Enhancing Ministry with Veterans and Military Families

More than Thank You ENABLING VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENHANCE YOUR CONGREGATIONS MINISTRY Coming Home, Ministry that Matters with Veterans and Military Families, Zachary Moon, Chalice Press,2015 1 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home, an overview Coming Home The purpose of the book is for Congregations to discover how they can better utilize the gifts, strengths and talents Veterans, Service Members and Military Families bring Designed as a study for Congregations Anyone can lead the study doesn t have to be a Veteran Discussion questions for personal reflection and group discussion We need to say more than Thank You for your service. We need to find ways of saying with our words and actions, We are excited that you are here. We have been waiting for you. We have a meaningful role for you to play in our community. Together, in this relationship, we can create something that wasn t possible. Thanks be to God. (page xiii) 2 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

More than Thank You Intent About me: Retired in 2019 from the Army 28 + years as a Chaplain in the Army endorsed by the United Church of Christ Provide an overview of book good resource for Pastors and Congregations Not a book review I am an Ordained minister with Full Standing in the UCC Brainstorm ideas of what we can do to minister to Veterans I currently pastor a local UCC Church part- time, as well as serve as a hospital chaplain part-time. Give some thoughts regarding Veteran s Day and Worship ideas 3 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home Discussion Chapter 2: Bridging the Gap of Understanding The military like most denominations and churches is deeply rooted in tradition. The military has its own customs and rituals, uses its own language and images, and operates within a given set of codes and values. Those who serve in the military are trained to integrate these customs, terminology, and values into their identity. Military service is more than a job; it is an entire way of life. (pg. 9) Why do people join the military? Different with each generation Can t Assume each veteran has the same story Can t assume desire to put on uniform = desire to kill Chapter 1 War and Those who fight Our experiences and our beliefs shape what we think about war (pg. 1) Without question the military changes those who serve and those who love them. However no two veterans have had identical experiences. (pg. 3) My perspective Vietnam era pre -1975 Post-Vietnam 1976-1990 Gulf War 1990-91 Peacekeeping missions 92-2001 Post 9/11 OEF & OEF 4 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home: Discussion Common denominator: Willingness to serve Operation Pencils and Prayers How can congregations tap into willingness to serve? Military Training and Identity Formation Developing the Military Mindset Military training is a rite of passage Stressors of basic training prepare recruits for combat / mission related stress Military Branches and Cultural Differences Army team centric / skills Marine transform / character building / pride Navy global force /forged by the sea AF technical skills Veterans may rib a vet from a different service, but they all respect anyone who has served Unit Cohesion and Good Order and Discipline The military cannot function as a group of individuals exercising personal wants and desires. (pg. 13) Unit Cohesion and St. Paul s Body of Christ Unit Cohesion and Veterans Miss the sense of togetherness Can lead to isolation Challenge for church to build trust, authentic relationship with Veteran Warrior s Journey Home 5 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home: The Life of Military Families Don t Serve Alone Those who serve do not do so as individuals; their service and sacrifice do not belong entirely to them, but to their parents, spouses, children and all loved ones. (pg. 27) Deploy / Mobilization Maneuvers School Unit Tng Military Graduation Ceremonies Can we begin to look at Graduation ceremonies like we do those for Highschool, College? Children House Duty Station 1 Move Basic School Military life Military families become extended family Challenge for military families and home congregations to find ways to sustain support Marriage Cycle repeats at each duty station 6 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home: The Life of Military Families Deployment / mobilization Cycle Pre-deployment Family / Service member prepare for separation Mixed emotions -- anxiety, frustration, anger, confusion, uncertainty Will my loved one return and if so, will s/he be okay? Predeployment / mobilization Deployment / mobilization Deployment / Mobilization Family back home and service member develop routines Reality of separation sets in Reintegration Honeymoon phase joy of reconnecting Readjustment phase renegotiation of duties / responsibilities Challenge -- recognize, receive and figure out how to reintegrate Reintegration Challenge of most recent vets multiple / back-to-back deployments 7 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home: The Life of Military Families Deployment / Mobilization Congregations and Military Families What can we do? USAR / ARNG in area Reserve and NG members and their families in our congregations What is the deployment / mobilization schedule What is the drill weekend schedule for NG? Congregations near Wright Patterson impact of training exercises, mobilizations on families? Thanksgiving / Holidays many units support Service Members who need assistance Predeployment / mobilization Deployment / mobilization Reintegration 8 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

Coming Home - Discussion No two veterans have the same experience, even those who wear the same uniform and fight in the same battle pg. 18 While it is certainly true and fair to expect that service members and their families have endured some intense stress related to their service to the nation, it is unfair to depict them in a general sense as injured, mentally ill or suicidal (pg.38) War Changes a Person Physical reactions Issues with re-integration Military service members and their families who have been through intense experiences will need trustworthy and caring persons to hear their stories and provide the needed support. (pg. 35) A Community of Service Build on the common military experience of service shared value for military and church Gifts Inventory Personal and Congregation Jesus call to the fisherman Healing power of Congregations 9 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED

More Than Thank You Care for the Sorrowing Soul, Larson and Zust, Cascade Books, 2017 Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War Rita Brock, Beacon Press, 2012 Questions Comments Discussion Soul Repair at Brite Divinity offers materials on moral injury Warrior s Journey Home - www.warriorsjourneyhome.org https://www.ucc.org/opinion-a-veterans-day https://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/nlb/special- occassions/special-we-remember-all.html http://www.textweek.com/festivals/remembrance.htm 10 REV. MARK ROEDER, CH (COL) USA, RETIRED