Sierra Chaplaincy

Friends, We’re on the eve of the election, or election day, depending on when you see this note. Many of us are feeling anxious, and hoping, hoping, hoping our guy is going to win. Worried about the outcome if that guy wins. And unhappy about the divide in our country. We cast our votes, but a lot of that is out of our control. ... Many of us have heard the parable in Matthew, Mark and Luke about the Good Samaritan. And we walk away from the text often asking, who is my neighbor? But Jesus answers that question, by asking who was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? Right now, we feel a bit frayed with all that’s been going on in 2020. (Anyone else looking forward to precedented times?) We need good neighbors to come alongside each other and stitch back together the fabric of our society. Whatever happens in the election, let’s be good neighbors to those around us, even if we disagree about things. There’s a lot we can’t control, but we can smile at strangers, offer a word of encouragement to those around us, be kind, show compassion and look out for each other. Together, we can rise to any occasion. We’ve proven that over the past year. Let’s be good neighbors to each other. And know you’ve got chaplains a phone call, text or email away if you need someone to talk to. Honored to serve you, Senior Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool

Happy national first responders day! We're grateful to serve with you.

Here is the prayer given by Senior Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool at the Deputy Brian Ishmael Range dedication on October 23, 2020. Lord, We’re here today to honor our brother, Ish. Your word tells us, weeping my last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. And today marks a year of many nights of weeping. ... At the same time, we know Ish was a man of joy. We saw it in his smile, his jokes, his kindness, his dedication. All the things we love about him. So, as we dedicate this range today, we lift the times of preparation, the times of testing, the times of learning new skills and camaraderie with colleagues and friends who become family that will happen in this building to you, and we honor Ish. Proverbs 21.15 tells us, When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers. And we pray that the preparation time put in on this range will equip our deputies to safely bring people to justice. And we ask that you bring justice for Ish. Justice for his family and justice for his friends. And most of all Lord, we ask for you to heal us and for you to bring joy in the morning. In your strong and mighty Name, Amen

Here is the prayer shared by Senior Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool at the Trail Plaque dedication in honor of Deputy Brian Ishmael: Lord we are here today to give honor. Honor to sacrifice and honor to love. ... Because we know Ish loved his community. He loved it so much he put himself through the police academy, started his career at Placerville PD in the City and continued it with EDSO in the County. Ish loved his family, he loved his friends. And he loved serving with law enforcement. Proverbs 21.15 tells us, When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers. So, Lord, as we dedicate this trail today to Ish, we ask for justice. Justice for his family and justice for his friends. And we pray that Ish’s legacy of love, laughter and kindness will be carried on in each of us. May we love this community we call home well as we honor Ish. In your strong and mighty Name, Amen

An honor to have Chaplain Roxanne Alby give an invocation this morning at the Deputy Ishmael Honor Ride.

October 23, Deputy Brian Ishmael Day. Dedication of the "ISH" Trail at the corner of Forni Rd. and Ray Lawyer Dr. #PlacervillePD #EDSO #D1689 #IshTrail #NeverForget

Our team today as we honor Ish along with founder and board member Tim Thompson. It's a privilege to serve.

The words "Thank You" seem small compared to the amount of support that we have received from you, our community, over the last year. We see it and believe that we serve the best community in the country. Thank you for who you are and for being a part of this journey with us.

Today we honor a legacy. A legacy of courage. Love. Laughter. The importance of family and friends. Of planting roots down deep in a community and making a difference in the people you encounter. Of knowing you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. We honor you Ish. And we honor your family. Living with a loss we still struggle at times to get our arms around.... We miss you terribly and we will never forget. We don’t move on, but we do move forward. You would want that. And so, we bring the best of who you are with us. Jokes, funny selfies and pictures with friends. Laughter and kindness. Smiles shared freely with everyone. More than that, steely determination to get the job done no matter what. Loyalty and having our friends’ backs. Resiliency and never giving up. And love and care for your family. We will keep holding them close, and we will continue to be grateful for new relationships and new friendships that were born out of tragedy and tears. Deputy Brian Ishmael. EOW 10.23.19 Always remember and give honor. Senior Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool

The Board of Supes unanimously passed a proclamation marking every Oct. 23rd as Deputy Brian "Ish" Ishmael Day in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice to the safety of El Dorado County on 10/23/19 and the great loss suffered by his family, his Sheriff family and our County.

Our dear friends, Here we are in the week leading up to our one-year Ish anniversary. One we never wanted. In the middle of a flurry of events a blood drive, a golf tournament, plaque dedication, range dedication and more. You’ve honored Ish well family, friends, framily, EDSO, law enforcement friends and our beloved community. We’re different now. The truth that everything can change in the blink of an eye has changed us. I think for the better. ... We’ve been reminded in Ish’s sacrifice of what’s really important. That we come together, and that together we can overcome. That’s the best of who we are. A lesson we need to remember as we face the days ahead in this crazy year called 2020. As Friday gets closer friends, be aware this is an extra-grace-required week. Memories bubble up, some good, some really funny, maybe inappropriate knowing Ish, and some really hard. And that’s okay. It honors Ish to remember and it honors Ish to feel, and it honors Ish to move forward. As always, we are here for you. Grateful to serve you, Senior Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool