First responders from the Greenwood Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol and Alcohol Beverage Control received blessings from religious leaders Wednesday at a special service hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.
The service came about as a result of a conversation between Don Chancellor, the church’s rector, and Greenwood Police Chief Terrence Craft about two months ago, Chancellor said.
The blessing was given in step with the Feast of St. Michael, which traditionally takes place on Oct. 29, but Chancellor said he will be out of town that weekend, so the ceremony was held Wednesday.
Michael is the patron saint of chivalry as well as of the police, paramedics and the military. He is ascribed four roles in church tradition, Chancellor said.
The archangel “combats evil, escorts the faithful to heaven, is the champion and protector of the church and the faithful and calls us before the judgment,” Chancellor explained.
He drew parallels between Michael’s service and that of first responders.
“You protect and are often the person there when someone is called to heaven or hell. You are champions for the community, and — unfortunately — sometimes have to call people to judgment,” he said.
He emphasized the weight these responsibilities bring to the jobs of first responders and encouraged officials to rely on the church and God to keep their souls and bodies well.
“The church can be partners,” he said. “St. Michael will support and protect you. We pray for you in the midst of all uncertainty that you will know good and evil, and you will know what to do.”
The Rev. Joachim Studwell, pastor of St. Francis, gave the blessing that ended the service. “Pour forth the balm of mercy,” he prayed. “Give wisdom, insight and quick discernment. Let them see situations how you see them. In any discouragement, let them know your courage, and in any frustration, let them know your grace. By intercession of the archangel Michael, protect them.”
Hilary Brzezinski, the Catholic church’s assistant pastor, said he hopes the blessing service “will bring attention to the struggle with growing violence and our need to support officers who serve and protect the community.”
Jeri Bankston, patrol captain for the Greenwood police, said she hopes officers take from the service a sense that they are supported and have someone to whom they can talk if they have a need.
“We don’t always see law enforcement in a positive light,” said Stephen Hale, interim pastor at First United Methodist Church, “and we want to bring this event to support unity that does and should exist between first responders and the community,”
Studwell included families in his blessing. “We are also praying for the families, that people don’t feel isolated. A lot of them feel they have to build a shield around themselves, and we want them to know they don’t have to do it alone,” he said. “We want to do something positive together in the face of growing stress,” Brzezinski added.