Carl Wright reaches required majority in canonical consent process for bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries

From ENS-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Rev. Carl Wright that the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process have been received for bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries.

Wright was elected bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries on Sept. 19.  His ordination and consecration service is slated for Feb. 11 at Washington National Cathedral. Curry will officiate.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/01/09/carl-wright-reaches-required-majority-in-canonical-consent-process-for-bishop-suffragan-for-armed-services-and-federal-ministries/

Bishop James Magness, Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries, to retire in 2017

From ENS-

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has announced the upcoming resignation (retirement) of Bishop James “Jay” Magness, the Sixth Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church.

“Bishop Magness has brought a new level of clarity, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the office, and has increased recruitment and raised awareness of the ministry of federal chaplains around The Episcopal Church,” Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori said. “He will be difficult to replace, and I am grateful this careful process of seeking a successor has begun.”

Bishop Magness has served in this position since June 2010.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/08/14/bishop-james-magness-suffragan-for-armed-services-and-federal-ministries-to-retire-in-2017/

A World War II survivor's Memorial Day sermon

From Kentucky-


Memorial Day has been set aside as a federal holiday to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. For the survivor who chooses to testify his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory.

To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive. To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.

These words I quote from Elie Wiesel, a German Jew who survived the Holocaust. We know, as Wiesel reminds us, in the end it is all about memory. So today it is my duty as a survivor to speak for those silent ones who are with us only in spirit and memory.

More here-

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/05/25/world-war-ii-survivors-memorial-day-sermon/9571447/

Pentagon Denies Bias Against Military Chaplains

From Charisma News-

Lawmakers peppered Pentagon officials on Wednesday about claims that military chaplains have faced discrimination for their beliefs, and time and again, chaplains and personnel officials said they were unaware of any bias.

Virginia Penrod, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, told the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel that she could not cite specific instances where chaplains had to preach a sermon or oversee a ceremony that conflicted with their beliefs.

“There’s absolutely nothing in policy or code that prohibits a chaplain from praying according to the dictates of their faith,” she said.

In recent years conservative activists have complained that some military chaplains have been restricted in fully preaching their beliefs or have been muzzled or forced to follow policies they disagree with.

More here-

http://www.charismanews.com/us/42607-pentagon-denies-bias-against-military-chaplains

Same-sex ceremony held at Fort Bragg's chapel

From North Carolina-

The North Carolina home of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division and the Green Berets is opening the base chapel to same-sex ceremonies.

Fort Bragg saw Maj. Daniel Toven and Johnathan Taylor exchanged vows on Saturday.

The pair married in Washington, D.C., in August. The Fort Bragg ceremony wasn't a wedding, which is barred by state law. But the event drawing together more than 100 people to bless the pair's marriage is believed to be the first for a same-sex couple at Fort Bragg.

Attendees at the Episcopal service included a one-star general and a command sergeant major.
Also attending were Lt. Col. Heather Mack and her wife, who initially was barred from membership in the Fort Bragg Officers' Spouses Club before the group relented earlier this year.

More here-

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131222/AP01/312229964

Episcopal bishop confirms local congregation members

From Dvids- (Japan)


The Rev. Dr. James B. Magness, Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries, visited the Episcopal congregation on Fleet Activities (FLEACT), Yokosuka during a tour to churches in Japan, March 27 – 31.

“As the Bishop for the Armed Services of the Episcopal Church, I serve for three government branches, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons,” said Magness. “I am responsible for any priest that is in any one of those services. So, I like to set a goal to see each of them at least once in a two-year period. I also want to meet their congregation, their community and get a sense of where and who the priests are serving.”

This keeps the bishop on the road for many days out of the year. He explained that in his two-week trip, he visited a few locations in Japan where Episcopal chaplains are usually the only Episcopal leader in that area.

Read more:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/105068/episcopal-bishop-confirms-local-congregation-members#.UWf1Y79Oyp0#ixzz2QFVk1Zxu

Operation Toasty Toes chapter marks 10 years

From North Carolina-

Patricia Lee-Pirog's voice trembles and she chokes back a tear as she gives a tour of the simple yet invaluable treasures her group will send to America's armed forces overseas — and photos of those who are enjoying them.

“Look at their faces opening the boxes,” Pirog, pointing to one of several photo collages. said Sunday before adding, “As you can imagine, this is very emotional.”

Pirog is the chairwoman for the local chapter of Operation Toasty Toes, a national volunteer program that supplies knitted and crocheted comfort items to U.S. troops. On Sunday, her group hosted its 10th anniversary celebration in the community building at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church.

“A lot of people think I do it because I have children in the service, and I don't,” Pirog said. “I was brought up for God, family, country. When I found out about the program and I know how to knit and crochet ... I realized I found my real niche, and this is what I had to do. It's my way of giving back to our country, and the troops have to know there are people at home who care about them.”

More here-

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120326/ARTICLES/120329845/1042/news?Title=Operation-Toasty-Toes-chapter-marks-10-years

St. Stephen's parishioners send care packages to troops overseas

From Mass. -

For the last four years the Peace and Justice Committee at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church has been lifting the spirits of U.S. soldiers fighting overseas by sending care packages chock full of a few of the creature comforts the troops have been forced to live without while defending the country.

Ruth Beck, a parishioner at St. Stephen's, located at 3 John St., Westborough, oversees the operation.

"I communicate directly with a U.S. Army chaplain's assistant named Courtney," Beck said. "I send the packages to him and he distributes them to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Beck said she knows Courtney's last name, but has been asked by the Army not to disclose it publicly for security reasons because Courtney is assigned to a combat team.

More here-

http://www.thedailywestborough.com/Articles-c-2011-03-23-75829.113122-St-Stephens-parishioners-send-care-packages-to-troops-overseas.html

First Female Iowa Chaplain Leaves For War

From Iowa- (You Go Girl!)

Three thousand Iowa soldiers are heading to war saying goodbye to families at ceremonies across Iowa, including Martha Kester, Chris and Caleb Meis.

They are part of the largest call up of Iowa troops since World War II.

"My dad and brother Chris and Caleb Meis are going to Afghanistan," said Erin Meis.
Karla Meis said faith in God keeps her going as she sends her son and husband to war.
"I know that he will protect them and bring them back or help me, if he doesn't," said Karla Meis.

Iowa Chaplain Martha Kester said she hopes to give the soldiers religious direction during the deployment.

"The motto of the chaplain is to bring God to the soldiers and soldiers to God," said Kester.
Kester is the first female Iowa chaplain to serve.

More here with video

http://www.kcci.com/news/24500103/detail.html

Thank you to all the men and women who sacrificed for our freedom

Medal recipient in Pearl Harbor attack 'a real hero'

Fitting for Memorial Day-

Medal of Honor recipient John Finn, one of the oldest and most celebrated survivors of the attack that targeted Pearl Harbor, died yesterday, the Navy said. He was 100.

Finn fired a machine gun at Japanese planes over the Kāne'ohe Marine base despite being wounded many times. He was the nation's oldest Medal of Honor recipient and the last living recipient from the Pearl Harbor attack.

Finn died at a nursing home in Chula Vista, Calif.

Last year, the Navy named one of its newest USS Arizona Memorial shuttle boats the John W. Finn.

Daniel Martinez, National Park Service historian at the Arizona Memorial, said he is often asked about the shuttle's name and responds with the story of a brave man who did his best to shoot down the enemy over American soil on Dec. 7, 1941.

"I felt like I was looking at a real hero. And that hero was John," Martinez said.

"I knew him well. He was very much a no-nonsense person. Not in a strict sense of the word, but in the sense that he never left the military. He was colorful and had a great sense of humor."

Finn retired from the Navy in 1956 as a lieutenant.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, himself a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, said, "We have lost a great patriot today and I extend my condolences to Mr. Finn's family. Like all grateful Americans, I will remember him for his courage and his love of country. I hope that we all remember him with gratitude for the sacrifices he made in defense of our great nation."

More here-

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100528/OBITS/5280340/Medal+recipient+in+Pearl+Harbor+attack++a+real+hero+

Former rector nominated for bishop suffragan post

From Palm Desert-

The Rev. Robert Certain, former rector of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, has been nominated to the post of the Episcopal Church's bishop suffragan for federal ministries.

Certain retired from St. Margaret's in 2007 and is now rector the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marietta, Ga.

The bishop suffragan oversees and ministers to chaplains serving the armed forces, Veterans Affairs hospitals and federal prisons.

The Episcopal House of Bishops is expected to name a new bishop suffragan when it meets March 18-24 in Camp Allen, Texas.

The current bishop suffragan, the Rev. George Packard, is retiring.

Certain declined comment on the nomination.

Certain is a retired Air Force colonel who served in Vietnam, where he was shot down and held in a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp.

During Certain's time at St. Margaret's, he became personal pastor to former President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford.

Following Gerald Ford's death in December 2006, Certain gained national prominence when he led funeral services for Ford and was later appointed to the Defense Health Board, a high-level federal commission working on military health issues.

More here-

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100302/LIFESTYLES06/3020321/Former+rector+nominated+for+bishop+suffragan+post

Saint Peter’s remembers Marines this Christmas

From Washington Daily News-

A local church is working to insure Marines from Camp Lejeune won’t be forgotten this holiday season.

Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington has organized a “Christmas in Afghanistan” drive and is collecting items to be sent overseas in care packages.

“We’ll be sending things to 250 Marines in the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines who have little or no family support and who are away from home,” said Bill Cochran, a church member who, with his wife Betty, started the project.

Cochran, who formerly served in Japan with the Army, knows first hand how much the packages mean.

“Right before we shipped out from Seattle, the American Red Cross gave us gifts at Christmas,” Cochran recalled of his military stint. “That kind of stuck with me all these years.”

Earlier this year, Cochran read that East Carolina Bank was sponsoring a company of soldiers serving in Iraq. He knew his church could do the same thing.

“That planted the seed, and we approached the vestry at Saint Peter’s with the idea this fall,” Cochran said. “We’ve been collecting money and gifts ever since.”

The church put together a list of gift ideas and distributed it among the congregation. Suggested items include such toiletries as deodorant, soap, shampoo, foot powder, lotions and wet wipes; food items include hot chocolate packets, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, cheese and cracker packs, protein bars, dry soups and hard candies.

To help fill the long hours, Saint Peter’s is adding playing cards, sports equipment, games, Frisbees and paperback books to the care packages. Personal notes of encouragement and thanks have been written by children in the Sunday school classes and by other members of the congregation, and those will be packed into the packages, as well.

More here-

http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2009/11/15/news/doc4aff599f82e6e481640830.txt

Parishioners send prayer beads to troops

From the Washington Post-

Many Americans are praying for U.S. troops overseas. Some women from St. James Episcopal Church are helping Americans in the service say their own prayers.

Every other week, the group gathers to string prayer beads to send overseas.

A couple of years ago, one of the women at the Indian Head church saw the beads at a diocesan convention. I1n April, the church started its own prayer bead group, parishioner B.J. Creelman said.

"It's a group fellowship, and we really enjoy it," said Clare Phillips, group coordinator.

The church serves as a partner parish with On Beads of Prayer, an international nonprofit ministry that began at St. Alban's Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in 2006. The ministry has 17 participating parishes.

In a matter of months, the women of St. James have made hundreds of strings of prayer beads. "We are pretty prolific," Phillips said.

On Beads of Prayer will "send the beads to the chaplains [in the Middle East] and have them distribute them to any of the military people who are in need of that kind of guidance -- in need of having some way to connect to God or people who are in the military hospitals," Creelman said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/20/AR2009102004096.html