Helping to find God in even the darkest hours
June Mellon visits with Rabbi Mari Betcher before taping a segment for the Police Chaplain Project in Austin, Texas. Both June and Marie have been critical to establishing the Police Chaplain Project as a source of inspiration and education for our nation's police chaplains.
By Marie Betcher - Special to the American-Statesman
Those of us that have a belief in God and God’s power to heal hearts and souls are many. Whether Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu (and the many other religious sects), we find an inner strength at times of need. At the darkest times of need.
I am blessed to serve as the rabbi and cantor of a Union of Reform Judaism congregation in Texas, the only one in Williamson County. We have many interfaith couples and families. We partner with the wonderful Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church. We hold our New Year’s Tashlich Service at Hill Country Bible. We donate food and clothing to the Church of the Nazarene. I am invited each year to participate on an interfaith panel at Vista Ridge High School consisting of Christian clergy, an imam and me. Students ask questions and glean information about how we are more alike than different.
My heart lights up when I see my congregation interact and work with our neighbors from all faith communities whether it be our blessing of animals or an annual Christmas toy drive. We live and worship in a community where there are many religions, but we are all working toward the same goal — as if we are all floating down a river to the same end. We all realize we have to work together in order to reach that end.
Serving as a chaplain for the Cedar Park police and fire departments can at times be a daunting task. There are seven of us and all are Christian with the exception of me. We have found such a wonderful loving and warm relationship together, sharing our faith, stories and supporting one another.
June Mellon visits with Rabbi Mari Betcher before taping a segment for the Police Chaplain Project in Austin, Texas. Both June and Marie have been critical to establishing the Police Chaplain Project as a source of inspiration and education for our nation's police chaplains.
I have found that when I go on a call to a death notice or suicide, the fact that my uniform has stars of David on the collar does not bother people. When I am with someone in such a dark time, they do not notice what faith I follow. They notice that I follow one. We pray to the same God for help and strength. When I hold them and cry with them, they care not what the name of my religion is, but they do care that I bring to them the peace and love only God can give.
You see, it is more often than not when we focus on our journey together and remind ourselves that there is an end to that river, we will not dwell on things that can impede our process. Being a rabbi, a cantor and a chaplain shows me daily that the ties that bind us together are more similar that not.
“There is a wonderful new organization called the police chaplain project, headed by Phillip LeConte, uniting chaplains all over the country. No matter what religion, we are all working together to help those in their most dire times of need.”
There is a wonderful new organization called the police chaplain project, headed by Phillip LeConte, uniting chaplains all over the country. No matter what religion, we are all working together to help those in their most dire times of need.
When a human soul cries out, the person who is there to bring God into the moment is forever connected to the one who is suffering in agony. I am so blessed that my colleagues, whether clergy or chaplains are all serving those in need, and many times crossing imaginary lines that melt away with a touch and a prayer.
May we all continue down our journey together, supporting one another with love and peace.
Confronting the Threat of Retaliation at Police Funerals
Yes, there may be times when security issues at a line-of-duty funeral become very important.
It should be obvious but the funeral coordinator should let the experts make the determination of any potential security threats and how they should be handled. The coordinators job is to work within these guidelines and manage and coordinate the funeral planning process.
I often encountered security directors for government officials who insisted having their people in close proximity to their boss at all times. Not a problem, once they told me what they needed and I could inform the traffic and seating coordinators etc.
The most common problem was having these security directors calling me a couple of hours before the services started and telling me what they needed. Doable? Yes. Frustrating? Yes. I found that when government officials said they wee going to attend, I always contacted their office directly and talked to their security director and insured we had a mutually acceptable plan.
“This is when I relied upon the SWAT commander, intelligence unit, bomb squad etc. to be responsible for developing and implementing a security plan. ”
Fears of Retaliation
Another security concern I encountered was when the officer who was killed was involved in an incident that involved the arrest or wounding or killing of one or more suspects, often gang members.
Then we were concerned with retaliation. This is when I relied upon the SWAT commander, intelligence unit, bomb squad etc. to be responsible for developing and implementing a security plan. Then I could manage the funeral around that. Many times the funeral plan was difficult to manage because of time restraints placed on keeping the church or auditorium closed until the bomb dogs etc. could clears it and then keeping it closed.
Factor in Multiple Locations
Other security issues involved motorcade routes that had to be evaluated for threats also. Then the interment location. And the reception. And the agency headquarters. The deceased officer’s home had to be protected also. The officers on patrol had to be especially vigilant. The list goes on.
Security has to always be a consideration. Even if the incident involving the deceased officer doesn’t have any potential threats inherent to it, there may still be a person or group that wants to attack the police. And what better place then a funeral formation?
Funeral coordinators need to plan for the unexpected. If not you, who?
John Cooley
Policefunerals.com
In the presence of chaplains
Over the years I have noticed that Chaplains speak soulfully from the heart in a manner that is measured, thoughtful. In short they are the embodiment of everything that is missing from modern discourse.
They invest language with a kind of grace that is immediately distinguishable from 90 percent of what we hear and see through the media.
Through the Police Chaplain Project we are creating content that will offer future generations a substantive alternative to the spoiled children of billionaires and want-to-be reality TV contestants that daily accumulate on the web.
Leaving a meaningful and dignified digital legacy is in our hands.
Please help us tell of the quiet acts of courage, kindness and heroism that are the foundation of chaplaincy.
Program Director, Phillip LeConte
Phillip LeConte on the set with Chaplain David Fair.