The U.S.S. Dorchester, struck by a torpedo, sank 67 years ago. I read in our local paper that our county’s American Legion Posts were commemorated the selfless act and sacrifice of four armed forced chaplains during World War II.  They are honoring a story we all should not forget.Often just called the four chaplains, something inside me drove me to find their real names: Reverend George L. Fox, age 42 – MethodistRabbi Alexander D. Goode, age 32 – JewishPriest john R. Washington, age 34 – CatholicReverend Clark V. Poling, age 32 – Reformed Church in AmericaBriefly the story goes like this: The four were clergy serving the U.S. Army aboard the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester, when it was torpedoed with 900 men on board. The four managed to reach the deck quickly and worked to calm the frenzied soldiers as they passed out life vests. However, the ship sank quickly, the stock of life vests ran out—and the four chaplains handed over their own vests to save lives. They helped as many men as … [Read more...]

January 27 is the commemoration of Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe by many churches including my own.  I noticed this in the bulletin insert on Sunday and realized I didn’t know much about these three women.  How much do you know about these women of faith?Lydia – Act 16·      First convert in Macedonia·      Women had more freedom in Macedonia than in other parts of the Roman Empire so it is not surprising she was an independent and successful business woman. ·      Seller of purple – her region was known for its purple dye. Purple dye, made from a certain mollusk, was extremely expensive. One use of it was for the stripes in the togas of Roman senators. Lydia's occupation suggests that she had considerable capital·      Later sponsor of Paul and the Philippian church in her own home implying wealth and influence.Dorcas – also known as Tabitha in Aramaic -- both names mean "gazelle" -Acts 9·      Peter brought her back to life·      She is called a disciple and is seen as always doing good … [Read more...]