Thursday, March 24, 2011

Register Now for the Annual Chaplains' Conference

A Memorandum to all Armed Services and Federal Chaplains:

Dear Colleagues,

I am sure you will be pleased to know that we are well underway with our plans for the upcoming annual Training and Development Conference that we will have at the Roslyn Conference Center in May. Last week our planning team held a significant day-long meeting at Roslyn to go over the elements of our conference to ensure that our process meets the needs of Episcopal chaplains and spouses. One of the important products of our meeting was to ensure that we know “why” we are going to the expenses and making the personal expenditures to hold this conference. The determination of why is largely based in a clarification of our short and long term objectives, which are:
Build our community of federal chaplains in The Episcopal Church
Connect with The Episcopal Church
Deliver the church’s ministry within a federal context

Each of these objectives could stand alone and be the basis for an entire conference. However, when time is of the essence and needs are critical, we know that we must seize the moment and give you what many, many chaplains have told us that you need. This May we will Build, Connect and Deliver.

Today I need for each one of you to do something: go to http://events.SignUp4.com/federalministries2011 and register for the conference. Our registration cut-off date is April 16th, 2011.

Sincerely,
The Right Rev’d James B. Magness

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Instructions -- Military and Federal Chaplain Positions

BSASFM INST 1.0/2011
7 March 2011

BSASFM INSTRUCTION 01.2011

From: Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries, The Episcopal Church

Subj: APPLICATIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT FOR ARMED SERVICES AND FEDERAL MINISTRIES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Ref: (a) U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Guidelines for Employment of February 2010 (NOTAL)
(b) DoD Instruction
(c) Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons

1. PURPOSE. To establish guidelines for application for Ecclesiastical Endorsement for federal chaplaincies by The Episcopal Church.

2. CANCELLATION. All previous documents pertaining to ecclesiastical endorsement by The Episcopal Church.

3. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to all persons who request ecclesiastical endorsement from The Episcopal Church for chaplaincy in The US Department of Veterans Affairs; The US Department of Defense; and The Federal Bureau of Prisons.

4. APPLICATION TIMELINE: Applicants for ecclesiastical endorsement from the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries should expect that the process will take from 90 to 120 days from the initial contact with the Bishop Suffragan until an ecclesiastical endorsement is issued.

5. APPLICATION PROCEDURES.

US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Federal chaplains for this department are appointed in the excepted civil service. Excepted service employees are not eligible to transfer to positions in the competitive civil service. Newly appointed chaplains serve a one year trial period. Applicants must possess ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months, from the designated national endorsing official of his/her faith group or denomination. Ecclesiastical endorsement is the written official statement of the endorsing body certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the faith group or denomination and that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting.

Application steps.
Prior to submitting an application for employment as an Episcopal Staff Chaplain United States Department of Veterans Affairs the applicant must first contact The Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries for ecclesiastical guidance and consent regarding the federal ministries of The Episcopal Church. Upon granting of consent from the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries the applicant may proceed taking the following steps:

1. Complete an online request an ecclesiastical endorsement from the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries for ministry in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

2. Request a letter of concurrence from the Bishop of your canonical residency to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

3. Arrange to have three letters of reference (two from clergy and one from a lay person) sent to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

4. Request that official transcripts for all under graduate and graduate education are sent to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

5. Provide an extensive essay on your spiritual journey leading to your discernment of a call to serve the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Episcopal Chaplain.

6. Provide a recent photograph of yourself along with an updated Transition Ministries Office profile to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

7. Complete the packet which will be sent to you from Oxford Documents as part of the background check that is required of all applicants. Once you have returned the paper-work from Oxford Documents the background check normally takes 5 weeks to be completed.

8. Interview with the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and his advisory committee at a time to be determined by the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. Your travel and lodging costs will be paid for by the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and normally includes an overnight stay in Washington, D.C.

9. The Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries will notify you by telephone within 24 hours following the interview indicating whether or not you have been granted an ecclesiastical endorsement.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS.
Chaplains administer, supervise, and perform work involved in a program of spiritual welfare and religious guidance for inmates in a correctional setting. Chaplain applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and a Master of Divinity degree or the equivalent (20 graduate hours of theology, 20 graduate hours of sacred writings, 20 graduate hours of church history or comparative religions, and 20 graduate hours of ministry courses) from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited residential seminary or school of theology; ordination or membership in an ecclesiastically recognized religious institute of vowed men or women; at least 2 years of autonomous experience as a religious/spiritual leader in a parish or specialized ministry setting; current ecclesiastical endorsement by the recognized endorsing body of the faith tradition; willingness to provide and coordinate programs for inmates of all faiths; and the necessary credentials and the ability to provide worship services in his/her faith tradition.

Application Steps:

1. Episcopal Priests who are interested in a career as a Chaplain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons must initiate contact with the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries prior to submitting an application to the Chaplaincy Services Branch of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

2. Complete an online request an ecclesiastical endorsement from the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries for ministry in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

3. Request a letter of concurrence from the Bishop of your canonical residency to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

4. Arrange to have three letters of reference (two from clergy and one from a lay person) sent to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

5. Request that all official transcripts for under graduate and graduate education are sent to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

6. Provide an extensive essay on your spiritual journey leading to your discernment of a call to serve the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Episcopal Chaplain.

7. Provide a recent photograph of yourself along with an updated Transition Ministries Office profile to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

8. Complete the packet which will be sent to you from Oxford Documents as part of the background check that is required of all applicants. Once you have returned the paper-work from Oxford Documents the background check normally takes 5 weeks to be completed.

9. Interview with the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and his advisory committee at a time to be determined by the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. Your travel and lodging costs will be paid for by the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and normally includes an overnight stay in Washington, D.C.

10. The Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries will notify you by telephone within 24 hours following the interview indicating whether or not you have been granted an ecclesiastical endorsement.

11. The Chaplaincy Services Branch is in the process of automating its new hire application process. The Chaplaincy Office is not taking applications at this time. Please check back for updates when the automation process will be complete and instructions for the new hiring process.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:
Military Chaplaincy provides opportunity for a challenging institutional ministry in a broadly pluralistic environment around the world. Military chaplains serve in the active duty and reserve components of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additionally, Priests may serve military chaplains in the National Guard, and the Air Guard. The Civil Air Patrol program also provides for a volunteer program to assist in search and rescue operations and other such service as may be asked of the Air Force Auxiliary. Generally, to serve as an Episcopal military chaplain one must be an ordained priest in good standing with a minimum of 2 years experience as a priest, no more than 39 years of age, a U.S. citizen with a Master of Divinity Degree from an accredited seminary or divinity school, and able to meet the physical fitness standards of the military component. Military requirements and application procedures vary depending upon the branch of service. It is essential that an applicant contact a Military Chaplain Corps Officer recruiter to determine the specific application requirements.

Application Steps:

1. Prior to submitting an application for ecclesiastical endorsement the potential applicant must contact the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Service and Federal Ministries to obtain consent to submit the application.

2. Contact a Chaplain Corps Officer recruiter for the specific military component in which the applicant is seeking a commission.

3. Complete an online request an ecclesiastical endorsement from the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries for ministry as a military chaplain.

4. Request a letter of concurrence from the Bishop of canonical residency to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

5. Arrange to have three letters of reference (two from clergy and one from a lay person) sent to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

6. Request that all official transcripts for under graduate and graduate education are sent to the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

7. Provide an extensive essay on your spiritual journey leading to your discernment of a call to in the military as an Episcopal Chaplain.

8. Provide a recent photograph of yourself along with an updated Transition Ministries Office profile to the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

9. Complete the packet which will be sent to you from Oxford Documents as part of the background check that is required of all applicants. Once you have returned the paper-work from Oxford Documents the background check normally takes 5 weeks to be completed.

10. Interview with the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and his advisory committee at a time to be determined by the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. Your travel and lodging costs will be paid for by the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries and normally includes an overnight stay in Washington, D.C.

11. The Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries will notify you by telephone within 24 hours following the interview indicating whether or not you have been granted an ecclesiastical endorsement.


JAMES B. MAGNESS
Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Chaplains' Instructions for Semi-Annual Report

BSAFFMINST 2.0
17 March 2011

BSAFFM INSTRUCTION 2.0

From: Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church

Subj: SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS FOR CHAPLAINS ENDORSED FOR ARMED SERVICES AND FEDERAL MINISTRIES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Ref: (a) None

1. PURPOSE.
To establish guidelines for completing and submitting Semi-Annual Chaplain Reports.

2. CANCELLATION.
All previous documents pertaining to preparing and submitting semi-annual chaplain reports including the Roll Call Reports.

3. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to all persons who have an ecclesiastical endorsement from The Episcopal Church for chaplaincy in The US Department of Veterans Affairs; The US Department of Defense; and The Federal Bureau of Prisons.

4. SEMI-ANNUAL CHAPLAIN REPORTS.
a. Semi-Annual Chaplain Reports must be submitted to the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries on 1 April and 1 October using the report form located on the Federal Ministries web site: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/109530_ENG_HTM.htm

b. The chaplain shall send a copy of the report to the bishop of the diocese in which the chaplain is canonically resident and to the bishop in whose diocese the chaplain is currently serving.

c. Chaplains are expected to keep the Bishop Suffragan apprised of changes in status, address, rank, awards, assignments, and family within 30 days of any changes.

d. Semi-Annual Chaplain Reports must include a complete listing of all worship and sacramental acts conducted within the last 6 months.

e. Submission of Semi-Annual Chaplain Reports is required from all chaplains serving in federal ministries of The Episcopal Church. Continued ecclesiastical endorsement by the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries is contingent upon regular and timely submission of these reports.

f. All Episcopal Distinctive Faith Group Leaders must submit the same Semi-Annual Reports as those who have an ecclesiastical endorsement for the Armed Services or Federal Ministries. The continued appointment as a Distinctive Faith Group Leader is contingent upon the timely submission of all Semi-Annual Chaplain Reports.

JAMES B. MAGNESS
Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries

Distribution:
All Episcopal Federal Chaplains
All Episcopal Distinctive Faith Group Leaders

Monday, March 14, 2011

Episcopal chaplain deployed to Afghanistan cultivates 'deck-plate' ministry

Below is a link to an article from the Episcopal News Service on The Rev. Rick Tiff, an Episcopal priest serving at Afghanistan's Camp Leatherneck. If clicking on the link above does not work: open a new browser window, cut and paste the link into the address bar, and press Enter. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_127522_ENG_HTM.htm

Friday, March 11, 2011

Senior Chaplain Vacancy

[The Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services and Federal Ministries received the following letter noting a very interesting senior chaplain vacancy.] THE POST OF SENIOR CHAPLAIN CHAPLAINCY OF DUBAI AND SHARJAH WITH THE NORTHERN EMIRATES with particular responsibility for Holy Trinity Dubai Dear fellow-bishop I’m writing to a variety of Primates in the Communion to draw your attention to an interesting and senior vacancy in this Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf in the province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. This senior chaplaincy and its team of five or so clergy serve most of the United Arab Emirates along the Persian Gulf. In addition to Anglicans our various churches host many other Christian denominations, and tens of thousands of worshippers use our premises every weekend. Excellent organisational skills, the ability to think strategically, a desire to motivate collegaues, and a warm pastoral heart will all be necessary in the succesful candidate, along with an ability to think intelligently about Islam and get on well with the Muslim host-society. A priest of central, or inclusively evangelical, inclination would be particularly suitable. The post is currently being advertised in sections of the church press, eg the Church Times of London. Full details will be sent to interested clergy if they email georgia@spidernet.com.cy With best wishes + Michael Cyprus & the Gulf:

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

8th Sunday After the Epiphany 2011

Dear Chaplains and Members of the Federal Ministries Community, This past Friday, February 25th, 2011, was a very special day for this episcopacy. I had the privilege of escorting our Presiding Bishop, the most Rev’d Katharine Jefferts Schori, and our Public Affairs Officer, Ms. Neva Rae Fox, aboard the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Harry S. Truman. Both of these aircraft carriers were alongside at the piers at Naval Base Norfolk (Virginia). The trip was hosted by our Episcopal Chaplain Cam Fish, Command Chaplain for the BUSH and by Chaplain Steve Shaw, a clergy person of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Command Chaplain for the Commander, U.S. Naval Air Force Atlantic. My episcopal intent for the day was to give the Presiding Bishop and our Public Affairs Officer a succinct overview of and introduction to ministry in the sea services. Short of taking them to sea, which we plan to do at a later date, we accomplished all I had hoped we would. Aboard the BUSH we toured the ceremonial spaces, hanger, aviation handler’s spaces, flight deck, bridge, air control tower, ship’s library, chapel, and had lunch with sailors in the crew’s mess. Afterward we went to the TRUMAN where we were honored guests at the change of command for the Commander, US Naval Air Force Atlantic, a ceremony steeped in some of the best Navy traditions. At one point in the ceremony the Presiding Bishop leaned over to me and quietly said, “Nice liturgy.” And it was. As we were leaving the base en route to the Norfolk airport I asked my guests what amongst the activities of the day stood out to them. At first both answered that it was the quality of the people, both sailors and chaplains. That response was particularly meaningful to me since one mantra of our episcopacy has been to emphasize our need to recruit Episcopal priests who are known for the high quality of their ministry. Then, after a brief pause, they had an even more poignant observation. They told me how impressed they were by how closely the chaplains they encountered came into contact with those whom they served. In comparison with the parish and other types of chaplaincy models, indeed Federal chaplains live the same basic lifestyle as the persons they serve. Surely some of you would like to showcase your ministry to the Presiding Bishop. Repeatedly she has told me that she is ready to travel with me to see the ministry you deliver and the places where your ministry is provided. Get creative. If you had 24 hours of the Presiding Bishop’s time, what components of your splendid ministry would you have her see? Let me hear from you. +Jay

Registration in English and Spanish Available for Episcopal Youth Event

Registration is now open for one of the most popular events in the Episcopal Church calendar - the Episcopal Youth Event 2011 (EYE 2011). Drawing hundreds of youth from throughout the Episcopal Church, EYE 2011 will be held at June 22-26 at Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota. EYE 2011 is geared for youth in grades 9-12 during the 2010-2011 academic year and their adult leaders. Bronwyn Clark Skov, Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Officer, explained: “EYE is not a large scale Happening weekend. Rather, it is a significant opportunity for building, sharing and fulfilling our call to mission in the world.” In addition to the gathering, learning and enjoying, opportunities are available for mission work. Each diocese is allowed up to 32 youth participants and eight adult participants. Registration is $275 per participant (youth and adult) which includes meals and lodging. Ten percent of each registration is earmarked for mission opportunities at the event in keeping with the Five Marks of Mission and Millennium Development Goals. Skov pointed out, “Diocesan delegations should represent all aspects of the diocese: ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural diversity, and a range of liturgical and theological expressions. They should be able to handle traveling away from home, honoring the community covenant, participating in all aspects of the event, and taking their learning home to their diocese, congregation, and community.” Registration materials, available in English and Spanish, are here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/121655_ENG_HTM.htm For information contact Skov at bskov@episcopalchurch.org.