Serve by Design

I recently participated in a three-day training event for Illinois State Police chaplains. It is a privilege to serve alongside thirty volunteer chaplains throughout the state. We serve the commanders, troopers, and public as needed for support, ceremonial functions, and during emergency crises. While we train online quarterly, we have not been able to meet in-person since the Pandemic. This return to normal is what made this gathering a little more special! Bedding Perfection! This event was an important time of team building, classroom discussion, CPR recertification, and touring by van to the various ISP facilities that included central command downtown, the training academy near Chatham and the Pawnee shooting range where we saw a demonstration of the elite K9’s and their trainers in action, and also a demo of the precision driving required to navigate the Emergency Vehicle Operation’s course. We also toured the cadet barracks at the academy and observed their regimented para-mil...

Mimi had a helper the other day as she decorated the Christmas tree. Eloise dropped in for a “working” lunch and to help get the season underway for her grandparents. She was so excited by all the ornaments and decorations in storage bins. Her excitement piqued when she saw so many personalized items. As you can see, she stretched to put her dad’s kindergarten picture ornament up as high as she could reach so that everyone could see it. This is a season to celebrate family and this granddaughter was relishing the opportunity to be decorating together. Our church has also been decorated and the worship space definitely has the feel of Christmas. We are anticipating larger crowds for this season. I believe that many are ready to get back into in-person worship after several months of caution because of the Pandemic and subsequent variants. We need to get back together for fellowship, study and inspiration. While online services have been a blessing to so many, there is still nothing to b...