08/13/2024
During her time as a Christian Science Chaplain, Terese โTerriโ Erickson recalls how her faith influenced those around her. In an interview with the Library, she shared the following experience:
โI was participating in a security forces training in the middle of the Nevada desert. The heat was over 100 degreesโฆ. And the cadre asked the question, โโฆhow many guys do you think will fall out this week?โ And one said, โEightโ, and one said, โSixโ, and the chaplain said, โFour.โ
And then they looked at me and they asked, How many of these men do you think will fall out and have to be taken away by the ambulance this week? And I said, โZero.โ And they looked at me and said, โWell, why do you say zero?โ And I said, โBecause I'll be praying.โ
So sure enough zero fell out that week, and about ten years later, when I bumped into that chaplain again, he said that I had completely transformed his ministry. He indicated that, until that point, he didn't realize that he had a role to play in the health and well-being of these individuals, and that he could respond prayerfully to this situation and turn it around. He thanked me for transforming his ministry.โ
Check out more inspiring stories from Christian Science chaplains via the Libraryโs online military chaplaincy exhibit. Follow the link to the landing page where you can explore the full history of chaplains from 1917 onward!
www.marybakereddylibrary.org/exhibits/christian-scientists-in-military-chaplaincy/christian-scientists-in-military-chaplaincy-intro?cmpid=FB
๐ทยฉ: Terese โTerriโ Erickson in uniform, c.1987. Unknown photographer. Church Archives, Box 35975, Folder 346972.
