American Legion Auxiliary



American Legion Auxiliary

Department of Colorado Chaplain

Programs Action Plan

2016-2017

Department of Colorado Chaplain

Theresa Brandt

971 Tennessee Ave.

Canon City, CO 81212

buffalogal3@

Phone 719-275-5971 or Cell 719-671-6375

American Legion Auxiliary chaplains express, by word and action, our founding principle of service to God and Country and encourage all departments to celebrate diversity among people and faiths. Auxiliary chaplains provide spiritual and emotional guidance when needed or requested, always sending dignity and respect to the occasion.

American Legion Auxiliary chaplains have compassionate hearts dedicated to service "for God and country." They help members connect with God and act as spiritual guides in the practice of prayer and service. Chaplains reach out not only to The American Legion Family but also to all of those with needs in their communities, states, and nation. Chaplains at the unit, department, and national levels serve alongside their fellow members and are called upon to pray at gatherings and to lead services such as memorials for our fallen soldiers and deceased members. They energize the hearts of Auxiliary members and foster selflessness as they serve veterans, the military and their families.

Programs and Activities

It should be the objective of the chaplain to:

1. Pray for the American Legion Auxiliary, its members and leaders, for success in carrying out our mission.

2. Guide members through prayer experiences that are appropriate for the situation.

3. Act as spiritual ambassador of the organization.

Through bulletins and other means of communication, the chaplain should:

1. Provide and promote emotional and spiritual support to The American Legion Family by sending emails, prayers, etc., to members throughout the administrative year.

2. Reconnect with the heart of God, the master of might, and promote our founding fathers’ desire to create one nation under God.

3. The chaplain is responsible for all invocations, benedictions, and memorial services for deceased members at official meetings.

4. Recommend educational materials that promote a spirit of unity and love.

5. Schedule spiritual, fun events throughout the year that provide fellowship time and spiritual growth.

All prayers and devotional thoughts must be non-denominational.

(Source: Guidelines for National Chaplain) Non-denominational means “not restricted to or associated with a religious denomination.”

(Source: ic/nondenominational)

Annual Reporting

An annual report is not required; however, a year-end summary and a mid-year progress report are suggested as tools to gauge the direction and effectiveness of department activities. Both narratives should be forwarded to the Department of Colorado Chaplain by December 5, 2016, for mid-year and April 15, 2017, for year-end.

I will be requesting for members to send me prayers and poems for the Department Presidents Chaplain book.

Additional Resources You Can Use

1. :

a. American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide Book

b. Guidelines for National Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary

c. National Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the American Legion Auxiliary d. Chaplains' Prayer Book of the American Legion Auxiliary

2. Auxiliary Chaplains on Facebook: www

DUTIES OF THE CHAPLAIN AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES

The chaplain should attend all meetings and have an opening and closing prayer at each meeting. These prayers may come from the Unit Handbook, or they may be others she has found or written herself.

Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of their Unit and Department and have been chosen to conduct all religious services. It is expected that they will so dignify their office that all fellow members will follow their example.

The chaplain should be involved in many activities.

Such as:

1. Reporting the names of members that are ill at meetings and presenting cards for all who are present to sign.

2. Sending a sympathy card to the family and if possible visiting the funeral home when a member passes away. She may also be assigned to ask the family if they wish to have a funeral dinner.

3. Being in charge of any religious services the Unit may have, such as draping the charter or performing memorial services.

4. Visiting members and veterans in nursing homes and hospitals.

5. Visiting members and veterans who are shut-in at home.

6. Keeping in contact with all Gold Star Mothers and remembering them during all holidays.

7. Sending cards to members and their family members.

8. Volunteering in community projects.

9. Making a prayer and devotional book.

10. Encouraging members to send prayers and devotional thoughts so that she can use them to make a prayer book.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A UNIT PRAYER BOOK?

The Unit Chaplain does not make the Unit Prayer Book alone. It is a collection of prayers, devotional thoughts and poems that mean something special to the Unit members. The chaplain and members may write their own prayers or devotional thoughts for the book. All members should be asked to give the Unit chaplain something for the prayer book. The chaplain may want to type the material she receives. She may want to add pictures that go along with the prayer, devotional thought or poem. She may decide to use some of the decorative paper that is currently available.

A great source for the prayer book is the church bulletins you receive on Sunday morning. Many churches use bulletins that have a picture on the cover with a devotional thought or bible verse. Ask members to save these for you. You can then neatly put the whole front page in your book. Be sure to glue it to another piece of paper. Making a prayer book is a very delightful job. You will receive beautiful prayers, devotional thoughts and poems from many different people.

Suggested Rules for Prayer Book

Some suggestions are:

1. The book cover should be one bought from National Emblem Sales with the Auxiliary emblem on it.

2. The book cover can be a three ring binder and decorated.

3. Prayers, devotional thoughts, and poems are to be collected from members.

4. The book must be typed, handwritten or a mixture.

5. Pictures may be used.

6. The book must contain the Pledge of Allegiance and Preamble to the Constitution.

7. The book must a contain cover page with Chaplain’s name, address, Unit number, District number and Department.

8. The book must have a dedication in the front.

9. For judging, a point system will be needed. Appoint so many points for neatness, grammar, content, a cover page, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble to the Constitution, etc.

“What is a chaplain? What do chaplains do?"

Answer: A chaplain is essentially a spiritual representative attached to a secular institution. Chaplains may or may not be certified, have a theological education, or be ordained or commissioned by a particular denomination, though many are. While chaplaincy has traditionally been associated with representatives of the Christian faith, the term is now used for representatives of any faith. Some chaplains are expected to represent multiple faiths, acting as a sort of neutral spiritual resource.

The American Legion Auxiliary chaplains should have compassionate hearts dedicated to service “For God and Country.” The help people reconnect with God and act as spiritual guides in the practice of prayer and service.

Invitation to God’s Table ( First Corinthians 11:23–26) As often as you do this in remembrance of me.

(Example) of POW/MIA Table (Handouts)

Reference Bible: Find the History of God; Establish a personal relationship individually

Who is God? The FACT Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

Who is God? The Definition a good summary definition of God is “the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-Existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom.”

Who is God? His Nature God is spirit, by nature intangible (John 4:24) God is a spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Why pray? What is the point of prayer when God knows the future and is already in control of everything? If we cannot change God's mind, why should we pray? (Philippians 4:6-7) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Lack of Prayer: demonstrates a lack of faith and a lack of trust in God’s Word. We pray to demonstrate our faith in God, that He will do as He has promised in His Word and bless our lives abundantly more than we could ask or hope for (Ephesians 3:20). 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Prayer is our primary means of seeing God work in others' lives. Because it is our means of “plugging into” God's power.

Question: "What does it mean to pray without ceasing?"

Answer: Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17  pray without ceasing,

(Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.

Give example of a brand new car with the key in the ignition if you don’t turn the key, it’s not going to start, you have to activate your faith by doing something! Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

(Eph 4:16 NIV) 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Goal 2 of our 5-Year Centennial Strategic Plan, Creating a culture of goodwill. Build trust within the American Legion Auxiliary and with the American Legion Family. Cultivate and implement the best practices removing the barriers and stronghold that hindering our organization. Remembering the Mission in the spirit of service, not self, support the American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families.

Enduring Core Values, Service to God, our country. It’s veterans and their families. Truthful, open communication in dealing with our members and public.

I am excited to serve as your Department Chaplain for the year 2016-2017. I am here to serve you. If you need to call or need cards sent to someone don’t hesitate to email or call.

My information is Theresa Brandt

971 Tennessee Ave.

Canon City, CO 81212

Phone 719-275-5971 or Cell 719-671-6375

Email buffalogal3@

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