrative Assistant Vanita Sanders told WGNS . . .
Yes, they are starting with funeral homes, but plans are to expand this service to include other coronavirus responders.
The pastor noted, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on families throughout this country and world. From the economic challenges that come with job loss, to the emotional and psychological traumas that impact each us in various ways during the pandemic.“
McCarroll commented, “One of the bright spots during this pandemic has been the community's commitment to rallying around those frontline workers that have remained in harm's way while we were able to be safely distanced from the “eye of the storm.” Communities all over this world including our own church, have celebrated the medical personnel and the first responders by showering them with gifts, recognition and support.”
He explained, “The purpose of the Celebrating Our Comforters Project is to simply express our appreciation to those in the funeral and crematory Industry in the Greater Nashville Area. I reached out to a couple of friends and we came together to provide several items for each of the funeral homes in Rutherford, Wilson, Davidson, Williamson, and Sumner counties.”
- A lapel pin (to remind the workers that they are being covered by prayer by the faith community)
- An engraved ink pen for all of the funeral directors (to serve as a reminder that the community is grateful for every service they provide on our behalf)
- $35 Gift cards (to provide a small token of our appreciation to the entire core staff who has worked tirelessly during this crisis to meet the needs of our families both in convenient and inconvenient times and circumstances).
During the press conference in the East Castle Street sanctuary, Pastor McCarroll publicly thanked the congregations, corporations and individuals who have supported this phase of the Celebrating Our Comforters Project.
- St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital - Murfreesboro
- The Urban League of Middle Tennessee
- First Baptist Church – Murfreesboro
- North Boulevard Church of Christ – Murfreesboro
- Nine Paths Professional Development & Counseling - Nashville
- Watson Grove Baptist Church – Nashville
- Pastor Darrell Drumwright - Nashville
- Believers Faith Fellowship - Christiana
- Locust Ridge Primitive Baptist Church – Arrington
- Pastor Bruce Maxwell – Brentwood
- Second Missionary Baptist Church – Nashville
- First Baptist Church – Gallatin
- Ron & Phyllis Washington – Murfreesboro
- Henderson Financial Group - Brentwood
For those who wish to make a contribution to the Celebrating Our Comforters Project, mail your donation to: First Baptist Church, 738 E. Castle Street, Murfreesboro TN 37130. For more information, please contact Vanita Sanders at 615-852-6801.
