 |
|
The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
|
|
Weekly Newsgram - September 27th,
2017
|
|
|
|
Chaplain Don Biadog and Master Chief Charles Dudley
|
Vietnam War Commemoration
From Memorial Day 2012 until Veterans Day 2025 our nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. During this period, we as a nation, seek to thank and honor veterans for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of those veterans.
Over 9 million served on active duty during the period of the Vietnam War and roughly 7 million of those veterans remain with us today.
At the Miramar Air Show this past weekend, the Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall was present to permit veterans and families to come and see the names of those who perished in the conflict. During the event two special ceremonies were held to thank the Vietnam veterans present for their service. For many, this is a thank you they appreciate given the turmoil they encountered on returning home 50 years ago.
Retired Master Chief Charles Dudley came and found the name of his then boss, First Class Petty Officer Charles Hatcher. As he wept at remembering his fallen comrade, Chaplain Don Biadog approached to provide chaplain care. Dudley left the area after this encounter saying, "there are six more on (the wall), but it brings back too many memories, and I gotta get out of here."
Chaplain Biadog from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar related of his experience at the wall that day, "I saw one of the Marines, and he started crying. And I basically was present with him. 'I'm a chaplain. I'm here. Tell me what's going on here.' He said, 'Well, this man right here was supposed to be [at] my wedding. And he had to go on a last patrol ... and he never came back.' "
Speaking of the wall, the chaplain said: "Spiritually, this connects them to the people. Some have said the wall will separate you, but this wall connects you with people, connects you with those who have departed."
Chaplain Biadog's recent ministry opportunity reminds us all of the wounds of war that never go away and the opportunity we as "chaplains for life" have to continue to provide for the needs of those who have served.
The MCA is a partner of the
Vietnam Commemorative Commission. The Commission has several programs by which you can honor Vietnam Veterans and their families. Visit their website
here to learn more.
To our Vietnam Veterans, "On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service."
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
|
|
Association of Professional Chaplains
approves
Board Certified Chaplain
Military Chaplaincy Specialization
The APC has a new specialization -- Military Chaplaincy! The BCC in Military Chaplaincy (BCC-MC), certifies its holders as advanced professionals providing ministry in senior and supervisory settings within the armed services. The Military Chaplains Association (MCA) entered into partnership with the APC to propose and facilitate this new professional certification. Applications and criteria for certification as a Board Certified Chaplain in Military Chaplaincy (BCC-MC) will be available at www.professionalchaplains.org beginning March 1, 2018.
Chaplains seeking to become BCC-MC must first be certified as an APC Board Certified Chaplain (BCC). The BCC competency designation corresponds to the professional level of company grade officers in point-of-service positions; the BCC-MC corresponds to the professional level of field grade officers. The BCC-MC is intended as an advanced level of professional certification for senior military chaplains and those in supervisory positions.
In the next several months, an APC-MCA task force create and edit the paperwork and processes for the BCC-MC. Securing and training persons to sit on certification committees must also be completed for the rollout of the BCC-MC in March 2018. The MCA will be pursuing volunteer mentors to help candidates through the process. This is a community and collaborative effort for military chaplaincy.
Current and past military members who are APC BCCs will help implement this new certification. Qualified current BCCs may begin the BCC-MC process when it becomes available in March.
There may be some senior or retired BCCs who have "timed out" and don't see the need or value for a further certification for themselves. If you are in this category, you may give to others by serving on initial BCC-MC committees until the APC has a critical mass of BCC-MCs to proceed forward. Please contact the MCA at
[email protected]
to let us know of your status and interest.
|
|
Publish Your Original Chaplain Prayers
From Chaplain Jan McCormack, MCA Life Member and Assistant Professor of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling; Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Programs
I and a colleague have a book under contract with Judson Press called "Prayers beyond the Sanctuary: Representing the Holy in a Multifaith World". It is intended to help readers discern the difference between praying within their own faith tradition and worship spaces and praying in secular or multifaith settings without compromising the prayer's own religious convictions. It should prove valuable for seminarians, new CPE students or chaplains, spiritual lay leaders, and spiritual leaders of all faiths. Contributing writers will represent a diverse range of voices (particularly racial/cultural, gender, ecumenical and interfaith diversity). The more unique the setting or event, the more likely it will be accepted. Prayers must be original to the submitter.
|
Religion and Spirituality:
The Impact on Chaplains
Registration Now Open
or send an email to
for a paper registration form
MCA National Institute 2017
October 23 - 26, 2017
Newport News, Virginia
or call
866-329-1758
ask for Military Chaplains
|
|
If you missed the September 20
th
edition of the Newsgram
click here
|
|
SUPPORTING CHAPLAINCY IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM: Active, Retired and Former Chaplains of the
United States Army,
United States Navy,
United States Air Force, Department of
Veterans Affairs, and
Civil Air Patrol
AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families
at home and around the world
|
|
The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
|
|
|
|
|
|
