During this critical time, VOICE has asked faith leaders to stand with our first responders and front line workers and asked the Governor to protect them. Below is a letter we sent in support of that effort.
VOICE Action Fund, P.O. Box 2432, Oklahoma City, OK 73101
Gov. Kevin Stitt
Oklahoma State Capitol
Sent via email
Dear Governor Stitt,
Please designate grocery store workers as first responders in this crisis. They are literally risking their lives to be with the public every day, ensuring that families across Oklahoma can have access to the food they need in order to survive.
Making this designation would not only recognize these workers for the vital role they are playing in this emergency, but it would also help draw down federal funds that would keep more money circulating in Oklahoma. Our understanding is that this designation would bring funding for the following:
- childcare for these families
- medical testing for the coronavirus should it be needed
- treatment for COVID-19 should it be needed
We also believe that this designation would help them to have greater access to personal protective equipment.
Our organization represents thousands of families across Oklahoma, and many of our loved ones are working tirelessly in stores to keep our supply chains functioning. We would love to tell them that our governor honors their courage and their service at this time.
If you would like to meet with us to talk further about this matter, please contact me on my cell phone, (609)672-7537.
Sincerely,
Rev. Diana Davies
Pastor
First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City
Due to physical distancing and urgency, we have chosen not to collect additional signatures, but these are other religious leaders who asked to be listed in support:
Pastor Ray Douglas, Greater Mt Olive Baptist Church, OKC
Fr. Tim Luschen, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Warr Acres
Rev. Valerie Steele, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Stillwater
Fr. Joe Jacobi, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Mustang
Rev. Glenda Skinner, Mosaic United Methodist Church, Noble
Rev. Jeremy Basset, Wesley United Methodist Church, OKC
Rev. Marla Lobo, Wesley United Methodist Church, OKC
Rev. Jeff Hinton, Okeene United Methodist Church, Okeene
Rev. Karen Mascho, Joy Mennonite Church, OKC
Rev. Jack Terrell-Wilkes, Lawton Heights United Methodist Church, Lawton
Pastor Lori Walke, Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, OKC
Pastor Kayla Bonewell, Church of the Open Arms United Church of Christ, OKC
Rev. Lance A. Schmitz, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, OKC
Pastor Chris Moore, Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ, Tulsa
Rev. Barbara Prose, All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa
Rev. Nathan Mattox, University United Methodist Church, Tulsa
Rev. Don Heath, Edmond Trinity Christian, Edmond
Rev. Matt Franks, Tahlequah United Methodist Church, Tahlequah
Rev. Michaele LaVigne, 8th Street Nazarene Church, OKC
Rev. Scott Spencer, Mosaic United Methodist Church, OKC
Fr. David Medina, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Tulsa
Rev. Kathy Brown, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Tulsa
Sister Diane Koorie, Mercy Sisters and Associates, OKC
Rev. Brad Rogers, Penn Ave. Redemption United Methodist Church, OKC
Rev. Jen Logsdon-Kellogg, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Tulsa
Rev. Kelli Driscoll Crews, Bethany Christian Church, Tulsa
Rev. Bruce Davis, Grace UMC and Blair UMC, Altus
Deacon Dana Orwig, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Derrek Belase, Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Sara Pugh Montgomery, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Tulsa
Rev. Jeni Markham Clewell, Mosiac United Methodist Church, OKC
Rev. Twila Gibbens, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Tulsa
Rev. Matt Scraper, Southern Hills United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City
Rev. David Conrad, retired United Methodist Church pastor
Rev. Sean Ekberg, Resurrection Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City
Fr. James Goins, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Norman, OK
Pastor Lee Cooper, Prospect Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
Fr. Raoul Reyes, Little Flower Catholic Church, Oklahoma City