No more Cookie Cafe!!!!

JSF-35 Pilot 2016

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2009
Messages
80
Email from the Guest Family
Today we had a meeting at Kings Point with the Chaplains and the Special Assistant to the Superintendent. Apparently Chaplain Bonadonna’s interpretation of navy regulations for a chapel program does not allow us to minister at the chapel and be affiliated with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at the same time. Therefore we can no longer minister at Kings Point in any capacity. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was the way that we were able to pay the expenses. We explored many different ways of reworking the ministry but none seem workable.

Apparently the Chaplain has already replaced us with a chaplain during INDOC for the Contemporary Bible Service which we were not aware of until the meeting today.


So, we will not be back to Kings Point. We love all of you and feel very disappointed about the situation. You will have our prayers for many years. I hope the ministry and your spiritual growth will develop. We hope also that the new Chaplain is a man of God who will minister well to you. No “Chat and Chew” this Sunday, sorry.

If there were any way of being on campus and continuing on with ministry we would. We love all of you very much, and care that you do well.
Love, Dad and Mom Guest
 
This is disappointing. I am still unclear why the Cookie Cafe and bible services have to be linked. I do understand the amount of time and effort must be enormous and only done as a labor of love, but that is what makes it so great! But what I don't understand is why the Guests ' Cookie Cafe cannot function if they are not providing other spiritual services. Is it if they cannot do both then the Cookie Cafe isn't worth it to them? Surely not from what I have read of their posts they love the M/N. I thought the Cookie Cafe was a valuable service to the Midshipman all by itself. I also thought it was decided that the love, friendship, mentorship, guidance and hugs were a no strings attached deal. Why does a book have to get involed? I am disappointed the Guests won't be there to provide that touch of family throughout the year at Kings Point. What says comfort in the dead of winter like cookies, milk, warm cider and a hug for when things get a little overwhelming? I really don't expect my DS to be in a great need for hugs ( he wouldn't have made it in to KP if he was needy) but life happens. There will be times in our kids time at KP when I pray a kindness to be there if needed, ie , injury, sickness, death in the family back home, dumped, a sounding board for difficult decisions. I do expect my kid to mature in the program that is KP but darn it can't there be a
lady with an apron and a warm cookie?
And yes, 780 miles is a little far for me to jump in. Besides you have not tasted my cooking. I would rather be sinking a putt than puttering at the sink! Nobody likes my cooking, honest. I can send a check and have.
 
Why the heck can't parents pay to have the Guests there. We are not paying for college! Sounds like the regulations are over regulated. Heck, even West Point, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy liked the cookie cafe idea! I don't know if it got passed the exploratory phase for them them to implement the cafe, but they sure loved the Guest's Cookie Cafe idea. I think the mail room might have room for several hundred dozen cookies received every week....:shake:
 
Last edited:
Lynpar-
cookiecafe and the ministry ARE two distinct separate entities. The Guests were relieved of their affiliation with the Chapel but could have continued cookiecafe. They choose to end cookiecafe. If they weren't allower to minister-they weren't going to do cooke cafe either. It was their choice and unfortunately they choose to stop cookiecafe because their services in the chapel were no longer needed.
So sad they sent an email so quickly to the student body without reaching out to find an alternate plan to keep it going.
The Mids loved the Guests and cookiecafe-such a shame:thumbdown:
 
Code blue, you are saying those cookies and milk did have strings attached? :eek:
It sounds to me that Guests considered the cookie cafe a labor of love that was their price to pay to get the opportunity to achieve their true passion. An opportunity to witness and teach their beliefs. But weren't they in favor of a more all inclusive, modern, moderate approach to the spiritual needs of the M/n? So now the result is the more dogmatic way wins out because the more moderate voice won't stay unless they have their opportunity to do it their way? This is my problem with religion,,,,,,,COEXIST. And the kids miss out.
My Karma Ran Over Your Dogma

Dang it, I was hoping for a cookie Starbucks of sorts where the atmosphere is comfortable and maybe a few spiritual concepts could remembered and be reinforced such as: This too shall pass. Gratitude. Patience, willingness, walk through fear, honesty, integrity, just do the next right thing and see what happens, do the footwork and let the results up to ( insert deity of choice). You know bumper sticker stuff. I think it really is that simple. I was hoping for a place to relax,
where through friendship and conversation experience and empathy could be gained and shared.
And a cookie
Um, who can I return this soapbox to? :redface:
 
Last edited:
Lynpar-
Couldn't have said it more succinctly myself.
The truth always rises through the smoke
Sad.
 
Don't worry KPers....if you run into a Coast Guard cadet....ask them for a cookie, and if you're really REALLY good, maybe he/she will give you one.

Of after 4 years at USMMA, and a fine six figure resulting salary....you can just buy many many cookies.
 
Sounds like Lyn want's the sweets with no strings attached...I've heard of people like that... forget what they're called...

Reminds me a minor league baseball game I went to this summer....little kid near the dugout yelling at Nashville Sounds players "give me a ball!"...dad just laughing away...
 
LITS, did you just call me a spiritual ( friendly girl) Or a liberal? Or a Playa?
:shake:
I am missing the analogy. If the cookie must be paid for down the road isn't that the tactic of drug dealers?
What we are talking about should given freely if given at all, don't you think? ( to the students) This isn't about cookies really, is it? i guess sometimes a cookie is just a cookie. However, I mean the ideas and ideals of providing a place of fellowship and support, including spiritual support. What I thought the mission of the Cookie Cafe was. It shouldn't be given to make gains on another's personal ambitions. Isn't that a form of conceit to draw personal satisfaction and worth from all of ones selflessness?
And LITS, I love the CG!
:thumb:
 
I think drug dealers would be very very happy for nothing to be paid for down the road...just keep coming back for more, provided you pay what is asked! :biggrin:
 
The email makes it clear that, despite words that claim otherwise, those who run the Cookie Cafe could not separate their ICF religious preaching from the Cookie Cafe. One (CC) could not exist without the other (evangelical Christian proselytizing).

ICF is a very Christian-centric, very evangelical Christian organization. From reading their website, I doubt it has any tolerance for any non-Christian attitudes.

I can understand any non-Christian midshipman feeling uneasy about the presence of such a group, catering to the "spiritual needs" of one sect but not others.

To Christians, it's not a big deal at all, a lot of fuss over nothing, but to non-Christians, it could be very threatening or intimidating.

Perhaps the non-evangelical mids/alum/faculty/admin felt uneasy with such a strong Christian-centered ministry on campus, especially one that was not under the control of the Govt?

I can understand the Supe at KP not wanting another religious scandal like the one(s) that put the USAFA in a bad light a few years ago.

Any appearance of Govt-sponsored religious favoritism of one religion over others must be avoided.

The email said "Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was the way that we were able to pay the expenses" and I can understand that, looking at their balance sheet(s) on their website. Despite being a non-profit" organization, they (ICF) rake in a lot of money.

:cool:
 
The email makes it clear that, despite words that claim otherwise, those who run the Cookie Cafe could not separate their ICF religious preaching from the Cookie Cafe. One (CC) could not exist without the other (evangelical Christian proselytizing).

ICF is a very Christian-centric, very evangelical Christian organization. From reading their website, I doubt it has any tolerance for any non-Christian attitudes.

I can understand any non-Christian midshipman feeling uneasy about the presence of such a group, catering to the "spiritual needs" of one sect but not others.

To Christians, it's not a big deal at all, a lot of fuss over nothing, but to non-Christians, it could be very threatening or intimidating.

Perhaps the non-evangelical mids/alum/faculty/admin felt uneasy with such a strong Christian-centered ministry on campus, especially one that was not under the control of the Govt?

I can understand the Supe at KP not wanting another religious scandal like the one(s) that put the USAFA in a bad light a few years ago.

Any appearance of Govt-sponsored religious favoritism of one religion over others must be avoided.

The email said "Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was the way that we were able to pay the expenses" and I can understand that, looking at their balance sheet(s) on their website. Despite being a non-profit" organization, they (ICF) rake in a lot of money.

:cool:

I'm not familiar with this situation except from what I have read here. That said, this whole thing has smelled fishy from the get-go.

Luigi is right.
 
Not sure I understand the full picture. My understanding is the Cookie Cafe took place at the chapel? Why not pair it up with the end of the protestant service? Doesn't sound THAT different from Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at CGA....except there were cookies. Oh wait, there may have been small refreshments for that.
 
Ok, does this mean there are refunds for the “Cookie Café challenge” donations solicited on this forum? Is the Cookie Café coffers being rolled over into the USMMA Parents Association or now belong to IFC?

Doesn’t the www.kpcookiecafe.com website seem a little disingenuous when there is no mention that it is a instrument of the IFC ministry, buts seems sponsored by the non-secular USMMA Parents Association? Seems some are adamantly opposed to any form of religion associated with a government institution.

The ministry doesn't bother me, but be out front with it.
 
Last edited:
donated money

--not to sound rude, but I just wanted to ask what about the money that has been already donated? I donated $50. a few months ago...
just wondering- ((would like my money back)) :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
I'm not familiar with this situation except from what I have read here. That said, this whole thing has smelled fishy from the get-go.

Luigi is right.
Interestingly, there are many chapters of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship found on college campuses throughout the United States. However the only service academy with a chapter was Kings Point.. It begs the question why they weren't represented at the other academies.
http://www.intervarsity.org/chapters/NY
 
Excerpts from Guest e-mail: “Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was the way that we were able to pay the expenses.” and “We hope also that the new Chaplain is a man of God who will minister well to you. No “Chat and Chew” this Sunday, sorry.”

No Chat & Chew? I thought it was called the Cookie Café.

Wow, flashbacks of PTL's Jim Baker come to mind, “I swear that the Mercedes Benz and HVAC’ed Dog House came from Tammy Faye’s record company promotion deals and not from ministry donations”…
 
I am really feel compassion for the Guest. This may be a "no good deed goes unpunished" scenario. I do believe their hearts are in the right place and that they truely truely believe in what they are doing. However, when this came up the last time even DS said " they need to stop posting and stirring up this drama". I think he even commented that they were making it all about them. Interesting observation from an 18 year old.
I think I also have come to realize the Academy has difficult choices to make and everyone needs to be onboard ( pun intended). The they have recently been brought in were so to do a job their way. As far as spiritual and religeous topics I have taught my son to take what he needs and leave the rest. I believe he has a belief system that works for him. My only influence may be to be inclusive and see where lessons from all faiths have valuable lessons to be shared and understood. F you only look at things from one perspective how can you possibly understand and strike harmony with others?
For sAle: slightly used soap box to the highest bidder. I will warn you it does make you feel braver and more superior looking down from it.
Second thought, FREE SOAP BOX

please excuse anyamd all typos, misspells and the like. Using phone.
 
To be clear, there was zero religious component to CC. The Guests had programs at the Chapel like Chat and Chew on Sunday and Bible study, but CC was totally separate and was strictly non-religious. There are plenty of witnesses who can attest to that, including parent helpers, students and staff (including teachers and admin who stopped by). All money for CC was never mingled with anything from a religious organization. 500 students a week would not have showed up if they were being pitched any religious lines. Gene and Carol would help, if a mid asked, with advice about all sorts things such as girlfriend/boyfriend problems, academic problems, family problems, extreme loneliness while at KP from another country like Korea, Malaysia, Panama. Not once was religion spoken about or introduced as a topic at CC. All the mids came for a little taste of home and a chance to relax for a few minutes and mingle with all the classes. CC was totally separate and never co-mingled with anything religious. I never heard anything remotely religious. I have heard mids ask why the Guests did all that for them and the answer was always, "Because we love you students".
 
I have heard mids ask why the Guests did all that for them and the answer was always, "Because we love you students".

Clearly, that "love for doing all those things" was conditional.

Conditional upon them being allowed to advance their ICF message.

Otherwise, they would still be there baking cookies.

There may have been no "religious content" to Cookie Cafe, but to say there was no connection seems a little disingenuous.

I also found this comment to be troubling, if not a little vindictive:

We hope also that the new Chaplain is a man of God who will minister well to you.

Doesn't "man of God" and "Chaplain" go together? Why would anyone have to "hope" that a US Navy Chaplain is a "man of God" or hope he would "minster well" to the midshipmen at KP? Sounds like there is a lot of resentment over the appointment of the new KP Chaplain.

Again, just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
 
Back
Top