Indulgence
Although getting three hour plus doses Comedy Central's stand up comics and MAD TV is personally gratifying, I haven't found anyone who is willing to pay me in making it my career. So, I decided that the last day of the week ought to be a productive one. Not to give anyone to impression that I've totally succumbed to the demon of sloth, I did read nearly the entire Jan 17 issue of TIME magazine which is devoted to "The Science of Happiness." There are some excellent discussions of mind & body relationships and even the theological question of "Does God want us to be happy?" I figured that my happiness quotient was in danger of lowering if my bank account were to hit zero before I were deployed, so I called Substitute Teacher Service and told them that I was available to work all day Friday in order to save the homestead.
Today it was a real treat to substitute for a 5th grade class at Martin Luther King Elementary School, Lancaster, PA. I was genuinely impressed with the attitude and courtesy that these children displayed. I believe it was a nearly 100% Hispanic classroom. The teachers and administration stress discipline and respect. And it shows. The class has been broken down into peer groups of fours called teams. Each team is praised and gain privileges or is disciplined based on the actions of any individual member. It works very well and helps to foster a society of mutual accountability and self direction. I only had to say "let's be quiet" once or twice and it happened! Then learning took place. If you ever think you don't know much, teach some elementary school. It will make you feel like a genius. And with the Teacher's Edition texts, you'll know all the answers! I even learned how to say "Have a good weekend" in Spanish": Que pasa un buen fin de semana! I would definitely go back.
I am on orders beginning Monday and will be working here in the State through 28th Division Joint Command organizing and presenting Family Reunion Briefings. Basically stated, these are a service to family members who are about to receive their soldier(s) from overseas. The briefing underscores having realistic expectations about reuniting and understanding that individuals change and grow over time apart. And that is good to become reacquainted to who everyone is in the family. Good stuff. I've lead these before and find it fulfilling. In the meanwhile, I received calls from chaplains at Camp Shelby asking me where I am and how to get me down there as soon as possible... So, they're still working on it. One thing is certain: I have orders to be at Chaplain's School on Feb 20. After that I am deployable and have been told that I will attach with the 228th FSB, Sellersville and go through with them to Iraq.
Just in case you might wonder where the religion is in CHAPLAINARISBLOG or if you have ever wondered or even cared if I have a prayer life, what follows may be of interest to you. I look for an authentic prayer life in the clergy I seek out as mentors and companions. Protestantism has taught me the beauty of free-form prayer and "talking to God" in prayer. This is the type of prayer where one approaches God from their experience and desire to bring before him the cares of the heart for one's self, others, and the world.
Recently, I was reminded that my background includes more standardized prayers of the Christian tradition. A prayer that comes straight from Orthodoxy is the simple contemplative Jesus prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner." Some feel inclined to pray only "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy." and allow the prayer to be more encompassing. Protestants are more familiar with formal prayers in the form of collects during worship.
Beads. Yes, Beads! I grew up around old Greek men who would carry worry beads. Beads have a long history associated with the life of prayer in many different religious traditions. Last year, while on retreat, the Rev. Sr.Barbara Catherine at Community of Saint John Baptist, Mendham, NJ lead a group of clergy in making our own Anglican Rosaries. It felt like occupational therapy stringing these beads. Luckily Sr. Barbara chose high quality stone ones that kept the exercise visually stimulating. Rosaries are relatively recent idea within the Anglican Communion. The Episcopalians are open to innovation in the practice of the use of the beads, so I altered my practice to include the Jesus Prayer as the "weeks" in the cycle. It works in bridging East and West for me.
Finally, there is even a rosary style prayer for those who would never dare touch beads: The BLESS prayer in which each letter of BLESS corresponds with a finger on the hand. The BLESS prayer can be used as intercessory prayer (on behalf of others) or for one's self.
The BLESS Prayer
B Body – health, protection, strength
L Labor – work, income, security
E Emotional – joy, peace, hope
S Social – marriage, family, friends
S Spiritual – salvation, faith, grace
“I urge that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”
I Timothy 2:1
Peace to you.
Today it was a real treat to substitute for a 5th grade class at Martin Luther King Elementary School, Lancaster, PA. I was genuinely impressed with the attitude and courtesy that these children displayed. I believe it was a nearly 100% Hispanic classroom. The teachers and administration stress discipline and respect. And it shows. The class has been broken down into peer groups of fours called teams. Each team is praised and gain privileges or is disciplined based on the actions of any individual member. It works very well and helps to foster a society of mutual accountability and self direction. I only had to say "let's be quiet" once or twice and it happened! Then learning took place. If you ever think you don't know much, teach some elementary school. It will make you feel like a genius. And with the Teacher's Edition texts, you'll know all the answers! I even learned how to say "Have a good weekend" in Spanish": Que pasa un buen fin de semana! I would definitely go back.
I am on orders beginning Monday and will be working here in the State through 28th Division Joint Command organizing and presenting Family Reunion Briefings. Basically stated, these are a service to family members who are about to receive their soldier(s) from overseas. The briefing underscores having realistic expectations about reuniting and understanding that individuals change and grow over time apart. And that is good to become reacquainted to who everyone is in the family. Good stuff. I've lead these before and find it fulfilling. In the meanwhile, I received calls from chaplains at Camp Shelby asking me where I am and how to get me down there as soon as possible... So, they're still working on it. One thing is certain: I have orders to be at Chaplain's School on Feb 20. After that I am deployable and have been told that I will attach with the 228th FSB, Sellersville and go through with them to Iraq.
Just in case you might wonder where the religion is in CHAPLAINARISBLOG or if you have ever wondered or even cared if I have a prayer life, what follows may be of interest to you. I look for an authentic prayer life in the clergy I seek out as mentors and companions. Protestantism has taught me the beauty of free-form prayer and "talking to God" in prayer. This is the type of prayer where one approaches God from their experience and desire to bring before him the cares of the heart for one's self, others, and the world.
Recently, I was reminded that my background includes more standardized prayers of the Christian tradition. A prayer that comes straight from Orthodoxy is the simple contemplative Jesus prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner." Some feel inclined to pray only "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy." and allow the prayer to be more encompassing. Protestants are more familiar with formal prayers in the form of collects during worship.
Beads. Yes, Beads! I grew up around old Greek men who would carry worry beads. Beads have a long history associated with the life of prayer in many different religious traditions. Last year, while on retreat, the Rev. Sr.Barbara Catherine at Community of Saint John Baptist, Mendham, NJ lead a group of clergy in making our own Anglican Rosaries. It felt like occupational therapy stringing these beads. Luckily Sr. Barbara chose high quality stone ones that kept the exercise visually stimulating. Rosaries are relatively recent idea within the Anglican Communion. The Episcopalians are open to innovation in the practice of the use of the beads, so I altered my practice to include the Jesus Prayer as the "weeks" in the cycle. It works in bridging East and West for me.
Finally, there is even a rosary style prayer for those who would never dare touch beads: The BLESS prayer in which each letter of BLESS corresponds with a finger on the hand. The BLESS prayer can be used as intercessory prayer (on behalf of others) or for one's self.
The BLESS Prayer
B Body – health, protection, strength
L Labor – work, income, security
E Emotional – joy, peace, hope
S Social – marriage, family, friends
S Spiritual – salvation, faith, grace
“I urge that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”
I Timothy 2:1
Peace to you.
posted by Chaplain (CPT) Fokas at 4:59 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home