Church sends off military
On Wednesday, August 12 - the 155th Unit from Wagner SD left for Rapid City to serve in Kuwait for one year. Roughly 1,200 people gathered for a Community Recognition Ceremony to support the 155th Engineer Company, Detachment 1, of the South Dakota National Guard, leaving for a one-year deployment to Kuwait. The mission is in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Spartan Shield.
Photo: Members of Wagner United Methodist Church show support for the 115th Engerineer Company as they leave Wagner, South Dakota for Rapid City and then on to Kuwait. Submitted photo.
Wagner United Methodist Church (UMC) was among the community members who lined up along Highway 46 with signs, flags and more to wish them luck. The UMC of Wagner gathered with their sign with wishes and prayers for the soldiers and their families.
The 155th is based in Rapid City and has a total of 162 members. A detachment with about 35 Guard members is located in Wagner. (Read more about the Wagner community send off here)
Reach out to military families
Here are some suggestions for starting a conversation or beginning a local church program to serve military families.
Celebrate birthdays of soldiers and their family members. Have a birthday party for a child whose parent is deployed.
Have a churchwide holiday meal. It's a great way to build a sense of family, especially for those whose loved ones are miles away and for newly returned soldiers.
Open church activities to military families. Bible studies, Sunday school classes and youth groups acquaint newcomers with longtime members and give military families a safe place to share their stories. "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon - Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans," a Bible study available from Cokesbury is a great place to start. Provide free babysitting for children in military families, both during and after deployment. Give a sole caregiver a break or a reunited couple a night out.
Remember simple things such as a weekly phone call to ask how things are going and to offer a listening ear.
Send care packages to active troops. Letters, drawings and photos from the church family are fun and easy to do. It's a wonderful way to involve children.
Always, pray for military members and their extended families. Support troops and their loved ones in a variety of ways by getting involved in a community project that includes military families or just spend some time with people from diverse viewpoints to talk about your corner of the world and how to expand it.
“Let us all continuing praying for every man and woman who is serving our country. May they return safely,” said Pastor Laurie Kidd, Wagner UMC.
