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The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
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Weekly Newsgram - February 22nd
, 2017
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Another Federal Chaplaincy
The smallest federal chaplaincy, by far, is the chaplaincy maintained by the United States Congress. Two chaplains, their staffs, and volunteers to assist in the ministry provided to members of Congress, their staffs, and their families. Both chaplains have received attention as they participated in public events associated with the inauguration. Rather than focusing on the two individuals, however, I look today at the institution of this ministry to our nations law makers and how it parallels and ultimately supports the ministry of military and VA chaplains. Some facts:
The authority for these two chaplains comes directly from the Constitution. Article I, Sections 2 and 3, provide to the House and Senate respectively the authority to choose their officers. Both houses include in their officers their chaplain. Thus, when each new congress convenes the chaplain of the House is determined by election of the Representatives as are the other officers - the Clerk, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Chief Administrative Officer. Senate officers are not re-elected at each convening and the chaplain serves until he vacates his position.
Congressional chaplains pre-date the United States as a nation. A local pastor opened sessions of the Continental Congress with prayer from 1774 to 1776. After the adoption of the Constitution, each house elected their first chaplains within a few days of their convening and determined to pay them an annual salary a few months later.
The first challenges to the legitimacy of congressional chaplains came in the 1850s. For a short period, 1855 to 1861 for the House, local clergy of the District of Columbia were asked to provide for the opening of sessions in prayer. Ultimately the practice was abandoned as the volunteers were not reliable and they also seemed to use the opportunity to advocate for their own causes. House members complained as these volunteers did not know their flocks. A sense of loss by the two houses of government caused the two chambers to return to an official chaplaincy.
The constitutionality of congressional chaplains has been challenged at least three times. The most recent, in 2004, resulted in a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissing the suit relying on
Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783, on the grounds of precedent and tradition. In other words, if the same individuals who authored the First Amendment also employed chaplains during the process, there must be no inherent conflict.
Though only two in number, the fact of the existence of these two chaplains and the role they play in the lives and decisions of our legislatures, is reason to give thanks for the traditions of our great nation. Let us uphold the two men in these important positions with our own prayers and encouragement.
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
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TAPS
CAPT, CHC, USN, Retired
American Baptist Church
deceased October 26, 2016
Brandon, Florida
Chaplain Edwin Douglas Stanfield
CAPT, CHC, USN, Retired
United Methodist Church
deceased Jan 16, 2017
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Chaplain Edward A. Rogland
CPT, U.S. Army National Guard
Presbyterian Church in America
joined MCA March 2013
Valencia, PA
Annual Member
Chaplain Frank Baik
CPT, U.S. Army Reserve
United Methodist Church
Schulenburg, TX
Associate Member
Ensign David Lockwood
CCPO, U.S. Navy
Chaplaincy Full Gospel Churches
Granby, CO
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Church Executive Director Position Open
Covenant United Methodist Church
Greer, South Carolina
The Executive Director of Covenant United Methodist Church in Greer, South Carolina, will serve in support of the Senior Pastor and the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) in the administration of the business functions of the church. Areas of oversight will include Human Resources, Facilities, and Finances of the church.
This position will report to the SPRC for business administration of the church and will coordinate with the Senior Pastor for ministries and ministry staff needs. This person will work in unison and cooperation with all Pastoral Staff, Ministry Leaders and Committee Groups led by Church Leaders.
To apply, contact Laura Geloni at [email protected].
For the full position description click
here
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Dates for Your Calendar
April 28th -
Chaplain Gaylord T. Gunhus will be laid to rest at a graveside (only) ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. An informal reception will be held following the service at the Memorial (Main Post) Chapel.
May 29th - Memorial Day
Service at Arlington National Cemetery. Plan to attend and carry the MCA flag or National Ensign as part of the parade of colors we remember and honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Please indicate your intention to attend by sending a note to [email protected]
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MCA National Institute 2017
October 23 - 26, 2017
Newport News, Virginia
Please plan to join us!
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Chapter Update
The monthly luncheon gathering of the SC Chapter of the MCA was an extra special event. Chapter Member, Chaplain, Lt Col, Brian Bohlman, SC Air National Guard, presented a program on his recent deployment to Antarctica. As part of his presentation Brian gave each member a small US Flag he had waved (see picture) at the geographic South Pole.
The members were joined by a number of spouses for the luncheon which also fell on Valentine's Day. Chapter Member, Chaplain, Lt Col, USAF, Ret, Ken Colton presented each of those present a long stem red rose.
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If you missed the February 15th
edition of the Newsgram
click here
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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
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The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
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