| Dale Forrester | |
| Address | |
| 24609 46th AVE E Graham, WA 98338 United States Map It | |
| oldwarrior63@outlook.com | |
| Phone | |
| (253) 266-9977 | |
| Date | |
| 03/22/2019 | |
| Ministry Report | |
| Growing older – not too gracefully! Just completed a ministry as the interim pastor of an Evangelical Covenant Church here in Graham and volunteering as an elder-mentor. |
| Barry Bowden | |
| Address | |
| 2310 Elmhurst Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 United States Map It | |
| barry.bowden@yahoo.com | |
| Phone | |
| (910) 364-5523 | |
| Date | |
| 03/22/2019 | |
| Ministry Report | |
| Retired from Ft Rucker in Aug 2008 and moved to Fayetteville. Served as a Military and Family Life Counselor on Ft Bragg from 2009 to August 2018. Now in full time private practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) . Working with several non profit veterans organizations–Camaraderie Foundation, Centerstone Military Services, Fairways for Warriors–providing Accelerated Resolution Therapy sessions to treat PTSD, anxieties, phobias, addictions, nightmares, grief and loss with excellent short term outcomes. Also, serve as a therapist with Lone Survivor Foundation for weekend retreats and with Wounded Warrior Project Odyssey week long retreats. I have attended Crossview Alliance Church (CMA) since 2009 and serve as Head Elder. Melanie continues to teach weekly Ladies Bible Studies, continuing her ministry to military wives and families, just like her PWOC ministry. If ever in Fayetteville, give a quick call at 910.364.5523. I would love to catch up. |
CH (COL) William Green has been nominated for appointment to the grade of Brigadier General. Upon his Senate confirmation CH Green will become the US Army’s 26th, Deputy Chief of Chaplains.
“The Arizona Chapter has held two lunches this winter, in Tucson on February 6th at The Parish Restaurant, and at Ft. Huachuca on March 8th at the Thunder Mountain Activity Center. The next event will be at Mimi’s Café in Scottsdale, on March 28th. We will plan one more luncheon this winter in Tucson, during early April. If you have moved to Arizona, or are “snow-birding” there, please contact Donna Weddle at dcweddle@cos.net to get yourself added to the roster for information on future events.”
First Picture at Ft. Huachuca: Donna Weddle, Tom and Susan Day, Fred Robinson, Terry Cotton, and Pat Dickson
Second Picture in Tucson: Bob Bendick, Donna Weddle, Roy Ludlow, Ken Kohlenbrander, Tom Day, Paul Weddle, and Steve Utter
Friday, 25 January 2019 was the “kick-off” meeting of the Washington DC-area Chaplain Corps network of chaplains, chaplain assistants (RAS), DREs, DA Civilians and spouses. Central to our start was gathering in prayer, led by David Hicks. Our agenda was to enjoy the friendship and connections together. There is a definite “afterglow” from the November 2018 USACCRA 9th Biennial Chaplain Corps Family Reunion. Many words of thanks were expressed for the National leadership and the satisfaction of teamwork to celebrate chaplain ministries and communities.
Pictured are: (seated) Connie and Wayne Ice with Wayne, Jr., Carolyn and BenChuck Manning, Bill Jokela and Randell Bowen, (standing) Paula and Eric Wester, David and Janice HIcks, Gary Dahl, Ben and Betty Nass, Renee Kilsh, Wayne Lehrer, Phyllis and Jack Marcom and Susan Dahl. We got regrets from Jeff and Monika Young, Otto Reinbacher, Bruce Burslie, Jane Heaton, Bob Chance, Dennis Madtes and Doug Lee (with late-breaking cancellations). Of course, Donna Weddle is on her “western decampment” based in the Phoenix area for the winter and fostering gatherings there. Our Washington DC gathering was a time of celebration and gratitude.
Looking ahead, the group determined to set the next meeting for Tuesday, 30 April at the Patton Club, Fort Myer, Virginia, gathering at 11:45 am for a 11:55 am kick-off. Also, looking toward the future, by acclamation the group determined that Chaplain Wayne Lehrer would join SGM Susan Dahl and Chaplain Donna Weddle as the DC-area planning team. This was prompted by Chaplain Eric and Paula Wester who bade farewell as Eric retires from active ministry as an ecclesiastical endorser. In February, they move to Jacksonville, Florida.
Next meeting: Tuesday, 30 April, 1145 am at the Patton Club. Hope to see you there!
Greetings to all of you,
The gathering of the Chaplaincy people was this past Tuesday (30 April) at the
Fife and Drum Dining Room at Ft Myer (1145). Ten of us were able to be together
this time (see photo).
Among the items discussed were:
> which day of the week is best for our gatherings. We decided to move them
to Thursday for the near future.
> How often should we gather? Quarterly, as we do now, or more often? We
decided that should be at the next gathering.
> What, besides gathering for lunch, are we prepared to do at our gatherings?
Example: Go to Gettysburg and ask Ch Hicks to share their city.
The MDW Chaplains were also meeting at this same time, and we secured information
on the Chaplain Anniversary celebration so that our members can include it in our
reserved dates. 2019 anniversary on 26 July, beginning about 0930 at Ft Myer’s
Memorial Chapel. Plans include a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery’s
Chaplain Hill, followed by a cake cutting, and lunch at the Chapel. Please put our
corp anniversary on your calendars.
Our next gathering will be Thursday, June 20, 1145, at Ft Myer.
Wayne Lehrer, “convener!”
REGISTRATION FORM
for
Lutheran Chaplain RECON, 15-18 September 2019
Colorado Springs, Colorado
- If staying at the RECON hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs, please call them at 719-576-8900 to make your reservation and identify yourself as attending RECON to get our special rate. NOTE: this rate is also good for two days before and/or after RECON. For RECON, the rate is $159 per night plus tax (= $477 plus tax for 3 nights). Or, you may also register for the hotel online at
https://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/C/COSP-DT-LMR-20190915/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG (Group name is Lutheran Retired Military Chaplains Reunion). Reservations with the hotel must be made no later than noon 16 August 2019. After that, it’s on an “available” basis at “best available rate.”
- Complete the Registration Form below no later than 15 August 2019 and mail it to:
Chaplain Paul Howe
30701 Berry Creek Drive
Georgetown TX78628
- Enclose your check for the appropriate amount. The Registration Fee is $250 per person (i.e., $250 for one person, $500 for two). Check should be made out to “Paul Howe.” (Paul is our “banker” and has the RECON account set up to pay the bills. NOTE: the Registration Fee covers all activities, meals unless noted otherwise, and transportation to and from all activity sites.
- For clarity, please PRINT the PDF below, then detach and mail this bottom portion along with your check.
| John Proctor | |
| johnwproctor82@gmail.com | |
| Date | |
| 03/14/2019 | |
| Ministry Report | |
| Still Catholic after all these years. |
| Matt Woodbery | |
| Address | |
| 675 Sioux Dr Macon, GA 31210 United States Map It | |
| mwoodbery@hotmail.com | |
| Phone | |
| (571) 224-2040 | |
| Date | |
| 12/15/2018 | |
| Ministry Report | |
| After mandatory retirement in 2017, I was appointed by my bishop to serve as the Director of Connectional Ministry for the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Macon, GA. Then, in June 2018, my bishop appointed me as senior pastor of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, Macon, GA. (www.mulberrymethodist.org). Come see us if you’re driving up I-75 or I-16 to/from Florida! |
| Rich Young | |
| Address | |
| 8434 Magdalena Run Helotes, TX 78023 United States Map It | |
| chrichyoung@gmail.com | |
| Phone | |
| (210) 687-0880 | |
| Date | |
| 12/15/2018 | |
| Ministry Report | |
| We retired to San Antonio in 2006. In to being involved in our local church, I served for 5 1/2 years as the Executive Director of the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains (IAEC). IAEC’s mission is “to encourage, equip, and empower evangelical Christians worldwide who are engaged in military ministry.” Since leaving IAEC I’ve been working with Trinity Center for World Mission (TCWM), making trips to East Africa training pastors. What a privilege and blessing to continue working for the Kingdom. |
THIS IS WHAT YOU SAID
USACCRA SURVEY RESULTS
The membership has spoken with surveys recently sent to every member. Only 72 people responded, but they demographically represent the core of our membership. Only two non-members responded for the survey.
At the November 2018 reunion in D.C. two surveys were released. The first survey was from 1st. VP Kim Casey and dealt with the reunion exclusively. The second survey from 2nd VP Scottie Lloyd dealt with both reunion issues and membership in general. These are the results from the second broader issue survey.
The BLUF was clear and the USACCRA Board has been briefed on your thoughts.
- The reunion is our bread and butter activity, but many are wavering and wondering if isn’t time to perhaps expand our purpose or do business with reunions differently to be relevant for younger generations.
- The last two reunions are considered superlative successes. There are suggestions for improvement, but the basic outline, especially worked with a local chapter, is the correct pattern.
- Dues are fair. Lifetime memberships are a great deal.
- Members “crave” more information particularly about the Chaplain Corps now and into the future. Historical presentations are great but considered entertainment. There is a significant feeling of loss and detachment from the Corps the longer a person is retired. Membership appears to want us to help fill some of that gap with information.
- Which leads to another repeated issue. People expect the Chief of Chaplains and the SGM of the Corps to attend and provide a good brief on challenges, successes, and issues now and into the future of the Army Chaplaincy. The DCH was mentioned only once as a replacement. It’s got to be the Chief. No replacements. This was adamant by the surveys.
- Having said this, the DACH Staff and USACHS Staff are often recommended as follow on speakers. The topics can vary, but people like this pool of speakers. Also mentioned are Army commanders and General Officers.
- What does our membership want by these surveys? In order of desire: fellowship (reunion, well crafted website), Information (Better speakers and expanded website), and Connection capabilities (Rosters and expanded website). A special comment is drop the reference go rank. Call folks by first name, but leave off the colonel or SGM stuff.
- Include more of the Reserve, National Guard, and Chaplain Candidates. Also, see if a better connection can be crafted with those who are still in active service.
- When and where should we conduct the reunion? Fall and spring are the favorites with many saying why not alternate them. Locations vary greatly, but all places warmer is best and centrally located is better especially near a major airline hub.
- We had nine people volunteer for help on the board and two said they are trying to make things happen with a new local chapter in their area.
The USACCRA Board is working on these results and the results from the reunion survey. More to follow, but we thank all who took the time to do this survey. We value your feedback.
1st VP Scottie Lloyd
Newsletter
