The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
Weekly Newsgram - July 25th 2018
Happy 243rd Birthday U.S. Army Chaplain Corps

Navy Chief of Chaplains
Change of Office
Retirement Ceremony


Rear Admiral Brent Scott became the 27th chief of Navy chaplains on July 23, 2018 at a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Scott took the helm from Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben as she entered into retirement after a chaplain career which spanned 32 years including more than 10 assigned and serving in the office of the Chief of Chaplains. Kibben was the first woman to serve as both the Chaplain of the Marine Corps (18th) and chief of Navy Chaplains (26th). 

The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John M. Richardson, presided over the ceremony which was also attended by the Secretary of the Navy and Commandant of the Marine Corps along with many other distinguished guests. 

In accepting the office, Chaplain Scott pledged to the leaders present and to all whom he now serves, a chaplain corps which our nation needs. Knowing full well the essential contributions chaplains play in the life of of naval services, Chaplain Scott looks forward to supporting the mission of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. He will ensure chaplains and Religious Program Specialists bring to their commands strength, resilience, encouragement, hope, faith, and the transcendent elements of faith and religion. 

To watch the ceremony in its entirety go to DVIDS video at  https://www.dvidshub.net/video/614901/navy-chief-chaplains-change-office

Both Chaplains Kibben and Scott are Life Members of the MCA 
We thank you both for your inspired and faithful service 


In Memoriam

Commander, US Navy, Retired
1944 to July 1, 2018
Roman Catholic
MCA Member 2014
North Hollywood, CA



 

Executive Director  Notes


This week's column is a reflection of sorts based on conversations at the joint Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) two weeks ago. 

One thing that has stayed with me is the concept and value of accountability. This struck me earlier today when I realized that as I get settled into a new location there is a meeting that I need to have that I had completely forgotten about: An office call with the local bishop as I am now in his "area of operations" and one thing I have learned is that bishops- at least in the Episcopal Church- kinda-sorta like to know what clergy are in their part of the world. 

While I have no official parish status, it is also a courtesy to let the leadership here know that I am here, and that can lead to being on a list of supply clergy, and also let the bishop know what "tools" are in my "tool box." It is also an excellent way to remind leadership who we are in the MCA, and who some of you are, whether you are an Episcopalian or not.

As with endorsement for professional chaplaincy, even if we are not functioning as chaplains it does strike me that it is a good thing to let leadership know who we are in our endorsing faith tradition when we relocate, both as a common courtesy, and also a reminder what we do belong to a community greater than ourselves.

And for those of you getting in vacations in mid- to late-July before school starts in the fall, enjoy this time with your families and friends, and be safe in your travels.

Fr. Razz Waff, DMin, BCC



Army Chaplain Corps Birthday Celebration
243 Years of Service

This Friday, July 27th, the Chaplain Corps will conduct a wreath laying ceremony at  Arlington National Cemetery  in support of our Birthday celebration. Don't forget to tune in to our FB Live at 10am Eastern to view the ceremony. 

Chaplain Spaces Made New



Story by Rebecca Perron Naval Medical Center - Portsmouth 

The last of six stained glass windows was installed in Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's (NMCP) chapel July 20, marking another step toward the completion of its transformation into the "Chapel of Comfort."

The chaplains wanted to create an environment with greater spirituality for NMCP's chapel, while at the same time they were working on improvements to the chapel on board USNS Comfort. The chaplains were inspired by the staff who attended meetings in NMCP's chapel prior to participating in Comfort Exercises (Comfex) in 2017.

"We hosted meetings in the chapel for staff who were going on Comfexes and other missions," said Cmdr. Michael Chaney, NMCP's deputy command chaplain. "We observed that people walked in unsure of what would be happening, and we thought, what can we do here to make a connection and make our mission more apparent, make our mission statement more resilient in light of everything we have pushing at us every day."

Chaney and his team worked to design six stained glass windows that could be potentially duplicated and installed in both chapels. The first set of the six windows was made and installed on the Comfort in 2017, while a duplicate set was made and installed in NMCP's chapel this year.

"The Comfort chapel was a white room, and last year, we were working with the commanding officer Capt. Lanny Boswell and we asked if we could to do something with the chapel," Chaney said. "We suggested stained glass. I asked RP3 Caleb Phillips, who was getting out in a few months to go to the San Francisco School of Art, to create some of the designs. He agreed, and asked what I wanted.

"I said, give me the ship coming toward us with hopeful words on the sides and the top," Chaney continued. "And maybe the ship going to port and starboard for the side pieces. And he came up with the three panels that are the central part of it. When you first walk into the chapel on the ship, you see the same three."

While the stained glass windows at NMCP are filtering sunlight, the windows on Comfort are LED-lit. The other three windows are just as significant.

As the U. S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating hospital since 1830, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth proudly serves past and present military members and their families. The nationally acclaimed, state-of-the-art medical center, including its nine branch clinics located throughout the Hampton Roads area, additionally offers premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen for future roles in healing and wellness.


9th MSC ministry conducts ribbon cutting ceremony for first non-denominational prayer room


9th Mission Support Command Soldiers and community leaders gathered here July 3 to celebrate a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony hosted by the command unit ministry team for a non-denominational prayer room designed for the Soldiers of the Fort Shafter Flats community.

The celebration also recognized the completion of a stained glass by Michelle Caron, a local artist who was awarded the contract to design and construct the window in 2017, which now adorns the sole window of the Ke Alaula Prayer Room in building 1550, room A240.

"By having a room dedicated to religious practice and spiritual fitness, this command and this community communicates to Soldiers the importance of religion and spiritual readiness," said Chaplain (Col.) Charles E. Lynde, the 9th MSC command chaplain.

"The stained glass, which is associated with sacred spaces and the beauty of Hawaii, helps bring light to a once windowless room and encourages Soldiers to practice their faith and gain the spiritual strength, love, hope, peace, and grace that is available from God alone, yet are so crucial to overall readiness and resiliency," he added.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Jostene Philostin, the 9th MSC senior religious affairs NCO, prior to the Ke Alaula Prayer Room, services were conducted at various locations throughout the 9th MSC.

"We didn't have a specific place of worship," he said. "There were times we held services in conference rooms and even cubicles, and those locations were always based on date and time availability."

Since the ceremony, the Ke Alaula Prayer Room has been the used by multiple chaplains for services, group meetings, and other religious affairs. 

The prayer room is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reserved through the command unit ministry team for weekend activities.


Monday, 30 July - Wednesday, 1 August, 2018
Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Registration remains open on line. There is a $30.00 nonrefundable registration fee. The registration is broken up into 3 categories; Active Army, DOD others, (USAR, ARNG, USAF, USN, USMC and civilians) and Foreign Military Personnel. The $30.00 registration fee will cover the cost of welcome packets during the 3 symposium days. Everyone will pay separately for their box lunches, costing $17.00 per day, $51.00 over the symposium.

Plenary speakers include many notables. Information on the plenary speakers is available here. Of note, Chaplain (Colonel) Tim Mallard, a primary organizer of the event is also a featured speaker. 

For a full agenda click here

To register go here

The Army MOI is available here

A unique and rich opportunity for all involved and concerned with chaplaincy and our role in being ethical advisers in our ministry. And a great opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for ministry.  


The Military Chaplains Magazine
2018 Themes and Submission Deadlines
                                              
Fall Issue - Religious Accommodation in 2018
Articles to be submitted by August 31
Publication September 24
                                                
Winter Issue - Chaplaincy and Religion in a Post-Truth World
Articles to be submitted by November 30
Publication December 21


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