Peace Depends on Healing All Our Souls
Posted by Chuck Freeman | Filed under Religion & Culture, Uncategorized
Moses begged, “Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person.”
About a year ago I received an e-mail from a man who had been attending our church with some frequency. Doug wanted me to consider leading a veterans’ group called “Warrior’s Journey Home,” a ministry that originated in Ohio.
I believe there is a place for war, but I will admit my first thought was cautious. “I have advocated for peace since Vietnam and my convictions have only strengthened since our post- 9/11 wars.” I was also very aware that on the whole my congregation feels the same way.
I have been in the sacred calling game long enough not to dismiss requests like this out of hand. I know that the Spirit’s calling often comes from unforeseen quarters.
When I met with Doug, I was not only moved by his humility and desire to serve, but I was quite impressed with the group’s website. The leader of the ministry writes, “I don’t hear war stories, I hear love stories. The objective of Warrior’s Journey Home is for our veterans to listen, speak, and heal.”
I told Doug that we would take this in a step -by- step discernment process. I called the Congregationalist Pastor, Rev. John Schluep, who directs the ministry in Ohio. I bounced it off of my spiritual director. We took it to our Adult Programming church committee. I read the book, “War and the Soul.” Every movement lined up.
Even though I felt a deep kinship with the entreaty of Moses, I was also sensing a call to lead a veterans’ healing circle. I have served as a medical chaplain and have led hundreds of bereavement groups, yet this is among the last things I ever envisioned myself doing.
Would this mean I was becoming a pro-war minister? I shared my fear in a conversation with Rev. Schluep. His reply unearthed a truth deep within my heart. “We will never have peace in the world until we heal the soul of the warrior.”
In March my congregation, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church began a Warrior’s Journey Home ministry. Our healing circle is open to veterans, their families and civilians who have been impacted by war. It is non-political, non-sectarian and non-partisan.
The healing power of telling our stories has impressed me afresh. I have been called to examine my own biases and wounds.
My faith is calling me to make a distinction between the political leaders who start wars and the soldiers who carry them out. My faith is calling me to respect fellow citizens who make very different choices from mine. My faith is calling me to honor the service of our veteran’s. My faith is calling me to realize peace is not just about healing the warrior’s soul. Peace depends on healing my soul as well.
November 21, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I am inspired by your words, and I too hear feel some divine calling in this direction. I don’t mean that it will be my path of ministry. Perhaps I use the word call too lightly, but then again no.
I know too much. I know that the wounding, the toll upon our soldiers, and their families has been huge. Like you I didn’t think this was “my area” With so many concerns, so many needs, it’s nderstandable that I/we essentially ignore this and so many forms of suffering.
Recently something began shifting in me. I was attending the (Mental Health) Alternatives Conference recently in Orlando Florida. I’ve served in various capacities including as chaplain and presented workshops the past three years. This year the buzz, the word on the streets, the cry among my people .. is that this war has exacted a huge toll on the psyche’s of many Americans.
I don’t know where this awakening will take me, but I thank you and commend you on the steps you have taken.
Via con Dios!
February 7, 2012 at 9:21 pm
I am amazed at the impact of words and the power of Spirit. Warriors’ JourneynHome Ministry started in much the same fashion as Chuck Freeman’s (although I know he would take a poverty of ownership.) I have been taught by Shianne Eagleheart that this work/ministry is a gift from The Creator to heal all people. I am grateful for Chuck and many others who have been united in Spirit as the conduit of The Creator’s healing presence. I am honored to be in the work with Chuck Freeman and all the others united in Spirit in a common cause.
Namaste,
J.Schluep