Chaplain Sunday, November 20, 2011

As the new Director of Chaplaincy and Care Ministry I am eager to help reconnect churches to chaplains and chaplains to churches.  A very significant opportunity to do just that comes November 20, 2011.  The denomination has designated this day as Chaplain Sunday.

I encourage you to think creatively about this day in advance.  Our chaplains have stories of God's wondrous grace; stories our churches need to hear. Here are some resources to help you plan this event:

• Bulletin covers or inserts and other worship resources.  You will also find worship resources for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Veterans from the Calvin Institute of Christian worship.
• For a list of active and retired CRC chaplains by location, click here.  (further down in the document they are listed by last name)
• For an inter-active on line map, able to display names of chaplains and institutions they serve check out this map.
• To view the newest Chaplaincy video (2:10 minutes) click here.  It is appropriate for a church service.
• Free downloadable booklet, Ministering to Families Affected by Military Deployment: Deployment Resources for America's Clergy.
• Operation We Are Here recognizes the need to help civilian communities understand the unique challenges of the military lifestyle.  This website offers a clearinghouse of resources for military families, communities and military supporters.
• Offering: please make checks payable to the "Chaplain Development Fund."
• Covenant of Joint Supervision guidelines and a sample covenant.

If we can help you be even more creative and arrange to connect by phone to a chaplain overseas, or on a military base stateside, or in a prison, hospital, ect. (many of whom work on weekends), please call our office at 616-224-0844.  Virginia Will be answering your call.

If nothing else, pray with us on November 20th for the safety and effectiveness of chaplains who represent our denomination and our King of kings in many places you would not imagine: from the  boiler room to the board room, from the hospital room to the battlefield, from the police car to the Pentagon, from the deck of an aircraft carrier to the floor of a play room in a children's hospital.

Please give them a voice and a hand on November 20, 2011

In his Love and Grace,

Rev. Ron Klimp
Director of Chaplaincy and Care Ministry
rklimp@crcna.org
616-224-0733