Clothed in Compassion

Clothed in Compassion

Denise Goodman

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, our world changed. One day we were anticipating the start of spring, warmer temperatures, and some outdoor fun at long last. How is it possible then that the next day we heard stay inside, social distance, flatten the curve? What in the world was happening and why? Government and health leaders announced that the coronavirus newly identified in 2019 had reached widespread infection in the U.S. and was highly contagious and dangerous. CT’s Governor shut down the state and as best we could we all heeded the guidelines to stay home and to stay six feet away from others when away from home by necessity.

Safer at home, like everyone else we followed all necessary precautions and stocked up on food, medicine, toilet paper, and other provisions – check. To stay in touch we upgraded our technology and were grateful to connect with our spiritual and physical family through Zoom, Facebook and other apps – double check. We learned what we could about COVID 19 and learned that too much media is not a good thing – triple check! Then what?

For Marcia Swanson, Yolanda Delgado, and Yolanda Santiago, their spirit called them to do more. They heard the heart wrenching, desperate appeals from healthcare workers and other frontline staff for masks to protect from infection, and their hands set strongly to the task. In the span of a month, these three sisters have voluntarily made over one hundred masks while living under quarantine.

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

During this trying time, I have the opportunity to do something that would make a difference in someone else’s life. My sewing machine was a gift. So many things could have stopped me. I am still working full-time and helping my four kids with homework but the need in my community is why I make masks. Supplies have been hard to come by, elastic sold out or takes weeks to come by mail, and I did not give up. I am still making masks for people that need them.” – Yolanda Delgado

Making the masks has been a great experience for me. I feel blessed to be able to help. It has helped me to be more dedicated in what I am doing and it has made me see and experience what it is to be a disciple in any situation.” – Yolanda Santiago

The sisters’ masks have been given to medical staff at Yale New Haven Hospital, to homeless men and women in Bridgeport through our sister Patti Jo, to the many frontline workers who are members of the Southern CT Church of Christ, and to some of our members with underlying health concerns. May God protect the 100+ souls who’ve been clothed in masks made by the compassionate and kind hands of Marcia, Yolanda, and Yolanda.

I was humbled by the gratitude of the workers who received our masks. One would have thought that I delivered to them a pot of gold they were so grateful to us.  I thought of our masks every day, going out into the community like little ambassadors. Who wore them? Who did we serve and protect? We will never know, but we carry forever the thrill of serving these special people. Now that this need has passed, our little ambassadors will go out to protect the homeless in our area, and for this I am grateful. They deserve protection too.” – Marcia Swanson


We hope you enjoyed reading this article! Please keep in mind our annual Hope Day of Service will be June 6th. Check out this article for more information: https://sctcoc.org/june-6th-hope-day-of-service/

Not part of a local community group and Interested in getting involved? Please fill out this form: https://sctcoc.aware3.net/form/L9aPhFFBr

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