Declaring October as Clergy Appreciation Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The month of October has long been recognized as Clergy Appreciation Month across the United States; and

WHEREAS, The call to honor church leaders can be traced to St. Paul, who in his first letter to Timothy when he wrote “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching;” and

WHEREAS, With over 53,140 people employed as clergy in the United States, and approximately 1,000 people employed as Clergy in the Greater Philadelphia area, it is critical to remember and honor those individuals who devote their time and energy to serving their Church and the Community; and

WHEREAS, St. Paul further urged people “to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work;” and

WHEREAS, Often, the problems and struggles of clergy are often unseen and unnoticed by the rest of their parishioners and community, and there is a constant compliant of burnout, emotional exhaustion and mental health crises, with 1 in 10 pastors admitting to contemplating suicide according to a 2021 Pastoral Mental Health Report; and

WHEREAS, It is often said that “even a pastor needs a pastor” yet, the struggles of our pastors often leave them feeling isolated from the rest of their congregation or community; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being spiritual caretakers and guides, clergy fulfill a multitude of roles in their community, sometimes fulfilling the roles of mediators, mental health professionals, social workers, and trusted advisors to their congregants; and

WHEREAS, The critical roles that clergy play in the daily lives of their congregants as well as their surrounding communities is of the utmost importance and should be known, commemorated and celebrated; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA that it declares October as Clergy Appreciation Month in the City of Philadelphia.

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