Chaplaincy Steering Committee Meeting November 13

Fellowship Church, Sidney, invites all interested people to a Chaplaincy Steering Committee meeting Tuesday, November 13 at 7p.m. at the church, 2181 W. Holly.

Fellowship Church pastor Jordan Hall explained the goal of the meeting is to train laymen in oilfield chaplaincy procedure to effectively minister to the oil field community, and act as evangelists for their local church. All Christian evangelicals are encouraged to participate. The hope is that every local church that participates will have a chaplain in the oilfield as an extension of their church.

At the initial steering committee meeting, plans are to develop the committee, talk about the belief statement which will be inclusive with all Christian Orthodoxy, review the mission statement, and discuss how more individuals can help.

“We’re looking for steering committee members from the community,” Hall said. “It’s best for the program to make it a community program, not just our church.” Pastors and believers, Christian business owners, any Christian who has contact with the oilfield is encouraged to attend. Hall encourages businesses to partner with them in this endeavor and perhaps help sponsor the program or a participating chaplain.

Different entities will conduct the training which will take place on three weekends consisting of a Friday night and all day Saturday. Training will include suicide intervention and substance abuse referral training. Crisis management will also be taught. If there is an accident, death or other form of grief, ideally, there would always be someone on call who could go to the site and help with any issues as needed. Hall believes the Oilfield Chaplaincy will be beneficial as a referral service to provide oilfield workers with information on the resources available to them, such as Mental Health, District II Alcohol and Drug, the food banks, Salvation Army, the Family Resource Center and more.

The community can expect to see the Oilfield Chapliancy logo on pickups and SUVs around town or headed out to rig locations as the existing chaplains do their best to bring the oilfield community into the existing community.

There will also be signs in town giving those in need a phone number to call if they need to talk to someone. It’s sometimes difficult for newcomers to find a friendly, caring voice. The oilfield chaplaincy can provide that voice. Right now, people can call 1-855-509-TALK (8255) or 406-433-4004, ext.1 to speak to an oilfield chaplain.

Fellowship Church has a history of providing sustenance and support to the oilfield. They provide shower facilities and a food pantry. The church building is also designated as an emergency warming space. They are in the process of seeking out all the RV parks in the area and advising people that there is shelter for them if needed. The information they obtain on the park locations could also be a valuable resource for emergency services and county officials.