The Four Chaplains
Once there was a Methodist minister, a Rabbi, a Dutch Reformed minister and a Catholic priest. I know it may sound like the beginning of a joke, but it is the beginning of a very different story.
The Rev. George Fox, Rabbi Alexander Goode, The Rev. Clark Pohling and Father John Washington were Army Chaplains during World War II. Each of these men had their own flocks to tend and yet they left the security of their lives to minister to those in need. Further, when offered stateside chaplaincies, they all protested and advocated to be sent overseas. All four succeeded in being assigned overseas. But even more unusual was the ecumenism they all practiced: both as civilians and as Army Chaplains. In an age when you stayed within your own "group" these men tore those barriers down. They were faithful servants of God, and serving others was paramount for them.
They all were assigned to travel on the transport Dorchester, a coastal cruise ship "drafted" into service as a troopship. They left New York near the end of January 1943.On board soldiers marveled it didn't matter what your beliefs were, because you could see any of these chaplains for guidance. There is a lesson for all of us in this, but that is for another column.
The focus of the story is about sacrifice. The Dorchester was torpedoed 150 miles west of Greenland shortly before 1:00 a.m. February 3, 1943. There was panic and confusion as all lighting failed and the ship began to sink. The four chaplains kept order, handed out life jackets, and when they ran out took off their own, ending any chance of their own survival so that others might have a chance to survive in the 31 degree water. Rabbi Goode even gave away his mittens, telling the men that he had a second pair.
The four chaplains remained with the doomed ship. When last seen, they were on the rising stern, arms linked, their voices lifted in hymns. Jew, Roman Catholic, Protestant: they are commemorated Feb.3 because they manifested Jesus comment from the Gospel of John: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." --Warden Pete Bedrossian
Coming next week: Vestry views
Starting next week we will find in our Monday St. Paul's Messenger a few thoughts from our newly elected Vestry members and Warden. Adrian Goldson, Mark Debald and Shawn Prater-Lee were elected to the Vestry Jan. 31 at our Annual General Meeting and Bobbie Gordon was elected Warden. They will be providing expressions of their hopes and plans for their terms in office.
Bobbie and Shawn are both seasoned veterans at St. Paul's. Adrian is serving on the Vestry for the first time and Mark completed an incomplete term to which another parishioner had been elected. It will be interesting and enlightening to read their opinions and reflections on what they think should be happening at St. Paul's and what they hope to do as elected leaders of the parish.
Lenten supper series starts Feb. 17
St. Paul's Lenten supper series returns Feb. 17 as the season of Lent gets under way. Ash Wednesday is Feb. 10. On the other Wednesdays in Lent our tradition is to gather for a shared meal, focus on meditations that are oriented toward Lent, and then reflect on the season with the service of Compline.
Signups will be in the narthex Sunday for those interested in participating. We gather at 5:30 in the parish parlor and set up for a soup, bread and juice supper provided by volunteers. After supper and conversation we engage with Lenten meditations. This year we will use the 2016 Lenten meditations provided by Episcopal Relief and Development, the aid arm of the Episcopal Church that serves the needy domestically and abroad. The booklet of meditations we will use has offerings for each day of the season.
Lent is a special season for reflection and that practice is enhanced by engaging with others on the purpose and meaning of the season that precedes Holy Week and Easter. Sign up in the Narthex, pick up a copy of the meditation booklets, and join in.
