Photo By Sgt. 1st Class William Prahl | Capt. Jordan Helming, battalion chaplain, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st...... read more read more
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Often, we must make the most out of difficult situations. Add a global pandemic into any given scenario, and tasks are much more complicated. True to what Soldiers are taught from day one, we must adapt and overcome.
Capt. Jordan Helming, battalion chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, and Sgt. Matthew Birmingham, a religious affairs non-commissioned officer, also of the 1-194th Field Artillery Regiment, made the most of what they had during a recent Sunday service.
Helming and Birmingham, with roughly 40 other Soldiers from Iowa Army National Guard, were placed under an automatic two-week quarantine upon their arrival at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for the battalion’s mobilization training prior to an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Normally, a religious service would be held in a chapel on post and the Soldiers would be able to physically attend a denomination of their choosing. However, since Helming and Birmingham were separated from most of the battalion, they had to get creative with the limited resources available. The pair opted for fresh air and decided to have the service outside of the barracks where they were quarantined.
“It’s whatever we can do and wherever we can find space really,” said Birmingham, a Marion, Iowa, native. “We kind of make do.”
A table and chairs were moved from the dining room to the barracks’ patio to help facilitate the service. Aside from the small congregation of quarantined Soldiers in attendance, the sermon was livestreamed on Facebook to others in the battalion, as well as friends and family back home.
Helming, of Sioux Center, Iowa, said of preaching during quarantine, “It really almost seems misplaced to stand there at the front and broadcast over the internet. It really is a participatory event, gathering for worship. So, it is quite strange and it’s different but I know it’s required right now, it won’t last forever and soon we’ll be gathering again in person.”
The ad hoc chapel on the patio had a semi-enclosed courtyard, stucco walls and arches that are characteristic of the barracks’ Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival style architecture.
With this backdrop and the occasional bird chirping, the sermon began with the customary call to worship, prayer in confession and the scripture message of the day that focused on the book of Jeremiah.
A portion of the sermon focused on current events and how COVID-19 has affected nearly all facets of daily life, right down to the battalion’s recent send-off ceremony. It is usually a time-honored tradition where friends and family members can attend to say their final farewells to Soldiers going on deployment. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions, guests were unable to attend.
In addition to the stresses caused by a global pandemic, the sermon addressed other points of pain -- riots, protests, injustice, political division.
“Have faith amidst the suffering,” Helming reminded the Soldiers.
Whether one is religious, spiritual or none of the above, the message given on that Sunday morning in late August could provide comfort. Birmingham and Helming relayed a message of resilience in times of chaos, reminding Soldiers to take a pause in training to reflect with fellow human beings and enjoy the time spent outdoors.
Per Army doctrine, chaplains are required to offer religious service once a week and their main priority is the care of service members, families, and civilians. The three core competencies of the chaplain corps are to nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the dead.
Army chaplains have provided religious support ever since their official appointment in 1775 by the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. It has since grown to over 120 different denominations and faith groups.
The free exercise of religious beliefs is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It also prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.
“We’re facilitating the free exercise of religion among people that otherwise don’t have access to it,” said Helming. “Ensuring religious liberty for all of our Soldiers to practice or not practice -- that’s another huge part of our job.”
Church services aren’t the only tool in a chaplain’s and religious affairs specialist’s repertoire. They also provide confidential counseling. Helming said one of the biggest things they offer to the unit is confidential and sacred communications.
Helping those who are struggling or experiencing stress is important to Birmingham as well. Birmingham said he enjoys being a soundboard for people when they’re going through hard times and it gives him a sense of being useful.
Helming is also utilizing the help from his church back home where he is an assistant pastor. He organized a concept where Soldiers can give him their uniform name tapes and unit patches. He then sends them to the First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa, where they are affixed to a board and members of the congregation pray for each individual Soldier.
At the conclusion of the ceremony Helming elaborated more about faith, stating that it provides a message of hope to a world that is hurting.
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2021 13:18 |
| Story ID: | 392022 |
| Location: | FORT SILL, OK, US |
| Hometown: | MARION, IA, US |
| Hometown: | SIOUX CENTER, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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