Holiday Message from Chaplain David Lile
UMEA
The holidays are upon us here. Even though the surrounding scenery is not one of hustle and bustle of malls and ornate displays of lights and festive colors, we are reminded daily of our national and religious rituals of celebration and time with loved ones.
Army chaplain in Iraq prays without ceasing
UMNS
Thanksgiving traditions - turkeys and football - will go on in foreign lands. More than 700 soldiers from every state have recorded video "shout outs" to family and friends they will be missing this year. United Methodist Army Chaplain John Fimple shared his video greeting with a young man in his unit who has no family.
The World Is Her Parish
Elaine Jenkins
Lt. Col. Paula M. Payne believes that like Queen Esther, she too, has been called for “such a time as this.” She is the Senior Chaplain with the 253rd Combat Communications Group at Otis Air National Guard Base, Cape Cod, Mass. She is responsible for the design and implementation of the unit’s chaplaincy program and for its more than 800 personnel. She also coordinates with Army and Air National Guard chaplains for counseling requests and family visits.
Video Clip of UM Navy Chaplain – John Miyahara
UMEA
 Imagine a ministry of many faiths. Serving men and women facing diverse challenges. Officiating in settings ranging from ships to encampments, from small chapels to sweeping congregations. This is the ministry of Lieutenant John Miyahara, a Navy Chaplain currently serving at Arlington National Cemetery and endorsed by The United Methodist Endorsing Agency.. Watch his story.
Honorable ideas for supporting military families
Vicki Brown
When the Rev. LeNoir Culbertson became pastor of Madison Street United Methodist Church, near Fort Campbell, Ky., she thought churches probably needed special programs for military families.
Sky Pilot Presentation
UMEA
Sky Pilot, music by Eric Burdon and production by Kenneth Anderson, gives one the opportunity to reflect about chaplains on the job - past and present. Your comments are welcome at the YouTube page. If you are interested in a copy of the full PowerPoint presentation, please contact umea@gbhem.org.
Supporting Military Families & How To Speak Military
UMEA
These two resources, Supporting Military Families and How To Speak Military, were prepared by Chaplain Laura Bender as a starting point for those individuals and congregations looking to support American troops and their families. They are available as PDFs and may be circulated freely.
 Supporting Military Families (232 KB)
How to Speak Military (159 KB)
United Methodist Church’s military support fosters congregational vitality
Rev. Mike Shockley
Not all congregations embrace the idea of their pastor serving as a reserve military chaplain. It requires so much time away. The tension between commitments can be sharp, sacrificially demanding on all, and the consequences troubling. Pastors, their families, and congregations pay a price for their respective relationship to this extension ministry.
United Methodist Pastors & Armed Forces Reserve/Guard Programs Q&A
UMEA
Participation in National Guard or military reserves allows clergy people a significant way to extend their ministry beyond the local church. Such service provides a remarkable opportunity for ministry to people who otherwise might go untouched by the faith community. It makes witness possible in critical times. Chaplaincy is an outreach ministry of the local church.
Son, A Soldier's Work Is Never Done
Katy Goodin
 This is a sweet book written for kids whose parents might be at war by a little boy while his dad was in Iraq. He talks about all of the things his dad is missing while he's gone and his true feelings about being scared his dad won't come home and wanting to fight his own war when he grows up.
An Order for Blessing Service Members Deploying to War
UMEA
Liturgy prepared by Laura Bender, U.S. Navy, endorsed member of the New York Annual Conference. May 2007. For assistance contact umea@gbhem.org.
From Warrior to Citizen
Chaplain John Morris
Unfortunately, ‘going home’ is neither simple nor easy. Six months of combat training at Camp Shelby, followed by sixteen months of combat operations, the longest Army Guard tour of duty in Iraq, combined to forge these men and women into warriors....
Chaplain John Morris wrote this editorial as part of the "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" program he leads. The editorial has run in 50 of Minnesota's newspapers. You can find more material on the "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" website.
War and the Soul: Healing our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Rev. J. Paul Womack
The continued conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, now beyond their fourth year, have generated much attention to the fact of casualties and what is required to treat wounds both visible and invisible. The medical model for the former is inadequate for the latter. Therefore, it is important to develop a wide range of alternative models to accomplish the healing of soulful or spiritual or emotional wounds.
Support from Home
LCDR Rene P. Lawson, CHC, USN
Many personal accounts have been written about the extreme climate and very challenging conditions in Iraq. The lifestyle of serving in theater involves a tremendous amount of sacrifice and risk.
Suggestions for Observing Veterans' Day (November 11) in Worship
Dean McIntyre and Dan Benedict
Veterans' Day in 2007 falls on Sunday, November 11. In most years and most times, Veterans' Day passes in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, Veterans' Day has been more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Year’s Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, Veterans' Day is not a part of the liturgical calendar — although sometimes local congregations will observe these days in some manner in Sunday congregational worship. The worship area of the GBOD Web site has helpful history and worship resources.
Worship resources for preaching, music, and prayer for times of war
GBOD
GBOD has developed a number of worship resources for preaching, music, and prayer to assist congregations in times of war or significant international crisis that may lead to war. The focus of these resources is to help congregations offer themselves to God in prayers for peace, reconciliation, and comfort in the face of war. You may download and use these resources, subject to the copyright notice on each.
An Order for Welcoming Service Members Returning from War
UMEA
To assist in the transition from war to civilian life this liturgy gives the congregation the opportunity to participate.
Liturgy prepared by Laura Bender, U.S. Navy, endorsed member of the New York Annual Conference. May 2007.
Church campaign sends phone cards to soldiers
Kathy L. Gilbert
A United Methodist church more than 7,000 miles from the Middle East has shortened the distance for U.S. soldiers there to call home and speak with loved ones in the United States.
What United Methodist churches can do now for American troops
Cynthia Astle
The suggestions listed appeared in the article, "Chaplains, Social-Action Advocates Unite to Aid Military, Joint effort seeks to have churches help 'hurting people'," by Cynthia B. Astle, UM NeXus Editor.
HART (Helping Airmen Recover Together)
UMEA
Palace HART is the Air Force response to OSD’s initiative to ensure all combat-related ill/injured, medically separated/retired DoD members receive information on entitlements, benefits, and follow-on assistance as they transition back to civilian life. This information has value for all military branches and for those in support of persons in the military.
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