This year’s observance is Nov. 14
Organ and tissue donations save — and change — lives
VIENNA, VIRGINIA, Oct. 29, 2021 – This year The Church of the Good Shepherd (United Methodist) in Vienna, VA, will celebrate its denomination’s special Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday on Nov. 14 as it never has before. In 2021, one member of the congregation received a heart transplant, and another donated his kidney to his sister-in-law. They will speak during the 10:15 a.m. worship service Nov. 14 at the church, located at 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna.
United Methodists observe the special Sunday each November during a national three-day observance of National Donor Sabbath designed for faith communities to educate the public about the need for the lifesaving and healing gifts passed to others through transplantation, while also encouraging people to register their decision to be organ, eye and tissue donors.
“Our congregation has seen up close this year that organ and tissue donations save — and change — lives, ” said Good Shepherd Pastor Eric Song. “And we are filled with thanksgiving for these successful transplants. Across the United States, more than 100,000 men, women and children need lifesaving organ transplants, and each day 20 people will die waiting for transplants that cannot take place.”
Speaking during the service will be Michael Oakes, who received a heart transplant in March, and his wife, Marey. The Reston couple will share their journey of Mike’s sudden heart attack that revealed congestive heart failure, and then receiving a heart transplant at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Also speaking will be the church’s Lay Leader Jim Lovelace, who donated a kidney to his sister-in-law in June in Oklahoma.
For those who cannot attend the church service in person, the service will be available online and through the church’s Facebook page.
For more information, visit the church website at www.GoodShepherdVA.com or its Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/goodshepherdvienna.