St. David’s Church to celebrate RCSD, other first-responders
September 24, 2019
By W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Homemade chili, bread, deserts, coffee and tea will be served at no charge to first responders in Columbia and Richland County this coming Sunday afternoon and evening, Sept. 29, by members of St. David’s Episcopal Church in northeast Columbia. And the first 100 guests to arrive will receive St. Michael’s medals (St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers).
“This is simply an offering to those whom we are celebrating and an affirmation that we greatly appreciate them for the work they do in the context of their service to the community,” says the Reverend William M. ‘Scotty’ Brock, rector of St. David’s. “They can simply stop by, come in, sit down, relax for as long as they’d like and let us serve them.”
Those invited include the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept., the Columbia Police Dept., the S.C. Highway Patrol, and local firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
“This kind and truly generous outreach on the part of St. David’s speaks to the many strong relationships that exist between, for instance, our deputies at the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. and the many churches and houses of worship located throughout the county,” says Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “We protect them 24/7. We interact with all of them several times a week. We attend worship services and special events. And we have several area-church leaders, pastors, deacons, elders and others who serve on our Citizens Advisory Council and are otherwise connected to our department.”
Lott adds, “They’re a part of us, and we’re a part of them.”
Ann Anrrich, a vestry member (layperson) at St. David’s says that the first “Day of Appreciation” or “Celebration of First Responders” is the brainchild of Scotty Brock. “He wanted to show appreciation to those who work for all of us in an increasingly tough environment,” she says. “So as part of that appreciation we will have at least 20 or more people on each shift preparing food – different kinds of chili and cornbread – and serving those who always serve us.”
The doors open at 1:00 p.m. Food and drinks will be served until 9:00 p.m. to give those who are on-duty an opportunity to drop-in at their convenience.
St. David’s Episcopal Church is located at 605 Polo Road, 29223.
For more information, contact St. David’s Church at (803) 736-0866.
