My “church” is not composed of a typical congregation. Rather, it is comprised of a multitude of faiths: agnostic, atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Sikh, and more. It is in this multi-faith, pluralistic environment that I live out my calling as a Christian chaplain.
This was the third time in four days that Canadian troops had gathered to say goodbye to friends in arms. This piece of tarmac in Kandahar is holy ground, as chaplains from Canada and allied countries have said many prayers, and comforted many more soldiers.
The padre scrambled over the stony beach dodging machine gun and mortar fire. It seemed like every few feet he came across another Canadian soldier lying wounded.
I have recently been doing some research at the Canadian War Museum. It is obvious that if we Canadian Presbyterians do not tell our own stories it is unlikely anyone else will. It is in that spirit that I offer short stories of two of our Second World War chaplains.