Archive - March, 2010

3,000 attend commissioning for NAMB missionaries, chaplains

By 30 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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Before 3,000 people at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga. — one of the largest crowds to ever witness a North American Mission Board missionary commissioning service — NAMB introduced 79 new missionaries and 16 new chaplains on Sunday, March 28.

The new missionaries and chaplains represented 24 states, two Canadian provinces and 23 state Baptist conventions. South Carolina alone accounted for 11 missionaries commissioned during the two-hour service.

One newly commissioned Army chaplain, Capt. Jared Vineyard, will be deployed to Afghanistan later this summer, leaving behind his expectant wife Amanda, son Jacob and daughter Kate at Fort Campbell, Ky. Vineyard will serve as a chaplain in the “Band of Brothers” battalion of the 101st Airborne Division, also known as the “Screaming Eagles.”

READ MORE from Baptist Press

Military to Release New Guidelines on Discharging Homosexuals Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By 25 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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Discharging a gay person for violating the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy will draw unprecedented scrutiny under new orders from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is already pushing to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military.

Guidelines to be announced Thursday call for testimony from third parties to be given under oath. The discharge of enlisted personnel must be approved by officers who hold a rank equivalent to a one-star general or above, according to military and defense officials familiar with the plan. They spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement.

READ MORE from CNSNews.com

Care packages: suggested items to send deployed Soldiers

By 24 March 2010. Filed in Resources.

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During my previous deployment to Iraq, I received more mail than anyone else in my squadron. Individuals, churches, and organizations sent care packages, cards, and letters. Some of these items were religious in nature, but most were toiletries and snacks. I used them to minister to my Soldiers (and occasionally to bless the Iraqi interpreters).

My chaplain assistant made weekly visits to the barracks on our FOB to distribute toiletries. This allowed him to serve other Soldiers as well as to build better relationships with them. Sometimes, his visit would spark an idea in someone’s mind that they should talk with me about something; so, he often referred them for counselling appointments.

Often, as my Soldiers were lining up their vehicles to depart the FOB on a mission, I would walk the line to greet each Soldier. I had prepared goodie bags to hand out, also. If the Soldiers were headed to an outpost for several days, these bags might include toiletry items. Otherwise, the bags contained snacks and morale items like CDs or movies. In every bag was a prayer or Scripture card. Soldiers were always appreciative of these items, and I distributed a great deal of support items in this manner and through other methods. Every engagement involved direct ministry to Soldiers.

I have been asked for suggestions of items to include in care packages. The attached list offers ideas of snacks, toiletries, and other items that are useful for Soldiers. This list is specific to Afghanistan. While it offers some suggestions, keep in mind that circumstances may be different for the Soldier you wish to support, and consult him when selecting your items. For example, while I suggest not sending microwaveable foods, some Soldiers may have ready access to microwaves and would appreciate such items.

Thank you for your support of U.S. Soldiers. Those who show their support for Soldiers in tangible ways make a valuable contribution to the welfare and morale of those Soldiers in harm’s way.

Suggested Care Package Items for Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan (.PDF file)

A combat-tested portable field altar arrangement, Part 1

By 23 March 2010. Filed in Resources.

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As I head off to my second deployment—this time to Afghanistan—I anticipate many field services. I try to take services to my Soldiers wherever they are, and my standard at forward outposts is an abbreviated service of Holy Communion.

After a great deal of trial and error during field training exercises and during my last deployment in Iraq, I have developed my own field altar arrangement. The standard Army issue Protestant chaplain kit requires some modifications to meet my needs, but I’ll share about that in another article. Here I offer a look at my field altar setup.

I hope this example will spark ideas in the minds of new chaplains about how to prepare for combat ministry. Garrison chapels are generally well-equipped with the necessary tools for conducting Sunday services. In the field, the chaplain must be prepared to carry everything needed for his services when he hits the road. One of the most important lessons I learned from my previous deployment is to be flexible and portable. This field altar set and my modified chaplain kit allow me to be prepared for dignified services of Holy Communion almost anywhere. If time and space allow, this field altar can be set up quickly and easily; setup requires five minutes or less, and, when set up, the altar takes up no more room than a couple of TV dinner tray tables.

The picture below shows my field altar ready for service. Missing from this photo are the people’s wafers, wine, and water. At my services, I hand out to Soldiers a laminated bi-fold pamphlet of the liturgy, which is not shown here.

Below the photo, I have listed each item and its origin.

Field Altar

  1. Field Altar. I purchased this collapsible aluminum camp table from Amazon.com for approximately $45 (28″ x 28″ x 27″). The table disassembles and can be packed in its own carrying case. I recommend this table as a lighter and less bulky alternative to the Army’s folding wooden field table.
  2. Fair Linen. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. The material is some sort of synthetic blend, almost like parachute material.
  3. Corporal. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
  4. Chalice. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
  5. Pall. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. The material came from an Army issue corporal. I cut the stiffener from a larger one found inside a standard-size white pall sold commercially.
  6. Paten. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
  7. Priest’s Wafer. From Army stock.
  8. Purificator. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
  9. Prayer Book. My personal copy.
  10. Stole. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. It was made from one of my old uniforms.
  11. Cross. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.

My field altar is currently in a shipping container on its way to Afghanistan. When I retrieve it, I’ll add more photos and information in a second part to this article.

Provider chaplains hold prayer luncheon

By 21 March 2010. Filed in Deployment.

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Chaplains with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) held the command’s first prayer luncheon in the Audie Murphy Room at the Oasis Dining Facility, March 17 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

The event was open to all service members at JBB, but the luncheon’s theme of endurance was aimed toward the 13th ESC moving into the last quarter of its 12-month deployment in Iraq.

The message of the luncheon was finding the endurance to complete the mission and drive on during deployments overseas, said Lt. Col. Roy Walker, the command chaplain with the 13th ESC.

“As you get closer to the last quarter that’s when people can see the finish line, but they get a little worried about it,” he said.

READ MORE from BlackAnthem.com

USAREUR Chaplain puts focus on perseverance at Kosovo Prayer Breakfast

By 19 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – U.S. KFOR Soldiers joined the command chaplain of U.S. Army Europe in a discussion on perseverance during March 17 a prayer breakfast here.

The prayer breakfast, featuring USAREUR Chaplain (Col.) Charles R. Bailey, was the third held so far this year at Camp Bondsteel, headquarters of Multi-National Battle Group-East (MNBG-E).

About 40 Soldiers from MNBG-E took part in the prayer breakfast.

READ MORE from the U.S. Army

Chapel program helps couples reconnect after deployment

By 19 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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Lt. Col. Rich McConnell said he’s among a generation of service members that has been “quietly making history” in the longest deployment in American history, according to some recent news reports.

“The more people tend to go to combat zones, it’s not uncommon to run into guys who have been downrange four tours, five tours,” he said. “Some folks come back with great combat experience, but they are also experiencing a lot of bad stuff.”

His wife, Rose, has also been a survivor of her husband’s three recent deployments. She and her husband are one of the couples facilitating a group for the Fort Leavenworth Chapel Community called “Faith-Based Solutions to the Combat Experience.”

“Those of us who are leading the group have been through it,” she said. “This is a confidential environment. This is a safe environment for us to share.”

READ MORE from the U.S. Army

Seders in Kuwait

By 19 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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When Col. Rabbi Bonnie Koppell travels to Kuwait for Passover, it will be far from her first act of spiritual leadership overseas.

In the last five years, her chaplaincy in the Army Reserve has taken her to Iraq and Afghanistan twice, visiting combat zones in both countries.

During her military tenure, she has also traveled to Germany and South Korea.

But for the Temple Chai rabbi and military veteran of nearly 32 years - mostly as a reservist - it doesn’t get old.

READ MORE from Jewish News

Military chaplains in Afghanistan

By 17 March 2010. Filed in Deployment.

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Military chaplains hold services on major bases as well as travel the battlefield throughout Afghanistan, providing a backbone of support for thousands of soldiers struggling with the difficulties of war and year-long deployments away from home. –John Moore / Getty Images (23 images)

View photos at The Sacramento Bee

Soldiers, Families take offerings for Chile relief

By 16 March 2010. Filed in News & Commentary.

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The Army chief of chaplains has asked Soldiers and their families to again consider providing assistance to earthquake victims — this time for those in Chile.

A similar designated offering was collected from across the Army in January to provide relief for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Then, Soldiers and their families donated $574,285 for relief in that country, with money being sent to the Red Cross to provide assistance.

The Army’s chief of chaplains this week requested installation and medical center chaplains to hold a designated offering no later than the weekend of April 11 for victims of the Chile earthquake two weeks ago. Chaplains will let those in attendance at services know when funds collected will be designated for Chile relief.

READ MORE from the U.S. Army

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