Rob Dewey: Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy

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May 17, 2016 – Our speaker today was our own,  Rev. Rob Dewey, Senior Chaplain of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, which serves the Charleston area in times of need.  Rob, who is an active member of our Charleston Rotary Club, started his career as a police officer, during which time he also served as a volunteer chaplain.  He saw the need for crisis intervention for first responders and was  ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1983.

In 1990, he started the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, a ministry that supports emergency responders and their families as well as the general public in times of crisis. He is the co-author of the Pastoral Crisis Intervention course for the International Crisis Incident Stress Foundation.

Rob related the story of the Emanuel AME church on June 17, 2015. With 26 years as a crisis chaplain, he was not prepared for the enormous evil that accompanied the mass shooting of 9 persons who were in the church conducting a Bible study and prayer meeting.  Minutes after the shooting he received 5 calls from various police agencies. He immediately put out a call for 10 chaplains to report to the Embassy Suites where family and friends of the victims were to gather. Within a short time over 300 people were in the second floor ballroom.  Along with the families the reporters began arriving in mass and the CCC had to intervene to maintain order and privacy. The Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff, presiding elder of the Edisto Episcopal District of SC, arrived and became a major force to calm the scene. He asked all to join him in prayer and they also sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.  Credit also is given to Charleston Chief of Police Mullin who skillfully defused what could have become a major re-action.

An amazing and positive reaction took place at the bond-hearing when the families of the victims one by one approached the accused murderer and said “I forgive you.”

While the Emanuel incident was an event of huge scale,  Rob briefly mentioned just a few examples of other death and tragic events that continually require action by the first responders.  His major message was to alert his listeners to how devastating it is to the responders who continue to face event after event, sometimes more than one the same day.  As they provide aid and comfort to families, they themselves are being drained and hurt.  Rob told us that he was so burned out by the Emanuel incident that he took 2 months leave to rest and heal and to even question whether he could continue to provide crisis intervention. His very presence with us today told us: HE IS BACK!

The CCC is almost totally supported by private donations.  Members who wish to help keep this important ministry going may contact Gloria Roderick, Director of Development at 843-7224-1212 or send a contribution to the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy P.O. Box 21833 Charleston SC  29413

Fred Sales, Keyway Committee