HOLY JOE'S CAFE

Holy Joe's Cafe at Bagram Air Field, AF

2012-01-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU!

To the brave men and women in uniform

who give all

in the name of Freedom.

Holy Joe's Cafe in Kuwait

2012-01-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

WAR AND CAFFEINE: HOLY JOE'S IN A COMBAT ZONE

2011-10-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Sholtes (left) with colleague in Kandahar

by Rev. Andrew Peter Sholtes Lieutenant Commander, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN (08/17/2011)-The words from Isaiah echoed in my ears as I came to Southern Afghanistan, a parched and war-torn land, to serve the wounded and the dying, to honor those who perished, “ADONAI will always guide you; he will satisfy your needs in the desert, he will renew the strength in your limbs; so that you will be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.” -- Isaiah 58:11 (CJB)

War… combat… combat support… combat medicine -- these are phrases we use in the military. They are loaded with meaning and emotions for us. They imply that we are deployed to places where we are denied basic commodities and safety, twelve time zones away from the people we love.

Death has become a normal part of every day. Body bags are consumable items, just like gauze and band aids in your city’s Emergency Department.

There is nothing more spiritual and intimate than death, dying -- war in general. They affect everyone profoundly.

The days melt into each other: soldiers clearing roads of explosives hidden in rubble or carcasses -- truck drivers using the same roads day after day to bring in essential supplies -- engineers building schools and mosques in the tiny villages -- nurses who bring their supplies to the local clinics to treat the neglected girls and mothers -- trauma teams getting the mangled bodies off the helicopters full of bullet holes and rushing them to the sterile trauma bays, kneeling on top of the gurneys, performing CPR, and praying that this time it will work -- even cleaning crews mopping up pools of blood after the surgery -- they are all affected by the brutality and horror of this human condition we call “war.” At the end of the day, they don’t have much to look forward to other than connecting with loved ones back home, and perhaps a nice cup of coffee.

Chaplains are a little bit of all aspects of war. We talk to all of these people. We pray sincerely with those who live in a secure base and work as cooks but fear the rockets, which are fired at us on almost daily basis, because some of them can and have died. We pray just as sincerely with those who have survived eight IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) and disarmed over 250. We face every day, in our own unique way, the same mystery: death.

My only tangible comfort for all these people in the last ten months has been a cup of the best coffee available anywhere, available 24/7, provided by the generous people of my church. The countless United Church of Christ churches across the country participating in the UCC Coffee Project, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, FedEx, Carmelite Monks in Wyoming making coffee beans: all have donated to Holy Joe’s Café. They've placed those gifts in the loving care of Tom Jastermsky of the First Congregational Church UCC in Wallingford, who has taken it upon himself to coordinate, solicit, and ship tons of coffee to chaplains in combat zones during the past five years.

Holy Joe’s Café is a place where chaplains in the small Forward Operating Bases, hangar bays, hospitals, aid stations, and their makeshift chapels are able to bring a taste of home to the tired, the anxious, the angry, the lonely, and the wounded. They all can get gourmet coffee, a reminder that the world they willingly left behind still cares. It is still there waiting for them to come home.

It is a place where light conversation often ends in tearful stories, quiet prayers, and the long hugs of warriors.

We often don’t realize the full extent of our actions. Small gestures can go a long way. A nice cup of coffee will add some small measure of comfort to many at our trauma hospital:

· For the wife of a very badly injured soldier in the middle of the night.

· For the surviving platoon members of an IED attack.

· For the tired surgeon after his fourth amputation in one day.

· For the corpsmen in bloody uniforms after their fifth run to the flight line to bring in dying soldiers.

· For nurses in the ICU on 12 hour shifts tending to young men missing legs and arms.

· For the chaplain who has no days off and prays for all of them above and attended to the last rites of 117 victims of this war in the past 10 months...

I send my gratitude to all of you who made Holy Joe’s Café possible. Thank you!

The Rev. Andrew Peter Sholtes is a Lieutenant Commander in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and former pastor of Calvin Reformed UCC in Lynwood, Illinois.

COFFEE FOR THE TROOPS

2011-10-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

Coffee delivery at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. In total 40 pallets of coffee (17,500 pounds) donated by Green Mountain Coffee and flown in for FREE by FedEx. Thanks to both great corporations for supporting Holy Joe's Cafe!!!

2011-05-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

DELIVERY JUST IN TIME FOR MEMORIAL DAY

2011-05-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

COFFEE PROVIDED AS A SMALL WAY TO THANK OVERSEAS SOLDIERS

A Very Special Thank you

2011-03-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

US Army Chaplain Corps

2011-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

CHAPLAINS' MINISTRY Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

2011-03-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

A Very Special Thank You

2011-02-27T16:14:00.000-08:00

Special Thank You to Holy Joe's Cafe and Green Mountain Coffee from the chaplains' coffeehouse at FOB Marez - Mosul, Iraq.

Thank you to Holy Joe's from CH Jeltema

2011-02-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Holy Joe's extends extravagant welcome to the troops

2010-01-03T12:51:00.001-08:00

Troops enjoy a break at Holy Joe's Café, Sather Air Base, Iraq.

Written by Jeff Woodard

November 10, 2009

It's no exaggeration to say Holy Joe's Café has helped U.S. military personnel overseas a ton in the past 3 1/2 years. In fact, it's a gross understatement.
Founded in June 2006 by Thomas Jastermsky, a deacon at

First Congregational Church of Wallingford, CT , Holy Joe's has now supplied 112 tons of coffee to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. "We have had 405 chaplains assisting us in serving 120 locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait," says Jastermsky, noting the increase in locations, from 95 last year. Someone is always stepping up to the plate to deliver generous amounts of "joe." In September, one of the heavy hitters was Green Mountain Coffee, giving 1,000 pounds in that month alone. One of the prominent players thus far has been the Tar Heel state, says Jastermsky. "North Carolina has been really, really important to Holy Joe's." Trinity Reformed, UCC Conover, NC is a caffeinated case in point.

"For us, it was about being supportive of our chaplains and other military personnel in Kuwait, Afghanistan or Iraq," says the Rev. Tom Hamilton, a Trinity member and retired Associate Conference Minister from the Central Atlantic Conference. "We could be divided about whether to support the war, but there was no division as to whether to support our troops."

Hamilton said his friend the Rev. John Gundlach, UCC Minister for Government Chaplaincies, notified him when Holy Joe's was in its early stages. "He asked if this was something our congregation would be interested in supporting," says Hamilton, "and we have shared this with several churches since then."

Emphasizing Holy Joe's impact on mission fulfillment at Trinity Reformed UCC is at the heart of everything Hamilton says on the subject. "This is so meaningful to the individuals of our church and meaningful in terms of general rapport with one another. It has given us another piece of good news to talk about – what binds us together, as compared with the opposite."

That shared support is galvanizing the congregation even further. "We're making plans to give additional support at the conclusion of this year or the beginning of next year," says Hamilton. Averaging 150 in weekly worship attendance, Conover has been supporting Holy Joe's to the tune of $2,000 to $3,000 a year.

Holy Joe's Café continues to reach out to all troops overseas – especially the significant number who have had little church background or spiritual development. Jastermsky says the uplifting effect is perhaps most pronounced in combat hospitals in Iraq and on-site "decompression models" where soldiers can speak one-on-one with chaplains.

The café has been extending more widely across ecumenical lines, more deeply into all corners of the country. One example is tiny Hope Congregational Christian Church in Clio, Ala. The 46-member church – averaging a weekly worship attendance of 35 – has been giving $200 a month to Holy Joe's for the past year.

In addition to receiving direct funds from churches, Holy Joe's is aided by donors participating via UCC-sponsored Equal Exchange, which ships the coffee overseas.

No Trinity members are currently engaged in active military duty overseas, says Hamilton. But spiritual ties to all who are serving are strong. "We register lists of names of persons serving in the military; it could be a relative or family member of a church member." Hamilton also notes that the Rev. John Bailey, of Brick UCC in Whitsett, N.C., is a Southern Conference representative serving as a chaplain in Iraq.

Now 76, Hamilton has been a member of Trinity for 12 years, with a UCC affiliation that dates to his boyhood. He's seen a great deal of good work accomplished in his church. Participation in Holy Joe's Café has not been the least of them.

"It's something special to keep a part of our life."

Jeff Woodard is a regular contributor to United Church News.

For further information on Holy Joe's Café or to donate coffee, please call 888-970-7994 or email holyjoescafe@aol.com.
To donate via Equal Exchange, call 774-776-7366. The UCC Coffee Project web site is www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project

Cups runneth over at HOLY JOE'S CAFE

2009-09-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

UM REPORTER By Mary Jacobs Staff Writer.
October 1, 2009

Thanks to an ecumenical group of donors and volunteers, U.S. soldiers are enjoying fresh cups of coffee, sent from home and served with love by over 125 chaplains deployed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The initiative, known as “Holy Joe’s Café,” was started by Thomas Jastermsky, a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wallingford, Conn. And it’s earning high praise from United Methodist chaplains “on the ground” in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The chaplaincy is a ministry of presence, and coffee is a way for more real interaction,” said Mr. Jastermsky. In the past three years, Holy Joe’s Café has shipped over 110 tons of coffee to military outposts overseas. Chaplains use the coffee and supplies to set up coffeehouses, offering free refreshments to military personnel, as well as quiet places to converse with chaplains and friends or to write a letter home.

Maj. Karen Meeker, a United Methodist Army chaplain, called the donations of coffee and supplies from Holy Joe’s “a miracle in our midst.” She helped operate a coffeehouse called “The Lighthouse” while serving in 2008 and early 2009 at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

“Thank you so much for your incredible generosity,” she said in an e-mail to Mr. Jastermsky. Some 1,500 cups of coffee were served the first night the Lighthouse coffeehouse opened. At the airbase, hundreds of troops passed through day and night on their way to and from dangerous missions. “A warm cup of coffee and a place to sit down for a moment is a tremendous comfort to our troops fighting the enemy in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan,” she wrote. “You are making a difference in the lives of our young men and women in uniform.”

Another United Methodist chaplain, Major Steven Ashbrook in Camp Taji, Iraq, praised Mr. Jastermsky for securing thousands of pounds of coffee as well as tea and other supplies for the “Mudhouse” coffeehouse he helps operate. “When our slushy machine went out, literally in minutes he had a donor lined up, to go out and buy us a new commercial grade machine, which cost $2,000 plus shipping to Iraq,” he said. “He has found numerous donors who have given us countless bottles of coffee syrups, and vendors who have donated thousand of dollars in goods and services to help us to do ministry here with the troops on the ground. “This guy is a ‘Godsend’ to us here in Iraq.”

Churches and individuals get involved by ordering fair-trade coffee through UMCOR’s Equal Exchange program to send to Holy Joe’s Cafés. For ordering instructions or more information:

call (888) 970-7994, e-mail holyjoescafe@aol.com,

or visit http://www.holyjoescafe.blogspot.com/.

Brochure For United Methodist Church's Members - PDF file

2009-09-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Equal Exchange - United Methodist Committee

on Relief Coffee Project

http://www.equalexchange.coop/umcor

For a PDF file of the brochure, please e-mail us:holyjoescafe@aol.com

LIGHTHOUSE COFFEE HOUSE

2009-09-28T16:47:00.001-07:00

VIEW VIDEOS

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

Sept. '08 - Afghanistan

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7949d9cc13182463f59e

THE BUILDING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE COFFEE HOUSE

Sept. '08 - Afghanistan

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=46d5357e4823f1a3c8a9

MUDHOUSE COFFEE HOUSE

2009-09-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

CONTACT US

TOLL FREE, Thomas Jastermsky: 888-970-7994
EMAIL US: holyjoescafe@att.net

PLEASE VISIT:

http://www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project/holy-joes-cafe.html

HOLY JOE’S CAFÉ UCC BROCHURE DOWNLOAD:

http://www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project/pdfs/holy-joe-brochure.pdf

WE INVITE YOU TO WATCH

THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS

TRIBUTE TO CHRISTIANS IN THE MILITARY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-dgz9Ykvo&feature=related

CHAPLAIN HISTORY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnHxRsCHdY&feature=related

IN GOD WE TRUST performed by the Voices of Hope Choir,

was written in response toSeptember 11, 2001.

It nowserves as the theme song for CatholicMil.org.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EYCbYvmxPY&feature=channel_page

PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM

Music by Casting Crownswith video and images in a tribute to the

US Armed Forces andMilitary Chaplains,Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuxpUoCscg4&feature=related

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq2hDr1sqWo&feature=related

PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST!

2009-09-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

2009-04-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST!

As we begin month 34 of supporting our troops through the chaplains who serve them, we’re very glad in this Holy Thursday to share HOLY JOE'S CAFE Coffee Ministry with you, and to personally invite you to join us in bringing the love of

our Lord Jesus Christ to them.

HOLY JOE'S CAFE provides a taste of home by sending coffee to our Chaplains which enables them to offer a Coffee House Ministry. The relaxing atmosphere gives our troops a chance to be physically, emotionally and spiritually renewed. Provides a great opportunity for them to speak with their Chaplains in an informal setting where caregiving can begin. We're serving 120 locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

PRAYER REQUEST from CH RANDLES
...We are gaining a following of coffee drinkers. In the chapel our religious support literature sits right next to the pot on a series of shelves. They come for coffee but they can not escape Jesus’ invitation to come to the table and dine. Please pray for the spirit of God to cause an inquiring heart in the many who are only loosly associated with the chapel. Pray for boldness on my part to rescue the perishing with the ever ready gospel. You have been a great blessing to our soldiers at all levels.

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

FOR MORE INFORMATION

please visit

http://www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project/holy-joes-cafe.html

VIEW VIDEOS

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE – Sept. '08 - Afghanistan
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7949d9cc13182463f59e
THE BUILDING OF THE COFFEE HOUSE '08 - Afghanistan
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=46d5357e4823f1a3c8a9

YOUR LOVE I from CH FURNER
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b2a2f6d53d35d41afd5
YOUR LOVE II from CH FURNER
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5db15d68ada5fac381b8

EMAIL US

Thomas Jastermsky @ holyjoescafe@att.net

TOLL FREE 888-970-7994

To download

HOLY JOE'S CAFE BROCHURE

http://www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project/pdfs/holy-joe-brochure.pdf

We invite you to watch the following videos

TRIBUTE TO CHRISTIANS IN THE MILITARY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-dgz9Ykvo&feature=related

CHAPLAIN HISTORY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnHxRsCHdY&feature=related

IN GOD WE TRUST

performed by the Voices of Hope Choir,
was written in response to September 11, 2001. It now
serves as the theme song for CatholicMil.org. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EYCbYvmxPY&feature=channel_page

PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM, Music by Casting Crowns
with video and images in a tribute to the US Armed Forces and
Military Chaplains, Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuxpUoCscg4&feature=related

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq2hDr1sqWo&feature=related