Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to share with you a recent development in my life and ministry at ECA I hope will bring new and exciting opportunities to the parish and our ministry together. Six months ago I shared with the Vestry an opportunity to be a chaplain with the Georgia Army National Guard and filled out the required paperwork and went through the necessary process for qualification. This entailed endorsement from the Vestry, the bishop of Atlanta and the Armed forces and Federal ministries of the Episcopal Church and then final approval from the National Guard Bureau review board.
Two weeks ago I was informed the National Guard Bureau had approved my packet and designated me as a Chaplain in the Georgia Army National Guard and commissioned me with the rank of Captain (O3) in my position as chaplain. My previous background as a police officer and my current role as the disaster preparedness coordinator for the diocese of Atlanta makes this a good fit. My first assignment is with the 170th Military Police unit out of Decatur, which is attached to the 201st Homeland response unit out of Marietta. I will learn more in the coming weeks and months what impact this will have on me and ECA but I have no plans to leave ECA and hope that this assignment will not cause any unnecessary anxiety with this position.
The impact I believe will be a positive one, as it was clear when I was sworn in on February 23rd the commanding general of the GA. Natl guard, the base commander and several other senior personnel were in attendance at the ceremony and look forward to the ministry opportunities. I am also the first Episcopal priest to be commissioned as chaplain in the GA. National guard. It is my hope that this ministry will provide an opportunity for families in the metro area to learn more about the church and faith while providing pastoral care to those in need who currently serve in the military and their families. Click HERE for a link to the article written about the appointment and ceremony
In Christ,
Rev. Paul McCabe, Rector
Sandi Harden, Senior Warden
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