The Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Chapel serves many purposes. The main building hosts a variety of gatherings including retirements, graduations, memorial services, and more. Its Fellowship Hall, just a stone’s throw away, brings together folks from all walks of military life via meetings, support groups, shared meals, and various classes. The Chapel draws more than just the faithful to its doors; it pulls an entire community together.
COVID-19 did its best to separate society by means of isolation, but the Rota Chapel has seen a great resurgence of faith and fellowship since regulations have been relaxed over this past year. An energy pulses through the grounds as community members find their military family among the faith groups and friendly gatherings throughout the week. Participation is at an all-time high across the board with an average of over 2,600 patrons utilizing the chapel every week.
“There’s really something special here,” said Amy McFarland, the community outreach coordinator for Rota’s Jewish community.
She employed various new avenues of technology, from social media to WhatsApp groups, to rope in her scattered synagogue post-COVID. Offering events and activities for the children was the most effective way to get people out of the house and back to the Chapel, McFarland said, of her highly-successful Tot Shabbat program.
Kylee Porter, who was involved in this summer’s Vacation Bible School and now volunteers with the Protestant community’s Kids Cove, can attest to the excitement around programs geared towards kids. However, she said the adult fellowship she found within the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) was the real lifesaver.
“For me, it is vital to have community, to have friendships and relationships, where we bond not only on a military level,” Porter explained. “That is great to have. But, if you can connect with someone on a spiritual level, it just deepens the friendship and the relationship so much more.”
Porter’s husband Stephen deployed shortly after the family’s arrival to Rota a year ago, when she was pregnant with the couple’s fourth child. She said PWOC was the best two hours of her week.
“I needed it so bad, that I want to do that for other people now,” she said of her volunteer work as a PWOC group leader.
As the former president of Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) Rota, Elvia Rodriguez sees her weekly fellowship as a visible sign of her faith to her family.
“For our kids to see their mothers wanting to continue to learn about their faith, and being with other like-minded women in the sharing of the faith, is so important,” said Rodriguez.
Volunteerism and community are big themes in the Rodriguez household as well, and she brings that same energy to various aspects of the Catholic community, while encouraging others to do the same.
“Regardless of denomination,” said Rodriguez. “It’s a very active community, a very embracing community. There are so many different outreaches. It’s not just limited to faith-based. It’s an opportunity to get the chance to meet people.”
The Rota Jewish community with their Torah celebrates High Holidays at the chapel. Some events are formal and some are casual, but all are welcoming. McFarland also invites members of the community, big and small, to take part in Shabbat.
Porter spoke of the many Protestant fellowship programs and the benefits of multiple ‘touch-points’ for faith and community building. She encouraged people to get involved in more than just the worship services.
“We’re seeing the same people multiple times a week, and that really builds relationship,” she said.
Rodriguez described how the Chapel brings members of the community in, grounds them, and sends them forth with love to continue to help others aboard NAVSTA Rota.
“I would truly love to believe that that is the Chapel’s purpose,” she said.
For the full range of services and fellowship opportunities, or to reserve a space for a special event, contact the Naval Station Rota Chapel front office at DSN 727-2161 or +34 956 82 21 61.
| Date Taken: |
12.15.2022 |
| Date Posted: |
12.22.2022 10:50 |
| Story ID: |
435719 |
| Location: |
ES |
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