Re: Chaplain's Aide
Settummanque, the blackeagle (waltoml@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU)
Tue, 27 Dec 1994 23:00:58 CST
Scott Talbert <talbert@USNET.US.NET> writes:
>I have recently become the Chaplain's Aide to my troop. I was wondering
>how other troops pursue this leadership position: what you have done,
>what works, what doesn't. Also, I would appreciate any prayers that you
>have, besides the ones from the Scouts-L file server, if any.
I was asked to serve as one of the first Chaplain Aides in the BSA, as
the Old Kentucky Home Council was one of the "test Councils" using the
new positions, Chaplain Aide and Troop Historian.
I have still a dark maroon neckerchief with the Chaplain patch
centered on the backside instead of the traditional BSA "universal
emblem". It's one of my favorite memories of being a Scout.
What did I do? First most, the Chaplain Aide should be the "point
man" for those Scouts earning their religious emblems. In my day, one
had to be at least First Class before starting on the award, so I had
an implied mission to "get those Scouts to First Class". So, I became
an instructor, an assistor to the Patrol Leaders and the Senior Patrol
Leaders.
I practiced what we were taught at Camp Covered Bridge (the BSA held
an "Instructor's session" (now called "Train-the-Trainer" or "triple
T") on the new positions and indeed the "improved Scouting Program").
We were taught to be examples of our faith. We didn't have to be
"holier than thou", just good examples of how to express your religion
*without words*. That's important, Scott....moreso today than in the
past.
As a child and even more as an adult, I get "put off" by folks
attempting to "witness to me", by telling me expressions of what they
believe in and why it is so. Those are usually the same people whom
can express chapter, verse and verbiage of a passage, but cannot
explain in it terms that you or I can relate to. Instead, I've always
felt the most comfortable around people that express their faith in
nonverbal ways. A pause before eating, bowing, presenting the cross
or a simple "thank you, amen". The action of resisting the inevitable
swear word (especially when you strike your hand with a mallet or when
you stub your toes against a tentpeg in the middle of the night); but
also understanding that others have a short level of resistance when
they hurt. The kind words for even those that "they cannot stand".
The way that they cared about each person, as if they were a member of
their own family. The willingness of putting off some of their own
personal pleasures to be a servant to others, and not to brag about it
later. (sounds familiar?) No, Scott, the Chaplain Aide is NOT a "preacher",
"minister" nor "rabbi" -in-training. He's a Scout that is attempting
to show that no matter what faith you are, that reverence and respect
for reverence is a good thing to have and do.
So that's the second thing that a Chaplain Aide does....he demonstrates
*without words* that reverence and respect for reverence is a good
thing to have and do.
The third thing that the Chaplain Aide does is to assist lay ministers
(those adults within your Troop or Team that are approved by a
religious order or organization) as well as ordained religious leaders
with preparation of various services or religious-related events. NO,
this DOES NOT mean that you serve as "alter boy" during each campout.
NOR does this mean that you have to "give the prayer" every time one
is recommended. What this does mean is, for instance, during a
Catholic Mass, you may be asked to lead in a song, or in some other
way. In a Baptist outdoor service, you may be asked to lead the
responsive reading. You won't be doing this as much as you think, so
don't worry about it. But, Scott, in the months between the campouts,
you need to expose yourself to all of the faiths in your Troop. You
might want to attend a church service or a program with members of
your Troop whom do NOT share the same faith you have. In this way,
you learn more about their faith as well as discovering similarities
with your own. (and they may find out something about *your faith*
too!)
Why did the BSA come up with such a potentially "dangerous" post in a
Troop or Team (Explorer Posts and Ships may also have Chaplain Aides
too, if they so desire)? The simple reason is that it gives yet
another youth member an opportunity to lead and serve other Scouts.
The more complex reason is because the BSA realized, even in 1973,
that part of their program is one of faith and resolve in something
greater than the outdoors, greater than the combined membership of the
unit. In order to expose as many youth members as possible to the
idea that Scouting is indeed an interdenominational youth development
program, Chaplain Aides assist both Troop and religious leaders and
remind them that "A Scout is Reverent", when an adult Chaplain no
matter the faith, could not.
As a Scoutmaster, I stayed out of the way and let my Senior Patrol
Leader appoint the Chaplain Aide. Some years we would have one; other
years, we would not. I guess you guys can sense and tell if the
Troop *really needs one* or is just "filling spaces" on an
organizational chart and thinks that they "need one" because "its
there, so I guess we have to have one".
What works? For a Christmas present, my Godsister Cyndi gave me one
of those daily "personal devotional" paperbacks. I still have the
ones called "A Year with Thee" and "A Walk with Thee". I read the personal
passage on Sunday mornings to the Troop. Another year, I learned from
a Jewish friend (a girl that had a crush on me my Junior year of high
school) about yearly traditions and one day during Summer Camp, I
challenged the Troop to fast except for water, bread, and pickles
(every year at camp, no matter what was being served, there were
ALWAYS a large jar of pickles and another one of peanut butter). I
shared with them what I've learned from others. I am also a firm
believer in something else I was taught at that training: Sit and
Stare time.
Sit and Stare time is a period whereby each Scout goes out, finds
their spot, and sit and stare in peace and without anyone else
observing. The time varies, but as a youth I gave the Troop 15
minutes; as an adult, I give them 12 (for the points of the Scout
Law). The period is over when they hear the whistle (the "emblem" of
the Troop Chaplain Aide...not the staff. Why? I'll write about that
in a minute or two...separate posting!) and the Troop does their
accountability. Sit and Stare time is done INDIVIDUALLY, there is NO
"Service". This allows each person a period of inward reflection and
devotion in the manner they were taught or the way that they are most
comfortable with.
And EVERYONE, including the Scouters, participated.
What DOESN'T WORK? + Again, "witnessing". Don't always assume that
*your faith* is the ONLY one in your Troop. + Singling out "certain
members" for anything. Each person has their own relationship with
their own "something or someone higher than themselves". By singling
out those that don't share the same beliefs or those that "you know
are goody-two-shoes", you risk them not participating with their hearts
and not even sticking around for the NEXT campout or event. + Being "on
show" all of the time. I get mad, angry and even cuss. My face turns
a deep purple sometimes. That makes me a PERSON. + Finally, telling
Scouts that don't say "what they are", "you can't be a Scout unless
you believe". That's not true, Scott and anyone that tells you that
don't understand the idea of what the BSA's stand on religion is
about. Without dredging up the entire thing, the BSA has been saying
that "you don't have to believe a certain way to be a Scout. You don't
have to say certain things to be a Scout. You don't even have to
believe in a certain entity or whatever. All you have to do is to
believe in SOMETHING higher than yourself. It don't matter if it's a
religious thing or not, as long as it's something that when the chips
are down, that they will turn to and ask "Oh mighty Oak, protector of
creatures, please help me".
(I'm not making fun of those whom believe in Nature, just offering an
example that don't sound like the "usual prayers" you would hear).
I think that we've exhausted the prayers for several Scouts-L files,
Scott...so I won't offer them. However, I would offer an
suggestion to you: during your term, go out and learn as much as you
can about OTHER faiths. You already know a lot about yours. Teach
yourself about how others pray, how others sing and how others give
thanks. It will do you well, Scott, not just as a Troop Chaplain
Aide, but as a young man and later as a man.
We have too many people in this world that feel that that "the only
way is MY way". While many with strong faiths will counter that
point, I think you find that there are many people out there that have
differing beliefs than yours, and some of those people may be *on
their way*.
Good luck in your term as Chaplain Aide, and as Chaplain Tracy told us
all: "May the Great Scouter travel alongside with you always. May He
move the brushes back for you, may He lead you in the path you've
chosen, over the slippery rocks and through the swift streams. And when
your journey is over, may He offer you warmth, confort and shelter in His
home."
Settummanque!
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