Chaplain H. Scott Matheney reflects on COVID-19 at SGA meeting

During the SGA meeting on Mar. 10, Rev. H. Scott Matheney — Chaplain of Elmhurst University — delivered a short speech to honor SGA members for their work during two years of COVID-19. 

During his speech, Matheney emphasized how the school and SGA could help every Bluejay heal and feel included on the EU campus. He also highlighted the importance of taking action.

“Usually you hear people say thoughts and prayers that’s pretty common.” Matheney mentioned in his speech. “I am asking you whenever you hear the word thoughts and prayers, you immediately say or think ‘actions.’”

 “We’ve been talking about this a lot; how do you help create a place to heal and to feel like you belong?” Matheney emphasized. “So, when you hear ‘thoughts and prayers’ you say ‘actions,’ and when you say ‘action,’ you start thinking about what we are going to do. I’m asking you to think about healing and belonging. How do you heal each other or self? How do you make sure everybody feels like they belong? It’s your responsibility. It’s my responsibility.” 

During the short speech, Matheney showed gratitude to each member of SGA who carried the school, and helped with healing and belonging during COVID-19. 

“For two years of hard struggles, of way too much zooming, of frustration, mass sickness, and deep down,” said Matheney. “Two years keep us strong, keep us going, and we might heal and then we might help belong and make sure everyone belongs here at Elmhurst. Hold them. SGA and all the thankfulness.”