UMR Communications is offering the latest headlines in the RSS format.
Features
United Methodist of the Year: Offering support—even in harm’s way Robin Russell, Jan 4, 2010
UMNS 2003 FILE PHOTO BY MIKE DUBOSE
U.S. Army Chaplain Mitchell Lewis visits a memorial at Fort Stewart, Ga., for soldiers killed in Iraq.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13
By Robin Russell Managing Editor
For being the symbol of the courageous and steady support offered to members of the U.S. Armed Forces—in a year that saw a deadly assault at an Army base—the military chaplain is our 2009 United Methodist of the Year.
This composite of the many ordained United Methodist clergy who work tirelessly and even sacrificially to bring spiritual comfort to our military personnel is exemplified most recently by those who counseled wounded soldiers and victims’ families near Fort Hood Army Post in Killeen, Texas, following the Nov. 5 mass shootings on the base by an Army psychiatrist.
The Rev. E.F. “Skip” Blancett, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Killeen and a former Navy chaplain during Desert Storm and at Fort Hood, is one of them. He shared about a battalion commander new to First UMC whose unit lost four soldiers and 11 more were wounded when the gunman opened fire.
“If you have not been in the military, you cannot understand what that does to a commander,” said Mr. Blancett. “It is devastating.”
Lt. Col. Marvin Luckie, another United Methodist chaplain who was stationed for three years at Fort Hood, said the greatest ongoing need there will be for emotional and spiritual support for Army soldiers who are feeling “shock and disbelief” at feeling ambushed.
“How could this happen in our backyard, and how could it possibly happen from a person who’s an American soldier and a major and an officer?” he asked, voicing the raw vulnerability of the base personnel.
In light of the heroic men and women they serve, being a military chaplain can be a thankless job, and their critical contributions can often go unrecognized, says retired Bishop Woodie White, the denomination’s Endorsing Agent for Chaplain Ministries.
“Military chaplains for the most part are unseen by the general public,” Bishop White said. “Even in the church, they are often unheralded, and even criticized by a few. Yet the importance of their ministry has grown as the military itself has changed.”
It’s true that much of the routine life on a military base today resembles that of civilian communities, with spouses, children and school activities. In that regard, the role of a chaplain is not unlike that of a pastor at a local church.
But when the heat is on, their task can be like pastoral ministry on steroids. Beyond their regular responsibilities is the ever-present reality of war—with the inevitability of casualties and deaths—and the possibility of being deployed with the troops they serve.
“Chaplains themselves must be prepared to accompany troops in harm’s way,” Bishop White said. “For the chaplain, the responsibility is great, burden often heavy and the opportunity for pastoral care constant.”
So in a year when the pressures experienced by increased numbers of troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq was compounded by the sense of betrayal here on U.S. soil, the military chaplain stands out as an indispensable person who truly made a difference. Regardless of anyone’s political persuasion on the war against terrorism, United Methodists can join in commending the unwavering service of those who support our military personnel on a day-to-day basis.
Other United Methodists—clergy and laypersons who also fulfill their calling and serve the church in ways that make a lasting impact—were among the 2010 nominees for United Methodist of the Year. They are:
Nominee: Kathy Meadows, member, Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas Kathy Meadows was nominated for creating Mission Possible Kids, a hands-on missions program that empowers kids to change the world through helping others as “special agents doing God’s work.” Participants have helped over 300,000 people worldwide in just the last few years through Mission Possible Kids.
“United Methodism is all about putting your faith in action and serving others in a demonstrative way through missions,” writes Larry J. Guthrie, who nominated Ms. Meadows. “Kathy has done more than anyone I know to develop active mission involvement at United Methodist churches across the country, especially for children and their families.”
Ms. Meadows launched this program in 2003 at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, where it was “an immediate hit” with nearly 200 elementary-aged children. In 2005, Mission Possible Kids became a nonprofit, with chapters launched nationwide that enabled children’s ministers to involve kids in their community.
Ms. Meadows works full-time, largely as a volunteer, providing ongoing guidance to nearly 100 United Methodist churches that participate in the program. They lead food drives, send care packages to U.S. troops, collect school supplies for orphans overseas and cook for homeless shelters, among other projects.
“With each “top secret mission” the kids do, they gain confidence in their abilities to make a difference in their communities and around the world,” writes Mr. Guthrie.
—Nominated by Larry J. Guthrie, Mission Possible Kids Board Member and Christ United Methodist member.
Nominee: Lisa Tichenor, member, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas
Lisa Tichenor was nominated for her work supporting Africa University and other Methodist and charitable causes. For many years, she served as co-chair of the Alfred L. Norris Center at Africa University in Zimbabwe, and traveled with the North Texas delegation in August for the center’s dedication.
Ms. Tichenor has also served on the board and as a longtime supporter of Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas.
When cancer took her 19-year-old son Willie in 2006, Ms. Tichenor and her family started the “Willie Build” program in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. The family also created the WWWW (“What Would Willie Want?”) Foundation, Inc., or QuadW, a memorial foundation that supports cancer research, life-transforming mission trips and higher education.
“Lisa truly exemplifies the best of United Methodism,” according to Bobby and Billie Jean Evans.
—Nominated by Bobby and Billie Jean Evans, relatives of Ms. Tichenor and members of First UMC in San Angelo, Texas.
Nominee: The Rev. Pamela Clark, associate pastor and director of off-campus ministries, Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas The Rev. Pamela Clark was nominated for her work reaching out to the community surrounding Lake Highlands UMC in Dallas.
“Rev. Pamela had the vision of starting ministries in the many apartment communities that are near our church,” writes Earlene Self, a member of the church. “She had the vision to see that if the children could be reached, the parents would follow.”
Thriving ministry projects are now under way at seven apartment complexes near the church, with a weekly Sunday service of worship conducted at each location.
The Off-Campus Ministries program that Ms. Clark leads aims to “share a love for God, a passion for God’s people and a profound desire to reach beyond the walls of the church to spread God’s message of love to people of all ages and circumstances,” according to the church’s Web site. The effort mobilizes church members to provide support through prayer, worship leadership, nursery care and food for the ministry’s gatherings.
—Nominated by Earlene Self of Garland, Texas, member of Lake Highlands UMC
Nominee: The Rev. Ross Fulton, pastor, Branson United Methodist Church, Branson, Mo.
The Rev. Ross Fulton of Branson United Methodist in Branson, Mo., was nominated by church member Jerry Miller. Having moved several times and attended different churches, Mr. Miller and his wife, Lynn, say Mr. Fulton is the most inspiring Methodist they have ever met.
“When he preaches, it is always to a full house. He reaches out to the congregation in a way that creates smiles and hope,” writes Mr. Miller.
Many visitors who visit the church when they come to Branson, Mo., return year after year, he says, because of Mr. Fulton’s dynamic preaching style.
“He exemplifies how to build a church and fill it with the spirit of God,” Mr. Miller writes. “He is tireless, selfless and has lifted our family up. He never stops thinking of what we have and how to be thankful, yet help others anywhere in the world.”
—Nominated by Jerry Miller, Branson, Mo.
Staff writer Mary Jacobs contributed to this report.
UMNS 2003 FILE PHOTO BY MIKE DUBOSE
The Rev. E.F. “Skip” Blancett, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Killeen and a former Navy chaplain during Desert Storm and at Fort Hood, is one of them. He shared about a battalion commander new to First UMC whose unit lost four soldiers and 11 more were wounded when the gunman opened fire. 
Nominee: Lisa Tichenor, member, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas 
Nominee: The Rev. Ross Fulton, pastor, Branson United Methodist Church, Branson, Mo. 
