Though the demand for the Chaplaincy continued during December our holidays were great and I even got to sleep in once. Glory.

Over but not forgotten. So often heard among those from the Viet Nam war. I had the high privilege of assisting in the Christmas service for the Illinois Viet Nam Veterans Memorial at Oak Ridge Cemetery which is a national site that also is the resting place for president Abraham Lincoln in Springfield Illinois.

On one of the most inclement days in which sleet, snow and ice whipped temps into the single digits I was humbled to be a part of this event. To stand outside for this was such a small price to pay for the freedom our military secures for us. Upon arrival I witnessed a group of about fifteen men standing, leaning on crutches or sitting in wheel chairs practicing a beautiful rendition of Silent Night in preparation for their part of the service. To hear the deep soothing tones of mens voices in harmony immediately brought a deep peace to the very soul of all who listened.

Family members and friends of the 72 soldiers still listed as MIA from the state of Illinois were invited to attend and hang a hand made ornament on a blue spruce tree planted years ago for this event. It is sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and conducted annually (for more info see illinois.gov or IGNN, Illinois Government News Network). Their sacrifice is truly great and will not be forgotten. Please, never forget these or our present military members and families.

There really is Christmas in Kansas. The week before Christmas was one in which we were back in Greensburg Kansas for a little gift to the community. A group of us that assisted on past 911 projects went to Greensburg to do a Stars of Hope project. Over four hundred “stars” were cut, painted and delivered to the school for K-12 students to paint their Christmas thoughts and cheer on a star that would be attached to a bright green stake that we placed through out the town . For a small town of 2500 before the storm that left the community desolate and the few returnees living in “FEMAville” trailers, this was a day of fun and encouragement. Less than half have been able to return and rebuilding is taking place, all be it it painfully slow.

The smiles and determination were infectious to everyone on that last day of class before the Christmas break. We have had several good reports since then as well. USECC will be involved in the rebuilding of the community and we are working with the recovery committee on several considerations.

If you don't like the weather in the Midwest, stick around, it'll change. And change it will. As I write this it was 7*F with a “brisk” wind chill factor below zero this morning. I think we will hit the mid twenties today. If you like that you'll love yesterday, it rose to a record 64*, and torrential downpours before falling to 7* with snow by 4:30 PM. Talk about a night of skids and jackknifed semi's, we had it all.

Just a few weeks ago Central Illinois also got an unseasonable amount of rain between cold fronts that produced flooding in two communities. Pontiac Illinois had 250 homes affected and about 550 with major damage, this in a town of just over 11,000 residents.

In some areas water was on both sides of the levy which made drainage longer. It looks like the community will recover, but a slow process awaits residents. The worst factor with this incident is that it is way to early in the year for this to happen. It begs the question of what will take place once the usual Spring rains come upon us in March, April and May.

In all these things we will respond as needed. We have some big goals for 2008. When I was at Ground Zero during the World Trade Center incident, we could go to St. Paul's Chapel. It was off limits to everyone except First Responders. We could go in and rest, sleep, get a hot meal, be left alone, talk, cry, or just unwind. As time passed, supplies were donated for us as well.

As some of you know, we have been actively looking to replicate this for some time in a “mobile respite center” to activate on scene. This would be along the lines of a small city bus or an airport limo. Both would have to be renovated with communications equipment and other essentials. It will be for First Responders and some Chaplains.

These vehicles cannot be large motor homes, they are to difficult to get down most city streets or off road when necessary. It is my sincere hope that a few groups, churches and businesses will actively step up and help us obtain this before the busy season of inclement weather is upon us. Please strongly consider helping in this effort.

It would be a great help in the same direction if you would visit our website and view our “needs list”. Would your organization seriously consider taking on one or two of our needs? Please don't assume someone else is doing it. Last year not one church donated bibles to us. We had to acquire them ourselves. Now, please, don't everyone send bibles this year, we can use a couple of cases but no more at this time. Take something else that maybe your civic group, church, youth group, or business could handle. Would you also prayerfully consider making USECC one of your missions projects or charity of choice. I cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared this year. Please call for further information.

It is easier now to be directed to our website, the new address is www.usecc.net The old address will still work, this will just make it easier to remember.

As I close there is one last thought to leave with you. I am often asked just what to say to people in times of crisis and disaster. My first reply is always be sensitive to the Lord and the leading of the Holy Spirit and keep a decent prayer life. We always need to pray, but in all honesty if you are just beginning to pray when responding to an incident you are in trouble from the start. Pray, be ready in season and out as the Lord commands us.

To further answer the preceding question, I reply with a thought of principle. Hope. One of my main goals is to bring Hope back to a bleak situation. We often hear, or preach about Faith, and rightly so. But even faith is gone without Hope. We all know the scripture in Hebrews about “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”

I have found if we can restore Hope, God does the rest. I lean heavily on the Holy Spirit to do so and He has never failed in this. It is our duty to point people to God and let Jesus do the rest. He can do so much better than even our strongest efforts.

As for ourselves, my personal opinion on how to keep an effective mind for ministry and bring about Hope is this. Grace and forgiveness. So often overlooked. If you are a minister or lay person the same results are achieved by acting in bestowing Grace to those around us. Our minds can be clear and unburdened by the free gift of God in forgiveness. By the same token we can be ineffective carrying a bitter attitude (most of the time we don't even realize we have it). There is no reason to carry around the heavy baggage of despair and irritability that comes from the poison and bitterness of unforgiveness.

I ask you not forget us in your prayers as this year progresses. If we can be of any assistance to you or your organization please call. I still have some open dates available for speaking engagements and would love to hear from you.

May the Lord bless you richly...................

..........................Chaplain Steve