Tune in next week as Nashville SC Chaplain Billy Cerveny shares a special rendition of a well-known Christmas song on next week’s From the Touchline podcast!
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General news and information about Soccer Chaplains United including newly formed partnerships, news on the different teams and communities being served, and upcoming events for donors, partners, and communities.
As 2020 comes to a close and with 2021 on the horizon, Soccer Chaplains United is making a significant shift in emphasis for the foreseeable future — namely, the elimination of an internal counseling emphasis for the organization. The shift comes after this past year of analyzing and assessing the continued viability for the organization to carry out counseling service for soccer as part of its own makeup and DNA.
There are a number of reasons for what I am calling a “shift of emphasis” that I will share here. But before I do, I want to recount what I think is a still commendable history for counseling in the Soccer Chaplains United organization with the simple timeline graphic below.
Beginning in 2011 — a key conversation with a professional soccer player led us on a journey of trying to “marry” counseling and chaplaincy. It was born out of the idea that there were certain things where a clinical counselor was better trained and equipped to address (mental health areas) and where a chaplain and counseling team might better serve, holistically.
In spite of the upcoming shift, Soccer Chaplains United fundamentally still values and believes in that; however, we have reached a point as an organization where we continue to struggle to see the necessary growth and reconciliation of some key factors internally. Those pieces lead us to believe that we need to go about the chaplaincy and counseling collaboration in a different way.
Some of the key pieces for our consideration included:
- Soccer Chaplains United — our name didn’t help grow counseling very well and wasn’t as representative (for counselors, especially) and transparent as necessary.
- Limited resources — in truth, legitimate, clinical sports counseling has very few (although growing) amongst its membership. Soccer-specific counselors are even more difficult to find. For us, it’s not that a counselor and to be soccer savvy, but there is a certain subculture to soccer that is key and critical to understand.
- Financially — typically chaplains are volunteers in professional sports (this is currently true of all Soccer Chaplains United chaplains); counselors are not. There is a disparity as unpaid chaplains “hand-off” or refer people to counselors who are fee-for-service. While we had aspirations to provide free or subsidized counseling, this was a much harder sell than we anticipated and led to very short lifespans (and conversations) amongst interested counselors.
There were other, smaller considerations for us around the decision, but a number of things that we believe Soccer Chaplains United will continue to uphold and value will help make our mission and vision leaner and also continue to move forward as we seek to serve those in soccer:
- We still value and believe that qualified and capable (sometimes known as licensed) Christian counselors and counseling is needed and important for affecting change and offering holistic care and support to those we serve in soccer. To this end, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains will seek to develop local counseling relationships to whom they can, when appropriate, refer.
- Differently from most professional sports in North America those in soccer, especially in the lower professional divisions and elsewhere, often lack the financial means to afford counseling fees. To this end, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains may raise and determine a budget for counseling subsidies in their annual budgets.
We believe that this refinement — coming as we have devoted the past six years to seeing and working through a model to try and develop chaplaincy and counseling together, may come at an important time and hopefully this “rest” from development will see the counseling emphasis grow in a better, more organic way outside of Soccer Chaplains United.
By way of practicality, for Soccer Chaplains United, we have taken down the counseling portions of our website. Brooke Ewert will continue to be a localized resource for referral and a help for chaplains serving in the Denver Metro area, but her volunteer role as Director of Counseling will be dissolved. It maybe bad form to quote myself in a story that I am writing, but I wanted to make sure that my own comments about Brooke standout from the rest of the story:
Brooke, has been an amazing person to journey with as part of Soccer Chaplains United. She has grown with us and I am excited to continue working with her in the future (albeit in different ways) to help provide for the mental health needs of those God allows me to serve in soccer. I am glad to have a trusted person to refer people on to see and I look forward to seeing her and her practice grow in the years to come.
Brad Kenney, Volunteer Chaplain Colorado Rapids on Brooke Ewert
I also never want to diminish the people who have worked to serve alongside of Soccer Chaplains United (and formerly, CrossTraining). Cody Baker and Nicholas Runyan also helped in the forming and shaping of best practices and different levels and layers of care. We were also glad to be able to successfully host the first known counseling internship amongst a professional development academy in North America. Those will be some gems and historical highlights that will always be a part of the Soccer Chaplains United story.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Simply click the PushPay (the big P or give tab) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
Tomorrow, December 1 is known as Giving Tuesday in the U.S. It is a time of special emphasis for non-profit and charitable giving which helps groups and organizations like Soccer Chaplains United as they come to year-end.
Giving through groups like Facebook (link to our Facebook Page) sometimes can even receive a match if certain conditions are met — for example, gifts made starting at 8:00 am Eastern (6:00 am Mountain) are matched up to $7 million by Facebook’s charitable arm.
Because Soccer Chaplains United is based in Colorado, next year we hope to participate in ColoradoGives Day (usually the second Tuesday of December) and also has incentivized matches and other opportunities to grow donations.
Of course, monthly, recurring giving through the mail or PushPay (link to PushPay donations) is perhaps our most preferred method of support as it helps us determine our annual budget and stay debt free in our ministry.
The great thing about Soccer Chaplains United is that when someone donates — you are actually a part of the team. Donations don’t go to cover some big building somewhere or pay exorbitant salaries, and a portion of each donation gets sent out into the far-reaches of the earth through our Community Projects.
We’d like to thank you for considering giving to Soccer Chaplains United during this season. Have a wonderful Advent and finish 2020 strong!
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Simply click the PushPay (the big P or give tab) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
Of the three Major League Soccer (MLS) teams which have Soccer Chaplains United chaplains serving and supporting the organizations, only one team has pulled through the first round of the 2020 MLS playoffs. Nashville SC, a new, expansion team for 2020 won their first round playoff match last night to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Columbus Crew.
Colorado Rapids the #5 seed in the Western Conference, on Sunday, lost 3-0 in an away trip against #4 seed, Minnesota United. The team started brightly, and looks dominate in many parts of the game, but ultimately injuries and lineup changes led to a few inconsistencies and unfinished chances and the Rapids quickly exited after having last been in the MLS playoffs in 2016. As volunteer chaplain for the Rapids, I shared with someone recently about the loss,
It really feels devastating in a number of ways — after watching the team face challenge after challenge this year — months away from families, starts and stops to the season, a COVID-19 outbreak amongst the team…and then there are a lot of unmet and unrealized hopes and expectations. To come this far and to achieve (for the team) a spot in the playoffs has been a tremendous feat, but I know to a person — from front office to the footballers to the equipment staff — everyone had hoped for so much more. I am super proud of each and everyone who gave their all and I pray that as we rest and get ready for next year there will be a looking back on a solid foundation laid for the future.
The Portland Timbers faced similar challenges this year, albeit a win in the MLS is Back bubble tournament earlier in the year might soften the early exit for the #3 seed in the West. Portland had a home match against #6 FC Dallas, and nearly advanced, but top man Diego Valeri’s chip-shot effort glanced the outside of the far-post. The teams, drawn, finally went to penalty kicks and FC Dallas came out on top. Timber co-chaplain, Ben Dudley, commented on the loss,
Always tough to lose a match, especially, on PK’s. Proud of the team and their resilience this season. 2020 MLS is Back Champs is something that we will uniquely claim! 2021 here we come!
Ben Dudley, volunteer co-chaplain Portland Timbers
For Nashville SC, 2020 is also a year and season full of trial and adversity. Beginning with the spring tornados which trashed East Nashville, the team being suspended from the MLS is Back bubble tournament in Orlando because of a COVID-19 outbreak, to even a “minor” early-season switch from the Western Conference to Eastern Conference, Nashville SC has also had its own challenges to face.
So when Nashville SC handily beat expansion-side Inter Miami FC 3-0 in the play-in game for the Eastern Conference Playoffs, that was one thing. But last night’s 1-0 win in extra time against perennial playoff contender and former MLS Cup winners (2017), the #2 seed in the East, Toronto FC meant a new level for this new Nashville team. Soccer Chaplains United volunteer chaplain, Rev Billy Cerveny expressed his emotions with me in a text exchange, last night:
For the teams that have finished, end-of-season meetings will inform players about team plans for next season. Some will end up moving on from their teams, some will stay. Some will have contract negotiations, offers from other teams. Some are preparing to welcome a new child to the family. Some will be getting married. The busyness of life will resume (briefly) until the pre-season begins again.
For Nashville SC and the other remaining MLS playoff teams, December 12 is what they are all striving for — the MLS Cup trophy match. There’s still football to be played!
I had the privilege last week to speak with students at Denver Seminary, my alma mater, and share about my work in sport chaplaincy. The course, Many Faces of Chaplaincy, is part of the core curriculum base for those studying chaplaincy — whether in the Master of Divinity track or the seminary’s Chaplaincy Certificate Program.
For me, sometimes the class can be a great opportunity to see the growth of chaplaincy and some have even been curious enough to look more into serving as a chaplain in sport, and even with Soccer Chaplains United. Most students are looking into military or hospital/healthcare chaplaincy opportunities.
This go around, I was surprised at the large numbers of students in the class — the seminary’s recent development of online programs, perhaps, a reason for the larger class size. I was also pleasantly surprised at a number of international students — three of them from Africa that were studying chaplaincy at Denver Seminary.
After a short introduction, myself and three other presenters took round robin questions from Dr. Jan McCormack about the nature of our different expressions of chaplaincy. Particular emphasis was on the entrepreneurial nature of our chaplaincy work — especially with being in sport. Questions about standards and proficiencies also were subjects covered in the 2-hour zoom, with questions from the students at the end of the class time
Additionally, I shared with the students about the growth of sport chaplaincy around the world and encouraged them to consider that wherever God may take them in ministry and life — if they have a passion for sport and available time, to consider being a volunteer chaplain in a sporting context.
As an alumni of Denver Seminary, it’s always great to serve and share to the next generation of chaplains coming out of the school. It is a way of giving back and I hope that in the future there will be more opportunities and more interest from students to really explore the many, many opportunities to become a chaplain and pastoral presence in sport.
We all need good news from time to time. Now, SmileAmazon is available in the Amazon App — so it’s really convenient for people to support Soccer Chaplains United with all their ways of purchasing things on SmileAmazon. You no longer need to make the purchase only on a laptop or tablet, you can use the app on your phone!
Do you buy things on Amazon? Follow these steps below:
- Switch over to SmileAmazon.org.
- Select Soccer Chaplains United (Denver)
- Purchase your items*
*A small percentage of your purchase will be donated to Soccer Chaplains United.
You can also access our Charity Lists via the app.
Thanks for considering and supporting Soccer Chaplains United this way!
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners. Please consider making a contribution today through the PushPay button below to help us continue to subsidize training and education of our chaplains.
Thomas Fahn, founder and director of Sadaya International and Sadaya Soccer, a few months ago, wrote and requested soccer gear and equipment as they get prepared to travel to Liberia. Their hope is to ship a container mid-November and have the container filled with soccer gear arrive prior to their own return.
The Fahn family have been investing heavily in ministry amongst the youth population of Thomas’ native Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world. Their original request included the following:
- 20 size 4 balls
- 30 size 5 soccer balls
- 50 adult soccer cleats (sizes 7 – 10.5)
- 32 youth soccer cleats (sizes 5 – 7)
Soccer Chaplains United was able to fulfill the following:
- 20 (new) size 5 soccer balls
- 1 size 5 One World Play ball
- 1 size 4 One Wold Play ball
- 2 (new) goalkeeper gloves
- 6 used soccer balls
- 1 used futsal ball
- 30+ soccer cones
Unfortunately, we were not able to provide any soccer cleats for Thomas and Sadaya. Most of our remaining sizes are too big to service Sadaya and their needs.
We look forward to seeing the wonderful pictures and a report from Thomas as they get back to Liberia.
When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
This month, I have been writing a couple features for the chaplains that are support raising through Soccer Chaplains United. Some chaplains are raising expenditures, some raise a small stipend and expenses, and others (like myself) raise their salary along with their expenses.
It feels weird to write about myself — not to toot my own horn, but someone recently asked, “How is your own support raising?” I often lump in my own needs into the overall organization and try not to make it a lot about myself, but since leaving full-time work in the church a number of years ago, my family is quite dependent on my work and my fundraising efforts, as well. With that in mind, I wanted to share a little bit about myself and ministry for one of our October highlights of chaplains. You can also read a bit here in my bio.
So, 2020 marks my 19th year of serving voluntarily as chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. I began serving in this capacity in 2002 and for much of that time (up until 2015) the work was very much within the margins of my time and ministry as both a hospice chaplain and as a pastor at a local church, here in Colorado. Both the hospice and church were gracious in allowing me additional time and space to fulfill my role and duties to serve the Rapids organization through those years and my income during that time meant that I only needed to minimally fundraise for my expenditures.
Today, I am unique in my work with Soccer Chaplains United — I am currently the only employee of Soccer Chaplains United. My time and work is split several different ways and I want to share this with you because you can hopefully see where some of my passions lie and also see how I typically spend my week.
In a non-Covid world, I usually make myself available to serve the Rapids organization around 3 days a week. Between serving the first-team, development academy, front-office staff, and alumni of the organization there is plenty to keep me busy. There is a healthy mix of individual support and group times that goes into coming alongside of the people that make up this professional soccer organization.
The next most significant part of my time (ranging from 2-3 days) is in the program efforts of leading Soccer Chaplains United. Here — it might be coaching a chaplain through a particular situation with his or her team, it might be looking for chaplain candidates in a new city, or building relationships with a club and explaining and educating on what chaplaincy is and isn’t. Of course, there is a percentage of time given over to administrative tasks — sometimes conducting a background check on a chaplain candidate or coming up with educational equivalency plans, as well as laying out the vision for the organization and developing the future vision. And a portion of my time also includes raising funds — for my own support and for the organization itself.
In honor of October being pastoral appreciation month, if you would like to make a financial contribution to help me and my family, I encourage you to hit the PushPay button below and select General from the drop-down selectable funds list.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and we depend upon the financial support of our individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to support myself and to help us continue growing our work.
Thanks for your support!
We recently received a notification from Amazon that the public charity lists for Soccer Chaplains United had a defect that made impacted the ability for donors to select and make purchases. We apologize if you tried to make a tangible gift donation through one of these lists, the defect has now been corrected.
The SmileAmazon Charity lists are a way for donors to purchase specific items to help Soccer Chaplains United. Whether it is a continuing education book or resource for a chaplain or soccer equipment that we send out on one of our community project fulfillment requests.
You can find the different lists below and see the kinds of items that we need as an organization.
Chaplaincy List — this list includes books and chaplain education resources that we give to our chaplains.
Community List — soccer gear and equipment and items that we send out with our church partners and non-profit groups that request soccer gear.
Organizational List — this list includes some of the administrative and organizational items that we need.
Podhero is a monthly subscription that financially supports podcast creators. Each month, a listener’s subscription fee gets split evenly between the podcasts picked via Podhero. Podhero, itself, isn’t a charity, but a way to support the podcasts that listeners already enjoy.
For a limited time, Podhero will donate an additional $5 to our show, From the Touchline, on your behalf when you join using our specialized link: https://podhero.com/400759-Tkv.
In addition to the $5 donation, a portion of your monthly subscription fee gets evenly distributed across the podcasts you select. Learn more by going to Podhero.
Thank you for your support of Soccer Chaplains United and our podcast, From the Touchline.
