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The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
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Weekly Newsgram - October 3rd 2018
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THE CALL FOR SERVICE
DURING THE
HURRICANE FLORENCE CRISIS!
Article by Chaplain, Lt Col Marcus L Taylor, CAP
The presence of the CAP Chaplain Corps was both seen and felt during the recent response mission for Hurricane Florence.
I am happy to say that the CAP Chaplain Corps provided a spiritual presence for this mission, as a call up for all available personnel who could deploy went out, first to all North Carolina Wing (NCWG) Chaplain Corps personnel, to report for duty to give Chaplain Support to this mission. Plans were also in the ready to expand that call to our Chaplain Corps personnel in nearby wings and regions, as the need arose for additional personnel to help with this arduous task.
I served as the Chaplain presence and coordinator for Mission Chaplain Support at the Incident Command Post (ICP), North Carolina Wing Headquarters (NCWG HQ), Burlington, NC, for the entirety of the mission. Two of our CAP Chaplains from the Middle East Region (MER), Chaplain David Bobbey, NCWG, and Chaplain Deric Dunn, MDWG, were deployed to the field and spent a week serving on site in the Kinston, NC and Wilmington, NC areas.
Chaplain Wayne Byerly, MER/HC, and I were able to fly into the Wilmington area on Wednesday, 19 September, and visit our personnel that were manning three Point of Distribution (POD) locations in the area, to monitor their morale and overall wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the other First Responders in those areas. We also toured some of the devastation in the inner community areas, and the housing facilities for our CAP personnel, National Guard, and First Responders.
Though we work behind the scenes and don't get added or factored into the "press", I am glad to say that there was CAP Chaplain Corps presence and involvement in the response mission for Hurricane Florence. I am VERY grateful to Chaplains Wayne Byerly, David Bobbey, Steven Mathews, and Deric Dunn for making the sacrifice to be "boots on the ground", both at the ICP with me, and out in the field. I am also VERY thankful to the many CAP Chaplain Corps personnel who responded to the call, checked in, and were on standby alert, and pledged their availability for the days and weeks we expected to be engaged in this mission.
See more on the CAP Chaplain Corps Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/16639568303/
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As noted in last week's Newsgram, it was a pleasure- and an oasis- to be in the midst of the 67 Episcopal chaplains gathered at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, California. Their stories were energizing, and listening to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church was electrifying. It has taken a bit of time to come down off that mountain. However, even as I do I am lifted up by the work of other chaplains in our midst.
You will see in this week's Newsgram a remarkable article by Chaplain Marcus Taylor, Lt Col, Civil Air Patrol, on CAP chaplains' response to Hurricane Florence. Rather than go on about it here, I will let it speak for itself. We often don't see the work of the Civil Air Patrol or CAP chaplaincy. This article shows the remarkable work that is being done by them which is often not at the forefront of news coverage.
Soon we hope to also bring information on the work of the South Carolina State Guard chaplains in response to the Florence crisis. Amazing how many emergency response mechanisms we have in place. Both the CAP and State Guard chaplains serve completely as volunteers.
Based on a conference call yesterday with Chaplain Mike Langston, MCA President, Chaplain Dave DeDonato, MCA Vice President and Chaplain Lyman Smith, MCA Communications Director, we have firmed up our National Institute with excellent content for all of you who are attending.
The hotel registration is below and we will shortly have the conference registration on our web site. The price will be very attractive and reasonable. Please look for additional information about the conference registration elsewhere in the Newsgram, and in a "special edition" Newsgram that will have all of the information in it for your review and action.
From being with my fellow Episcopalian chaplains last week, to reading Chaplain Taylor's article on CAP chaplains providing relief support after Hurricane Florence, it is a honor to serve as your Executive Director.
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MCA National Institute and Annual Meeting 2018
Chaplaincy in a Post Truth World
November 5, 6 and 7, 2018
Sheraton Pentagon City, 900 S Omre Street, Arlington VA
November 5th -
National Executive Committee Meeting all day
Member Reception 1800
November 6th -
Optional Seminars - 0900 - 1200
Sustaining Members Luncheon - 1230 - 1330
Plenary Presentations 1330 - 1700
Awards Banquet 1800 - 2100
November 7th -
Memorial Service - 0900
Annual Meeting - 1030
Key Note Address - 1100A
Meeting registration form on the MCA website soon
Note: the United States Army Chaplain Corps Regimental Association will be meeting at the Sheraton Pentagon City immediately following our meeting - for more see their website here
MCA Hotel Registration
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Las Vegas Police Department Chaplain's Prayer
Anniversary of Mass Shooting October 1, 2108
"Heavenly Father, we come to you in humility and with grief as we remember what took place one year ago today," he began. "We come to you, God, our eternal source, for comfort and healing. Our prayers are for those whose lives were lost last year and for family members and friends who are attempting to cope with that loss."
After praying for the physical, emotional and spiritual healing of all those affected by the shooting, he offered up praise to God for how He continues to take something so wicked and use it for His glory:
"We thank you today as we remember what happened, that you can take something the enemy meant for evil and use it for good," he prayed. "We thank you for being a God that can take death and turn it into resurrection. We remember how so many in this community rallied together to show love to everyone and supported everyone. And today, we remember that love triumphs over evil, and we rejoice for how far you have brought us, and for how far we have come."
faithwire.com |
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits and VA Benefits at the Same Time
If you've served this country and are receiving VA benefits did you know that you may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the same time? The Social Security Administration (SSA) gives out monthly benefits to those who can no longer work full time due to a disability. If you're a veteran who is already receiving VA benefits, there are numerous ways in which you can be approved for SSDI benefits at the same time.
Difference Between Qualifying for VA and SSDI Benefits
Qualifying for VA Benefits: In order to qualify for VA benefits, you must have an injury or disability that is related to your military service. You won't be able to qualify for VA Benefits if you became sick after you left the military.
Qualifying for SSDI Benefits: In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a disability deemed by the SSA that will force you to be out of work for at least 12 months. You must also have a sufficient amount of work credits. Work credits are calculated by your age and the number of years you have worked. It's quite easy to get work credits. If you've earned more than $5,000 or more in taxable income per year, you'll have more than enough work credits to qualify.
The SSA Can Expedite Claims for Veterans While the actual process for applying for Social Security disability benefits can be quite long for some, in certain cases the SSA can expedite some veterans' claims. The SSA will expiate your claim if:
* Your VA P&T disability rating is 100%
Or * You were injured on active duty on or after October 2, 2001
If one or both is the case, then your claim for SSDI benefits could be approved in as little as 10 days. You should be aware that being expedited means that your claim will be handled more quickly than other claims that are not considered as expedited. It may still take some time to actually begin receiving your monthly payments.
How to Start Your Claim
It's actually easier than you might think in order to apply for Social Security disability benefits. You can apply online at any time you want. You can also apply at your local SSA office, if you wish to do so. The SSA has a toll-free hotline if you wish to speak with a representative with any questions regarding your case. The number to reach them is 1-800-772-1213.
For more see the complete blog post (with links) by Eric Whitmore here
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MCA
South Carolina Chapter
October 9th Luncheon Meeting
Tuesday, 9 October, 1145, NCO Club, Lee Avenue, Fort Jackson
Chaplain Brian Bohlman, (DMin, BCC, SC Air Guard) will provide a brief reflection on how National Guard Chaplains are supporting Partner Nation Chaplains in the SOUTHCOM AOR through the State Partnership Program.
RSVP Affirmative ONLY
Please
NLT 1100 Monday 8 October to the cell number
803-673-9624 (leave a message)
or email Sam Boone at sjtboone@gmail.com
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If you missed the September 26th
edition of the Newsgram
click here
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SUPPORTING CHAPLAINCY IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM: Active, Retired and Former Chaplains of the
United States Army,
United States Navy,
United States Air Force, Department of
Veterans Affairs, and
Civil Air Patrol
AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families
at home and around the world
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The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
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