Chaplain invents Portable Chapel Kit

Courtesy Photo | Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Shriver prepares for the dedication of the EPCK on Good Friday. The EPCK fits in the small wooden box that can be easily transported on the helicopter from FOB to FOB.  

04.10.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By 1st Lt. Ashley Dellavalle
Task Force Rugged Public Affairs Officer

KER KHOT CASTLE, Afghanistan – Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Shriver dedicated the first Expeditionary Portable Chapel Kit (EPCK) on Good Friday during a ceremony at a small forward operating base in the southeast region of Afghanistan.

Shriver, 864th Combat Engineer Battalion Chaplain, developed the EPCK as a means to provide religious service to this small FOB. The EPCK is the middle-ground solution between containerized Chapels, used at large forward operating bases, and a Chaplains' kit, a small bag that is hand carried by Chaplains.

Chaplain Shriver described how he developed the idea.

"The ECPK was a way to address the problem of bringing religious support to small operating bases where a Chaplain is not present all the time," Shriver said. "The Soldiers themselves can utilize the kit each week for worship services and bible studies."

Among the guests at the ceremony were the command sergeant major of Task Force Rugged, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Busch, the 864th Engineer commander, Lt. Col. Mark Deschenes, and command sergeant major of the 864th Engineer Battalion, Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Turner.

"Chaplain Shriver has been very creative in designing this whole idea, which I think will not only benefit the Soldiers here, but could also be utilized at many small operating bases around this country," Deschenes said.

The ECPK consists of a large folding table for an alter, 24 folding chairs, an altar cross, candlesticks, chalice and paten, alter linens, silk flower arrangements in vases, votive candles, a chaplain resupply kit, religious candles, among other items. The vases for the silk flower arrangements were hand crafted by Shriver out of mailing tube, spray paint, and sand. Grace constructed the prayer cross for the EPCK. All of the items, except the chairs and table fit in wooden crate that can be easily transported on a helicopter.

The 864th Engineer Battalion plans on using the EPCK concept on Construction Base Pacemaker in the future.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2007
• Date Posted: 04.10.2007 13:22
• Story ID: 9851