Vision shapes, brings direction to chaplain corps Published Nov. 28, 2006 By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Steven Nicolai 71st Flying Training Wing Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- U.S. Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain, (Maj. Gen.) Charles C. Baldwin, unveiled the new Chaplain Service Vision at the Worldwide Wing Chaplain and NCO in Charge Conference held last November in Washington, D.C. The vision is simple and straight forth: "Glorifying God -- Honoring Airmen -- Serving All." Through this vision, the chaplain corps pledges to be there bringing hope, offering help and saving lives. Let me expound upon how we do that. Glorifying God Our vocational calling sets us apart from all other Air Force functional areas. We are called to reflect God's love and care, for the people we serve. We are to be a reminder of the Holy and shine the light of God upon you, his people, through prayer and worship, rites and rituals and through the witness of our own faith and lives. Our commission is to tell you about God and to invite you into his presence. Honoring Airmen The Hebrew word for 'honor' means to "highly prize." Schools have "'honor rolls'" and "'honor societies" and we bestow respect upon various people and positions by addressing them as "The Honorable." The chaplain corps is tasked operationally to encourage the living, comfort the dying and honor the dead. We bring honor to our Airmen when we go to the least accessible, least visible places on base to say thank you for what they do and how they help accomplish the mission. And we help bring honor to our Airmen when we stand by flagged-draped coffins giving God thanks for their life and their ultimate sacrifice! Serving All We are here to serve you -- to support you in your mundane needs. We are here to reinforce your emotional welfare -- to build life-saving, life-enhancing relationships. And we are here to strengthen your spiritual health -- to bring hope and meaning to you and your loved ones. This is how your chaplains and chaplain assistants fulfill, in part, the Chaplain Service Vision here at Vance: Spiritual Nurture Worship services and religious education are offered weekly to encourage you in your walk with God and in your service to your country. Next Wednesday, Chaplain (Col.) John Stefero, Air Education and Training Command head chaplain, will be our guest speaker at this year's National Prayer Luncheon. Counseling As outlined in the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, every person holds the privilege to request a clergy person from disclosing confidential communication when it is shared either as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience. This is true for all information whether it is personal or professional in nature. Advising Leadership Chaplains give advice concerning the spiritual needs, religious requirements and ethical issues that impact mission, quality of life and religious freedoms. Deployed ministry Your chapel staff cares about you when you deploy; we send spiritual care packages and letters to every deployed troop from Team Vance and pray for you by name every week during worship. Singles International Gourmet Meal Opportunity These monthly SIGMO dinners are sponsored by the chapel and supported by base leadership; more than $4,000 in chapel offerings and an additional plethora of donated goods are given with the simple intent of caring for your basic needs. Its success is reflected in 18 straight months of continual growth. Visitation A chaplain is assigned to every squadron or group in the wing. By being present at commander's calls and squadron functions we get to know you, your needs and how best to meet them. Fellowship opportunities Social gatherings abound in your chapel community intended to strengthen family ties and nurture meaningful friendships. These activities include the chapel's annual fall hayride cookout, holiday caroling, bi-annual base picnics and our annual Shrove Tuesday carnival which occurred this past Tuesday. Co-sponsored programs The chapel along with other base agencies sponsor events that strengthen marriages, families and your personal well-being. Together, this past fall, the chapel, Life-Skills and the family support center offered marriage-strengthening events, first through a lunch seminar and then by bringing in a speaker for a two-night workshop where we fed you supper and provided you book resources. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) In response to the rising suicide rate in the Air Force, again the chapel, life skills and the family support center have taught the ASIST workshop with the desire to bring light and hope to every corner where you live and work. The vision of the chaplain corps is simple and straight forth: "Glorifying God -- Honoring Airmen -- Serving All." Through this vision, we, your chaplains and chaplain assistants, pledge to be there for you, bringing hope, offering help and saving lives. God Bless.