MEMORIAL DAY — Monday, May 30, 2022
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In this edition: World War II Chaplain's Kit; Memorial Day; Fun Fact; Check it Out!; Did You Know?; Statements from the Presiding Bishop-mass shootings; Upcoming events; News in the ECD community, and The Episcopal Church
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Finding Faith in the Battlefield
Episcopal priest donates World War II chaplain kit
to a Delaware church
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United States military chaplains hold positions in the Armed Forces of the United States and are charged with conducting religious services and providing counseling for their adherents. The Chaplain Corps dates back to July, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized one chaplain for each regiment of the Continental Army, with pay equaling that of a captain. Since 1789, the U.S. government has required chaplains to hold positions in the army, federal prisons, and the Veterans Administration. Chaplains are commissioned officers stationed wherever there are military members, including combat environments. They are non-combatants and do not bear arms. Each denomination provides their chaplains with a Chaplain Kit to offer Baptism, Communion, and Blessing to the dying. Chaplains are charged to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen. A chaplain's mission is to bring soldiers to God and God to soldiers, of any faith tradition.
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Chaplain's Kit in suitcase |
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Christian and Jewish flags |
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Chaplain kits, as pictured above, were designed and issued by The Episcopal Church and given to Episcopal priests who were serving as chaplains in WWII. They were designed to fit on the hood of an Army Jeep, and the Christian flag and the Jewish flag would be attached to the Jeep’s antennae. The kit appears as an ordinary suitcase of its day. When the kit was opened up and set up as an Altar on a tabletop or Jeep hood, it provided sanctified time and space for prayer on the battlefield or at a base.
Chaplain kit travels from the beaches of Normandy to the beaches of Delaware
The chaplain kit (above) was issued to the Rev. Morris F. Arnold, who enlisted in March 1943, who served in the European Theater, landing on Utah Beach, Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He arrived on Utah beach, initially riding a Jeep off the Landing Ship Tank but the Jeep rolled over in the surf. Arnold fell into the sea and swam to retrieve his chaplain kit. He succeeded in climbing up the low-lying dunes to safety. He ministered to soldiers in Normandy until he was seriously injured and shipped back to the US in April, 1945. He continued to celebrate Communion with the soldiers on the troop train en route to California. Upon his recovery and discharge from the Army, the Rev. Arnold returned to active parish ministry for 27 years. In 1972 he was elected Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, known as "Gentle Ben" to his friends. In his retirement Bishop Arnold became a mentor to the Rev. Carol Flett after she was ordained in 1988. They became close colleagues and Bishop Arnold gave Rev. Flett this chaplain kit, which she used to bring Communion to the sick in hospitals and residents of nursing homes for years. She was with Ben when he died in 1992, and has now donated the chaplain kit to St. Peter's, Lewes. Flett will be preaching at St. Peter's on Memorial Day, using the chaplain kit for the service. More information
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Two parishes will celebrate unique Memorial Day services |
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St. Peter's, Lewes
Monday, May 30, 10am
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The Rev. Carol Flett will be the preacher at this service and her gift of the chaplain's kit will be used at all the services that day. From there, the kit will will go on to Fort Miles Museum for the D-day invasion observance on June 5. Afterwards, it will return to St. Peter's and the church will lend it to the museum whenever they have an appropriate event and wish to display it.
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St. George's Chapel, Harbeson
Monday, May 30, 10am
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The historic chapel 's service will include special prayers, readings, and music. Guest speaker will be Col. H. W. "Buzz" Buse III USMC (Retired) who served for 25 years as a Marine Infantry Officer. Among Col. Buse's many assignments, he led Marine Infantry units in the Vietnam War (1965, 66 & 69). For more information call 302-227-7202 or email info@allsaintsandstgeorges.org.
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Fun Fact
Question: Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, many diocesan clergymen volunteered to serve. Prior to that, who was the first diocesan clergyman called up to serve in WWII?
Clue: He had served as vicar of Christ Church, Delaware City.
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Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 30 |
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Memorial Day, now celebrated annually on the last Monday in May, was first called Decoration Day. The name derived from the early tradition of soldiers decorating the graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, wreaths, and flags. Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday wouldn’t legally become Memorial Day until 1967.
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On May 30, 1868, at the first Decoration Day ceremony, James A. Garfield addressed the several thousand people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery: “If silence is ever golden, it must be beside the graves of 15,000 men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem the music of which can never be sung.” He then delivered a lengthy speech. |
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Presiding Bishop statement and prayers
on tragic mass shootings in
Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas
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Uvalde, Texas
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry led prayers via live-stream video on social media Tuesday evening in the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. He shared a prayer adapted from Bishops United Against Gun Violence, as well as prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. See video here
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Buffalo, New York
Pastoral statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: "My heart is heavy with the news that a white supremacist gunman took the lives of ten children of God in Buffalo on Saturday. I grew up walking distance from the scene of this hateful crime, and my friends and I used to ride our bikes ..." Read full statement here
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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The Episcopal Church is active in support of mental health awareness and is becoming more adept at walking with and raising up people with mental illness and their families. Our own Deacon Susan Phillips is a member of its Mental Health Task Force and offers this update. Read update here.
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Cycle of Prayer in the Episcopal Church in Delaware |
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This week (week of May 22), in our diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we hold up in prayer St. Paul's Church, Camden, the Rev. Cecil D. Radcliffe, pastor. For the 2022 Cycle of Prayer, click here.
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Upcoming Events in Our Community |
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THIS EVENING, Spiritual Darkness: An evening of Taizé music and prayer
Immanuel Highlands, Wilmington, Wednesday, May 25, 7 pm
Many believers experience times of spiritual darkness or dryness. It is a subjective feeling that God is distant, aloof, or even absent. During a time of spiritual dryness, prayers feel empty, hymns are sung without energy, sermons are lifeless, and Scripture appears to have no power over daily life. These are the times when our faith is being tested, and it is easy to give in to despair. We strengthen our faith through the beauty of worship and in the prayerful company of the faithful. You are warmly invited to join us for an evening of music, readings, silence and candle lighting in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. For more information, please contact Immanuel Highlands Office on 302 658 7326 or email jbarrett@immanuel-highlands.org.
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First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace
Church of St. Andrew & Matthew (SsAM), Wilmington, June 3, 5:30 pm
SsAM has partnered with First and Central Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church for some time to have a First Friday of the month Walk for Justice and Peace, which began in response to the murder of George Floyd. We now are faced with more racially motivated murders than ever before. The Buffalo murders of ten people last week showed us that things are continuing to escalate! We need to respond! Our planning group from SsAM and Westminster has been meeting and working to revamp the walks a bit. We will begin at SsAM (719 N. Shipley Street, Wilmington) at 5:30 p.m. and have a prayer together. Then we will have a silent march to Rodney Square. We will then have another prayer together and everyone can return to SsAM. The committee will provide electric candles and posters (if you want to make your own, please do.). We have involved the city and the walk with be safe. You can park at SsAM for the walk. You are also invited to visit the Chris White Gallery at the end of our walk to look at the exhibit of women’s art and to have refreshments. The Gallery is located in the Shipley Lofts building at 7th and Shipley, just down the street from SsAM. We hope to see you there!
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The First State Symphonic band concert, St. David's, Wilmington, Saturday, June 4, 7:30pm
The concert will feature several patriotic favorites including, Pageantry March, The Armed Forces Salute, The Stars and Stripes Forever. Also featured will be The Olympics: A Centennial Celebration, Suite from Bizet’s opera, Carmen, highlights from The Lion King and Ellington! More information
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Too Deep for Words: Working Together in God's Holy House
The Rev. Victoria Sirota to speak at AGO Banquet, Sts. Andrew & Matthew, Sunday, June 5, 5pm
The Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists welcomes the Rev. Victoria Sirota who will speak on the vocations of church musicians and clergy as partners in worship. As both a fabulous organist and pastor, Victoria Sirota is uniquely well suited to speak on this topic. All organists, church musicians, and clergy are welcome to this event on Sunday June 5 at Saints Andrew and Matthew. The banquet will offer entree choices of Herb Chicken with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Beef Filet Tips Au Poivre, and Herbed Lentil Stuffed Peppers, along with a variety of appetizers, sides, desserts, and wine. Tickets are $30 per person, and you may RSVP to Gabe Benton at gabriel.r.benton@gmail.com.
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St. Barnabas' Church, Wilmington, Quilt Raffle
Supporting Episcopal Relief and Development for Ukraine!
Drawing to be held Sunday, June 5
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here
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You are invited to join St. Thomas's Parish, Newark in celebrating the good works of the Rev. Deacon Cecily Sawyer Harmon, Saturday, June 11, 4-6:30pm
Cecily officially retired in January 2022, however, because of Covid precautions, a celebration was scheduled for a later time. Now that the weather has warmed up, there will be a gathering in the Grove. Food and fun will take place in the open green space to the side of the church building for some delicious food, and lots of fun!
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Parish Communications Workshop
Thursday, June 9, Christ Church, Dover, 9:30am-2:30pm
This workshop will cover best practices, suggestions, and strategy for visual and content messaging for websites and social media. While we will focus on website and social media, we will also provide tips and tricks for graphic design for the non-designer in all media channels, to include eNewsletters. It will be a casual, fun affair that includes music and a bit of worship! Don't forget the free website we are giving away via a drawing at the end of workshop!
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Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March on Washington
and to the Polls with Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Saturday, June 18 - Buses leaving from Delaware
Buses will leave from Delaware at 6:45am (and return/leave at 3:45pm) to arrive in time for a 9am gathering and 10am start from 3rd and Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. Secure Bus Seats at: rally.co/ppc Follow the prompts and you should have a bus seat in a few minutes. Precise bus drop-off locations for each State are not yet determined. Buses will drop off at either Union Station or RFK Stadium. Plan on a good hike or bring money/credit card for use of the Metro.
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Huge Outdoor Craft and Vendor Fair
Grace Church, Wilmington
June 25, 9am-3pm
Welcome to our inaugural Craft and Vendor Fair! Dozens of crafters and vendors selling their goods-something for everyone! Food trucks will be on site for breakfast and lunch!
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Space Available on Choral Pilgrimage to England
July 19-August 1
Come join the Christ Church Christiana Hundred choral pilgrimage to England this summer! We have room for a few more pilgrims. The pilgrims stay in Norwich, visiting Ely, Walsingham, and an outing on the Broads, then move to London with day trips in the vicinity and evenings in town, starting with Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral where the Christ Church Choir will be in residence. You can find more information and cost here
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Are You Called to Walk Where Jesus Walked?
June 18-28, 2023
Consider joining Christ Church Christiana Hundred parishioners and friends on a trip to the Holy Land. St. George’s Anglican College in Jerusalem is offering a “Footsteps of Jesus, Level II” course in summer 2023. It is not a tour of the Holy Land but a pilgrimage: a time for worship, guided meditation, reflection, and silence at key sites in the life of Christ. Our pilgrimage will be June 18-28, 2023, and reservations are being accepted now at the link below. (Please register through Christ Church directly and not through St. George’s.) The total trip cost is estimated to be $4,500 to $5,000 (round-trip transportation to Newark airport, coach airfare estimated to be $1,400, round-trip transportation to St. George’s College and Tel Aviv airport, and $2,600 for St. George’s tuition, room, and board). Scholarship opportunities may be available through St. George’s College. Reserve your spot below with a $500 deposit per person. More information
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80th General Convention News |
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The Episcopal Church in Delaware was well represented at the
Deputies of Color Caucus Pre-General Convention meeting in Baltimore.
Attending were the Rev. Deacon Cecily Sawyer Harmon, Teri Quinn Gray, and D-L Casson
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Changes have been announced to the 80th General Convention
- The dates of the 80th General Convention will be July 8-11. Travel days for all but those coming from the greatest distances will be July 7 and 12. Registration will be available on July 7.
- The only attendees at the convention will be bishops, deputies, essential staff and volunteers, and a limited media presence. There will be no exhibit hall. Visitors will be accommodated only in extraordinary circumstances, such as companions for people with disabilities.
- We will ask each diocese to consider sending just one clergy alternate deputy and one lay alternate deputy, and to consider asking inactive bishops and other alternate deputies to stay home.
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We will ask all church-affiliated organizations to refrain from holding events and receptions in Baltimore during July 8-11. Read full statement here
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Churchwide Leadership, Saturday, May 21, 10am - open hearing. Resolutions to be discussed: https://www.vbinder.net/legislative_meetings/75
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Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, & Safeguarding, Saturday, May 21, 2pm - open hearing. Resolutions to be discussed: https://www.vbinder.net/legislative_meetings/35
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Joint Rules of Order, Saturday, May 21, 4pm - open hearing. Resolutions to be discussed: https://www.vbinder.net/legislative_meetings/377
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News from the Episcopal Church |
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"My heart is heavy with the news that a white supremacist gunman took the lives of ten children of God in Buffalo on Saturday. I grew up walking distance from the scene of this hateful crime, and my friends and I used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood. Buffalo’s Black community raised and formed me. I grieve with the city and people I love. The loss of any human life is tragic, but there was deep racial hatred driving this shooting, and we have got to turn from the deadly path our nation has walked for much too long. Bigotry-based violence — any bigotry at all — against our siblings who are people of color, Jewish, Sikh, Asian, trans, or any other group, is fundamentally wrong. As baptized followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we are called to uphold and protect the dignity of every human child of God, and to actively uproot the white supremacy and racism deep in the heart of our shared life. Please join me in prayer for the shattered families in Buffalo. Please also join me in expressing profound gratitude for the intervention by Buffalo police that likely saved many other lives. Even amid tragedy, even when manifestations of evil threaten to overwhelm, let us hold fast to the good. It is the only way that leads to life."
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May Evangelism Newsletter
This month we continue exploring our Episcopal Evangelism challenge for 2022: Creating authentic communities of friends within our churches to live out our baptismal promises and the church's mission – to restore and be restored in unity with God and each other, in Christ. Our guest Evangelism Catalyst this month is Cara Meredith, who reminds us to “encourage one another, dang it!” More information
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Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC, online option is also available
For those seeking practical tools and a support network for ministry within the Latino/Hispanic community, registration is now open for Nuevo Amanecer 2022. This gathering is the largest annual conference sponsored by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries. New this year is a Christian formation component for children and youth, designed to help families to attend the conference together.
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