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Bishop's
Notebook
21 December, St. Thomas
I
always thought that this Saint's Day, coming as it does in the homestretch
of Advent, was a dose of reality that would please Thomas and maybe
even vindicate his skepticism. About now the "Christmas Spirit"
is either keeping you in sugar plums or more than you can bear.
Year-by-year
the Christmas moments that seem to last are the ones you don't plan
on and the kind of impromptu crises Thomas would understand. Last
night my wife and I created a Yuletide memory when, upon the discovery
of a lost Christmas tree stand, we had to fashion a replacement
with rocks and a pail! During the two trips we made to Long Island
Sound for stones, huffing and puffing, we laughed out loud with,
"Whose idea was this anyway?" The tree is now upright and smells
faintly of seaweed. Putting one up each year will never be the same.
Thomas
contributes to a Christian's life through such practical openings.
It is Thomas who exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28) after
he intemperately asks to touch Jesus' wounds. His incredulity brings
faith. At another time he asks for travel directions to heaven.
(Jn 14:5) This Saint is the exemplar in the production of contrary
circumstances leading to salvation, a theme always waiting to be
revealed.
And
so it is with the Nativity, "...because there was no room for them
in the inn" (Luke 2:7b). This is an innocent phrase, but it directs
the Holy Family to more suitable housing for a King of all, and
for all time. Royal treatments of the day would never have been
adequate and the rudeness of a stable was in keeping with the integrity
of a future, rough hewn cross.
Awkward
and deeply human moments bring us to know this Babe and the fullness
of His salvation. We are blessed by Saint Thomas who commends these
thoughts on the way to the manger.
On
Christmas Eve I travel to McGuire AFB, New Jersey to be with CH
Don Bretz and his family. Be assured of our prayers for you from
that altar. +gep
Bishop's
Notebook
15 December
I
write this on my way to Norfolk, Virginia where I plan to visit
Navy Chaplains Michael Pumphrey and Keith Adams on Thursday and
where, at nearby Langley AFB, I join Navy Chaplain Jay Magness at
the retirement ceremony for Air Force Chaplain Bob Gilman.
I
should share more of the stories from those recently retired. By
their tale retirement is the best kept secret of life. CH Lou Scales
has never been busier and reports that with the exit of his rector
that new and ever changing requirements come with each day. As you
may recall his wife Linda is a deacon and employed by the same parish.
That's a busy household. CH Bill Wight anticipates his new life
this spring, and after the Army, with relish.
Obviously
ending a military, healthcare, or corrections career can be influenced
by other factors. Some thoughts about last days are associated with,
as one person put it, "going down the drain." This may be due to
the set aside feeling which comes when promotion does not come when
expected; or, a frustration with the military as priorities change.
I am very concerned about this condition so part of the agenda for
our senior chaplain's conference in January will discuss longevity
of service.
CH
Gerry Blackburn was up at the Church Center for a few days with
his wife Marilyn this week. He got a chance to get acquainted with
our office setting, and Brook and I took them to dinner. He also
arranged a conference call with some participants in January's meeting.
Besides recruitment, the Lutherans, assignments, and how my office
can best support you, the subject of sustainment came up.
Lou Scales says of his days in the Army, "They were special and
wonderful, but I was ready for something else." If you know Lou
he is the perpetual optimist and he did retire as an O-6! But there
is something else at work here. He viewed his life as having set
stages and that part the life task of the latest one--his final
assignment in military-was to set up the next stage. This is why
I have been counseling persons who have had a parish call suddenly
fall into their laps to slow down, be patient, and wait.
That
is certainly good Advent advice.
Perhaps
we should be more practiced in the art of re-framing our lives when
goals and timelines change. Though we can be distracted by other
urgencies we have been called to develop the habit of measuring
things from God's perspective. +gep
Bishop's
Notebook
8 December
This week I attended the National Conference on Ministry for the
Armed Forces (NCMAF) and the Endorsers Conference for Veteran's
Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC) in Washington, DC. Both of these organizations
are unique for the implicit declaration, "Let's get organized!",
to all denominations so that military persons and veterans might
benefit from the support of faithful people in America.
There
is no comparable body that I can think of. Think of respiration.
The "body" (chaplaincy in the Military or the V.A.) can only remain
viable with the "oxygen" brought in from a completely different
place (this gathering of faith groups). This example runs to the
extreme, but the idea of a chaplaincy springs from there, often
we can forget that. This unique effort is not a surprising development
in democracy and we pray that the current drama of our ongoing election
will have the same ingredient. In the longer measure of things we
count on the voluntary character of our citizens to choose what
is right and to make this Republic work.
Appropriately,
as you can imagine, plenary worship for a group observing Ramadan,
Kwanza, Christmas, and Chanukah is a delicate exercise. Despite
the hyper-ecumenical atmosphere, I heard the word "Advent" used
often. I thought that was curious considering it is so absent in
secular society. The prior weekend my family and I ate on post where
in a display Santa seemed to be delivering presents to the Holy
Family.
As
members of a liturgical church, our chaplains have a unique opportunity
during these weeks to bring a new focus to chapel communities. Oh,
how much we need a Savior! It is hard to hold the line on Christmas
fare in worship and fellowship but we should try.
VA
Chaplain John Richardson told this story yesterday. Apparently his
father was fishing and "caught" a coke can. Before disposing of
it he felt motion and vibration; there was a fish inside! Apparently,
it had entered through the pop-top, found safe haven, but now had
grown too big for an exit. The moral of this tall tale is filled
with Advent insight. Often in our efforts to find security we close
ourselves off until that dark, little corner restricts development,
or worse. The idea of Christ opens us to limitless possibilities
which can be frightening as well as liberating. If you notice there
is nothing delicate about Advent messages. "Come, Lord Jesus!"
So
this Season can prepare us, widening our perspective for the illumination
of Him in whom all things are possible. +gep
Bishop's
Notebook
1 December
This
week has been full of attending conferences and preparing for more.
On Tuesday, members of the entire 815 staff dedicated themselves
to a full day of discussing racism and other things that divide
community. Often when I have to commit to mandatory exercises I
grit my teeth, but this was a good learning experience, even enjoyable.
The reason was the earnest sharing in small and not-so-small groups
by individuals who had felt connected or not. It was a struggle,
however, and continues to be.
The
two hundred persons of our national headquarters by the end of the
day had an agreement, yet they returned home to watch television
and marvel at the lack of one in our presidential contest. The elusive
election has been the backdrop this week for everybody, I guess.
CH
David Henritzy completed his PowerPoint presentation on the evolving
story of the COMISS (Coalition on Ministry in Specialized Settings)
Network, which he gives in Washington, DC this Sunday. Acronymically
speaking, this meeting will be a wonderland of hard-to-pronounce
healthcare agencies. But that's the state of things and we are grateful
that back in 1979 someone had the foresight to gather a small group
so that it could swell in camaraderie for this millennial occasion.
This is how it must be for the next century.
There
has to be a new conceptual understanding of healthcare. When someone
gets sick and they are part of a worshipping community, that location
and people will be practiced in the integration of healing and spirit.
It will not be odd to speak of them together. The priest will consult
with someone like a parish nurse who is practiced in calling on
community members. At last there will be a companion in all the
practicalities between receiving that alarming lab report and going
for help. Now the hospital chaplain's greeting of a new patient
will have an informed context and history from the person's "well"
life. An isolated, sick period in one's days will be a thing of
the past.
Next
week I join David and CH Jackie Means in Washington for the annual
national conferences of endorsing agencies with the Bureau of Prisons,
the Veteran's Administration, and of course, the Armed Forces. A
lot of meetings, but much more interesting than Florida. +gep
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