RAF CHAPLAINCY
Funeral service at RAF Odiham.
Chaplains work alongside the other caring organisations of the RAF, such as medical, welfare and social work services to provide a full spectrum of care, at home and on operations. In all my years of civilian ministry I never found such a collaborative structure of care. Neither had I come across such an ecumenical model of ministry. The Chaplaincy team I led at Coningsby had Baptist, Methodist and Anglican Chaplains, succeeded by Baptist, Salvation Army and Roman Catholic Chaplains. Further support is provided by World Faith Reserve Chaplains and Civilian Chaplains to the Military. We maintain our denominational distinctions in all the ways that matter but collaborate fully on the practical day-to-day ministry of Chaplaincy. Most importantly, each day is begun and sustained in prayer together.
Serving on an MOB means that we support our personnel while they are at home, in preparation and training, while on exercise around the world, and on operational deployment. It is not unusual for our personnel to spend more than half their year away from home. The ministry of Chaplains extends to what we describe as the Whole Force, which includes the families of those who serve. We run a parent and toddlers’ group, collaborate with other agencies to provide special events and meals for the families of those who are deployed, and work with local civilian churches to provide a regular‘ Messy Church’ event in the community. On station, we provide evangelistic and discipleship courses and lead a growing station church congregation. Within 12 months, 3 of the 5 Chaplains who have served at Coningsby over that period will have deployed on operations as far flung as the Mediterranean, the South Atlantic and the Arabian Gulf; we will also have supported one of our operational squadrons during a 4-month deployment to Romania.
Serving on a front-line MOB offers some amazing privileges. We work with amazingly talented people, see some astounding sights and get to visit far-flung locations around
the world. The greatest privilege, however, is that of the call Chaplains answer- to bring faith and belief to the very heart of the RAF community. We are called to walk alongside people as they enjoy the joys and privileges of RAF service but also walk with them as the demands and sacrifices of military life start to bite. It is a wonderfully incarnational ministry.
Padre Colley enjoying the view form a Chinook.
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