For almost two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives. We have adapted to times of lockdown, quarantine, working, worshipping and learning online, virtual visits for health care services, and finding creative ways to mark such events as birthdays, graduations, retirements and the loss of loved ones. We have longed to be with family and friends and we have waited for a vaccine to help us transition into a “new normal.”
This year at Thanksgiving, we need to pause and be thankful to our Creator God who has been with us throughout these long pandemic days. We need to reflect on all that is good and gracious in our lives and how we can show our thankfulness through our actions.
If you are thankful for the coronavirus vaccine, you can show your thankfulness by Paying it Forward to enable those in developing countries to receive a jab in the arm too.
Did you know, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has launched a new Vaccine Equity Fund to contribute to the worldwide vaccination effort from COVID-19? Money donated to this fund will be used to support our partners as they prepare for vaccine rollout in the coming months.
With the cooperation of the Anglican Church of Canada and our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, PWRDF has created a fund for Anglicans eager to “pay it forward.” Now when you receive your vaccine, you have the opportunity to “pay it forward” and make a donation to PWRDF’s Vaccine Equity Fund.
“We must ask how we can share the benefits of health care and vaccinations many of us enjoy, with others who need it,” writes Primate Linda. “Canada will have excess vaccine—will we donate it to other nations? Will our government do its part to provide increased funds to COVAX [a pact among nations to share vaccines with all countries] to ensure that availability? Will we ask for a temporary suspension of trade restrictions (which currently control the price of the vaccine) so that production can reach heavily populated areas?”
Vaccine equity is a fundamental expression of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), through which we demonstrate our love of God and of neighbour, says our Primate Linda.
To support PWRDF’s Vaccine Equity Fund, go to:
https://pwrdf.org/give-today/, click on “Vaccine Equity Fund.” You may also donate over the phone by calling Donor Relations Officer Mike Ziemerink, at 416-822-9083, or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973, and we will return your call. Or, send a cheque with “Vaccine Equity Fund” in the memo field to: PWRDF, 80 Hayden St. Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2. Donations may also support the “Love My Neighbour” movement. Thank you!
