December 2018 Newsletter
CHAPLAIN BETSY
Our chaplain team has been privileged to support and serve up at the Camp Fire relief efforts in Butte County. At the request of El Dorado County Search and Rescue we had a chaplain embedded with a SAR Team and chaplains go up at the request of Placer County Chaplaincy
to serve at the FEMA site. We are also providing stress debriefing to El Dorado County Search and Rescue, Amador County Search and Rescue and EDSO Deputies who were deployed to the fire. I am honored to serve with a team willing to go over and above to serve our first responder family. The feedback I received from those in command onsite raved about the professionalism and enthusiasm of our team to dive in and respond to an unbelievable difficult situation with grace, humor, knowledge and experience.
Time shared under duress opens up sacred space to represent Christ and deeply touch those around us and our chaplains provided an impactful ministry of presence while representing us well. Please continue to pray for us as we enter the holiday season. Call out requests are increasing as the pressures of the season make themselves known and I appreciate your support for our chaplains as we respond. Thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support of our ministry! We are looking forward to what God has in store for the chaplaincy.
CHAPLAIN EMERITUS: TIM
We have been making plans for me to turn over the reigns of the majority of my duties at the hospital to a new chaplain. The last year I have been training and mentoring a young man (young to me) for these duties. I knew his father who was a Lieutenant at the Sheriff’s Office who died prematurely from a medical crisis. I had many contacts with the family but lost touch over time. This young man went on to a receive his undergraduate degree from a Christian College in Portland, Oregon (George Fox). He continued his theological training by securing a masters degree at Yale University. It was an answer to my prayers when this young man came on board as part of the chaplain staff. He has been doing clinical work with me on Monday and Fridays. The other three days a week he has been going through Sutter Hospital accredited program of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He not only is bright but has a good heart and cares for people, has good intuition, commitment and servant’s heart. The combination of those talents is hard to find today. Please continue to pray for us and with us as we serve those who are sick and dying.
PLEASE PRAY WITH US FOR...
A young Deputy who is forced to retire due to a back injury that is career ending
The family grieving the nurse (their mother /grandmother) that died.
The transition as Chaplain Betsy provides new leadership to the chaplain ministry
Plans to bring on a new full-time chaplain at the hospital
An officer who has voluntarily admitted himself into a rehabilitation facility
A hospital chaplain diagnosed with cancer and has been given a few years to live
A chaplain’s son who is in Afghanistan. A nurse whose son is in Marine Corp flight school
Continued prayer for a family going through crisis because of a family member’s alcoholism and they seem to be spiraling out of control
Praise as the Amador Sheriffs chaplaincy program continues to develop
