4th FW Chapel provides foundation for spiritual resilience

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NC, UNITED STATES

05.04.2015

Story by Airman 1st Class Aaron Jenne 

4th Fighter Wing   

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - Nearly 20 faith groups are represented among the more than 5,000 Airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

With such a diverse group of Airmen bringing a wealth of spiritual needs, the base’s five active-duty chaplains work tirelessly with their support staff to meet the needs of each one.

“We primarily have Catholic and Protestant services here at the chapel because our chaplains are Catholic and Protestant,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dwayne Keener, 4th Fighter Wing chaplain. “We’re able to meet the needs of those faiths directly, but we are also prepared, should someone of another faith come and ask what services are available, to get them in touch with a point of contact in the local area.”

The chapel created an extensive list of religious groups of different faiths that practice anywhere from Raleigh to Fayetteville. Many of those contacts are provided in the Local Faith Group Points of Contact brochure found at the chapel, the Family Life Center and the newcomer’s briefing.
For those who don’t have time to travel off base during the duty day to meet religious needs, the chapel remains neutral and available during the day for prayer and religious observances. The chapel also invites local spiritual leaders to lead services on base.

“If there are a handful of people from a particular faith group that come to us and tell us ‘We have a need for services here, can you help us?,’ I can reach out to those faith group leaders and request someone to come here and provide those services,” Keener said. “We’ll draw up a ministry agreement and set them up in our chapel.”

Keener explained accommodating religious needs is one of the chapel’s most important priorities and they are advocates for the religious rights of every Airman.

They also coordinate with commanders to make sure that religious needs requiring special consideration are met, mission permitting. For example, many religions believe certain dietary, clothing and grooming procedures should be followed.

“Our focus is on accommodation,” Keener said. “Accommodation is more than tolerance – we aren’t just putting up with others, we’re respecting them. We don’t necessarily believe the same way others believe, but we respect their right to do so and will do whatever we can to help them.”

While religion and spirituality are often thought to be synonymous with one another, the Air Force believes they are not mutually exclusive. This is done in an effort to be more inclusive to Airmen who consider themselves “spiritual,” but may not prescribe to any particular religion.

Chaplains may be required to conduct services within the confines of their ordained faith, but spiritual needs are considered universal in accordance with the whole person concept the Air Force practices, said Master Sgt. Christopher Davidson, 4th FW chapel operations superintendent.

The whole-person concept is about Airmen growing in a well-rounded manner to be more productive members of the community and society. The four pillars that comprise the whole-person concept are spiritual, physical, mental and social resilience.

“Meeting spiritual needs is pivotal, that’s why it’s recognized as one of the four pillars,” Davidson said. “Whether we understand it or not, our spiritual side is something that needs to be cared for. If it’s off balance – not at the same level as our physical, mental and social resilience – something has to give, and often that creates instability in the whole person.”

Meeting spiritual needs doesn’t end with services in the chapel building. Chaplains visit units across the base to conduct random acts of kindness, or “RAK Attacks.” Often involving a free lunch, the RAK Attacks allow chaplains to introduce themselves to Airmen and hopefully boost their morale.

Marriage enrichment classes, retreats for married and single Airmen, dorm barbecues, and 100-percent confidential counseling are other ways the chaplains care for Team Seymour.

Though all of these services and efforts are in place, Keener said they are always looking for ways to improve.

The chapel sends out an annual needs assessment to glean important information regarding religions on base, their associated needs and requirements, and how the chapel can better accommodate them. Year-round, they also routinely visit base agencies, building rapport and talking to Airmen.
“If you need something, please ask,” Keener said. “We’re here for everybody.”

For more information, to reserve the chapel, or to share a need with the chapel staff, contact your unit chaplain or call [phone].

• Date Taken: 05.04.2015
• Date Posted: 05.04.2015 10:43
• Story ID: 162145
• Location: SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NC, US