Massachusetts Conference Edition
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
 |
| Chaplain Maj. James Rose gets ready to preach in the desert of Iraq |
At the Federated Church of Norfolk, praying for the service men and women serving in the Middle East has a new immediacy. The spouse of their pastor, the Rev. Tracey Frink, is praying and crying with the soldiers there, as he fulfills an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq. Chaplain Maj. James Rose, “Jim,” serves in the Army Reserve, stationed five miles north of Tikrit. He is connected to a Support Group of the 1st Infantry Division (known as the Big Red One.) His brigade is made up of 16 units.
In early May the brigade had its first fatality, a young man aged 21 who died following surgery on wounds caused by an “IED” explosion. These “Improvised Explosive Devices,” are made from pieces of scrap metal as benign-looking as a hubcap, and explode when touched.
The death, one of many tragedies of the war, caused acute sadness to Chaplain Rose and to Rev. Frink and her parishioners. Most Sundays the congregation has a sharing of what happened in Jim Rose’s brigade in Iraq, sometimes by Frink and sometimes by the Deacons. Photos of Jim and his soldiers are on the bulletin board, and will soon be added to their Web site: www.fcon.org.
“For all us us it brings the situation of war closer to home,” she said. My congregation was very moved by the death of the soldier; there were many tears. It brings the humanity behind the events much nearer.”
She adds that her husbnad loves to hear from people back home. “Everyday stuff like a garden being planted and kids winning their ball game – the simple pleasures brighten him up. He gets many cheering emails and letters from the congregation.” The church also participates in relief efforts, hoping to gather 1,000 school kits for Iraqi children, as well as toiletries for U.S. soldiers. “It’s wonderful for me to see people are beginnning to pour out their hearts,” said Frink.