Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

Office of Diversity & Equity, Spirituality Initiative

310 Harbor Boulevard, Building E Belmont, CA 94002
Email: ODE@smcgov.org  https://www.smchealth.org/spirituality   -initiative

March 30, 2021

Dear San Mateo County community members

Re: Faith Leaders in Support of COVID-19 Vaccination 	

As faith-leaders, we hold life sacred. We are created not just to survive but to live fully and to thrive
– physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Since the start of the pandemic, we have been experiencing suﬀering and loss among our congregants, our community members, and our own family members.
We have lost the ability to worship together, to celebrate loved ones’ milestones, to grieve the passing of our sisters and brothers, to break bread, to work at our jobs and produce income, and to bring healing touch and presence when needed.
Because of the ravages of COVID-19, we will be forever changed.
As faith leaders, we are uplifted by the fact that we now have vaccines that can provide an end to this loss and suﬀering. We are not doctors, researchers nor public health oﬃcials, but we have been listening carefully to trustworthy sources and what is being said about the vaccine. We feel conﬁdent in what they say.
We know there is a lot of misinformation being circulated in our communities about the vaccine. However, we believe that the vaccine is safe, necessary to save lives and the path to end the pandemic. Millions of people around the world have safely received the vaccination.
As faith-leaders, we feel a responsibility to lead our communities. We encourage each of you to consult with your health providers and to receive the vaccination as soon as it is available to you. We also feel committed to continuing to encourage safety precautions by wearing a face covering, maintaining 6-feet social distancing, avoiding gatherings, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, , washing hands, and getting tested as needed. If you need assistance in obtaining a vaccination when you are eligible, contact your faith community. We understand that some faith groups may not get the vaccine due to religious belief. Together, either by vaccination or encouraging safety precautions, we are committed to those we serve and their wellness.
If you would like to add your name to this letter, please go to:  https://forms.gle/AKxLEwKgianL3w7E6 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Diversity & Equity at ODE@smcgov.org.  You can also visit the Spirituality Initiative website which has a  “For Faith Leaders” section where you can get more information on the webinars regarding Covid-19: https://www.smchealth.org/spirituality-initiative. 

We also invite you to join our Spirituality Initiative meeting with is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 12:30 – 2pm. If you would like to join our email list, please send your email to Melinda Ricossa (mricossa@smcgov.org) and she will include you in our monthly announcements.

We (San Mateo County Faith Leaders) sign this letter as a show of support for the vaccine, and eﬀorts to bring health and well-being to our communities.

Rev. Henry Toryo Adams
San Mateo Buddhist Temple,
San Mateo, CA
Resident Minister

Msgr. John Talesfore
Saint Matthew Catholic Church,
San Mateo, CA
Priest

Rev Katie Goetz
Woodside Road United Methodist Church
Redwood City, CA
Reverend

Rev Iain Stanford
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Redwood City, CA
Reverend

Rev Dr. Mary Graves
Trinity Presbyterian Church, San Carlos, CA
Rev. Dr

Rev. William Kruse
SMC Spirituality Initiative, Belmont, CA
Reverend

Reverend Mary Frazier
Evangelistic Bread of Life Outreach, East Palo Alto, CA
Reverend

Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, CA
Reverend

Rev. Jim Mitulski
Island United Church UCC of Foster City CA
Pastor

Dilip Amin, Ph. D.
Sanatan Hindu Temple, San Bruno, CA                        
Manager

Jerry L. McBride
San Mateo Quaker Worship Group, San Mateo, CA
Liaison

Dr. John Crosby
Menlo Church, Menlo Park, CA
Dr.

Susan Van Riesen 
Palo Alto Vineyard Church, Palo Alto, CA
Pastor

Eugene Lee
Menlo Church, Menlo Park, CA
Executive Pastor

Rev. Dr. L. Don Smith
Sturge Presbyterian Church, San Mateo, CA
Pastor

Sister Joan Marie O’Donnell
Sisters of Mercy 
Burlingame, CA
Sister

Rev Dr. Marlyn Bussey
St. James AME Zion Church, San Mateo, CA
Rev. Dr.

Rabbi Corey Helfand
Peninsula Sinai Congregation, Foster City, CA
Rabbi

Rev. Frank Vanderzwan
Menlo Church, Menlo Park, CA
Reverend

Arturo Arias
Eternal Life Church, Menlo Park, CA
Pastor

Leafa T Taumoepeau
Tongan SF Interfaith, San Mateo, CA
Coordinator

Rev. Karen Thistlethwaite
Ladera Community Church, Portola Valley, CA
Reverend

Rev. Terri Echelbarger       
Many Journeys MCC, San Mateo, CA
Pastor                                    

Rev. Dr. Janet K. Bower
First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, CA
Pastoral Counselor/Parish Chaplain

Rev. Dr. G. Penny Nixon 
Peninsula Solidarity Cohort & Congregational Church of San Mateo, CA
Reverend

Rev/ Jorge William Castro Abdala
Latinos Unidos en Cristo & Igreja Brasileira Presbiteriana 

Rev. Dr. Graham Baird
First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, CA
Lead Pastor

Lisa Carhart
Menlo Church, Menlo Park Campus, Menlo Park CA
Pastor
Burlingame 
Reverend

Billy  Lesmana
Bethel Church California
Millbrae, CA
Pastor

Rabbi Moshe Heyn
Coastside Jewish Community, Half Moon Bay, CA
Rabbi

Sonny Siregar
Bethel Church California, Millbrae, CA
Pastor

Rev. Dr. L. Don Smith
Sturge Presbyterian Church, San Mateo, CA
Reverend

Salamasina Vuna
Hillsdale United Methodist Church
San Mateo, CA
Minister of Community, Engagement/Bay District - Peninsula.

Rev. Dr. Oliver S. Mangubat, D.Min
United Methodist Church of Daly City, CA
Reverend

Pastor Matt Stephan
Menlo Church, San Mateo, CA 
Pastor 

Reverend Melanie S. Donahoe
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, San Carlos, CA
Rector

Le'apai Ryan
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, Daly City, CA
Deacon

Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i
First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, Daly City, CA
Deacon

Rev. Michael P. Barham, D.Min.
Episcopal Churches of the Holy Family & Good Shepherd, Moon Bay & Belmont, CA
Vicar (Priest)

George Williams, SJ 
Saint Agnes Catholic Church, San Francisco. CA
Priest

Sonny Siregar
Bethel Church California, Millbrae, CA 
Pastor

Rev. Bearett Wolverton
Grace Covenant Church
South San Francisco, CA
Reverend

     Rev. Gerardo Garcia Palacios
     Trinity Presbyterian Church 
     East Palo Alto, CA
     The Reverend

      

    Rev. Dr. Marlyn Bussey
    St. James AME Zion Church
    San Mateo, CA
    Reverend Dr.

    Paulo Oliveira
    Message of Peace Church
    South San Francisco, CA
    Pastor

    Christian Mardarie
    South San Francisco Latin
    Am Seventh Day Adventist 
    Church
    South San Francisco, CA
    Senior Pastor         
    
    Rev. Sun Hee Kim
    Hillsdale United Methodist       
    Church
    San Mateo, CA 
    Pastor 

    Rev. Joel Roman
    Casa de Oracion
    South San Francisco, CA
    Reverend 

    Rev. Debra M. McGuire
    Bethany Presbyterian Church
    San Bruno, CA 
    Pastor