The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
Weekly Newsgram - June 29th, 2016
Chaplain Couden prays in Congress for the speedy recovery of President Wilson in 1919. 

        A Fourth of July Prayer

On July 4th, 1918, Chaplain of The House of Representatives, the Rev. Henry N. Couden, D.D., offered prayer for our nation as the House met to do the work of the nation - an excerpt below (entire prayer here)

Chaplain Couden was a Civil War veteran, having served from 1861 to 1863. In May of 1863, at the Battle of Beaver Dam Lake, he was wounded and lost his sight. He was ordained in 1878 and became the Chaplain of the House in 1895, the second second blind religious leader to serve in that position. He retired in 1921 after 25 years of service in this demanding and important post. 

Chaplain Couden died in August of 1922 and is buried in Section 15 of Arlington National Cemetery. 

As we celebrate the freedoms for which our Nation was founded on this 240th anniversary of the declaration of our independence, may we be humbled by those who have gone before and inspired to continue their journey. Chaplain Couden, a military veteran who suffered the pains of service his entire life, continued to pursue the "Spirit of 76" even in the midst of a terrible world-wide war. He recognized the fight for humanity, liberty, justice, and equal rights for all mankind was not a struggle from the past but an ongoing pursuit to preserve the ideals of our Glorious Republic.

As chaplains, we can and should remind all of the favor we enjoy on this holiday and encourage "the native born and the naturalized citizen" to be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us. 

Our Father in Heaven, the inspiration of every generous impulse, every high and noble aspiration, we thank Thee from our heart of hearts for the "Spirit of '76," which gave to us the immortal Declaration of Independence, which led on to victory and the formation of our Glorious Republic, which has not only been the wonder but the admiration of the world. We thank Thee for the day which will be celebrated with more than usual interest throughout the length and breadth of the land. The native born and the naturalized citizen will vie with each other in making it memorable. 
Excerpt of prayer by Chaplain Couden
 
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
 

TAPS
wife of Chaplain Grover DeVault
LTC, USA, Retired
MCA Life Member, Emerson 113
June 22, 2016
Lancaster, PA



Annual Member

Chaplain Kelly Mathis
1LT, ARNG
United Church of Christ
Joined June 26, 2016
Indianapolis, IN

Serving as Chaplain for Life 
with the American Legion
Did you know on page 13 of the American Legion Chaplain Handbook all Legion chaplains are encouraged to promote ceremonies and events to emphasize serve to God and Country on the Fourth of July and other holidays? Consider joining your local Post and becoming their ch aplain. They would enjoy your contributions. For more information The American Legion

MCA National Institute and Annual Meeting 2016
The Ethical Challenges of Chaplaincy

October 25 - 27, 2016
Sheraton Pentagon City, 900 S Omre Street, Arlington VA

October 25th - 
MOAA Annual Meeting - 0900 - 1100
Optional MCA Seminars - 1300 - 1700
Awards Banquet 1800 - 2100

October 26th - 
MCA National Institute - 0800 - 1500 - Three presentations with Q&A
Emerson Luncheon - 1200
MCA Annual Meeting - 1530
MCA Memorial Service - 1630

October 27th - 0900 - 1400
Seminar on Chaplaincy - designed for actively serving chaplains - CEUs awarded for attendance

Registration, speakers, and other information coming soon


Most people in the United States today no longer live their lives under the guidance of local institutionalized religious leadership, such as rabbis, ministers, and priests; rather, liberals and conservatives alike have taken charge of their own religious or spiritual practices. This shift, along with other social and cultural changes, has opened up a perhaps surprising space for chaplains-spiritual professionals who usually work with the endorsement of a religious community but do that work away from its immediate hierarchy, ministering in a secular institution, such as a prison, the military, or an airport, to an ever-changing group of clients of widely varying faiths and beliefs. more

To review please send request to chaplains@mca-usa.org
  Interesting Facts about the
Declaration of Independence

One of the most widely held misconceptions about the Declaration of Independence is that it was signed on July 4, 1776. In fact, independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams believed would be "the most memorable epoch in the history of America." On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. It wasn't signed until August 2, 1776. (for many more)

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If you missed the June 22nd  edition of the Newsgram   click here.   
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AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families  at home and around the world

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