| *For college and school chaplaincies
please contact the Office for Young Adult and Higher Education
Ministries, www.episcopalchurch.org/myp
|
QuikNotes are the occasional group e-mails sent from this office
to chaplains in the Episcopal Church and the ministry in Micronesia.
Contents are announcements, news, and resources that must be communicated
with particular dispatch. They are listed below as an archival
record in reverse chronological order below and as a the topical
index.
Dear Chaplain:
Bishop Packard has directed me to send this Quiknote to our entire
chaplain family as I staff our office this Sunday afternoon. Stay
in touch with our office at www.episcopalchurch.org/chaplain
Andrew Gary, Registrar
The Bishop’s Notebook
22 March 2003
I’m just back from the House of Bishops meeting at the
Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC and straight into
our pastoral support plan. Even concurrent to my return travel
our efficient staff had sent out the new CD-ROM to all diocesan
bishops entitled, “What to Do Next When a Disaster Strikes.”
Another mailing of this CD-ROM will be sent to all congregations
in ECUSA next week.
At the HOB meeting there was an enthusiastic response in support
of our military. Now, hour by hour, we are receiving copies of
diocesan efforts as they seek to support the Active, Reserves,
and Guard members in their congregations as well as offer outreach
to families on nearby installations. We are posting these stories
to our website as we receive them.
Bleary-eyed, we are manning the phones 24/7 from now until the
end of the war. Among other things listed on the event board passed
from each watch to the next are the casualties experienced. The
Christ the Lord Chapel here at the Church Center is providing
a prayerful vigil throughout these hostilities.
Two service members were lost overnight, and four more reported
killed in a tank battle just now. Candles are lighted for those
dear ones who have paid this ultimate price. One more is always
lighted for the anonymous Iraqi dead; families from opposite sides
are now bonded through their losses. +gep
PASTORAL SUPPORT MISSION
IN CASE OF WAR:
Support military chaplains and their families deployed and at
home
Support Veterans Affairs chaplains and their families
Coordinate with Dioceses to support military personnel activated
and deployed (assist in identifying generic local community resources)
Underwrite Diocesan support plans for congregational engagement
Distribute Crisis Intervention Resource CD-ROM
Update website with information and resources “24/7”
Tend to needs of the Episcopal Church Center community
Bishop's Notebook
31 December 2002
My Dear Friends:
As we face 2003 together, I recall a New Year’s Eve gathering
when we were asked to list things we wanted out of our lives.
They would be discarded. You could bring old letters, papers,
outdated financial records, as well a solitary list to the evening.
(This introduced a second exercise allowing for things to be included
in the new year. They would have room to grow.) The cast off jottings
were ceremoniously burned on the cooker in the backyard, yet no
one anticipated the magnitude of the response to such an invitation.
One woman brought an entire filing cabinet! Our hosts were wise
to have the local fire department on notice, just in case.
Now, I sort of amble into these parties, so all this intentional
activity was surprising, and now as I look back, optimistic and
naive. A fresh year seems like the kind of time we want to lay
claim to, like re-arranging furniture in a big room. There’s another
perspective in the aftermath of September 11th. True, we can have
noble intentions for our time but we’d do better by addressing
the anxiety which comes with never controlling it.
In a year which might include mobilizations, deployments, family
separations, maybe war, smallpox vaccinations, other terrorist
episodes, and in Micronesia another storm, the only constant seems
to be uncertainty. I hope that you and I at the stroke of midnight
will thank God for the gift of another year and then promptly
give it back to Him for safe-keeping. This is not a new thing
for Christians, consider the urging of Hebrews 10: 23 ff., “Let
us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who has promised
is faithful.”
Year 2003 will be a “faith-grower,” that is for sure. We are not
alone, rather, hear the call in the Epistle, “And let us consider
how we may spur one another on in love and good deeds.” (Heb.10:24)
We all assemble around the certainty that, “Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb.13:8)
May you know of His Son’s presence and the continuing power of
God’s Love in this New Year. Let us build each other in faith!
+George
Bishop's Notebook
Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord
I heard this quote from St. Bonaventure over the weekend, "God's
center is everywhere but God's circumference is nowhere." Chaplaincy
gives expression to that. Often the exceptional environs of our
chaplaincies are in contrast to a local congregation so concerned
about the perimeter of familiarity. For example this past Thursday,
Jackie Means and I went to the Hudson County Jail in Jersey City,
NJ, where, through scripture, prayer and particularly good singing,
a gymnasium was transformed into a House of God. Security cameras
panned over the faces of joyous people.
Following Robert McAffee Brown and our own Gerry Blackburn, we
have picked up the expression "ministry outside the gate" from
a reference in the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 13, verses,
11 and 13. Christians are urged to know the place where Christ
made sacrifice for us. His crucifixion occurred beyond the walls
of Jerusalem, on a mound that was an after thought. As a chaplain,
how many times have you brought Our Lord's presence into precarious
and ill-prepared places? Indeed, there is a heritage of doing
so.
May this Season remind us of how our Lord's life of service began
and what he took on for our salvation. This Holy Child and His
family found refuge out back with the livestock where the least
and humble would be found. In that he transformed life and our
lives. May we do the same in His Name.
Brook and the girls join me in saying, "May you and your family
have a blessed celebration of the Nativity."
In Christ,
+George
Bishop's Photo Album
20 December 2002
These pictures were taken by Bishop
Packard when he accompanied The Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev.
Frank T. Griswold, III, on a visit to the Pentagon
this week
27 November 2002
My Dear Friends:
On the eve of this holiday weekend, I wanted to assure you of my
prayers for your travel and that of your loved ones-no small concern
these days. Once around your Thanksgiving Day table, please know
that you are all remembered at OUR tables, that is, the team here
in the Office: Gerry Blackburn, Terry Foster, Andrew Gary, Jackie
Means, Mike Stewart and myself. We won't mention all 867 of you
by name - the turkey would get cold - but the exchanges, efforts,
hopes, projects, worries and celebrations we've had with you over
this past year are never far from being said. This is a bunch who
carries their work home. If you can, please insert in the gratitude
of your grace before dinner this phrase, "And for our chaplains
and for all who serve near and far." That puts us all in God's hands,
clergy and lay, which is about where we always are, through our
Lord Jesus Christ. That is the thanksgiving upon which we convene
our days. Faithfully, +George
29
January 2002
For all active
duty ECUSA military chaplains:
Greetings! Here are some key conference notes you should be aware
of:
(1) As announced earlier, the European Family Conference will be
held 8-12 April 2002. With the help of Carl and Pat Johnson in Heidelberg,
we hope to have the location for the event to share with you soon.
(2) The East Coast conference will be a retreat format and take
place 20 - 24 May 2002 at the College of Preachers on the Close
of the Washington National Cathedral.
(3) The West Coast conference will also be a retreat format and
will take place later in the year at a date and place to be announced
in the near future.
Announcements (2) and (3) come as a direct result of the Senior
Leadership Conference held earlier this month. Bishop Packard called
together his senior leaders from all three communities in this episcopacy
(military, healthcare and prisons) for council. The result was a
decision not to attempt a Mega Conference but to focus more specifically
upon the needs of the individual communities. The military chaplain
senior leaders strongly recommended a retreat format for their East
and West Coast conferences this year. Spouses are invited to attend.
We will be sending a letter in the near future to the East Coast
chaplains to use for their TAD/TDY requests. It will also include
logistic information such as how and when to make travel arrangements.
Gerry +
25
January 2002
Dear Colleagues
in Ministry:
Following is a link to a brief article that was released by Episcopal
News Service. Bishop Packard hosted a meeting of chaplains from
all our disciplines: military, prison, and healthcare, here at the
Church Center two weeks ago. We talked about the terrorist attacks
of September 11th and how they impacted us and will impact our ministries
in the future. We thought you might like to read it. If you already
subscribe to ENS, this will be a duplicate copy, but it’s good enough
to share. Thank you for your ministry. Keep us in your prayers,
as we continue to pray for you.
David G. Henritzy
Sacred
space: Chaplains talk about what changed on September 11th
15
January 2002
Dear Colleagues
in ministry:
To keep current on news it has been our custom to request reports
on your ministry using the following timetable: Active Duty military
and full-time healthcare and prison chaplains report quarterly;
and the Reserves, Civil Air Patrol, National Guard, part-time healthcare
and part-time prison chaplains report annually. Please be reminded
that these reports for the 4th quarter, 2001 or annual 2001 are
due now. You may file your reports online or download blank
forms from our website: www.episcopalchurch.org/chaplain
Here’s something new. As I communicated through a QuikNotes
announcement back on October 8th, now that this reporting period
has ended we will institute a change in the reporting procedures.
Quarterly reports for active duty personnel will be replaced by
semi-annual reports and due on 30 June and 31 December. Reserve
and Guard annual reports will remain the same except when a deployment
or mobilization takes place. Part-time healthcare and part-time
prison chaplains will continue on an annual report basis unless
their employment status changes to full-time. In cases when your
time in service increases a “roll call report” will be filed.
How Would That Be Done? When any chaplain--regardless of
category--receives orders for mobilization, change of assignment/status
a “roll call report” will be filed. An example of a report can be
found on the website. You will note that it is brief, includes a
verification of current address and unit of assignment, prospects
for mobilization/deployment, and a general statement about your
circumstances. You can do this in five sentences but more narrative
is always welcome. There may be occasions, like the level of emergency
engendered by September 11th , when this office will initiate
a call for everyone to submit a roll call report. Experience has
taught us that we need a way to account for and communicate with
our entire membership quickly. This report focuses on accuracy.
So, beginning 30 June 2002 all active duty chaplains will be expected
to report on a bi-annual basis for the periods January through June
and July through December. Some minor revisions to the report form
will be made to accommodate this new schedule. Look for posting
the new form before June. Reserves, Guard, part-time healthcare
and prison please note your annual reports and the update the roll
call report affords.
May we meet this Epiphany Season with renewed energy for mission!
In Christ,
+George
19 October
2001
Dear ECUSA Military, Healthcare and Prison chaplains,
Greetings. I have four quick items for you today:
1. I AM BACK. The unplanned six days in the hospital (4-9 Oct) followed
by convalescence is now history and I have been back in the office
all this week and feeling stronger each day. Interestingly enough,
as I was dealing with my colon issues here on the East Coast, one
of our ECUSA chaplains on the West Coast was in the hospital having
a portion of his colon removed!! Fortunately that chaplain, Navy
LCDR Stephen Powers, is recovering fine. As you did for me, please
pray for him and perhaps send him a note, frstephen@aol.com. As
a result of my unplanned absence, I still am digging through many
ministry-related emails that deserve attention and response. So
if you are waiting for an answer, please know I will get to your
email eventually. If something is “red hot,” send me a reminder
today. Many thanks to Bishop Packard, and my office colleagues Jackie
Means (Prison Ministries), David Henritzy (Healthcare), and Terry
Foster (Administrative Assistant), for pitching in during my absence.
MILDRED GONZALEZ also assisted but, I am sad to report, has now
accepted another job here at the Episcopal Church Center. We will
all miss Mildred but she is excited about her new job in the Hispanic
Ministries office so we are happy for her.
2. CONFERENCE CANCELED, MEGA-CONFERENCE BEING CONSIDERED. The West
Coast Conference for active duty military chaplains scheduled for
12-16 Nov. is now officially canceled. The current high-alert status
of our military and the need for our chaplains to be available to
their troops and families takes priority. Bishop Packard has asked
his three directors (David Henritzy, Jackie Means and me) to work
on plans for a possible “mega-conference” for ECUSA chaplains to
all meet together in 2002 somewhere in the Midwest, most likely
the Chicago area. As those plans emerge you will hear more.
3. REPORTS DUE! As Bishop Packard emphasized in his 8 October QwikNotes
(released by Terry Foster) we are counting on your reports reaching
us in a timely manner. The July-Sep 2001 quarterly active duty report
is now past due, yet we have received only a few! If you have not
sent yours, please go to the web site today and click on “Reports”
down at the bottom of the page. Completing it only takes a few minutes.
(If we do not hear from you we will have to ask for the “roll call”
report which Bishop Packard discussed in the third paragraph of
his 8 Oct. QwikNotes). Following the July-Sep. report, military
active duty reports become a semi-annual event due 1 July and 31
Dec. All other reporting groups (Healthcare, Prisons, Reserves,
National Guard) still must send annual reports.
4. NEW WEB SITE ADDRESS. Finally, please note that as of today we
have a web site address much easier to remember. It is www.episcopalchurch.org/chaplain.
The word “chaplain” is much easier to remember than “ashapm.” However,
you can still access us by using the old address, at least for now.
With prayers for each of you and your ministries,
Gerry +
8 October 01 11:24 a.m.
--The Memorial Service at the Pentagon will be Thursday, 11 October
2001, at 11 AM on the premises. Though I tried to get in, attendance
is understandably restricted so I have asked CH Carl Andrews to
represent me (and us) there. Please notify this office of other
Episcopal chaplains and lay persons who will be in attendance.
Even a rough idea of the laity adds to the corporate character
of our grief. I know you will note this day and hour with me in
prayer. “May the souls of the departed through the mercy of God
rest in peace.”
--After this reporting period we will institute a recommendation
made by the senior leadership conference held at the College of
Preachers in January. It is this: quarterly reports for Active
Duty personnel will be replaced by semi-annual reports due on
1 July and 31 December. Reserve and Guard annual reports will
remain the same. I look forward to reading these updates from
the field so please see them in that way. Considering the op-tempo
now, and perhaps later, I will also be relying on a “roll call
report.”
It would go like this: You will receive a request from my office
for a response to the roll call. Your answer by return e-mail
will be brief, including a verification of your current address
and unit of assignment, prospects for mobilization/deployment,
and you and your family’s state of being. You can do this in five
sentences if you want, but more is always welcome. In this way
we can cover our whole military family quickly. The pace of things
and our love for each other requires a different check-in procedure
at times.
--Last Thursday, 4 October, Gerry Blackburn entered Roosevelt
Hospital here in New York for diverticulitis. He is resting comfortably
now and Marilyn is with him. Release from the hospital for strict
bed rest could be on Wednesday, 10 October. Cards for Gerry and
Marilyn should be sent to “Gerry Blackburn, All Saints Church,
226 apartment “C”, East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022.” Please
keep him, Marilyn and family in your prayers.
--A new edition of the Armed Services Prayer Book (note name change)
is being rushed into a special printing. The Pentagon has asked
for 8000 copies to accompany deployments, so we interrupted an
extensive overhaul of the piece and re-issued it with a changed
Preface and Foreword. It is dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Donald W.
Beers “whose energy assembled a team nearly a decade ago to make
this book a practical tool for those who serve with dedication
and in the midst of uncertainty. His vision was an inspiration
then and remains fresh today; and for that we thank him.”
--It has become the best running gag of this episcopacy, but my
obsessive encouragement to check our website might indeed be helpful
during deployments. We are updating it hourly and welcome any
resources you feel might help others during these challenging
times. www.episcopalchurch/chaplain --Please know of my prayers
for you and your ministry. Together, we offer intercessions for
all those who serve our country.
In Christ, +gep
24 September 1:56 p.m.
Dear ECUSA chaplains,
(Monday 24 Sep: Here is a corrected copy of the notes we rushed
out at the end of the day Friday 21 September)
I (Gerry Blackburn) am writing at the request of Bishop Packard
who just left for the House of Bishops meeting being held in Burlington,
Vermont. He wants you to know the following:
1. NOV. CONFERENCE IS ON HOLD. The West Coast Military Chaplains
and Spouses Conference scheduled for 12 - 16 November is now on
hold. It is not canceled but If our country is involved in military
action chaplains, of course, will need to be with their units
and not at Mount Calvary, Santa Barbara. We will say more about
this as things unfold.
2. The 100 DAYS SUPPORT MISSION initiated by Bishop Packard and
his staff in response to the current crisis, is going strong.
This Mission was outlined in the 14 Sep QuikNotes. One of the
elements includes working with the New York area dioceses in providing
training for clergy and key lay workers in Crisis/Trauma/Bereavement
after-care. Led by David Henritzy, Director for Healthcare Ministries,
a team of trainers made up of ECUSA chaplains and others are equipping
Episcopal churches in NY, NJ and CN to care for their communities
who have felt much of the brunt of the Trade Center deaths and
trauma. The four chaplains assisting David Henritzy are VA Chaplains
Michael Carr, Babs Meairs, Michael Stewart, and Navy Chaplain
Francis Zanger. The two othe team members are David Knowlton and
Al Szigethy. The House of Bishops has requested that Bishop Packard
present the Crisis/Trauma/Bereavement Management training for
the Bishops attending the current meeting in Vermont.
3. AROUND THE CLOCK AFTER HOURS AND WEEKEND TELEPHONE AVAILABILTY
of Bishop Packard’s staff will continue. If you need to pass important
news or other information to Bishop Packard or his Directors on
weekends or after hours, use the following numbers: Gerry Blackburn
(Military), home phone (212) 644-3779, cell phone (646) 325-4144;
David Henritzy (Healthcare), home (914) 761-8464, cell (914) 584-3160;
Jackie Means (Prisons), home (317) 272-4922; cell (TBA). 24-hour
voice mail can also be left at our office phones.
4. PENTAGON CRASH REPONSE continues. Please see Navy
Reservist Chaplain Neal Goldsborough’s note that he sent Bishop
Packard. Neal was activated to help pastoral response at the Pentagon.
The current editions of both Army Times and Navy Times include
the partial lists of Army and Navy personnel killed at the Pentagon.
5. “MOVING OUT.” Several ECUSA Active Duty, Reserves, and National
Guard military chaplains have sent emails saying their units are
being tasked to “move out.” Thank you for this information and
please keep it coming .
With prayers, Gerry
19 September 2:33 p.m.
Dear ECUSA military, healthcare and
prison ministries,
Here is a quick update: NEW YORK CITY AREA. As I (Gerry) write
this note Bishop Packard, David Henritzy, Jackie Means and Terry
Foster are off site facilitating Crisis/Trauma/Bereavement training
for ECUSA clergy and others in the metro NYC tri-state area of
NY, CN and NJ. This is being done in direct response to the 11
Sep crashes. Bishop Packard is using a team he and David put together
composed of healthcare and military chaplains and others who have
strong Critical Incident Stress Management training and experience.
In addition, our office was tasked by the Presiding Bishop to
be the volunteer coordinator for clergy and lay volunteers here
at the Episcopal Church Center (ECC). This has resulted in some
of us visiting the World Trade Center crash site and providing
chaplaincy ministry. We are also coordinating ECC volunteers to
the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) down on Water Street very
near “ground zero.” SCI, although still without land phone service,
has become the Episcopal Church’s key outreach to recovery teams
and others seeking a respite from crash site work. Trinity Church
remains closed until authorities can determine how safe the structure
is. St. Mark’s Chapel sustained some damage but remains open as
a place of prayer for the recovery folk.
WASHINGTON DC. All our ECUSA active duty DC area chaplains (Mal
Roberts, Carl Andrews, Bob Lebron, Norm Desrosiers, and Beth Echols)
are actively involved in post-crash ministries. In addition to
them, AF Chaplain (Capt) Marcel Algernon was called up from Shaw
AFB in SC to be on a team of chaplains at the Pentagon recovery
site. Navy Reserve Chaplain (CDR) Neil Goldsborough from nearby
Alexandria, VA was also activated for that on-site team. It so
happens on the day of the crash Chaplain Jay Magness, the Norfolk
based U.S. Atlantic Fleet Chaplain was attending a meeting in
the Pentagon. Below you will find news release information I sent
to Episcopal News Service (ENS) and to Episcopal Life based on
information coming from Jay Magness and the Pentagon situation.
Please take time to read them and especially pray for our on site
Pentagon chaplains, Marcel Algernon and Neil Goldsborough.
ONE FINAL NOTE. Without a doubt, each of you is involved in crucial
crash response ministry at your own ministry site. Anxiety and
grief is “in the air” everywhere and you are our Lord’s and the
Episcopal Church’s “hands and feet” responding to individual and
family needs. Bishop Packard asks that I convey his deep appreciation
for each of you. Your ministry is needed and valued. Take care
of yourselves. Stay grounded in who and Whose you are. At least
weekly debrief your own trauma (and we all have some!) with a
trusted friend. -Gerry + (Below is my “news release” sent to Jim
Solheim at Episcopal News Service and to Jerry Hames, editor of
Episcopal Life).
For ENS and Episcopal Life: News from Pentagon crash site
Jim and Jerry, at the bottom of my email you will find a moving
“reflection” written by ECUSA Chaplain Jay Magness, one of the
first chaplains immediately on the scene following the Pentagon
crash. Chaplain (Captain) Magness, who happens to be our current
senior-most ECUSA Navy chaplain, was in the Pentagon attending
a meeting when the plane hit. He quickly went to the site and
ministered. His piece tells that story.
Soon after the crash the Rev. Neil Goldsborough, a Navy Reserve
chaplain and rector of St. Luke’s Church, Alexandria, VA, and
the Rev. Marcel Algernon, an active duty Air Force chaplain from
Shaw Air Force Base, SC, have been our ECUSA chaplains on the
scene. They both were mobilized for specific pastoral work at
the Pentagon site. They and a number of other chaplains have been
on the scene doing 12-on-12-off shifts for the last seven days.
Chaplain Jay Magness spoke with Chaplain Neil Goldsborough yesterday
(Tue. 18 Sep.) and was told of the work being done with the rescuers
when they bring human remains out of the rubble. Jay said Neil’s
work “is to be actively engaged in direct ministry to the folk
who are doing what no man or woman wants to do: hour on hour come
face to face with death. I am assured that Neil’s spiritual care
of the rescue workers is one of the main elements that enables
them to go back into the rubble day after
day.”
ECUSA Air Force Chaplain (LtCol) Carl Andrews, who works in Washington
for the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, has been in contact with
Chaplain(Capt) Marcel Algernon and is providing ministry support
for Marcel during his important crash site ministry.
Again, please read the “reflection” below by Jay Magness which
records the ministry of the first ECUSA chaplain on site immediately
after the crash into the Pentagon.
-Gerry +
Gerry, As I am sure you know, in my last job I worked on the staff
of the Navy Chief of Chaplains in Washington. During any given
week I would be in the Pentagon 3-5 times. Now since I am in Norfolk
on the U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff I only get to the Pentagon about
once a year for a conference of Joint Command chaplains. Well,
last week was my week to be there. In the Pentagon last Tuesday
morning at 9:40 a.m. people out in the hall began yelling to evacuate
the building. I thought it probably was a bomb threat. We exited
out into the North Parking area. About 100 yards out of the building
people began to turn around and point up in the air at a plume
of smoke coming from about a third of the way around the building.
At that point I still thought it was a bomb. Only later did someone
tell me that a plane had crashed into the building. Though it
was a tense time for me and my chaplain colleagues there at the
conference, it was also fortunate that we were there. We immediately
began to stage ourselves with the medical treatment stations to
help take care of the injured. Over the next 4-5 hours we cared
for about 35-40 people who experienced various types of wounds.
Almost all of the people were burned, some rather severely. We
transported them to the hospitals using any available type of
vehicle. We found that a mini-van can serve as a pretty good make-do
ambulance. My ministry consisted of a great deal of "arm about
the shoulders" work and keeping victims talking so that they would
be able to resist going into shock. I can't say how valuable it
was to have a good cellular phone with a full battery. Not only
was I able to connect with the anxious family members of the injured,
also the rescue workers and medical treatment personnel frequently
needed to call home and tell someone (usually a spouse, son or
daughter) they were okay.
On a number of occasions we tried to re-enter into the building
to rescue people, but the intense fire continually drove us back.
The heroic firefighters tried and tried to get the fires out,
but they just couldn't seem to effectively douse the flames on
Tuesday. I suspect that there was too much combustible fuel available.
In fact we did go into the Pentagon inner courtyard for about
2-3 hours, but all that enabled us to do was eat a lot of smoke.
Time and time again we gathered as teams to go into the damaged
area, but could not gain entry because of the enduring fires.
At around 2:30 p.m. we moved the medical treatment function to
a location outside of the Pentagon immediately adjacent to external
wall impacted by the aircraft. When I first saw the damage all
I could do was stand there and stare. I could not believe what
I was seeing. After an hour or so in the new location we realized
that there was nothing else we could do. Three of us from Christian
sacramental traditions (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Episcopal)
had organized ourselves to receive bodies in the temporary morgue.
Though we spent that last on-scene hour waiting for more bodies
to be brought out, the persistent fire brought all such removal
efforts to a standstill. Aside from that, a number of local military
chaplains had massed up on the scene and were ready to take over
for us.
By 4:00 p.m. I left the area to return to my hotel, check out
and get on the road south to Norfolk. Even that was not without
its problems. I was staying in the Sheraton atop the hill above
the Arlington (Navy) Annex. Until about 5:00 p.m. the Arlington
Police had the upper floors closed. The reason for that never
was clear to me. It had something to do with the fact that the
hijacked airliner had to nearly skim the top of the hotel building
in order to fly low enough so it could hit the Pentagon. At about
6:00 p.m. I got into my car and left town headed back to Norfolk.
Though I didn't get home until about midnight, it was worth it.
I needed to get to my office early the next day to begin to play
my part of the unfolding operational plans.
Right now, after six days of reflection, I struggle with what
our response ought to be to this tragic, unnecessary and basically
evil action. As a Christian believer the concepts of justice and
peace swirl around in my mind. Obviously, in accordance with New
Testament scriptures we are called to be peace-makers and peace-builders.
How can we perform those functions while persons inspired by religiously
based righteous indignation are moving about within the societies
of the free world with a mandate to create terror through mass
murder? Will our understanding of Christian moral theology allow
for such a thing as retributive justice? How will we ensure that
through some form of social defense we protect innocent citizens?
r/jay+
Captain James B. Magness, CHC, U.S. Navy
Fleet Chaplain Commander in Chief (Code N02G)
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
14
September 2001, 3:04 p.m.
Dear
ECUSA military, healthcare and prison chaplains,
We, like perhaps each of you, are working in a crisis mode and
Bishop Packard asked that I pass on the following information:
1. PRAYERS. The chaplains and families of this episcopacy are
routinely prayed for in our daily Church Center chapel services
as well as in our personal Daily Offices and prayers. During this
time of crisis in our nation, our prayers for each of you continue
and we thank you for the prayers you voice in support of us here.
2. RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD UNITS & CHAPLAINS are being activated
and we know that will impact many of you. If it is not classified,
please let me know if the unit you serve is activated and please
provide the phone number and/or email address so we might stay
in contact. We already have been notified of two EC chaplains
whose units are being deployed to NYC.
3. 100 DAYS SUPPORT MISSION. Bishop Packard has initiated a 100
Days Support Mission plan for his office in support of each of
you, the ministries of the Church Center, and other crisis related
work. Unless our building is evacuated some of us will be in this
office Saturday and Sunday 15-16 September (and the following
weekends if needed). (The Bishop has temporarily moved to a hotel
near the Church Center in order to lead this 100 Days Support
Mission). If you need to contact us dial 1-800-334-7626, extension
6065. If that does not work, try dialing (212) 716-6065.
The
elements of the Office of the Bishop for the Armed Services, Healthcare
and Prison Ministries’ 100 Days Support Mission are as follows:
--be available for support of chaplains and families of this episcopacy
especially during this crisis
--coordinate with and support the Diocese of New York and surrounding
dioceses in their crisis response ministries
-- provide a 24-hour information service to the greater Church
(see our phone numbers above)
-- support Pentagon recovery & ministry
-- coordinate with military and civil agencies deployed in NYC
during this crisis
-- help support the pastoral care needs of the people of the Church
Center and those who drop in from the neighborhood
-- continue our normal routine of Monday-Friday supportive work
as possible
Bishop
George Packard, David Henritzy, Jackie Means, Terry Foster, Mildred
Gonzalez and I thank for your faithful Christ-work during this
difficult time! We apologize for not having yet responded to all
your emails but we are confident you understand. More QuikNotes
updates will follow.
With love and prayers, Gerry +
13 September, 11:56 a.m.
Dear
ECUSA Military, Healthcare and Prison Chaplains,
In this QuikNote you will find brief messages from Gerry Blackburn
(Military ministries), Jackie Means (Prison ministries) and David
Henritzy (Healthcare ministries). You will also find some suggested
resources for any prayer vigils, memorial or funeral services
you may be putting together in response to the 11 September attacks.
From Gerry: Some, but not all, of the numbness here in New York
City is beginning to wear off. We here at the Episcopal Church
Center are responding to the crisis in several ways. Our daily
chapel services of 8:45 AM Morning Prayer and 12:10 Holy Eucharist
have taken on an even more special meaning to us as we pray together.
We have a sign in front of the building inviting passersby to
join us and some have.
Several priests in this building, including Bishop Packard and
his Directors, have responded to the call for volunteer chaplains
to go to the various gathering points in the city for persons
who still have no word of the status of loved ones. We all have
returned with stories of the heartfelt anguish and of the remarkable
compassion being demonstrated by those staffing these gathering
places.
We are grateful for the many emails we have received from active
duty, Reserves, and National Guard chaplains. In fact, there were
so many messages that have poured in to all of us here that we
have not had a chance to read them. So if you have an urgent note
for anyone on our staff, I suggest you type the word URGENT as
the very first word on your subject line. So when we have moments
to check our email we will be sure to read your note even if we
have to save others for later.
Jackie
Means writes:
Even though we are some distance from the actual Trade Center
crash site, there are many needs in our immediate area that we
are responding to. For e.g., the large number of police securing
the block around the Israeli Consulate just across the street
have been invited into our lobby for coffee and water breaks.
The whole scene in our city boggles our minds. Please remember
to pray for all those diligently working to ease the grief that
floats over our city like a dark cloud.
David Henritzy writes:
Like all of you, my visual images of the horror at the World Trade
Center came from the television. Our office is not in that part
of town. But that is not to say that we were not affected.
We have been affected physically and tangibly. Yesterday afternoon
the wind shifted and we could smell the smoke from the fires.
As I was going through this morning's batch of email I read with
a shiver down my spine the account of a fireman realizing that
the white ash and smoke that covers much of lower Manhattan is
not just the dust from pulverized concrete but actually contains
the cremains of the people who were burned alive at the time of
the explosions. Bishop Packard just told us that at 'ground zero'
where he was yesterday, the ash reaches your ankles.
The
Church Center's offices are located directly across the street
from the United Nations and, among other diplomatic offices, the
Consulate of Israel. As I look out my window I can see, first,
a line of concrete barricades that entirely encircle the Israeli
office. They are a part of the permanent landscape. New is the
row of nose-to-tail buses that have been parked around the block.
And added to that are the gigantic orange, loaded, dump trucks,
parked crosswise on the streets, that are being used to prevent
traffic access to the UN. Grim tokens of our reality.
There is hardly a person here who does not know of someone who
is "missing and unaccounted for." The wail of sirens outside on
the street never stops. But we are also seeing affirmations of
life and compassion. Our telephones and emails have been flooded
with people offering to help. Equally importantly, people are
mailing or calling to forward prayers or litanies of their own
composition or from various worship resources. People are sending
helpful Scriptures drawn from the holy books of every world religion.
I've been compiling some of those resources and a few are attached
to this email for your possible use.
We are more grateful than you can know for the expressions of
concern and support. We in turn pray that, ultimately, God's will
will prevail. Your prayers keep us going. Thank you.
The three attachments below contain (1) a
message/homily from the PB, (2) a
litany used by the Diocese of Chicago, and (3) a litany
used by the ELCA. and a new hymn, When
Sudden Terror Tears Apart. As you already know there are several
wonderful prayers in the BCP including the one for peace on page
815 and the one for our enemies on page 816. (Please click
on the above links to reference the "attachments")
11 September 2001, 1:59 p.m.
Dear
ECUSA chaplains,
Bishop Packard asked that I pass the following update to each
of you. We have learned that at least two of our ECUSA chaplains
are on the scene at the Pentagon and providing ministry. They
are Navy Chaplain (CAPT) Jay Magness and Air Force Chaplain (LtCol)
Carl Andrews. The news reports indicate there are several dead
and wounded personnel at the Pentagon.
The Presiding Bishop was the celebrant and preacher at our daily
noon Holy Eucharist here at the Church Center. In his homily he
urged us to strive to be instruments of peace in a tragic day
in our nation when the temptation for revenge will be great, especially
in the weeks and months ahead. We were also called on to seek
ways to support those individuals and families who have perished
or have lost loved ones as a result of the horrible deeds. We
were encouraged to go to the nearest blood collection centers
to offer our life giving blood at a time when shortages will most
likely occur.
Bishop Packard and his staff are safe. Public transportation in
the city is shut down so most in the building are beginning to
wonder how they will get home or when. There is a possibility
that our building will be closed tomorrow. Currently our phone
service is sporadic but so far email service has been consistent.
Please pray for Jay and Carl and other chaplains who are involved
in direct ministry. (If you learn of other military, healthcare
or other chaplains of this episcopacy who are directly involved,
let us know by email). And of course continue to pray for our
nation and all those impacted directly or indirectly by the terrible
pain and grief caused this day. We will write again later.
The Rev. Gerald J. Blackburn
Director for Military Ministries
11
September 2001, 10:58 a.m.
My Dear Friends:
I write to you from this City which, because of the sudden tragedy
of the plane crashes into the World Trade Center and subsequent
collapse of both towers, has made us critically aware of the helplessness
this act was supposed to evoke. The enormity of these hours will
be life-changing.
The trauma is so close as to see fellow workers faint from shock.
All transportation is frozen, all our heretofore sophisticated
communication is intermittent and unreliable. Just now, I have
been told that we may have to evacuate the Church Center-and this
whole block-as it is adjacent to the Israeli Consulate.
My mind is on friends who work in the Pentagon…it has sustained
an attack as well. There may well be other incidents I don’t yet
know of.
I do know of your prayers, however. I’m sure of them; there are
countless lives devastated by these events.
“Please, God, we huddle close to you for protection; spare us
from these senseless perils. Comfort those who mourn; receive
those who have died to that place where agony is answered with
peace. Give us courage, we pray, Lord, through the companionship
of your Son, Jesus. It is in His Name we pray. Amen.” More later.
In Christ, +George
|
.gif)