CH (COL) Gordon Groseclose (left), U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School Chief, Department of Pastoral Ministry Training, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, speaks with attendees after discussing "Crisis Ministry" at the conference.
On May 28, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the Joint Force Headquarters – National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), and the Military District of Washington held the third annual NCR Interagency Chaplains Conference, “A Consideration and Application of Crisis Ministry.” The event, held at Fort Myer in Arlington, is an opportunity for training, communication, and collaboration for chaplains from the military, as well as public safety and interfaith organizations.
Major General Richard J. Rowe, Jr., Commanding General, JFHQ-NCR/MDW delivered opening remarks at the event.
“It is a distinct privilege and honor for this command to host this event. Chaplains are tasked with the high privilege and honor of supporting the spiritual life of the soldier and the military family. The impact of their service is critical to the success of every mission we undertake in defending our nation,” said Major General Rowe. “I would extend that insight beyond the military to also include our local police, fire, and EMS first-responders, as well as the intentional faithful in local congregations, faith- and community-based organizations, and the various levels of government in the National Capital Region.”
David McMillion, COG’s Director of Public Safety and Health, also spoke at the event.
“Through this wonderful partnership of military and public safety chaplains you can accomplish things that you may not be able to accomplish individually. While we hope that we will never need the full force of this collaboration, we all know that there is a possibility that each of you may be called upon at a moments notice for tragedies such as the Flu of 1918, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, or H1N1,” said McMillion. “With this kind of training, I am confident that you will be better prepared to answer that call. It is only with full collaboration that you will be able to fulfill the need of the many in the event of a major catastrophic event.”
“On behalf of the Council of Governments, I would like to thank Major General Rowe for the outstanding leadership that he has provided for this important annual event. He has enabled the military chaplains to train with the public safety chaplains from around the region just like they will need to respond when confronted with a major disaster,” said McMillion. “We are all most appreciative of the exceptional leadership provided by General Rowe.” Major General Rowe changes Command on June 23, 2009 and will be stationed in Iraq.
