The Office of Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies,
The Episcopal Church
Office News and Upcoming Events
By Terry Foster
Nov 20, 2009, 09:54
Bishop Packard made a follow-up pastoral visit to Ft. Hood, TX and was a main speaker at the Diocese of Texas’ Convention. Bishop Packard presided and preached at the Pentagon Episcopal Community’s Ash Wednesday service.
Anne LeVeque and Chaplain Sarah Shirley represented the Federal Ministries office with a table at the Diocese of Washington’s Convention.
Gerald Blackburn represented the Federal Ministries office at the Diocese of Eastern Carolina’s Convention.
A Great Salute
We Can All Use on Veteran's Day and Beyond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo
Bp. Packard preached at the Evensong service honoring members of the Armed Services, veterans, and their families at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas on Sunday, November 15. While there he visited Chaplain Beth Echols and Chaplain Carl Andrews. He then traveled to Ft. Hood to meet with our chaplains and their families and members of St. Christopher’s Church, Killeen.
Babs Meairs participated in conference calls with the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces subcommittee on issues related to rescinding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" and with the Board of the Episcopal Women's Caucus, of which she is a new member. She also met with several persons interested in the Episcopal Church's stance on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to learn more about how we can work with the Forum for Chaplains, an inter-faith group.
Babs Meairs gave the address/homily for the Military Evensong, St Paul's Cathedral, San Diego following Bp. Packard last year and referenced- the Fort Hood story and our chaplains there, also asking for prayers for all affected by the tragedy.
There will be an office dedication-liturgy on Sunday, November 22nd at 3:30 p.m. for the Washington Office. Chaplains and their families, members of the Pentagon Episcopal Community and neighbors have been invited to participate.
Posted October 20th
Ft. Hood Response: Bp. Packard spoke to Chaplain Dave Scheider, one of seven of our chaplains at Ft. Hood, on his way to work this morning at the Family Life Center. He also spoke with Chaplain Ira Houck who was at the site ministering to the wounded late into the night. We sent Bp. Packard’s blog to our federal family and to Neva Rae Fox and ENS to assist in their coverage. We are asking for prayers for the victims and their families, and also our chaplains: Jorge Budez (now deployed), George Holston, Ira Houck, Dave Scheider, Ted Valcourt, Christine Waweru and David Waweru and their families. And for our ongoing faith community at Fort Hood, St. Christopher's Church in Killeen, Texas led by Fr. Paul Moore. You can read the blog in its entirety here: http://bishopsnotebook.blogspot.com.
Bp. Packard, Fr. Gerry Blackburn and the Rev. Darrell Morton (ELCA) had a conference call with Anne Rudig's team and plan to distribute Lutheran Federal Chaplaincies DVD "Care for Returning Veterans" to all parishes with a special note to bishops.
Bp. Packard has endorsed the Rev. Elaine Silverstrim, a new member of the Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) board of directors as the Episcopal Church representative. PVS is a volunteer visitation program to Federal and Military prisoners in the U.S.
Chaplain Bill Cantrell has been promoted to Commander in the US Navy. He serves at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California.
Babs Meairs is representing Bp. Packard at the Association of Religious Bodies Endorsers Network annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee this week. AREB consists primarily of those working with civilian/institutional chaplains and pastoral counselors.
Bp. Packard’s Pastoral Care Week letter elicited responses from 6 dioceses (Georgia, Mississippi, Northern Indiana, Olympia, Southern Ohio and Springfield) with information on their diocesan chaplains for our database.
We have been working with the Rev. Douglas Fenton (Young Adults) to distribute to our military and Veterans Affairs chaplains copies of the Advent Meditation Guide written for students and all young adults especially those in the U.S. military.
Bp. Packard wrote to our chaplains of the news of the bombing of St. George's Church in Baghdad asking them to consider a contribution to this “beloved place which figures so prominently in our recent history of deployments”. He also noted, “I know you join me in prayer for Andrew and this dear community which sustains not only the Iraqi people but also us, a tribe of wandering Episcopalians, in SW Asia”
Posted October 28
News of the Bombing of St. George's Church in Baghdad From Bishop George Packard: I rush this news to you of the bombing of St. George's in Baghdad. Please read Canon White's recap of events (www.frrme.org) and consider a contribution to this beloved place which figures so prominently in our recent history of deployments. Here are photos of the bomb damage to St. George’s (right) and we'>http://www.episcochap.org/Canon_Andrew_White_Mission.htm">we will update as more news becomes available. I know you join me in prayer for Andrew and this dear community which sustains not only the Iraqi people but also us, a tribe of wandering Episcopalians, in SW Asia.
We welcome Anne LeVeque as the Special Assistant to our Washington, DC office! Anne will work part time in 2009 and then fulltime in 2010. Anne is an Episcopalian and has the varied background of having worked for the Library of Congress and the Catholic Bishops Conference. She is married, has three children, and lives in Takoma Park, Maryland. Please consult our website in November for her picture and a biography.
Continue to spend time clarifying the military's strategy on next steps with our congregations once an Episcopal chaplain has been reassigned. Open discussions underway with Fort Leavenworth, Fort Meade, and Marine Depot in San Diego.
A benefit of being in DC is a closer working relationship with the ELCA. A joint distribution of an ELCA funded DVD on "Ministry to the Returning Veteran" is underway. Church Center communications staff are evaluating how we might convey this to congregations in TEC.
A follow-up conference call with Episcopal Peace Fellowship leaders will take place this week. A close effort between our offices began at General Convention on jointly sponsored resolutions and continues.
A concerted effort to distribute the book "While They're Away" a family support text for the deployed is ongoing.
Election News: Nominations closed on October 16th and the Nomination Committee now begins the screening and interviews of potential nominees.
Babs Meairs is on the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces committee (NCMAF) which is reviewing the issues of rescinding the “Don't Ask Don't Tell” legislation.
Bp. Packard will preach at the Evensong service honoring members of the Armed Services, veterans, and their families at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas on Sunday, November 15. While in Texas he will visit Chaplain Beth Echols and Chaplain Carl Andrews.
Babs Meairs will be representing Bp. Packard at the Association of Religious Bodies Endorsers Network annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee November 5th - 9th. AREB consists primarily of those working with civilian/institutional chaplains and pastoral counselors.
Posted October 6th 2009
Election News: The Nomination Committee had their first meeting by conference call on September 30th.
Navy Chaplain Steve Pike has asked Bishop Packard to pin on his Captain's rank in early February. Steve is now studying at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Bishop Packard met with the Lutheran endorser for Federal Chaplaincies, The Rev. Darell Morton, and his Administrative Assistant, Ms. Terry Fulton Viscardo, over lunch in Washington to strategize how we could support each other's chaplains. Afterwards, the Bishop had a tour of their offices on Connecticut Avenue.
Our new DC office continues to come on line. A part time secretary for 2009 was interviewed and special furniture was obtained for that position for our suite at 110 Maryland Avenue. A new and larger mailbox has now been assigned to us and while on the subject...we are short on coffee mugs and will be putting out a call for chaplains to send us one from their current duty station!
Bishop Packard attended his 35th reunion at Virginia Seminary and greeted Chaplains Mike Pumphrey and Ted Edwards while there.
We note the retirement of Army Chaplain (COL) Bob Eldridge and his wife Lee from his Deputy Commandant's position at the Chaplain's School, Fort Jackson. In retirement Bob will be associated with the Lutheran seminary there which is starting a 3 credit course on military chaplaincy as well as serving as an associate at local Episcopal Church.
Election News: Nominations are being received by the election consultant Fr. Conrad Selnick. The process closes on October 16th. The first meeting (by conference call) of the Nomination Committee will be September 30th.
We are interviewing secretaries for the DC office and have hopes of having her/him in place soon.
Field Coordinator Babs Meairs is participating in the Diocese of San Diego’s “Operation Showers of Appreciation” which provides layettes for military families where the pregnant mother is either on active duty or married to someone on active duty.
Bishop Packard presented a chaplain's cap to newly consecrated Bishop of Long Island, Larry Provenzano after his ordination on September 19th (and in front of a fire truck). Then Chaplain Provenzano has a well-known firefighter background and much appreciated from 9/11 days.
January 2010 Conference: Planning has begun for this combined farewell to the departing bishop and annual training conference. “Where We've Been, Next Steps” will be a 31/2 day event held in Washington, D.C. and will include persons who have highlighted the last ten years.
Washington Office: The furniture has been delivered and the unpacking has begun. Bp. Packard and Gerry Blackburn consulted further with Rick Lamb about the telephone/data portal equipment to be installed.
Election News: “Search for the Sixth”, the narrative profile composed by the Discernment Committee that met in Anaheim, has been posted on the election website along with the Nomination forms. Planning for the first meeting (by conference call) in late September of the Nomination Committee has begun.
September 11th Leonidas Polk Memorial, Louisiana -- Prayers are out going to the families of the Victims of the 9/11 Tragedy, our soldiers, friends at the Pentagon, Twin Towers, and the airplane passengers.
"Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Prayer Book for THE ARMED SERVICES.
--Joe McKee
[Episcopal News Service] The Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries is relocating to Washington, D.C. from the Episcopal Church Center in New York.
Federal Ministries operates chaplaincies in three areas: military, veterans' administration and federal prisons.
"D.C. is the crossroads of the federal world; [the move] puts us in a much better position to address issues that come up in those three worlds, as well as see our chaplains more often. Most of them get stationed in the D.C. area periodically, or attend meetings there," said the Rev. Gerald J. Blackburn, director for federal chaplaincies and executive officer to the bishop suffragan.
The move to the Federal Ministries' office is more than two years in the making, Blackburn added.
Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies George E. Packard travelled to Washington, D.C., August 6 to coordinate the move to the United Methodist Center on Capital Hill, the same building from which the Office of Government Relations operates, Blackburn said.
In an email to staff, Packard said: "I have always wanted to relocate the office because of the easier access to the federal populations we serve, and frankly, it saves money since our people are either assigned or visit here regularly. Also, most other denominational headquarters for federal work are sited nearby."
In May, Packard, the fifth suffragan bishop for chaplaincies, announced he would retire May 31, 2010. Blackburn also plans to retire in 2010, he said.
The office is scheduled to officially open in September. Terry Foster, office coordinator, and Meghan Ritchie, communications specialist, will continue to work in the church center, supporting other ministries.
-- Lynette Wilson is staff writer, Episcopal Life Media.
We look forward to posting entries to our Office News and Events after General Convention. Meanwhile, you can read Bp. Packard's blog -- "The Bishop's Notebook" as he posts from Anaheim. You can follow all the action at GC through the mediahub at this link: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/gchub
Posted July 22, 2009
Bishop Packard is working to support three Convention resolutions on the wars in SW Asia as well as respond to the Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s initiative on preemptive strikes. We are hopeful about a novel amendment we propose to allow military personnel to elect which war to fight in rather declaring conscientious objection.
Babs Meairs met with Jason Sierra and Mike Schut at the Seattle Regional Office and discussed common concerns: recruitment of chaplains among young adults, ministry to military families, and involvement with current healthcare resolutions.
Bishop Packard is teenager sitting for daughter Clara while Brook is the musical coordinator at the Lifelong Christian Formation conference at Kanuga.
Another conference call was held to support a military congregation after a chaplain has left. This time it was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Participants in the call, Bishop P., Fr. Gerry, supply priest, reps from the congregation, and the offpost congregation linking itself in mission with this eucharistic community.
Fr. Gerry Blackburn finalized the DC office search and signing of the rental contract in order to relocate later this summer to the United Methodist Center building on Capitol Hill – the same building which houses TEC’s Office of Gov’t Relations.
Election News: The Special Committee of Bishops will meet with the Discernment Committee on 07 July during their two-day conference in Anaheim.
Posted May 28, 2009
Transfer of Guam files and records underway to Bp. Fitzpatrick and the Diocese of Hawaii.
Election News: Meeting with Conrad Selnick, Bp. Matthews and Terry Foster finalizing survey to be posted, updated election process timeline and began work on the narrative profile.
Bob Certain wants everyone to know that Care For the Troops, Inc. has officially launched their web site. http://www.careforthetroops.org
En route back to NY from his 12-week sabbatical, Gerry made a visit to our Ft. Knox, KY chapel community.
We rejoice that a senior Navy chaplain, Steve Pike, will be promoted to Captain! Steve called us from Baghdad with this wonderful news.
Setup of Washington, DC office progressed with rental possibility being evaluated. Hoping for July start date.
Evaluating support of Lambeth friend Bishop Bernard Oringo, Torit, Sudan with Buck Blanchard of Diocese of Virginia. This Sudanese bishop has a large military population in his diocese.
HOB Theology Committee has invited us to update their report on Just War in the Blue Book.
Posted May 1, 2009
Babs Meairs attended the joint Military Chaplains Association National Institute and the VA Chaplain Leadership Convocation in Fort Worth/Dallas 21-24 April. She serves as Treasurer for the National Association of VA Chaplains which also met at that location. (See pictures at right)
Chaplain David Thames received the MCA Navy Chaplain of the Year Award; Chaplain Mike Pollitt, new Deputy Director at the VA National Chaplain Center, was installed as Trustee for the MCA.
This Executive Council passed support resolution for Episcopalians and Lutherans in the military.
Developed program support for military congregations with Bishop Whalon in Heidelberg (Germany), Sigonella and Vicenza (Italy).
Initiated process to have the Rev. Margaret Rose (Director, Mission Leadership Center) replace Bishop Packard as the TEC signatory for diocesan chaplain training certification.
Gerry Blackburn returns from his sabbatical 05 May and will be in NYC through 22 May.
Election news: The consultant to the committee, the Rev. Conrad Selnick, will be meeting at 815 on 06 May with Bp. Clay Matthews and Terry Foster to finalize the on-line survey.
Bp. Packard will be conducting a burial at Arlington National Cemetery for Chaplain Norman Forde on 05 May. During that trip he will be looking for rent free office space in DC churches. He will be in Williamsport, PA on 23 May for the Veterans Memorial Day Service in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
In support of the continuing Diocese of Fort Worth, Babs presided and preached at the Sunday Eucharist 19 April for the Episcopalians of Parker County, a congregation consisting mainly of members from three parishes who are meeting at a school. In attendance were retired Bishop Sam Hulsey and his wife and Katie Sherrod, communications officer for the reorganized diocese. Read more here: (http://www.episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsindiocese/womeninministry.htm).
Posted April 20, 2009
Bishop Packard has returned from Europe, where he confirmed members of the Episcopal Community at Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel, Sicily on Maundy Thursday. There are 7 Episcopal military families at Sigonella but currently no Episcopal chaplain.There is a growing concern for "Homeless Episcopalians" in the military and an adequate way to give them pastoral support. For more please see Bp. Packard’s blog: http://bishopsnotebook.blogspot.com/2009/04/homeless-episcopalians.html
Election news: Planning continues for the pre-General Convention conference of about 25 people representing all the categories in the federal episcopacy, which will be held near Anaheim to select 12 persons for the nominating committee to work with the bishops.
Invitations have been sent and the letter and categories which represent this discernment group have been posted on the election website. (http://www.episcochap.org/bishopelection/discernment_group.html).
The consultant to the committee, the Rev. Conrad Selnick, will be meeting at 815 in the next few weeks with Bp. Clay Matthews and Terry Foster to finalize the on-line survey for those in the episcopacy whose responses will help the committee develop the job profile for the new bishop.
Bishop Packard has completed a new coordination with a newly formed not-for-profit organization called, "Care for the Troops." Started through the auspices of the Diocese of Georgia this educational program is directed to churches, civic organizations and communities so that they can better understand military culture.
The HOB Theology Committee Report, "Some Observations on Just War" uniquely fails to respond to the needs of the women and men in the military. It addresses premises that are dated and do not occur in today's battle environment, further, the Report's missed opportunity to comment with moral authority on subjects that do have an impact like the use of torture contributes to the vulnerability of American service members should they be captured. This Office plans a spirited rebuttal of this unfortunate study.
Babs Meairs will be in Fort Worth for the VA Chaplains Leadership and Military Chaplains Association Joint Conference, 22-24 April. The Military Chaplains Association will be awarding Navy Chaplain of the Year honors to Chaplain David Thames. Chaplain Robert Certain, known to many as a POW from the Vietnam War and the presiding chaplain for President Gerald Ford's funeral services will be the featured speaker. Babs will meet with our VA and military chaplains in attendance, including Chaplain Michael Pollitt who was recently selected as Deputy Director of the VA National Chaplain Center.
Gerry Blackburn will return from sabbatical 05 May.
Bp. Packard will be conducting a burial at Arlington National Cemetery for Chaplain Norman Forde on 05 May.
During that trip he will be looking for office space in DC churches.
He will be in Williamsport, PA on 23 May for the Veterans Memorial Day Service in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
Posted 27 March 2009
•Election news: The committee of bishops to elect the next Suffragan Bishop met during the HOB meeting at Kanuga. They approved a calendar/timeline for the election process and set up draft protocols. These materials are available on the election website: http://www.episcochap.org/bishopelection/index.html.
A consultant has been engaged, the Rev. Conrad Selnick, who will work with the staff to develop an on-line survey to be posted on the website and available to those in the episcopacy whose responses will help the committee develop the job profile for the new bishop.
A pre-General Convention conference of about 25 people representing all the categories in the federal episcopacy will be held near Anaheim to select 12 persons for the nominating committee to work with the bishops.
•The Rev. Babs Meairs met with the Executive Committee of the National Committee for Ministry to the Armed Forces, where she began her new position as Treasurer.
This group of endorsers expressed concern about changes in the Army's chaplaincy requirements that may affect the professional standards heretofore maintained. Also plans were begun for the next annual meeting.
Babs then participated with our senior Episcopal Army chaplains in their annual Leadership Training, including hosting a dinner for them and their families and presiding and preaching at a morning Eucharist. They were joined by two members of the Diocese of Albany who were promoting programs for military members and their families.
Babs then made a site visit to Navy Chaplain Tony Bezy at his new location with the Coast Guard in Charleston, SC. His Executive Officer gave a brief tour and history of the CG on the southern East Coast. The importance of chaplain support was emphasized throughout Babs's visits.
•While at the HOB Bishop Packard visited a chaplain's son in Franklin, NC. He is working at a Civil Conservation Corps Work Camp. He also visited Naval Reserve Chaplain Paula Morton in nearby Saluda, NC. Paula anticipates a second deployment in three years. This time with the Marines to Iraq. She leaves in May.
•Bishop Packard will be traveling overseas during Easter where he will confirm members of the Episcopal community on Maundy Thursday with uncertain plans about continuing on to Iraq with Fr. Gerry Blackburn. Problems have developed in securing visas from the Iraqi government and a rendezvous location for the escort from Jordan.
•Babs Meairs will be in Fort Worth for the VA Chaplains Leadership Conference, 22-24 April. Chaplain Robert Certain (Diocese of San Diego), known to many as a POW from the Vietnam War and the presiding chaplain for President Gerald Ford's funeral services will be the featured speaker.
Posted 13 March 2009
• Chaplain Keith Etheridge, Director announced that Chaplain Michael Pollitt has been selected as the Deputy Director of the National Chaplain Center. In his announcement he said: “Michael's leadership abilities are well know to all of us as he has served in many roles in VA Chaplaincy, including his current role as Chair of the Chaplain Field Leadership Council. Michael's gifts and abilities as a Chief from the field will complement the talented staff at the National Chaplain Center.
Please join me in congratulating Michael upon his selection and keep both he and his wife in prayer as they make plans for this important transition to Hampton.”
• Field Coordinator Babs Meairs is working with diocesan chaplains on creating a form for annual reporting to their bishops; she has been in contact with AEHC’s (Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains) Listserv manager about collecting data on this. Babs has also been coordinating with the Diocese of San Diego on requirements for military chaplains to be licensed for the exercise of ministry while stationed in the diocese.
• Babs Meairs also represented Bp. Packard at the Army Chief of Chaplains Strategic Leader Development Training in Hilton Head, S.C. 9-13 March. She met with chaplains and spouses in attendance to celebrate Holy Eucharist and then hosted a meal.
• Election news: Bishops Baxter, Matthews, and Packard had a conference call to continue planning for the HOB meeting and the full committee of bishops charged with this task. A special portion of the website has been designated as a resource for those seeking information.
• The Army Chief of Chaplains has designated a day of awareness and prayer due to an increase in suicides over last year. It will occur on Holy Wednesday, April 8th.
As Bp. Packard writes in his blog: “Brought on by a breathtaking op tempo in Iraq and Afghanistan and a variety of other factors, suicide is increasing in the ranks at an alarming rate, by 13% alone last year. It ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in country after hostile action and assorted accidents. Worse, consider the service members who contemplate taking their own lives. That percentage is judged to be even higher.”
Read more in The Boshop's Notebook at: http://bishopsnotebook.blogspot.com/