Chaplains Serve Faithfully

 

“There is a lot of outreach to Iraqis that doesn’t always get reported amid all the very real horrors of the war here,” said the Rev. Glenn Palmer in The Lutheran magazine’s November 2005 issue. During his two tours in Iraq as an ELCA military chaplain, Palmer’s ministry included interacting with Iraqi children and helping to distribute toys, clothing, school supplies, and vitamins sent by people in the United States.

Palmer, who has since served as a chaplain at Yongsan Garrison, South Korea, said that he also accompanies soldiers through diffi cult moments—before, during, and after combat situations. Palmer told Stars and Stripes magazine in October 2007 that he responded to posttraumatic stress disorder among soldiers when his unit returned from Iraq to Fort Riley, Kan., and he sees it on the base in South Korea.

Your prayers and mission support funds make it possible for the ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries to support 198 ELCA active duty and reserve military chaplains to accompany soldiers in times of need.

“We [the ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries] are working with other ELCA agencies to develop healing and care strategies for our returning veterans,” said the Rev. Darrell D. Morton, assistant to the presiding bishop for federal chaplaincies of the ELCA.

Meanwhile, Morton and his staff are recruiting active duty chaplains from among pastors and seminary students. “The military recruiters are anxious to receive Lutheran pastors. They are recognized for the quality ministry they bring.”