Today has been a busy one.
It all began with a run at 5:30. After a quick cleanup and recovery time, I headed to a unit in the field for a 7:30 service.
The members of the small congregation were all Roman Catholic. As you might imagine, it was interesting for an Anglican priest to hold an Ash Wednesday service for Roman Catholics. However, they were all grateful that I was there so that they could mark this holy day. With the shortage of chaplains here at Fort Rucker, it is nigh impossible to have optimum coverage. The Roman Catholic chaplain goes nonstop all day–and, sometimes, night–trying to keep up with the demands of ministry. (The Army is approximately 25% Roman and there is a significant shortage of priests, just as in civilian ministry.) After the service, I was able to spend a few minutes visiting with some of the soldiers.
After that service, I headed to the office to get some administrative work done. However, that was short lived, as I was soon distracted with tying up loose ends for the noon service. The noon liturgical Protestant service went well, though the congregation was small. However, with little advance notice and a scant and/or scattered liturgical congregation, I am glad that we were able to minister to a few souls. The service was a quick 30 minutes and followed the prayer book.
From there, it was back to the office to finish up a few more administrative chores, before departing for another field service. A large group of soldiers was in the field for a week of training. I went with a Protestant chaplain and met up with the Roman Catholic chaplain at the site. The soldiers gathered around while the Roman priest explained a bit about Ash Wednesday and the significance of ashes. This lasted a couple of minutes, after which we broke off into two groups–one Protestant and one Roman. The Roman service attracted a large number of soldiers; the Protestant service attracted a few; and at least half of the entire group went their own way, mostly into the shade somewhere to rest for a few minutes. We sang a couple of songs, had a Scripture reading, and I shared the penitential office for the day with the small Protestant group.
After this, it was back to the office, again. I had learned around 11:30 that I would need to fill in for another chaplain at the weekly evening supper/informal service held on Wednesdays; he was called away to other business off post. So, I prepared my words for the event; I was asked to present a ten-minute overview of Lent. I pulled everything together quickly and was set to go for the gathering. At the event, my time ended up being cut short, but I was able to give a bird’s eye view of Lent (and I was asked to inform all the Baptists that Lent is not the stuff found in one’s belly button).
So, as I said, it’s been one busy day. Yet, it was a fruitful and fulfilling day. Four services in one day is a lot but they were all worthwhile. Tomorrow promises to bring another interesting day, as they all have been here. The shortage of chaplains demands a lot of those chaplains who are here; with some of them and their assistants out of town, the workload bumps up a notch.
I believe this Lent will prove effective in revealing my frail humanity, as I continue to cry, “Lord have mercy!”
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I don’t run on a schedule like yours, but mine is become grueling enough for me that this Lent I too cry, “Lord have mercy!”