Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (MSG)

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Operations at Nazareth Hospital have drastically changed in the wake of Coronavirus in Israel. The Ministry of Health has mandated that the Hospital create up to 60 intensive-care beds for COVID-19 patients. As a result, the Hospital has closed the pediatric surgical and internal medicine wards, and has transferred the psychiatric department to another building. All non-urgent operations have been cancelled. These major shifts have caused major losses of revenue.

Nazareth Hospital’s 700 staff members are facing many challenges as they experience anxiety about their own health and that of their loved ones. Those in shuttered departments are worried about the security of their jobs and finances. All of this must be pushed to the background as they serve on the front line of the fight against Coronavirus, foregoing their personal safety to care for the sick.

At the same time the Pastoral Care Team is actively praying with staff and patients – people of all faiths and people of none. This is the time that they can share God’s peace, love and healing in a frightened world. The pandemic has confirmed that at times of fear, people turn to God.

Richard Mayhew, CEO of Nazareth Trust — the owner of Nazareth Hospital – describes the current
unprecedented reality:

“We’ve never known a time like this before. It is unparalleled, uncharted, lonely and overwhelming. We are all navigating a time personally and professionally during which we have more questions than answers. Few, if any, have escaped the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has affected our staff, our volunteers, our patients and visitors, and of course, you.”

Your opportunity to help staff and patients and support ER upgrades

Nazareth Trust has created two funds in response to the Coronavirus pandemic:

• COVID-19 Practical Support Fund
• COVID-19 Capital Development Fund

The Practical Support Fund will address practical needs and hardships faced by some Hospital staff and patients. Staff are under enormous pressure, having concerns for their patients, their own welfare and the needs of their families. Under the direction of the Pastoral Care Team, the fund will meet practical needs alongside spiritual care. This support could be in the form of small financial assistance, emergency food purchases or other kinds of support for those is desperate need.

To ensure that Nazareth Hospital emerges from the Coronavirus crisis in a strong position as the primary Trauma and Acute Care center in Northern Galilee, Nazareth Trust is launching a $5 million Capital Development Fund to build new and improved Emergency Room facilities.

Make a real difference for Nazareth Hospital by contributing to the Capital Development Fund and/or the Practical Support Fund!