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A Word from the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services, Healthcare, and Prison Ministries+ Diary
26-31 May |
Bishop’s Diary, 19-23 June So much of this work is based on "getting on the road." In fact, I look forward to spending the weekend in Biloxi with Mickey and Sandy Bell. (As you know Mickey was facing surgery, details below.) Given that, one can get restless if another trip isn’t in the offing. Nevertheless June is reading and preparation month for our General Convention. You have to stay in New York and do it. Bishop Keyser passed on wise advice to me, "You want to have read and familiarized yourself with all the resolutions and as much information as you can. After all it (Convention) only comes every three years." But we’re not off on a desert island. The phones and fax get a workout and our e-mails still hum. I thought a sample of this week’s traffic might interest you: Received an update from CH Bill Bischoff that Mickey’s surgery was going well and an offer to facilitate +GEP arrival on Saturday to include options of scenic routes from the airport! Exchange of calls with CH Owen Mullins, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (who sends regards to CH Dave and Gaye Stricker from their duty together at West Point) on solving the problem of the Episcopal Charismatic Church making overtures to take over our congregation. Call to Jack Williamson, Executive Director of NCMAF (National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces) to coordinate a meeting between +GEP and the Episcopal Charismatic endorser. Calls anticipating +GEP visit to Milwaukee 15 July to meet with hospital chaplains Numerous calls to and from various people/organizations making arrangements for General Convention, including: hotel rooms, restaurant for dinner, exhibit booth-purchase and rental of various items registration of volunteers, travel arrangements. All fielded by Dr. David Henritzy Conference call with CH Jackie Means as she anticipates trips to North Carolina and the continuing setup of her field office. Calls on Pension coverage Call to CH Bob Neske before he runs the Alaska Marathon. Go Bob! A badly timed call to Ch Lee and Martha Dudley on the eve of their PCS from Germany to Fort Bliss. It was 11 p.m. their time. So sorry. A call to CH Jeff Seiler about a clarity of service with an Episcopal Missionary Church chaplain. Jeff and Jennie had just taken some leave time "to survey colleges with their son." Jeff is interested in scheduling a Visitation in the Fall. I told him that we expect to have the Office two-year calendar up on the web site after Convention and for him to take a look, and propose a date. A call from CH George Clifford asking for Baptismal Certificates. Susan will not be teaching for awhile. They’re looking forward to the rest. George inquired about Bill Noble’s replacement (as many more persons are doing as time goes on). I replied that we are gathering names and resumes and expect to take some action in the Fall. Though he had no confirmands, George proposed to be included in any Visitation "swing" through his area. I’d like that. An exchange of e-mails with Ch Carl Andrews thanking him for chairing Eric Mills’s Interview Committee. Later, coordinating details in his support of Convention. Thanks again, Carl. Later again inquiring where CH Bob Gilman might be. In Sarajevo! Brook Packard received call from Sandy Bell saying it had been a long day, yet Mickey’s 12-hour surgery took 11 hours and they were hopeful. Call to CH Keith Adams, just checking in and back to me, asking, "who’s praying for you?" "I will." He said. Keith inquired about CH Jeremiah Day (retired), wanting to be remembered to him. After this call I tried his father’s number with no result. Jeremiah are you out there? We continue to pray for Christopher. Call from Mark Werner thanking me for sending him the book, "Praying the Eucharist." Though retired, and active in his diocese, he considers this Episcopacy his second home. He expressed enthusiasm for a new teen event called, "Happening." This is only a sample and does not even begin to track the ever-increasing e-mail surge we greet every morning and throughout the day. By the way I have two e-mail addresses: gepackard@aol.com , and, gpackard@dfms.org. The former I use in the field, the latter here in the Office. Note the aggravating "e" in one address and not in the other. All the best.
I had been waiting for Monday so I could catch the Washington shuttle from Laguardia. Our new home in Rye allows for these quick connections, for despite the fancy address we live close to Playland Amusement Park—you can hear the roller coaster—and not that far from the Airport. We chose it, in part, so as to be convenient for chaplains to drop in, so don’t be a stranger. Don’t get me wrong we’re not in the flight path, although on one trip home I could make out where my wife had parked the car! So, at the first of the week I headed South for a conference over dinner on the subject of "Lutherans", then up to the Cathedral to escort Eric and Susan Mills to an Interview Committee, and then out to Fort Meade for lunch with our chaplains there. I have CH Jay Magness to thank for his effort (ably assisted by CH Wally Jensen) in arranging a delightful dinner with The Reverend Lloyd Lyngdal. Lloyd is responsible for "Federal Chaplaincies" in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. At the East Coast Conference I joked that August should be called, "take a Lutheran to lunch month." As you may know we anticipate passage of "An Agreement of Full Communion Called to Common Mission: Concordat of Agreement" with the Lutherans at our General Convention Meeting in July. Eager, polite, dinner conversation for these moments tend to bring out all those, "my best friend is a Lutheran" anecdotes we might have. This was not the case here and perhaps it keyed on the noticeable ease that Jay and Wally had with each other. The chat was non-stop and the evening was filled with the laughs servicepersons are known for. I thought that this is where ministry will be, at the level of two chaplains in their friendship and common heritage offering themselves in a mutual ministry. More occasions are planned. Meeting Sue and Eric Mills and hearing of their faith journey would give anyone heart. Reared in the Roman Catholic Church, then growing with the Disciples of Christ while both were in the Air Force as enlisted persons, they only came to know the Episcopal Church while members of the Syrian Orthodox Church! Later, while in seminary, they made a solid connection because "of the Sacraments and Tradition." Eric said it uniquely; "The sacraments draw you forward and keep you on course." After breakfast we went to the Cathedral Library where CH Carl and Lynne Andrews hosted a conversation with CH Gerry Blackburn and CH Gary Parker. And that’s the way it goes. Gently, but persistently we try to discern whether there is a call to one of our Chaplaincies. We’re looking for people who can thrive in these "never a dull moment" kind of environments. If you know of anyone let me know. CH Bill Wight rounded out the trip with an escorted trip to Fort Meade. First we stopped at Epiphany Chapel where the Rev. Phoebe McPherson briefed us (by now Shirley and CH Norm Forde and CH Bob LeBrun had joined the entourage) on plans to complete plans for a WWI memorial at Epiphany Chapel. Before leaving for lunch we said the Noonday Office together, thanking God for all those who went out the doors to serve in the Great War, some to return others not. Lunch was warm but had a serious edge to it. Bill Wight will retire next year and there is no replacement for the Episcopal service on the horizon. I encouraged a team approach to address the needs of the area ministry. Frankly this strategy is coming into use more and more as the supply of priests dwindles. It means we better be proficient in knowing other congregations and insuring our people inter-mingle whenever possible. Back home, more next time. +gep
On the way to Bishop-Elect Dave Bena’s Consecration in the Adirondack Mountains, I convinced CH (MAJ) Dave Scheider to have dinner with me. Dave was driving back to his duty assignment at Fort Drum from a diocesan convention in Syracuse so it seemed logical to grab some moments together. Dave eagerly told me of his experience with new friends called the "Canterbury Way." He added that it was "a modified use of the Benedictine Rule." I was curious about that since everyone from weekly Bible study groups to executive search firms are claiming the means intended to bind a monastery together under the hand of a gentle abbot. But Dave insisted, he had covenanted with colleagues for prayer, scripture and work/exercise. It drew them closer. "Bishop, the expectation used to be that we say the Daily Office every day. Is that still the policy?" I asked Dave if I could restate that here and thanked him for his frankness. "Expectation" is not the word I would use. The Daily Office is a way we are together. When I worked for Bishop Dick Grein I admired his steadfast routine of reading the Office every morning. He used to save the second reading for the evening Office, shortening the first and connecting the two. Some of us feel overwhelmed with just getting around to opening the book! Dr. Peter Greider advises using the little willpower we all have to create situations to get results. When on a field operation, sometimes your equipment must be re-arranged for comfort and functional use, so too with the Office. For example, rather than fumble for Canticles that "seem" to fit the readings, add from those included in "Enriching Our Worship". There, you will find texts from Julian of Norwich and Anselm of Canterbury. There are other things you can do with a careful reading of the rubrics. Although Bishop Grein used to say that the Office was not meant for corporate worship, if you haven’t gotten around to saying your prayers, it feels like you are detached and isolated like the birds in today’s Psalm. (Ps 102: 6,7) Joining with others thereby is a good idea. The Office is the lens we put on every day. It affects how we see things, the ordering of priorities and the sense of the Spirit. Like Dave’s Canterbury Way, it just draws us closer. My wife is a creative genius with our six-year old daughter Clara. Brook prompts Clara to ask herself during bedtime prayers to think of the past day's activities to see the "hoorays, the oops!, and the thank you's". It’s all about being drawn closer and acting on it. +gep
Bishop's
Diary Nearly simultaneous to the Visitation of Mary (Wednesday), Bob DuBrul our organizational consultant arrived for his periodic commentary on how we are doing on some stated goals. The symbolism of Mary's first news of Jesus in her womb to the very Ascension itself on Thursday is writ large here. In one week we have bracketed the earthly story of Jesus of Nazareth, the Resurrected Christ. Somehow on the greater scale there seemed to be a context for our lesser attempts to organize and tell His story. After the goals of getting the data base in place, balancing ministries (Armed Services, Healthcare, and, now, Prison Ministries), finding ways to speed up endorsements, etc., we are really here to find and support people to tell this Story to people "in surprising places." Who would have thought a conversation about Jesus Christ could take place in the scrub room of a surgical suite, or at an ammunition point, or after the count on a cellblock? You know that it does, and, more to the point of this span of days it is an interactive Story. Not only do we tell it, but also we are told. Bud Welch, father of Julie, a victim of the Oklahoma City Bombing, alluded to this in his riveting address at our recent National Prison Conference. He said, "If Jesus were to come back this minute I believe you would find him out at a prison or in that out of the way place." That kind of statement from a man who knows some of the deepest sacrifice is clarifying and fortifying for the kind of work we do. Christ is powerfully in the unique people we serve. We should also recognize the subtle warning, for no one owns Christ. In turn, it speaks to the purpose of the Ascension. Jesus' departure prepares us for the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost when the occasion for Christ's presence in each of us is present, pressing, and possible. We began this week worrying about Mickey yet trusting that his story is wrapped in the care of Jesus, confident in the many days of service yet to be. We end the week hopeful about the new life ahead for CH (COL-USA) Lou and Linda Scales (He retires after venerable service and begins ministry in Augusta.) and for our old friend Dave Bena (formerly of the OBAF office) who becomes the Suffragan Bishop of Albany. So many things begun, so much continues, all in the embrace of Our Lord and His sending of the Spirit. We thank you, Lord. -gep
Memorial
Day weekend changed for me when Tony Firak’s name went
up on “The Wall” at the Vietnam Memorial in
Washington, DC. He was a machine gunner in my platoon
from Milwaukee and forever had trouble pulling an
immediate corrective action on his M-60. This one time,
angry, he sat up in a firefight urging his weapon not to
jam and caught it in the chest There
are so many things I could say about Tony. When I first
met him he seemed too eager to please, but later I
realized it was his nature to fit in by helping. We all
know people like that; it was just his way. I remember
him and that he never got a chance to grow old with me.
I remember that one minute he was there and then he
wasn’t. Unfairness
seems like such a pale thing to say about his premature
end. It is deeper than that. We fumble for words to say
that life is so expressive and mysterious about what its
next moment will be yet death seems to end that. You
were once in a full, animated relationship with someone
and now there is dead air. Their being has ended. Like
all the ongoing stuff of life, Memorial Day Weekend
seems to flaunt the unfolding moments of spring with the
expectancies for summer…how appropriate. It is
appropriate, if we pause and remember those who have
preceded us. I’m not sure a parade framed in rah-rah
patriotism is sufficient. Certainly the culture and the
VFW have a right to recall fallen heroes. But it is the
faith community, which has an interior responsibility to
remember not only the names but also the lives of
those who served. It is our calling that we linger in
the moment, knowing what despair there was in a life
stopped and in what a hope there is in seeing them
again. I think of death now, as St. Paul says, not as a separation but as a plan to move through, guided by the love of Jesus. I have expectant hope to see Tony again, grinning, offering me a beer. Memorial Day changes a lot with that perspective. +gep |
