Chaplain's Corner Harry Chelpon
Over the past 16 months, I’ve experienced much with many of you. I’ve experienced the joy of visiting families in the hospital as they’ve welcomed a new life into this world. I’ve visited families who are journeying through the illness of a loved one. I’ve had the honor of helping celebrate the lives of ones who passed. Through all of these experiences, I’ve also had the opportunity to reflect on my own readings, the comments of colleagues and friends and the observations of firefighters and EMS people I’ve interacted with. I was touched, although not surprised, by the depth and breadth of love and support I saw for our colleagues.
With my religious tradition being Orthodox and my imagination in full stride, it also got me thinking about the number of recruiting poster figures the fire department has in scripture and how much all of our members, both career and volunteer, do to embody that spirit.
In scripture, my favorite fire department recruits would be:
4 friends lowering a paralyzed man down to Jesus in order to be healed, despite the monstrous crowd and having to remove the roof of the house to get him in (obviously these men would be truck or rescue candidates) (Mark:2-5)
- A Centurian, arguably one of the most intimidating figures in the Roman Legion, showing compassion and humility and asking a non-Roman and lowly carpenter (Christ) to heal his servant, regardless of others’ perceptions of him (perhaps a future officer) (Luke 7:2-10)
- The good Samaritan showing mercy to the man who was robbed and beaten by thieves, with no reluctance concerning his own safety or expectation of repayment (either a firemedic or canteen driver) (Luke 10:30-36)
- Noah (clearly a TROT and swift water recruit) (Gen 6:11 – 8:18)
The lessons provided here have been heard often and by many. They are not just part of my religious tradition but are inherent in most traditions. And yet, in our line of work and with all of our traditions, we sometimes take them for granted. Let us remember what we are called to do: Be merciful as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36); Love your neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:27); There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13) Make no mistake, when the tones drop, despite all of the training and all of the drills and all of the pre-plans, lives are laid down for someone else. That’s what you do. You’ve all been called. You show up every day with your lunch box and you go to work – for someone else - be it one of ours or one of the citizens.
I pray that God bless you and keep you safe.
CHAPLAIN'S Corner Arlene M. Corrado:
:John: 3:7-8 “
“You must be born again. The winds blow wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
In our last article, we read where Chaplain Grant MacIntosh wrote of his ministry of presence. As chaplains, we have a number of ways we live and work at our ministry. Some chaplains work in prisons, some work with the military, some in parishes, some do police and public service, some work in health care/hospitals. I worked in health care for more than twenty years and have always “journeyed with” the people I worked with. This means I will walk the distance with you. Not fixing you or the situation, not changing things, but making the journey with you. However you choose to walk the walk, as your chaplain, I am right there with you. To help you should you stumble, lend a hand should you need one, shed a tear if needed, share a laugh where we can, as well as, share a good story. My ministry has always allowed me to “journey with.”
As we look towards the future, let us consider looking at training and preparing ourselves to become better individuals. This includes buiding up our minds to perform better and to be ready, as well as, keeping our bodies fit to complete the task. To be optimately fit we must work at the mind, body and the Spirit. This brings us towards working for all around good health. As we are stretching and learning with our minds, keeping our bodies fit, we need to, also include the spirit of God that resides in all of us. We need to nurture the Spirit within us. Have we included the Spirit in our journey? It could be a perfect opportunity to build a program that consists of working to build the body, mind, Spirit. God is with us each and every day, waiting to be acknowledged within each of us. We must always continue to learn and grow, challenge our mind, keep our bodies fit, but also tend to our spiritual life. To nurture our Spirit will work towards a better mind, a better body that will bring us towards wholeness, which is what God wants for all of us. Think about it. In order to go the distance on this journey, it could be so much better with God along. Can we allow God to “journey with us?” God is waiting for the opportunity to be included. Blessings to all.
CHAPLAIN'S Corner Grant McIntosh:
One of the things enjoy is stopping by fire stations and visiting with fire fighters. Recently, I stopped by Station 433 and a question was asked by the battalion chief, “What can you do for me when you come on the scene of an incident?” My answer to him was, “I off er a shoulder to lean or cry on, a listening ear, comfort in the time of stress, encouragement when things seem to be going wrong and most of all “ministry of presence.”
I can remember my days as a Fairfax County fire fighter, sitting on the tailboard of a fire truck by myself right after I pulled out a child from a burning trailer. No one came by to see how I was doing. Later, one of the officers came by and said, “suck it up and get back to work. This is what you are getting paid for.” Those days are gone hopefully, and that is one reason why I show up on incident scenes. It has been said by a deputy chief in a meeting, “the fire fighters would rather see your white shirt come to the scene rather than some more chiefs. You represent calm, peace, and comfort to the men and women on the scene of an incident.” A member of communications once told me that when a Chaplain comes into the communications center, things just seem to calm down and “you are a welcome sight.” The Police and Fire Chaplains have formed the Fairfax County Public Safety Chaplains Corps, but we have also kept our own identity. Regardless of who shows up, we all have the same function – “to be there for the public safety personnel.” You are our first and most important part of our ministry.
On some occasions we have been asked to assist a citizen in distress, such as talking, or comforting a family member after they lost a loved one or their home was destroyed in a fire. Usually, there is a follow-up with that family later to see if they need further assistance. Sometimes the unexpected happens. At a recent fire, I was asked by a medic to talk to the owner whose dog was still in the burning house and he was distraught. I spoke with him and tried my best to comfort him. By looking at the burning house, the dog had no chance of survival. About 45 minutes later, the dog appeared at the window and the fire fighter retrieved the dog. The look on his face was priceless. I walked away leaving the dog and owner enjoying their reunion. Is this part of my job? Absolutely.
Why do we do it? It’s not for the “thanks for coming” or “glad to see you” or “I’m glad you are here.” It’s because we care for your well-being. There is plenty of assistance from Critical Incident Stress Management, Occupational Health Center, Critical Incident Response Team, Family Assistance Team, and the Behavioral Health Coordinator. Most importantly, we as Chaplains represent the spiritual side of your health. Remember, for 30 years I sat where you are sitting. I have been there and I know what you are experiencing. We are here not only for you, but for your families as well.
|