Is God calling our Mennonite peace church to have a significant witness to Fort Drum soldiers suffering from the wounds of war? This is the question that members of Watertown and Lowville area Mennonite churches began to grapple with on Veteran’s Day weekend. Guest speaker, Andre Gingerich Stoner, who spent time in Germany working closely with military families and a Mennonite peace witness, led our discussions and encouraged us to continue to pray and discern about this call to ministry which is being felt in our conference.

“Peace is at the heart of the Gospel,” said Stoner. “What is needed is not people who are smarter, or more organized, or work harder, but people who are able to love like Jesus. We can love because God’s great love embraces each of us, neighbors and enemies…those broken and weak.” He invited area churches to draw inspiration from the story of Jesus healing the ear of a soldier who had come to arrest him.

Stoner stressed that as Mennonites it is possible to both love persons in the military, offering ministries to bring healing and hope, as well as be a witness to peacemaking as exemplified by Jesus. “Jesus heals individuals AND speaks to structures and systems. Jesus is not just a chaplain to the system.” Jesus says “change your whole way of thinking because God’s new order is breaking in.”

Those attending the weekend events were struck by how many individuals in our congregations already work with Fort Drum soldiers and their families and are well aware of the wounds of war and the great need for healing which is not being adequately met. Veterans make up 7% of the population, and 20% of the suicides. 30 % of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have post-traumatic stress disorder. 10-20% of returning soldiers suffer from traumatic brain injury. These statistics were reflected in personal anecdotes from local Mennonites. A paramedic noted that half of his calls are to military or their families. On a recent day he saw two attempted suicides and three drug overdoses. Another Mennonite works full time as a nurse practitioner with military personnel who are transitioning out of the military because of PTSD or trauma related complications.

There are many ways a ministry to Fort Drum military personnel might develop, says Stoner, but all come out of Christian communities of love and care. We might have a ministry of counseling regarding discharges from the military, a ministry of spiritual healing, service ministries, or mental health counseling. A good first place to start is for interested persons to educate themselves on military culture, on the effects of trauma and trauma healing, and to meet regularly together to pray about next steps God would have us take in this possible ministry.

Jeff Combs, co-pastor (with his wife Joyce) at Watertown Mennonite Church, will continue to provide some leadership as we discern how God is calling us. He welcomes involvement from others.

If you are interested, here is how you can become involved now:

1. Email jeff.combs@aireservnny.com if you would be willing to join others in the Fort Drum area to pray about a possible ministry to military personnel.
2. Read about the STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) training at Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacemaking. http://www.emu.edu/cjp/pti/star/. Five day trainings are offered in January and March. Consider sending someone from your congregation, or sign up to go yourself. Consider applying for a NYMC leadership education grant to help cover the cost.
3. Watch for future training events in NY conference.
4. Watch for news about the next PTSD training for church workers put on by the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Council. Consider sending someone from your congregation.
5. Ask someone who works with military personnel and families about their work.
6. Pray for this possible ministry in your congregation on Sunday mornings.