The Sign of the Fish: A Chaplain's Territory in an Ecumenical World
()
About this ebook
The inevitable, absorbing, yet invigorating world of the chaplaincy awaits. This objective journey into The Sign of the Fish begins in 1770, on a Massachusetts bridge.
By comparing real cases in therapeutic settings or witnessing great personal changes the chaplain deals with, much is learned. Todays chaplain covers cases from hospital to campuses, from military bases to prisons, from retirement homes to sports arenas, to shipboard, hospice and abroad; volunteer or professional, all are trained.
A chaplains obedience is to the God each serves. Read why the chaplain asks, And how did that make you feel?the answer that allows withheld tears and feelings to flow.
A newspaper reporters style keeps the book informative but simple, honest but confidential, allowing participation in the conflict and debate that introduces the field of bio-ethics.
The book, in its later segment, introduces ancient religions.
The spiritual attitudes of the eight chaplains and two professional writers, a professor and a nurse, give the book the special ambiance they gained from their religious experiences. A one-time student of Professor Elie Wiesel at Boston University, the authors humanizing of spiritual care was well learned. She chose her contributors well.
Carefully explained is why each of the chaplains venues required additional training in the ancient religions in this ecumenical world.
Of special interest are the images on loan from Irlen Institute that explain the frequently undiagnosed perception difficulties of our non-readers in elementary schools and into our colleges and businesses. One New England hospital with an entire floor empty brought in reading specialists to work with the communitys non-readers of all ages. Many industrial firms now test for scotopic sensitivity before hiring.
Emmalou Kirchmeier
A journalist, Emmalou Kirchmeier went into the ministry after raising her seven children. Ordained, she visited a military hospital; the chaplaincy kept calling her. She took 1,200 hours of CPE and qualified for director of pastoral care at Elizabeth Church Manor in New York after 9/11.
Related to The Sign of the Fish
Related ebooks
The Faith and Friendships of Teenage Boys Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Walking Through the Valley: Diary of a Hospice Chaplain Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Chaplains Book of Poems # 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnvalidated Pain: A Chaplain’S Journey to Iraq and Back Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChaplaincy: Being God's Presence in Closed Communities: A Free Methodist History 1935-2010 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProviding Chaplaincy to Youth and Young Adults Marginalized in King County Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInvolved with Mankind: A Theology of Chaplain Ministry: The Chaplain Ministry, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Prison Chaplaincy, And Its Experiences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Making of a Pastor/Chaplain: Faith Development as Revealed Through the Author’S Own Story and Journey of Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCharismatic Pastoral Care of the Terminally Ill and Chronically Disabled Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCollege & University Chaplaincy in the 21st Century: A Multifaith Look at the Practice of Ministry on Campuses across America Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Exciting World of a Police Chaplain Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Changing Role of the Managing Chaplain at Haverigg Prison: A Case Study Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrisis Pastoral Care: A Police Chaplain's Perspective Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chaplaincy Ministry and the Mission of the Church Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5PrayingThrough the Bars: A Pastoral Testimony For Prison Visitors Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Inside Job: True Confessions Of A Prison Chaplain - Shaken Not Stirred Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe World of Hospice Spiritual Care: A Practical Guide for Palliative Care Chaplains Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Hospice Chaplain's Fieldguide to Caregiving: Finding Resilience on the Frontlines of Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnofficial Chaplain: A Handbook for Everyday Service to the People Around You Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Almost Everything You Need to Know About Hospital Chaplaincy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Conduit: Diary of an Emergency Department Chaplain Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Is Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Journey Through The Bible Volume 3: Matthew - 2 Thessalonians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMoral Warriors, Moral Wounds: The Ministry of the Christian Ethic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCall the Chaplain Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeing a Chaplain Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Ringmaster: A Clergy Guide to Funerals/Memorials/Wakes in the African American Tradition: Second Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJudges Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Religion & Spirituality For You
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Course In Miracles: (Original Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Complete Papyrus of Ani Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Buddha's Guide to Gratitude: The Life-changing Power of Everyday Mindfulness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Warrior of the Light: A Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Here Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Love Dare Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Upon Waking: 60 Daily Reflections to Discover Ourselves and the God We Were Made For Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Abolition of Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5THE EMERALD TABLETS OF THOTH THE ATLANTEAN Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Odyssey Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Weight of Glory Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer: Summary and Analysis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Reason for God Discussion Guide: Conversations on Faith and Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Sign of the Fish
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Sign of the Fish - Emmalou Kirchmeier
Copyright © 2013 Emmalou Kirchmeier.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
1-(866) 928-1240
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
ISBN: 978-1-4497-8380-8 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-8379-2 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-8381-5 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013902752
WestBow Press rev. date: 5/24/2013
THE SIGN OF THE FISH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1
CHAPLAINS: TRAINED ORDAINED ENDORSED
Chaplain at Concord Bridge 1770 William Emerson
The Pacifist Chaplain of Florida 1800 Rev. Jessie Lee
Boston Led The Way For Cpe Training In 1925
The Military Chaplain: Vietnam Capt. Charles L. Greenwood CHC, USN
The CPE Supervising Chaplain
What Does A Chaplain Do?
Chaplaincy Abroad: India Rev. Roberta Jones
A Chaplain’s World
The Campus Ministry Rev. Dee Graham
Inmate Education
Undiagnosed Perception Difficulties
Dr. Helen Irlen
Irlen Washout and Swirl
Retirement Community Rev. Lea Harding
Senior Living Arrangements
Answering A Call
A Hospice Chaplain Rev. Cinda Foulkrod
Prayers: The Connecting Link
The Soul Of The Family
Using Volunteer Chaplains Rev. Dr. George M. Fisher
The On-Call Chaplain
Only Once but Never Forgotten Rev. Emmalou Kirchmeier
Chapter 2
WORKING WITH THE FAMILY
Faith In Action
The Unsettled Family
What Causes Abuse?
Happiness Is Stressful Too!
Esp Issues
Chapter 3
FROM THE DESERT TO THE PEW
Hinduism: The Oldest Religions
Buddhism: Non theistic morality
*The Old City of Jerusalem’s Four Quarters
Judaism: First strict Monotheism
The Jewish Holidays RN Susan Finkelstein
Armenia: The First Apostolic Kingdom Prof. Richard O’Brien
Uses Old and New Testament Scriptures
*Ancient Art Found in Roman Catacombs
Islam: The youngest religion
Uses Texts from the Koran
CHRISTIANITY: Trinitarian Faith of Love
Protestant and Apostolic use of Old and New Testaments
Roman Catholic, Eastern & Greek Orthodox include the Books of the Apocrypha in their Bibles
Questions Chaplains Should Be Prepared to Answer
1. Do The Ten Commandments Go Far Enough?
2. What’s The Purpose Of Prayer?
3. What Are The Advantages Of Silent Prayer?
4. Do We Forgive Too Soon?
5. Is unresolved grief dangerous to our health?
Chapter 4
HOW WE KNOW GOD
John Wesley’s Rules to Live By
BIBLIOGRAPHY
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
RELIGIOUS THOUGHTS
and
THE MAKING OF A CHAPLAIN
Edited and Written by
CHC Emmalou Handford Kirchmeier, M.Div.
With contributions by: Rev. Dr. Karl S. Andersen, Rev. Dr. George Fisher, RN Susan Finkelstein MAS, Rev. Cinda Foulkrod, Rev. Dee Graham, Capt. Charles Greenwood, CHC, USN, (Ret.), Rev. Lea Harding, Rev. Roberta Jones, Prof. Richard O’Brien,
Other Books by Emmalou H. Kirchmeier
DESTINATION MIAKKA
A Civil War Novel
MONROETON UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH HISTORY 1839-1989
SARASOTA’S SENIORS’ SHORT STORIES
Edited and compiled by Emmalou Kirchmeier
Written by fifteen of her students
DEDICATION
To God, I can only say, it’s been great. Thanks!
To my teachers who were so patient, thanks.
To my parents who wanted me, thanks.
To my children and their children’s children,
You were the best that ever happened to me.
My life as a Mother, Grandma, and GG have been the best years.
To my writing students, we learned together,
Thank you for sharing your hopes and dreams with me.
I could not have had a better life with Otto or
Ken, who both kept me going and strong.
Love to you all,
Emmalou.
I also want to thank those who helped with the computer work: Dr.M.L. Stratton and Miriam Rowan, as well as all my editors at West Bow Press, Kurt Bredt for Cover Design and faxing by Cindy Thurmond.
INTRODUCTION
Why did I write a book about chaplains? Because most people haven’t the vaguest idea who we are and what we attempt to do. The eight chaplains, who became co authors writing with me, faced different circumstances in each of the venues they served.
Be sure to read Chuck Greenwood’s Vietnam story when as a U.S. Navy chaplain he sought a priest to come aboard ship to minister to his Catholic men. And Roberta Jones account of how many staff members she worked with in India when one the country’s religions was not practiced anywhere else in the world; or Lea Harding’s soul searching when a Jewish patient wandered into a communion service.
George Fisher tells about working with volunteer chaplains, who each come to monthly meetings at the hospital to discuss cases. Dee Graham’s adventures on three college campuses renewed my interest in the multi ethnic families at American universities today; she dealt with five different religious groups.
Cinda Foulkrod explains how a person’s background can prepare them for the Hospice Chaplain’s duties as they work with both patient and family. Karl Andersen wrote a powerful, gripping account of the changes and development of the chaplaincy in our time. Don’t miss Susan Finkelstein’s understanding of the holidays of the Jewish community, and Professor Richard O’Brien’s explanation and history of the ancient Armenian faith, one of the four ancient faiths of Old Jerusalem.
As I grew in my work as a chaplain, my strongest desire was to set priorities in emergencies. I didn’t realize how strong that was in me until a school bus accident involved me in handling several different cases at once.
Children have inalienable rights that include being taken care of not just by parents and teachers, but when injured without anyone to speak for them, they should be cared for according to the severity of their injuries, which is how every hospital should operate in an emergency. But the children are also frightened and in need of sympathetic assistance.
Another thing I found out about working with children is that we are sometimes too hard on them when they make mistakes that can’t be helped. After all they are just students, learning how to get along with the rest of us. Many children suffer from perception difficulties that aren’t diagnosed!
To me, chaplains are like the water in a river, able to bring a relaxing cooling calm to the distressed, or perhaps it is more like new strength to the weak, a sweeping tide to wash away their sinful problems of the past. We concentrate our efforts, with God’s help, on uplifting and reassuring the sick, confused, distressed or lonely using prayer to rebuild self confidence and renewed health. However, we should be ready if a person is facing the end of their time on earth to explain a belief that an after-life awaits the believer.
Though each of the eight of us wrote about our own experiences the similarities in thinking are clear. The personality types we deal with are always of nine different types, however, the patient’s beliefs are what we listen to carefully in order to be of help. One of the reasons I included an explanation of each of the major religions to this book comes from my hope that it will become a reference work.
We don’t pray to Jesus with non-Christians. We have been known to ask a patient how they want their creator addressed. Our families are precious too; therefore I added many things patients discuss with their chaplains as a means of helping families.
Lastly, if you are thinking about becoming a chaplain either a volunteer or a professional, God Bless You. You will need strength, compassion, spiritual understanding of faith, and the ability to listen, learn and love.
A chaplain by definition is emotionally, intellectually and spiritually attached to God and has an affinity for helping people understand how God works in their lives while they are in a hospital, university, prison, military unit, or other institution, while they are away from home, away from home and the spiritual guidance they are used to.
Chaplains are trained through courses known as Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE. That knowledge allows us to comfort patients when the medical team or the patient requests they see a chaplain. Back in the 1930’s it was decided that we needed the same clinical training that doctors receive.
The first two chaplains I worked with, while still a journalist, served the Connecticut Correctional system at the Enfield Maximum Security Prison near my home. They were different from other clergy I knew. No matter what a person had done, they were always finding ways to improve their intellectual and spiritual lives. They were strong believers in education as a means of correcting thinking and behavior and they were a great influence on me. Through them I joined the Connecticut Prison Association and began tutoring men who were seeking parole.
I soon learned that humans removed from society may lose some of their social skills. Under the auspices of Commissioner Ellis MacDougall, prisoners learned they could attain their GED equivalent for high school, start college courses, and learn to use computers. All this training helped to reduce the recidivism rate in Connecticut’s prisons.
In this decade, in our home communities, changes have taken place too. We now have Chaplains who are the Behavior Specialists, opening dormitories for those who were ruining their lives addicted to drugs, alcohol, and prescription drugs. These Chaplains are the new Saints who preach, who listen, and who bring these ‘users’ together to believe in the power of God and the Word. Many of those who went through a program of recovery are now Chaplains themselves. These new theologians, many from the Apostolic faiths apparently have one thing in common, they’ve learned to ask
God for the thing, the person, or the words, they need.
From The Prayer of Jabez, made famous in this decade by Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, in a tiny book we can slip into pocket or pocket book for support, they have become stronger. Jabez prayed and was answered:
Read Chronicles 4:10
Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm!
We may think that enlarge my territory
refers to space, land, Charge, or Parish. My interpretation of the phrase deals with vision, focus, imagery, range and perception, without a definite boundary, without a fence. The rural and urban Pastors, the hospital and military Chaplains once were appointed to use boundaries. Once we Clergy, Pastors and Chaplains, are retired, we have no boundaries. When we are asked for our opinions on local, national or international issues we can accomplish what Christ expected of us still, by going forth to make disciples, simply by informing others of our opinions.
My territory
as a writer is any area from which I can learn. Or it may include those topics which I have felt I had to write a letter-to-the-editor about or perhaps speak out at a public meeting about, but if I suddenly get cold feet, I remember Acts 18:9;
Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you..
As God’s blessed sons and daughters I knew we were expected to attempt the largest problems collaboratively, if they couldn’t be handled alone. Today, when women and children are being abused by the man in the family instead of protected by them we are afraid and sometimes have to collaboratively, with the court’s assistance, take action to separate the wife and children from the husband.
We therefore redesign our territory sometimes with government help. Yet, I still think positively and make up my territory accordingly. When elected officials, for instance, are taking away voting rights, medical treatment for female cancer patients, and education from young students, I express my opposition. Do you see how ‘territory’ gets enlarged?
The second title of this book ‘From the Desert to the Pew’ takes religion from its beginning era in the desert cultures to the modern worship centers. When I think of Third World Countries, where my children were in service or served as missionaries, and I as a journalist functioned, I remember the worship centers without roofs or pews. Frequently they just consisted of wooded knolls covered by vines, I remember the people. The people were genuine. They helped fish for, and feed, one another; cleaned and applied tinctures that healed one another, always comforting those in need, using the tools they had at hand.
Ecumenical beliefs have changed the world. We recognize different languages and cultures but, there is less difference in how we think about life after death. Our worship centers and our leaders are respected for leading believers to believe in a better life.
As we learn to respect the message of each holy book, we find a common thread, a search for goodness. The message of love from the Christian church isn’t understood or believed frequently because we are constantly fighting wars. But that message can also be the reason we are taken advantage of as easy marks; we need to learn to live with each other. Remember the words?
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And all of us with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
11 Cor. 3:17
I was fortunate when I was a kid. My Mom was the only nurse in the area; she was called to a child’s bedside often taking me with her. We prayed to the Lord with each family, reminding them to pray each day and to call a doctor too. Over seven years only one of those children died. I think the impetus for me to become a chaplain starts there.
Mom said, You can be anything you chose to be.
I leave you with that message….So can you! Just be sure to pray about it. elk
CHAPLAINS:
TRAINED
ORDAINED
ENDORSED
WILLIAM EMERSON
The Patriot Chaplain of Concord
W illiam Emerson, the patriot Chaplain of Concord, Massachusetts had built his manse alongside the town bridge in 1770 and raised his family there while he acted as chaplain to the local militia. Five years later the British Army garrison in Boston brought its might against the colonies. Emerson, no pacifist,
preached against the inequities of British rule and inspired patriotism
but was branded by a Tory as