American Baptist Chaplains
& Pastoral Counselors e-Connect
 
April 2016 Issue
 
Happy Easter
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Philippians 3:10-11

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

Greetings to you during this most holy time when the followers of Christ throughout the world remember Jesus' passion, his celebration of the last supper with his disciples, his demonstration of servanthood, issuance of the New Commandment, trial, sacrificial death on a crucifix and his eventual resurrection. A lot transpired in one week to change human history forever.

In like manner, God does incredible things in our lives, often in a brief span of time, that have lasting impacts. I pray that during this holy season you will experience God's life-transforming power in areas of need in your personal life, and that you will experience a glimpse of the Living Lord as never before!

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!
 

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
Ecclesiastical Endorser Executive Director/CEO ABHMS 
 
Chaplain Celebrations 
We are happy to announce the following accomplishments and celebrations:
Retirements
Congratulations to Gary Coffey on his retirement from the West Virginia Army National Guard. Gary retired from serving as a military chaplain June 2015.
Congratulations to Gary Bennett who retired after 29 years of serving as a Navy chaplain. Gary retired from serving as a military chaplain in Dec 2015.
Please keep these gentlemen in prayer as they transition from their military ministry.
New Leadership Positions
Our Army chaplain candidate, 1LT Liani Colon will start as an associate pastor at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Juncos in Puerto Rico starting April 1st! May God bless Liani in her new ministerial leadership role.
Rev. Gregory K. Creasy will assume the role of Director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, WV on April 11th. May God bless Greg in his new leadership role.
Award Recognitions
Rev. Joe Hyde, one of our 2015 endorsed chaplains, was nominated for The Paul Diaz Caring Award, Kindred Healthcare. Each year, Kindred Healthcare recognizes caregivers who demonstrate an extraordinary sense of compassion and empathy while caring for their patients or residents. These individuals approach their jobs not just as a means to a paycheck or the completion of their routine duties, but also as an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of those with whom they interact every day. They possess a selfless concern for others, display great respect for patients and family members, and serve as role models for their colleagues and peers.
Congratulations Rev. Joe Hyde!
New Endorsements
1LT Kelley Thury was recently endorsed as a chaplain candidate! Congratulations Kelley!
Rev. Terry Long was recently endorsed as a healthcare chaplain! Congratulations, Terry!
Promotions
Military Army Chaplain Herb Lemke was selected for promotion to Major! Congratulations, Herb!
Military Army Chaplain Brett Charsky was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Congratulations, Brett!
Please share any celebrations at endorsement@abhms.org.
Financial Assistance/Opportunities
Military Chaplains Association (MCA): Chaplain Candidate Scholarships
2016-2017 Academic Year
The Military Chaplains Association of the USA (a 501.c.3 non-profit awards scholarships each year to seminary students who are preparing for chaplaincy in the US Armed Forces. The Application form is found on our website:   Scholarship Application. Applications will be received until May 31, 2016 and awardees will be announced in July.
The MCA plans to award four $1,000 scholarships this year with one being funded courtesy of the National Christian Foundation.
In addition to MCA scholarships, Chaplain Candidates may also consider applying to our partner:
Church, State, and Industry Foundation Scholarships
The Church, State, and Industry Foundation also awards scholarships to chaplain candidates. Their purpose and intent is three-fold:
  1. To encourage seminarians to become Military Chaplain Candidates.
  2. To financially recognize Candidates who have stayed the course and are just now becoming fully commissioned Chaplains.
  3. To encourage qualified civilian clergy to become newly accessioned Military Chaplains

Interested students may apply online: www.chaplain-csif.org

Connect with your Associate Endorsers!
ACPE Gathering:

Are you planning on attending the ACPE annual gathering in Denver this May? Please email Laura Miraz if you are attending the gathering and are planning to attend the ABC chaplain's breakfast.
 
ABCOTS Regional Gathering:

Are you planning on attending the American Baptist Of the South Regional gathering, April 27 - 29 in Charlotte? Please join Rev Kristy Moeller there! Please send me an email, kmoeller@abhms.org , if you plan on attending. It would be a privilege to connect with you at this regional meeting.
 
APC Gathering:

Are you planning on attending the APC conference in Orlando this June? Please email Laura Miraz if you are attending the gathering and are planning to attend the ABC chaplain's breakfast.


The Annual Report for 2015 is Past Due!
2015 Annual Reports are over due! If you haven't submitted your annual report for 2015, please do so now! Access the Annual Report form.
 
If you are retired you can update contact information (address, telephone, email) by sending your information to endorsement@abhms.org

If you need to update contact information at any time during the year, send an email message to endorsement@abhms.org

If you need a letter of endorsement for your employer, send an email message to endorsement@abhms.org Be sure to specify the name and full address of your employer.

If you are applying for a VA job or APC certification, please be sure to state so specifically, as they require separate documentation.

Virtual network exclusively for American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors
to communicate

American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors have a private and secure social network to keep us connected and in communication. We have partnered with Yammer to set up a private virtual network. Yammer collaboration software allows you to get connected to American Baptist chaplains and pastoral counselors across the United States. Our communication can go further and faster. To join.
To read or print out previous issues of the American Baptist Chaplains & Pastoral Counselors e-Connect e-newsletter, scroll down to the bottom of the ABHMS Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministries Documents and Forms web page.
      
      
  
American Baptist Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Ministries
endorsement@abhms.org or 800.222.3872, x2482 
  
  
American Baptist Home Mission Societies
 
American Baptist
 Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Ministries
 

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
Ecclesiastical Endorser Executive Director/CEO ABHMS 

 
 
Laura Miraz, Ph.D., SPHR
Associate Ecclesiastical Endorser 

 
 
Chaplain (Col.-Ret.)
Kristina Moeller
Liaison for Military Chaplains and Associate Endorser

 
 
Mrs. Alice Mitchell-Cross
Administrative Coordinator
  
   

 Rev. Dr. Harry E. Simmons, BCC, ACPE Supervisor
Chairperson, Endorsement Committee




Rev. Elizabeth Ritzman, LCPC
President of the Chaplains & Pastoral Counselors Chapter of the Ministers Council