Vigil acknowledges tired health care workers at hospital
Employees of Butler Memorial Hospital did not break the dawn alone when they started their shifts Monday morning. Some of them saw their family and friends in the parking lot, shining flashlights at the windows to illuminate the hospital.
The Butler Clergy Network organized a “Ring of Light” vigil Monday in support of health care workers, inviting people to illuminate the hospital in an effort to uplift the tired hospital staff.
“We are hearing that they are overwhelmed and frustrated,” said Leigh Benish, pastor of Hill United Presbyterian Church. “We know it has been very trying emotionally, so we wanted to get people together to just say 'We appreciate you.'”
People gathered to form the Ring of Light at 6:30 a.m., the start of many workers' shifts at the hospital, and then again at 7:30 p.m., the end of many shifts. Benish said the Butler Clergy Network organized a similar event in December, which had about 50 people attend because of COVID-regulations.Dozens of people turned up to the evening vigil Monday, bringing posters, flashlights and even a guitar to boost morale of hospital workers.“Amazing Grace” echoed through East Brady Street, and kids shined lights into hospital windows where their parents waved back.Judy Gould, of Chicora, went to the vigil because she witnessed the care of the hospital staff first-hand, when her mother was going through treatment earlier this year.“You could see they were tired, but they were still giving it their all,” Gould said. “We were so blessed.”
Gould said her mother did not have COVID, but she had to be partially quarantined and moved to accommodate COVID patients. Even despite some unexpected difficulties, Gould said the experience was good. She said she heard about the vigil and “had to be” there.“The silent reverence in the halls was something humbling I will never forget,” Gould said. “Health care workers need to know we support them.”Gould was part of the line of people outside the hospital. Other members of the faith community joined in the ring as well, bringing members of their congregations along.Monica Hamilton, pastor of North Butler Presbyterian Church and East Butler Presbyterian Church, said she and the churches' music director Allen Kitchen attended the ring to support health care workers no matter who they are. Kitchen played songs with a guitar to keep the energy flowing.Seeing a line of people form outside the hospital was a positive sign for Benish as well.“It's very uplifting to see them all come out,” Benish said. “We just wanted to have people come out to show their support.”
