As many of you already know, I had applied for a religious exemption regarding the Washington State governor’s requirement that any state employees be vaccined against Covid, or be fired. Although chaplains do not receive a salary, we were coming under this same requirement. Many of my chaplain friends around the state have already been dismissed from their roles as department chaplains because they were refusing to be vaccinated.
I, unfortunately, agreed to an over the phone interview with our island’s weekly newspaper, The Beachcomber. The woman who interviewed me was very sweet over the phone, but when I stopped into their office on the day they were going to press, I immediately regretted having given the interview. The woman would only meet me outside the office, and although outside, she kept her mask on, and stood at least ten feet away from me. I remember thinking that she is likely one of these people who wears her mask even while driving alone.
I heard that after publication of the article, the fire department was inundated with letters demanding I be relieved of my duties as chaplain.
When I first agreed to serve as the island chaplain, I was the very first to serve in that capacity after some twenty years. But I felt compelled to offer my services after a number of tragic events hit various members of this community.
Out of love for my fellow islanders, and because I felt God calling me to this service, I have served for almost twenty years. Most of my fellow citizens likely know nothing about the role of chaplains, and less about what I have done, all these many years. They have no idea how many times I have pulled to the side of an island road, in the dead of night, and cried, after having been strong for a family that had just suffered unbelievable pain and loss. But I continued, just as countless other chaplains, to serve this community. To retire, even at my advanced age of 75, was inconceivable.
After all these years of serving the people I’ve grown to love, I now feel it time I step down.That even one islander would wish I be removed of my role as police and fire chaplain, is very painful for me. Even though I know of many instances over the years that my role as support during sometimes horrendous moments in the life of individuals, I now must move on. Knowing that an earthquake, or major disaster that might take place on this island that would call for the support of a chaplain, I have decided not to resign, but rather ask for a leave of absence. Should the need arise, I will step up to the plate. Meanwhile, I walk away with a sense of sadness, knowing that so many of my fellow islanders will never know how my love for them made me willing to be available twenty four hours a day, for almost twenty years.
With love,
Father Tryphon