Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Found Lost Member
I was TDY to Langley this week and stopped by to see the new Wing Chaplain, Ch Scott Henry. Missed him but as is my practice picked up some of the chapel handouts (borrowing great ideas). Discovered Terri Gast has been assigned here for 2 years. We went for fruit smoothies and tried to catch up for 4 yrs of lost communication. She mentioned she saw Elaine at a reintegration retreat in the spring (after she returned from 4.5 months in Afghanistan.) It was great seeing her and having a couple of hours to attempt that catch up. Welcome back to our mailings!!!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Retreat Theme: Care for the Caregiver
This year's conference theme will be "Care for the Caregiver." To help us plan for the conference, please ponder the following questions.
1. What information would compel you to join us at the conference?
2. What was one of your greatest triumphs / victories / blessings?
3. What has been your greatest challenge?
4. What got you through it?
5. How did you handle it?
6. What lessons did you learn?
Our Keynote speaker is BG (ret) Toreaser Steele. General Steele was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Tennessee State University and began her career as a personnel officer. She has served at the major command and Air Force headquarters levels. General Steele has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. She is the former Commander of Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, and Wing Commander at Goodfellow Air Force Base, both located in Texas.
The general has also served as Director of Personnel Resources, and Director of the Air Force Personnel Operations Agency with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., where she was responsible for developing and coordinating military end strength, civilian work year, compensation and skills management strategies. Her current position is as Development Director with the George Gervin Youth Center, Inc in San Antonio, Texas.
1. What information would compel you to join us at the conference?
2. What was one of your greatest triumphs / victories / blessings?
3. What has been your greatest challenge?
4. What got you through it?
5. How did you handle it?
6. What lessons did you learn?
Our Keynote speaker is BG (ret) Toreaser Steele. General Steele was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Tennessee State University and began her career as a personnel officer. She has served at the major command and Air Force headquarters levels. General Steele has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. She is the former Commander of Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, and Wing Commander at Goodfellow Air Force Base, both located in Texas.
The general has also served as Director of Personnel Resources, and Director of the Air Force Personnel Operations Agency with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., where she was responsible for developing and coordinating military end strength, civilian work year, compensation and skills management strategies. Her current position is as Development Director with the George Gervin Youth Center, Inc in San Antonio, Texas.
Registration for the Retreat
We are quickly coming to our yearly retreat. The WUIM Conference 2008 will again be at the T-Bar-M Resort and Conference Center; 2549 Highway 46 West; New Braunfels, Texas 78132. Look at the accommodations at their website:
http://www.tbarm.com/
The retreat is scheduled for 10-13 November 2008. We begin the retreat with dinner on Monday, 10 Nov and conclude after lunch on Thursday, 13 Nov.
Cost for this year’s retreat will be $300 for Lifetime members
And $350 for all others. A $100 deposit is due NLT 20 Oct. Checks should be made out to
“Women United in Ministry” and mailed to WUIM in care of Sharon Freeto at P.O. Box 1532; Blanco, TX 78606.
Scholarships are available, please contact Sharon Freeto for details.
If you are willing to share a room to help another attend please note that when you register; also let us know who will have vehicles so we can cut down the cost for rentals.
http://www.tbarm.com/
The retreat is scheduled for 10-13 November 2008. We begin the retreat with dinner on Monday, 10 Nov and conclude after lunch on Thursday, 13 Nov.
Cost for this year’s retreat will be $300 for Lifetime members
And $350 for all others. A $100 deposit is due NLT 20 Oct. Checks should be made out to
“Women United in Ministry” and mailed to WUIM in care of Sharon Freeto at P.O. Box 1532; Blanco, TX 78606.
Scholarships are available, please contact Sharon Freeto for details.
If you are willing to share a room to help another attend please note that when you register; also let us know who will have vehicles so we can cut down the cost for rentals.
Member News
Dr Jan McCormack, completed 10 yrs as Assistant Professor at Denver Seminary. She has influenced 100s of future chaplains in her post-AF ministry
InSuk Hong Pebbles started a new ministry at Noblesville, IN 1st UMC
Peggy Wilkins started her new ministry in Englewood FL, very close to grandson!!!!
Tiji Murphy is in Greenwood SC as CPE intern for the year
Robin Stephens-Bratcher is off to Altus OK for new assignment
Sandy Thomas just complete 3 wks Asia tour where she preached in Hong Kong; she is currently working on her DMin at Erskine Seminary
Kathy Scott is still deployed
Ruth Segres completed CPE and is at Osan ROK
Jan Dashner is getting married in Sept to long time friend Bob; no more commuting from Japan for a date!
Sara Schechter held Holocaust Remembrance Service at Lackland AFB over 420 in attendance
Shelia Wilson PCS’d to Holloman this summer
Cherri Wheeler returned from a short deployment to GE working with war wounded—"Awesome" was her only description of the experience.
InSuk Hong Pebbles started a new ministry at Noblesville, IN 1st UMC
Peggy Wilkins started her new ministry in Englewood FL, very close to grandson!!!!
Tiji Murphy is in Greenwood SC as CPE intern for the year
Robin Stephens-Bratcher is off to Altus OK for new assignment
Sandy Thomas just complete 3 wks Asia tour where she preached in Hong Kong; she is currently working on her DMin at Erskine Seminary
Kathy Scott is still deployed
Ruth Segres completed CPE and is at Osan ROK
Jan Dashner is getting married in Sept to long time friend Bob; no more commuting from Japan for a date!
Sara Schechter held Holocaust Remembrance Service at Lackland AFB over 420 in attendance
Shelia Wilson PCS’d to Holloman this summer
Cherri Wheeler returned from a short deployment to GE working with war wounded—"Awesome" was her only description of the experience.
How to Find Wholeness After a Disappointment? By Cherri Wheeler
Have you ever experienced disappointment? You know, an assignment you really thought you were right for but didn’t get, the promotion that didn’t happen to the surprise of many, or the retirement before you were ready? Or the disappointment may be related to something good happening to others. Yet it may be something that goes beyond professional accomplishments, it could be the spouse or children who don’t behave in ways you approve of or parents who favors one sibling over another or the church who disappoints us in their decisions. Whatever the disappointment the results are that sometimes we become stuck. Not only do we fail to let it go, we fail to move forward as well. It becomes a place in time where we cease to be all we can be.
We have all counseled with people who are stuck in their disappointment; yet how do we deal with our own disappointments in life? For me, I spend time in reflection. Why am I so disappointed? What injustice do I feel I suffered? What role did my decisions, attitudes and actions contribute to the outcome I’m disappointed in? As I answer these tough questions honestly with myself I begin to pray through what I discover. At this point, there is usually a time when I have to practice the art of forgiveness (see page two article). I need to forgive myself for any culpability I have in the situation and I must forgive those others who may have contributed to the disappointment as well.
Once I get through the forgiveness step (this sometimes takes longer than I’d like) I must practice letting go. (Easier said than done.) Here is where scripture reading and prayer are crucial. I read again the stories of the great biblical characters, many who faced and triumphed over personal and professional disappointments. I also look for and take corrective actions. I analysis those things I did which contributed to the disappointment occurring so as not to repeat the mistake or pattern of mistakes again.
Finally, I speak with my mentor or spiritual director about the issues. As much self work as I can do; it is always good to get a second opinion from someone whom I trust and who has my best interest at heart. It is what we usually call the sanity check!
Don’t stay stuck, “Let go, let God!”
We have all counseled with people who are stuck in their disappointment; yet how do we deal with our own disappointments in life? For me, I spend time in reflection. Why am I so disappointed? What injustice do I feel I suffered? What role did my decisions, attitudes and actions contribute to the outcome I’m disappointed in? As I answer these tough questions honestly with myself I begin to pray through what I discover. At this point, there is usually a time when I have to practice the art of forgiveness (see page two article). I need to forgive myself for any culpability I have in the situation and I must forgive those others who may have contributed to the disappointment as well.
Once I get through the forgiveness step (this sometimes takes longer than I’d like) I must practice letting go. (Easier said than done.) Here is where scripture reading and prayer are crucial. I read again the stories of the great biblical characters, many who faced and triumphed over personal and professional disappointments. I also look for and take corrective actions. I analysis those things I did which contributed to the disappointment occurring so as not to repeat the mistake or pattern of mistakes again.
Finally, I speak with my mentor or spiritual director about the issues. As much self work as I can do; it is always good to get a second opinion from someone whom I trust and who has my best interest at heart. It is what we usually call the sanity check!
Don’t stay stuck, “Let go, let God!”
Women United in Ministry Mission & Address
MISSION: Women United in Ministry will exist to provide scholarship, training and mentoring opportunities for women who are serving or have served in military ministry. To provide a network of support with other professional women and to provide spiritual, personal growth and educational opportunities for women chaplains.
Visit us on the web at www.wuim.net
WUIM
P.O. Box 1532
Blanco TX 78606-1532
Visit us on the web at www.wuim.net
WUIM
P.O. Box 1532
Blanco TX 78606-1532
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