Into The Midst of Wolves – The Ministry of Military Chaplains

Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. (Luke 10:3)

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Garland, Texas and the Diocese of Dallas will sponsor a series of lectures given by active duty and retired military chaplains reflecting on their ministry to service men and women, whose task it is to defend our country in time of war.

In cooperation with the Office of Bishop of the Armed Forces and the Diocese of Dallas, the Rev. J.D. Brown, (LtCol, USMC (Ret)), has been engaged in research, interviewing military chaplains across the country and in all services to paint a picture of what this unique form of ministry looks like from the inside.

Through the generosity of the Diocese of Dallas a number of chaplains who were contributors to this project have been invited to preach and lecture at Holy Trinity this summer while Fr Brown is on sabbatical as a scholar in residence at the Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee.

These lectures are offered at no cost and will be of particular interest to those who have served in the military and those who may consider serving in the future – especially as military chaplains.

The Rt. Rev. James Magness – Bishop of the Armed Forces

Bishop Magness (Capt, USN, (Ret)), currently serves as Bishop of the Armed Forces and Canon to the Washington National Cathedral for Military Affairs. He is the denominational endorser for all Episcopal clergy who seek to become military chaplains. He enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict and served on active duty as a Navy chaplain to both sailors and Marines. He was at the Pentagon on 9-11 and ministered to victims immediately following the attack. He will keynote the quarterly meeting of the Dallas Assembly of the Brotherhood of St Andrew on 7 June and will preach and teach on Sunday, 8 June.

The Rev. Randy Haycock (Maj, USAR, (Ret))

Father Randy Haycock was mobilized in 2008 to serve in Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Warrior Transition Brigade and in the Intensive Care and Psychiatry units. He describes ministry in that place as having “as much heartache per square foot on campus as anywhere in the world”. While serving as a chaplain at Walter Reed, he developed and led numerous “Warrior Pilgrimages” at the Washington National Cathedral for the wounded warriors under his care as a means to bring healing to their suffering. During his visit on 28 and 29 June, he will speak, preach and teach about his unique ministry.

The Rev. C. Neal Goldsborough (Capt, USN, (Ret))

Father Neal Goldsborough currently serves as the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Pensacola, Florida. He will visit Holy Trinity on 19 and 20 July. He is a retired Navy Reserve chaplain who was called to active duty in support of recovery operations at the Pentagon from 12-25 September, 2001, in the days immediately following the 9-11 attack. He is also the author of “Where is God Amidst the Bombs”, which recounts his compelling experiences as a military hospital chaplain serving in Kuwait in 2005.

The Rev. Beth Echols (LTC, USA)

Lieutenant Colonel Beth Echols served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Kirkuk, Iraq as chaplain to the 225th Forward Support Battalion. Her current ministry as an Associate Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, focuses on training military chaplains to care for our wounded warriors. She will visit the parish on 9 and 10 August.

The venue for the presentations on Saturday will include a brunch. Contact the Holy Trinity Garland Church office at (972)-226-1283 for more information regarding start times and to reserve a space.