• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Relief

The Relief

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Medical
    • Claim Status
    • What’s Covered
    • Eligibility
    • Change Dependents
    • Prescriptions
    • Find Medical Care
    • LiveHealth Online
    • Wellness Plan
    • Medical Equipment
    • Medicare
    • Long-Term Care
    • Vision
    • ID Cards
    • Kaiser Plan Member
    • PPO Summary Plan Document (SPD)
    • Medical Forms
    • Transparency in Coverage
  • Relief Benefits
    • Firefighter Event Reimbursement Form
    • Medical Equipment
    • Sick & Injury
    • Life & Accident
    • Death Benefit
    • Family Support Group
    • Assistance / Advancements
    • Estate Planning/Trusts
    • Scholarships
  • Ten Bells
    • Death Notices & Funerals
    • Report a Death
    • Member Deaths – A to Z
  • Retirement Corner
    • Scheduled Retirement Events
    • Retirement Announcements
    • Plan a Retirement Event
    • How To Retire
  • Calendar
    • Special Fundraisers
    • Events
    • Retiree Breakfast / Lunch Reunions
    • Memorials / Funerals
    • Firefighter Event Reimbursement Form
    • Add an Event
  • Grapevine
    • Current Issue
    • Articles
    • Columns
    • Mailbox
    • President’s Message
    • Advertising
    • Submit an Article/Photo
    • Archives
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Widows & Orphans Web Site
  • About Us
    • About The Relief
    • Contact Us
    • Careers / Employment Opportunities
    • Board of Trustees
    • Testimonials

Chaplain’s Corner – We Are Here For You

June 30, 2014

gv_jul-2014_chaplains-cornerJust recently, a cadre of us chaplains got together at Denny’s restaurant in Hollywood. The meeting was chaired by our new Senior Chaplain Rick Godinez, who replaced retired Chief Greg Gibson. Rick gathered us together to share his thoughts and insights on where we were in our ministry, and more importantly, where we could improve to better serve our members, Department and community.

As I looked across the room, I noticed that we all came from different backgrounds and are at different stages in our lives and careers. Some younger and some older, but all with different experiences. What stood out was that we all gathered as one in Christ, as his disciples armored for battle to spread God’s message in word and in deed in what ever ministry we were called. I was reminded that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, God is present.

Since the inception of the chaplain program many things in this world and culture have changed. One example is new electronic technology which has been both a blessing and a curse with new challenges of its own. But as much as everything has changed, God’s message remains the same. It is to love Him with all our hearts, soul and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. As firefighters, we have all been gifted with a vocation to serve others, a ministry that is able to change people’s lives forever, even if at times we don’t stop and realize the importance and impact of our presence. For many of us it is a job that we love to do and we do it to the best of our ability.

If I may be so bold to speak for my fellow chaplains, our message is simple – it is to spread God’s love by making ourselves available to our members in any capacity that we may be of help. We are not just names in the Grapevine but your brothers in Christ who are willing to hear you, meet with you, and touch you in any way possible. We want to help to make you the best versions of yourselves by bringing you closer to God. We are just as human, weak, vulnerable and capable of sin as any one else in this journey of life. But through the grace and help of God we are willing to put ourselves out there to be of any assistance.

Please feel free to contact us; no chain of command is necessary when your boss trumps all.

Peace be with you,
Chaplain Jess Pasos

Editors Note: A list of your LAFD chaplains is found on page 4 of every issue of The Grapevine. You can contact any of them through the MFC Floor Captain at (213) 576-8920.

Filed Under: Articles, Columns, Grapevine Tagged With: chaplain's corner, Jesus Pasos

Primary Sidebar

Paid Advertising

Share!

The Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Holiday Dinner Dance

LAFRA Open House 2022

2022 LAFD Merit Scholar Awards

Secondary Sidebar

The Firemen's Grapevine

Categories

  • Articles (711)
  • Board Minutes (172)
  • Columns (185)
  • Department In Action (63)
  • Featured (83)
  • Health & Fitness (31)
  • Highlights (83)
  • Mailbox (64)
  • Memorials (27)
  • Retired Guys (33)
  • Sports (68)
  • Training (7)
Chris Stine

President’s Message – January 2023

I would like to thank you, the LAFRA Board, for placing your confidence and trust in me to serve as the new president of LAFRA for the calendar year 2023. I will continue to work hard to not only maintain our excellent … Continue Reading about President’s Message – January 2023

Archives

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Footer

Main Office Numbers
(800) 244-3439 Toll-free
(323) 259-5200 Direct

Office Location
7470 N. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association
  • Home Page
  • Contact Us
  • Links
  • All Forms
  • Staff Directory
  • Board of Trustees
  • By-Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

Give To A Hero

Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
Donate Now

Copyright © 2023 · Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association