FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (April 5, 2012) -- In a time of transition for the Army and in a changing world, service members and the nation must put their trust in God and each other.
That was the message of faith that Army Chief of Chaplains (Maj. Gen.) Donald L. Rutherford delivered at the installation's National Prayer Luncheon, which was attended by about 300 people.
The annual event, held March 28 at Club Meade, was sponsored by the Religious Support Office.
"It was very thoughtful and very appropriate," said Frances Thompson, a member of the Calvary Chapel, after Rutherford spoke. "In today's day and time when trust is seemingly fading from people, it was refreshing to hear a message with that point of view. I enjoyed it."
The 90-minute program featured remarks from Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Sid A. Taylor, a reading of biblical scripture, gospel music and lunch. Deputy Garrison Chaplain (Maj.) Bougslaw Augustyn served as the master of ceremonies.
"It is good that we are here," Taylor said in his welcome. "I pray this experience will be a blessing for everyone."
During his speech, Rutherford, an ordained Catholic priest, shared how he has been inspired by the work of Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Jesuit priest and author who had taught at Yale Divinity School.
Citing three of Nouwen's books, "The Genesee Diary," "In Memorium" and "A Letter of Condolence," Rutherford said Nouwen writes about how his trust in God encompasses "all that he was and all that he was going to be."
As Soldiers and their leaders look to the future of an Army that will be smaller and have to do more with less, Rutherford said, "What we need is trust, and above all, a trust in a God who will guide us."
The nation and the Army were built on this trust, said Rutherford, offering several examples.
"The first settlers came to our shores looking for religious freedom with a trust in God. Our Constitution grants us religious freedom," Rutherford said. "In 1777, the Soldiers of the Continental Army put their trust in God and their leadership as they endured the deprivations of Valley Forge."
A trust in those who lead is what is really needed, said Rutherford, "to know that those in charge have our best interest."
Rutherford noted that French Gen. Charles de Gaulle, a resistance leader during World War II who later became president of France, said that "a leader is a dealer in hope."
"How do we inspire hope in others? How do we instill trust in others?" Rutherford asked.
Throughout history, Rutherford said, people have relied on God and the trust between God and his people: The trust when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son; when the Israelites wandered in the desert; when Job's world crashed around him; and when the Apostle Paul led the early Christian communities of Corinth.
"Our faith is built upon trust in God, and so we must still in times of famine -- spiritual and physical," Rutherford said, noting that in the near future our lives "may be quite difficult."
"But all the same, we are asked to put our faith and trust in God's great presence and love for us. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus -- all faiths place their trust in their profession of God in their midst," Rutherford said.
At the end of his remarks, Rutherford noted that Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, in his "Marching Orders" released in January, said the trust between the Army and the American people is constant.
"Truly without this, we have nothing," Rutherford said.
At the start of the luncheon, Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Melody Ware sang the National Anthem. Navy Chaplain (Capt.) Arthur Brown, Central Security Service staff chaplain for U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, gave the invocation.
Senior Airman Kyle Moore of the 22nd Intelligence Squadron read a biblical scripture from the Acts of the Apostles.
The C.C. Carroll Male Chorus of the Argonne Hills Gospel Congregation then performed the gospel song "I'm Determined."
After Rutherford spoke, Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein presented him with a Commander's Coin of Excellence. Sgt. 1st Class Buffie Hall, garrison chaplain noncommissioned officer in charge, gave Rutherford a Coin of Appreciation from the Religious Support Office.
Taylor presented Rutherford with the book, "By the Hand of Providence: How Faith Shaped the American Revolution," by Rod Gragg.
Hall then recited "A Prayer for the Nation," followed by the singing of "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Thomas Angelo, command chaplain of U.S. Cyber Command, gave the benediction.
After the program, Evelyn Johnson, a member of the Argonne Hills Gospel Congregation, said the message was clear.
"Ultimately," she said, "It is the trust and faith you have in God that will see you through."
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