COVID-19 Memorial Service

Guestbook

~ Maida F. Townsend

"Thank you for doing this. We cannot forget."

~ Anonymous

~ Maida F. Townsend

"I have cared for 6 out of 9 people who have died from COVID-19 in Caledonia County. I hold each one in my heart, and promise to tend their memories as I did my best to attend to their bodies."

~ Fred Breunig

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Fred Breunig

"In memory of my aunt Elizabeth "Betty" Breunig who lived in Hanover, NH when she died of COVID."

~ Anonymous

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Fred Breunig

"Healing & Peace for all of you that have lost loved ones!!!"

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

To all of you who were not able to say goodbye in person and or couldn't celebrate your loved ones life with family and friends, I am profoundly sorry. I am here at the capitol to honor & celebrate your loved ones."

~ Suzanne Richman

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Kim

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Anonymous

"David Oliver, my dad. We love and miss you. I know in your way you let me know you are still with me. I love and miss you."

~ Anonymous

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Anonymous

"Lifting in Prayer All Those Who Have Died in the World."

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

"In memory of my mom Sandy Wooster. She is missed and love so much."

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

"For those who died and those who live with the loss."

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

"It is so important we not forget and I so appreciate your bringing us all together to remember."

~ Anonymous

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

"David Oliver of S. Hero, VT was the love of my life who died of COVID in Bradenton, FL on Aug. 4th 2020. He was born in Burlington on Nov. 28th, 1943."

Program

Lighting of Memorial Candle and Introduction

C.J. King

Greetings

Lt. Governor Molly Gray

Opening Remarks

Vermont State Epidemiologist Dr. Patsy Kelso

Opening Prayer

Father Julian Asucan, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Montpelier

Reading from Psalm 139

Rabbi Amy Small, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington

Reading from Islamic tradition

Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, Church of the Good Shepherd, Barre, on behalf of Vermont Islamic Center

Reading from Psalm 46

Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno, Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Westminster West

Responsive Litany for Losses

Verdis Robinson, Unitarian Church of Montpelier

Leader: We gather, mindful of the losses that have multiplied.

People: We mourn the loss of life.

Leader: We may be overwhelmed today by tragedies. Let us also be overwhelmed with the assurance that we are not alone.

People: We pray for comfort and peace.

Leader: For many, the pandemic has taken the security of food, shelter & income.

People: We pray for resources, for sustenance, and for resilience.

Leader: For many, this year has robbed us of energy, enthusiasm, and our sense of well-being. We honor and remember that each person is precious and whole.

People: We pray for recovery, compassion, and renewed vigor.

Leader: Our memorial candle reminds us of the light within each of us, perhaps dim for a time, but always lit–an ember of the Holy inside us.

People: The light reminds us that we are not alone.

Music

Rev. Carl Hilton VanOsdall, First Presbyterian Church of Barre and Christ Church, Presbyterian, Burlington

“Meet Me Here” by Marcia McFee and Chuck Bell, used with permission.

Meet me here, meet me in my (* wandering),

Meet me here, deep within my soul.

* Time of loss *Grief and hurt *Wilderness *Memories *Wandering

Reading of Names

Bell of Compassion - Buddhist minister Gary Keiser, Thosum Gephelling Inst.

Flower Wreaths: Emslie Florist, Barre

Postlude

"All the Diamonds" by Bruce Cockburn

Rev. Carl Hilton VanOsdall

**We also acknowledge and honor the traditions of the Abenaki, the original citizens of our community.**

Remembering those we have loss...

#COVID-19 Memorial Service

Video

Guestbook

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Anonymous

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Fred Breunig

~ Maida F. Townsend

~ Fred Breunig

~ Anonymous

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Fred Breunig

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Suzanne Richman

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Lesley Murray, Williston

~ Kim

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Anonymous

~ Anonymous

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Anonymous

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Daughter of the late Sandy Wooster

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

~ Anonymous

~ Bill Watson & Suzanne Welch

~ Jessica Brumsted, Rep.

Photo Gallery

Program

Lighting of Memorial Candle and Introduction

Greetings

Opening Remarks

Opening Prayer

Reading from Psalm 139

Reading from Islamic tradition

Reading from Psalm 46

Responsive Litany for Losses

Music

Reading of Names

Postlude