Chaplains Corner - Who Do You Want To Be?
Who do you want to be?
Think about that truly- who do you want to be at your core? What do you want to be driven by? What really matters to you?
Now think about that as an organization too. Who do you want to be as American Legion Post 43?
Think about what the vision looks like.
Do you want to be a place that is comforting for people, that brings community and support?
A place that puts the people and their needs, and how things affect them, above power, titles, and recognition? A place that focuses on people over politics?
Will you make your best efforts to truly see people, and what is happening in their lives? Sometimes those hurting the most are hardest to love in those moments. Will you choose to be a safe place for our comrades that are hurting?
Will you choose to lay aside personal ambitions and ego, and any actions or inactions for those reasons, and align your vision to one that brings life and is people focused?
Words have power- will you choose your words wisely? Will you choose to look at how your words, spoken or written, affect real peoples’ lives, well beyond the walls of the post?
Will you consider the impact before you move forward with spoken or written words, whether it’s directly to someone or about them?
These questions can give us insight into who we want to be, what we want our post to be, and how we can make choices that impact it all.
No matter what has driven you in the past, even up to this very moment; no matter what has happened- that you’ve done, been a part of, or experienced, you can make a choice right now. You can turn from anything that doesn’t support what you’d like to see or be, and make a different choice, right now.
What will you choose? What drives you?
Take a few minutes and think of what you want post 43 to be, and what you want to be in relation to it. Then write out the things you came up with as prayers.
Any time you get off track or forget who you are, why you’re here, and what it’s all for, remember these prayers. Remember them when things are good, when things are bad, when things are in between. Pray them. Pray them into the foundations of this place. And remember why the American Legion, and Post 43, exists.
This is my last newsletter as your chaplain. Thank you for allowing me to serve you since 2017, for 6 years, over the course of 5 commanders, through a pandemic, and through so many life changing things for so many people here. It has been an honor to be trusted by you and to walk with you through the past 6 years. I hope I have served you in a way that best met your needs through the years. I have grown a lot in this place, and I’m grateful.
You are the reason I have been here- and whether or not I hold a title, you are in my prayers and I’m still here for you how I’m able to be. You can reach me at donna@donnacallaway.com or on my Facebook page.
Thank you, again, for letting me serve you. For God and country, and each of you.
Memorial Day
Thank you all who came out for the Memorial Day event and helped make it happen.
The roll call of members who have gone on to Post Everlasting since Memorial Day 2022:
William McTaggart, US Army
Anthony Pellegrini, US Air Force
Frank Pierson, US Marine Corps
Earl Soltan, US Army
Paul Sorvino, US Army
Thomas Urich, US Air Force
Francis Vennera, US Army
Frank Zalenski, US Air Force
May these members be at peace with the Lord.
We were honored to scatter some of Tom Urich’s ashes in our memorial garden during the event. His wife Judy Urich, sons, and family were present and able to participate.
Prayer requests
Pray. Whatever is going on, in any place, in any circumstance, God can move in ways that we simply could never make happen.
James Disnuke- please keep James in your prayers. He is recovering from surgery. Please reach out to him if you have his contact info, or reach out to me and I can either connect you or pass on what you’d like to share.
Please pray for our members that have recently been on our prayer list- George Cantero, Lidia Anderson, Jane Austin and her family, Rob Kelly, and anyone else you may know of who needs prayers. Also please pray for those who may have silent or anonymous prayer requests, as well as those who may be mourning or suffering at this time.
Please pray for our leaders and upcoming leaders at the post, for our community, our city, and for those leading our cities, country, and workplaces.
If anyone wants to pray together let me know. You could have a need you want prayer for, or we can pray for overall needs, our post, our leaders, our city, etc. or all of it. Prayer is good for all of it! God hears!
It's ok to not be ok.
If you are feeling like you are in crisis or need help, the crisis line is available 24/7: dial or text 988
Praying for each of you, for our leadership, and for us as a community. May God make His presence known in your personal lives, in our post, and in our community, and may His shalom, love, and joy be felt in ways like never before. May He heal and protect you mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I pray for God’s revival in each person and for us as a community. In His mighty, precious, and unmatched Name we pray.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Blessings and Gratitude,
Donna Callaway, Chaplain