Good morning and welcome to Rush. This is not just a vaccination event; it marks the beginning of intense community engagement and education. It also opens the doors for U.S. faith and community leaders to deliver the message to our own communities about the importance of vaccines and vaccination, along with sharing personal experiences of getting vaccinated. I thank you, Holy One, for the wisdom of the scientists, the courage of the trial volunteers, the strength and compassion of healthcare professionals, and the dedication of delivery workers, all of whom have brought us to this moment. What I've realized is that the messenger matters, and that's why today's event is so important—people need to see folks who look like them rolling up their sleeves and joining the fight against this disease. The vaccination rate is twice as high in communities with the lowest death rates, three times higher in Black and Brown communities, but still too many are hesitant. That’s not a good trend, and your coming today to get vaccinated and sending a message to your community will literally translate into lives saved. We're here today to replace suspicion with trust, fear with hope, and to improve the health of our entire community. Remember, the vaccine is for everyone, and it’s free. This vaccine saves lives, and we believe in it for the hope it will bring. As a pastor, it's hard to give up the microphone—especially after preaching to empty pews for so long—but today we are faith leaders who are also hope leaders. Getting vaccinated is an act of love and a commitment to the common good, recognizing our shared existence. This is a wonderful thing that Rush has done, bringing people from across faiths and the city together to receive the vaccine and a chance at continued health. I got my first shot and had no adverse reactions; I think I’m pretty resilient, but also pretty normal. Initially, I was skeptical, given the short timeline for developing vaccines, but once I considered the advances in science, medicine, and technology, I understood that responding in this way is not surprising. Today, we had faith with hope, and I believe that combination will make a big difference. Faith leaders are critical communicators, and I think it’s safe to take the vaccine. I’m excited to share this with my congregation and anyone else who is listening—the essential message is to build a defense around your immune system. Ready? All done. It wasn’t that bad!
