By Bruce Karnick

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COVID deaths around the nation and world keep adding up with the US recently surpassing a total of 400,000 deaths. The numbers daily are equivalent to the deaths that occurred on 9/11, but they are happening daily. The National Cathedral in Washington, DC decided to ring 4,000 bells on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration to honor those that die daily to COVID. Part of that plan included reaching out to churches all across the nation to join them. One such church that participated was First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. Their small church is

Metro

located on the corner of 5th and Vermillion which game them wonderful visibility for their cause.

Over a dozen parishioners stood on the sidewalk ringing bells for almost half an hour in the cold. Motorists driving by honked their support. Steve Robertson and Karen Altpeter organized the local ringing and spoke to The Journal about the event.

“We are gathered here to remember and honor those who have died from COVID, and I know I’m also thinking of all those who are and have suffered with the disease in this past year or so. You know, we’re right at 400,000 deaths in this country alone and untold more around the world and we’re not done yet,” Robertson said.

“It’s a long time ringing a bell. I didn’t think it would be that hard. But it’s so rewarding when people come by and they were waving or they’re honking their horns. And you know how many people this has touched, it’s not just, you know, a few people over there. It’s all of us. My brother died in July and I know he’s up there just laughing at us. What are you fools doing out there in the cold ringing the bells? I know he’d be so proud because the deaths have accumulated so much,” Altpeter said.

Robertson expanded, “We’re just here. We’rea small congregation. A good percentage of us are out here right now on the sidewalk ringing bells. Okay. And, and just witnessing and remembering.”

“I think that the other thing was to do something positive in a time when there’s so much negativity that recognizes that there are people, that are real people, in real lives that have been affected by the pandemic, and by everything else that’s gone on and a chance to do something that’s positive and hopeful,” Altpeter added.

For the members of the church, it was time well spent. When they started to get cold, they thought of the frontline workers putting in 12-16 hour days and it helped them realize they could ring a little longer.

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Members of First Presbyterian Church in Hastings stand along Vermillion Street to ring bells in honor of those that have died to COVID 19. Photo by Bruce Karnick