Congregation and ministry support for military, veterans and their families.
This year began with Pastor CJ Counts enrolling Grace of the Lord Bible Fellowship in the VMFC program; Bob Curtis is the VMFC lay leader.
During the enrollment, Pastor Counts stated “We desire to help vets in any way we can.” This comment precisely follows the mission of the church.
“All that we do and say is oriented around these matters, as they are of the highest importance to us.”
Let’s welcome and pray for our newest VFMC.
December 10, 2018 American Association of Suicidology’s
US Suicide: 2017 Final report.
For too long, suicide has been a taboo subject—but as rates continue to rise, this once private shame is becoming a public health crisis. It’s time to illuminate the darkness.
Help us to make a difference and become a QPR Gatekeeper or Gatekeeper Instructor.
| 11/29/2018 12:25 PM EST
Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion “Improved understanding of racial/ethnic differences in pregnancy attitudes would allow for more culturally relevant and inclusive counseling strategies,” writes CHERP Associate Director Sonya Borrero, MD, MS. Read the full story |
On October 3, 1863, in the midst of the bloodiest war America has ever fought, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
All of us wish the men and women of our Armed Forces a Happy Thanksgiving. We thank you for serving our country and we pray for your safety. We also wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our military families – the most special group of all.
Only those who have experienced an airport or pier-side goodbye hug for a loved one leaving in uniform truly know what they endure. Alone on this Thanksgiving, they bravely shoulder their families’ burdens because words like “duty” and “service” mean something to them.
Thank you and God Bless all of you this Thanksgiving.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2018
WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a key step in its digital modernization effort by
revamping its website accessed by 10 million customers per month who use VA’s tools and content online.
To improve this experience VA’s Veterans Experience Office and VA Digital Service gathered feedback from more than 5,000 Veterans,
service members, their families, caregivers and survivors. Continue reading “VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience”
November 10, 2018 Blount County Tennessee.
The United Veterans of Blount County hosted Blount County’s 50th Veterans Day Celebration at Rio Revolution Church. Special Guest speaker was Lt. Col Army Ellison “Vic” Vickery gave an inspirational service and sacrifice speech.
Vic’s told us that he never felt comfortable responding to anyone who “thanked him for his service” until his wife Suzanne suggested responding with “You’re worth it!”
Thank you Mrs. Suzanne Vickery for your recommendation.
We are grateful to all who have served, whether in peacetime or in periods of conflict. Especially for those who have fought on the battlefield, those who continue to bear wounds both seen and unseen. We pray for physical healing and God’s peace in your life.
On behalf of the Veterans/Military Friendly Congregation we wish everyone a blessed and happy Veterans Day.
Rio Revolution is a VMFC Lead Congregation.
One in every five Servicemembers returns from combat with at least one serious mental health issue. With only 16 psychologists per every 100,000 rural residents, rural Veterans face greater access challenges when seeking mental health support. Moreover, rural Veterans are more likely than their urban peers to suffer from current and lifetime depression or commit suicide.
The Office of Rural Health (ORH) is committed to working with our clinical partners to address these challenges through a variety of programs that connect rural Veterans with VA mental health care programs closer to home. Continue reading “VA’s Telehealth Care for Rural Veterans with PTSD”
Tonya Stoutt-Brown, Christian citizen of Blount County Tennessee and a radio personality on Joy 620 AM radio, has written a play about a WWII veteran who comes home and struggles with his depression and PTSD as a result of the war. Tonya’s play has been performed for years in her small church in Blount County. The previous shows have been sold out and continues to grow in popularity and numbers. This year, the play has moved to a larger church, First Baptist Church Maryville, to accommodate a larger audience. The tickets are free and the play is humorous, realistic, educational and fun. Tonya advised us that the vast majority of the previous shows were veterans and their families and have always identified veterans who were need support. Continue reading “VMFC Creates faith-based comedy-drama play about PTSD”
MCA Fr. Razz Waff’s Executive Director’s Notes
This past Thursday I was fortunate to be able to attend the Women Veterans’ Summit in Knoxville, supported by Vet to Vet Tennessee. VTVT is one of MCA’s strategic partners with the Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation (VMFC) ministry. They along with along with the Episcopal Church’s lay men’s organization, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew (BSA) work together to help congregations across our land to be more military friendly. Continue reading “MCA’s Executive Director’s Notes – Women Veterans Summit”