{"id":12910,"date":"2020-11-01T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2020-11-01T14:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/?p=12355"},"modified":"2022-01-17T15:08:31","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T21:08:31","slug":"aberdeen-area-chaplain-corps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/2020\/11\/aberdeen-area-chaplain-corps\/","title":{"rendered":"Aberdeen Area Chaplain Corps &#8211; A Ministry of Presence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"drop-cap\">I<\/span>t\u2019s been said, \u201c80 percent of life is just showing up.\u201d Jay Rossman, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and member of the Aberdeen Area Chaplain Corps speaks of a \u201cministry of presence\u201d\u2014 just being there. However it\u2019s described, when it comes to Aberdeen\u2019s first responders and the citizens they encounter, the chaplains are definitely there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">While still relatively young, the Chaplain Corps has had impact. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t know what to do if we didn\u2019t have the chaplains,\u201d commented Aberdeen Police Chief Dave McNeil. \u201cI wish it would have been in place when I started.\u201d Although it officially formed in 2016, Chief McNeil says it started 10-15 years ago when Pastor Jon Droege\u2019s Aberdeen Christian Fellowship Church held appreciation events for the police department. The chief saw a need for that kind of connection. \u201cPolice are always touching people\u2019s lives. For example, in a death, the officer tries to do the best but always has a dual role and then has to leave. I saw chaplains having a role as bridging that gap.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Divine Appointment<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\">Pastor Droege, who is now retired from church ministry, wonders if it was a divine appointment that brought him to chaplaincy. \u201cOur church was thinking and praying about how to connect with the community. Then the chief contacted me about serving as chaplain for the department. I agreed, and then the fire department heard about it and asked if I could be their chaplain, too.\u201d He added, \u201cI tried, but I couldn\u2019t cover both, and that was kind of the birth of the Corps.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14248\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14248\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14248 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" title=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14248\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14248\" src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1242-300x200-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aberdeen\u2019s new fire chief, Joel Weig, with chaplain George Parmeter.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\">Jay Rossman remembers he had recently come to Holy Cross and was attending a regular meeting of local clergymen when Jon announced the idea of a first responders chaplain group. Before long, they set up a training with a national trainer who works with similar chaplain programs around the country. The sessions covered ministering to first responders as well as many aspects of the first responders\u2019 jobs. They were also trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), which is a way of working with groups and individuals after a major stressful incident. Jay is now certified to do training for first responder chaplains in Aberdeen and elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">The training is key, says Deputy Brian Koens, \u201cThe job is to infiltrate our department, get to know our guys through the training so they can help deputies in time of need. That\u2019s why the chaplains also train in doing our duties.\u201d The chaplains continue to receive training, even in areas that might seem mundane. For example, chaplains must know what to do and where to stand during a traffic stop so they don\u2019t cause a situation to go bad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The Chaplain Corps serves the Aberdeen Police Department, Brown County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Aberdeen Fire and Rescue, and the Aberdeen district of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Chaplains are assigned to specific departments, but they are also on call for the other departments. About 15 chaplains have participated, some having left the program.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Absorbing the Lightning Bolt<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\">The primary job of the chaplains is to serve first responders and to address the mental health of law enforcement officers. Deputy Koens explained, \u201cDeputies face an extraordinary amount of stress on the job. It\u2019s well known that many law enforcement officers are guarded by nature and can have trouble opening up about their trauma to a psychologist, spouse, or friends.\u201d He adds that suicide in law enforcement is high. According to Blue H.E.L.P., in 2019 alone, 228 current or former police officers took their own lives. \u201cMany officers shove that stress away and I want to know how I can help my fellow deputies,\u201d said Deputy Koens. So, he signed on as the Sheriff\u2019s liaison to the Chaplain Corps. The Chaplain Corps serves as a step between talking to a family member or psychologist or attending an Employee Assistance Program for first responders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Deputy Koens said, \u201cI\u2019ve seen and done things I wouldn\u2019t want anyone else to experience, and those things come with a toll.\u201d In the past, he says the solution for law enforcement was to just get over it and move on, but Deputy Koens recognized a need for more than that. \u201cThe jewel of the Corps is that the chaplains get to feel, see, smell, and taste what we have to do. They witness the stress and then they can help level the stress out.\u201d Jay describes the experience as absorbing the lightning bolt \u2013 the first strike each situation will have on the family and the officer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">The trust between the chaplains and police officers didn\u2019t happen overnight. \u201cWhen we started the program, the understanding was that it would take five years to break down the shell of the officers,\u201d Jay said. Patience was emphasized and continues to remain a big part of the relationships formed between chaplains and police officers. Jay added, \u201cThe biggest thing really is patience because you are breaking into their world. It\u2019s little steps, one officer at a time, one crisis at a time. That can be frustrating for chaplains.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Father George Parmeter, a retired Episcopalian priest, who has served in law enforcement chaplaincy programs in other communities and now chaplains for Aberdeen Fire and Rescue, explained, \u201cMy ministry to them is getting to know each of them and the conditions they work under so they are comfortable having me around and can trust me to do what will be beneficial and safe. It\u2019s about developing a trusting relationship, letting them know I\u2019m somebody they can talk to, maybe goof around with.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14249\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14249\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14249 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" title=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1.png 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1-150x105.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/210;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14249\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14249\" src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1.png 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-19-at-2.39.39-PM-300x210-1-150x105.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14249\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chaplain Brad Kingsriter congratulates two new recruits to the Aberdeen Police force, Justin Mersier (left) and Clayton Innis at a recent swearing in ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\">Jay said, \u201cAs we move from organization to organization, we\u2019re developing more expectations for how chaplains do the job.\u201d Most importantly, Jon says chaplains must understand the challenge of the job, \u201cYou\u2019re going into a guarded, protected community. The expectation is that you\u2019re willing to go where the average community person can\u2019t and to go in a time of crisis. It\u2019s not for everyone. You have to be able to respond in a level-headed, gracious, compassionate way to a crisis situation.\u201d The chaplains aren\u2019t there to represent a denomination or to make conversions of faith. \u201cWe\u2019re here to walk with you and provide spiritual, moral, and social support,\u201d said Father Parmeter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The chaplains are helpful in all sorts of situations, and Police Chief McNeil believes they provide extra help in the most tragic of these circumstances. \u201cIt can be horrific, and chaplains can be there to help,\u201d he said. Deputy Koens agreed, \u201cJay came along to a scene where a family member of the deceased was there, and he worked with the person while we worked on investigative things.\u201d Severe, critical incidents in Aberdeen have almost always involved a chaplain. Fortunately, those incidents aren\u2019t an everyday occurrence. Jon said, \u201cThe chaplain\u2019s role is crisis demand-based. We can go months without a call, so we may just do station visits to drop off cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p2\">Other Duties<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">The chaplains find many ways to help, even if it\u2019s just preparing a meal for first responders. Father Parmeter said, \u201cI\u2019ve cooked for the three shifts on occasion, visited the stations regularly, participated in training events, and been available to the families of the department if needed.\u201d In addition, he said, \u201cDuring the Malchow\u2019s fire, the chief asked me to do crowd control so I helped explain to the crowd what was going on, and I made sure firefighters got water, food, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Brad Kingsriter of Aberdeen First Assembly Church said, \u201cNot only are chaplains there for the first responders, we are also there for the general public who may be experiencing life-changing events as well.\u201d Death calls are a big part of the job for the chaplains<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Chief McNeil said, \u201cWhen officers meet with citizens about details and mechanical things, they\u2019re less focused on the emotional. Chaplains can get to the emotion.\u201d The benefit is the chaplain can stay there and be present while officers go off shift or attend another call. The chaplain stays to help with the \u2018what do I do now?\u2019 questions.\u201d Jay explained, \u201cOur goal is to stay until their pastor or caregiver comes and takes them to the next step. It\u2019s the ministry of presence. Sometimes we don\u2019t say anything, and they say thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Chief McNeil notes that the chaplains have been especially helpful in relations among diverse cultural groups in the community. \u201cThey\u2019ve helped bridge gaps in communication, built trust, and have stayed committed to cultural groups.\u201d He mentioned the shootings on the east side of town a few years ago, which injured both a citizen and a police officer as well as damaging property. \u201cMembers of a cultural group worried they would be blamed or would be victims. The chaplains helped bridge the gap and let them know the Aberdeen Police Department serves the whole community,\u201d Chief McNeil said. The chaplains worked with the group\u2019s religious leader to make that connection. \u201cThis was a good example of the role of chaplain: we don\u2019t wear a badge, don\u2019t carry a gun, so we\u2019re not intimidating to a person on the street.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Service to the community is clearly part of why the chaplains do what they do. In part, that comes from the churches they serve. \u201cThey provide time and resources for us to participate and extend the congregation\u2019s impact out to the community. It\u2019s bigger than just the chaplains,\u201d Jay said.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p2\">Peace Bringers<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_14250\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14250\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14250 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" title=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14250\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14250\" src=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC_1255-300x200-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pictured are Chaplains Jay Rossman and JoAnn Lehrkamp with Deputy Linda Marcuson.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">Respect and love are part of it, too. Kevin Bergeson, of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, spoke of visiting the fire department: \u201cI reached out to them, because as usual, many are working on holidays. It was Ash Wednesday, and I was so struck when I walked into the firehouse that these women and men would receive ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of our mortality. They live with ashes on their foreheads every single day. It is a calling to do the work they do and my privilege to show up and support them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Chief McNeil summed up the impact the Chaplain Corps has had on first responders,: \u201cIf we had started this 20 years ago, we might have kept more people in the department, saved marriages even, but I\u2019m confident we\u2019re making a difference now.\u201d Jon agreed, \u201cChief McNeil\u2019s\u2019s vision and heart to care for officers and community has been vital for the group.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Father Parmeter summarized the role of chaplains as: \u201cYou forget your denomination. You\u2019re there to deal with hurt and pain of the moment and to try to let people know they\u2019re not alone and let them know someone is there who cares for them. Blessed are the peacemakers, and if there\u2019s anything a chaplain is there to do, it\u2019s to bring peace to a situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">These folks clearly do more than just show up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been said, \u201c80 percent of life is just showing up.\u201d Jay Rossman, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/2020\/11\/aberdeen-area-chaplain-corps\/\" title=\"ReadAberdeen Area Chaplain Corps &#8211; A Ministry of Presence\">&#8230; Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":12347,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"magazine_issue":[145],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12910"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12910"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17171,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12910\/revisions\/17171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12910"},{"taxonomy":"magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazine_issue?post=12910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}