JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The holidays can be a difficult time to be away from family, so base chaplains are doing all they can to ensure that single Airmen do not feel alone during the Year of the Air Force Family.
By starting a new singles ministry, it is the hope of Ch. (Capt.) Chris Reeder and Ch. (Capt.) Gary Davidson, 316th Wing chaplains, to fill the void.
"We're launching a singles ministry at the Chapel with a two-tier approach," explained Chaplain Reeder. "At the top tier is the Interfaith Singles Ministry, which is non-religious and open to anyone. This tier will encompass activities like going to basketball games, or our recent trip to New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We are also planning to provide certain classes that can be taught to anyone regardless of their faith such as, 'How Not to Marry a Jerk,' and, 'Financial Peace University.'"
Chaplain Davidson added, "Being single myself, I understand the need to have this kind of unique programming available to the Airmen of Andrews. Chaplain Reeder and I want this inclusive program to be meaningful, educational, inspirational and fun."
One aspect of the singles ministry is offering instructive and historical perspectives to faith.
"We had a Christian Bible study meeting for a while - and, in fact, until now they have been the entire Singles Ministry - but haven't really had a regular meeting time. It was kind of hit and miss depending on scheduling needs. After the first of the year, we want to start a Christian Bible study at Chapel 3, right across the street from the dorms, on Thursday nights at 6 p.m.
As part of the second tier, Chaplain Reeder said the Chapel's goal is to meet the needs of study participants.
"As the need arises for other specific religious study groups we want to accommodate them as well. In other words, if the Catholic singles want their own Bible study and we have enough of them to support it, we can spin them out of the existing Christian Bible study and help them start one of their own. Or, if a group of Jewish singles want a Singles Torah study or a group of Muslim singles want a Koran study we want to accommodate those needs as well and help them get one started," he said.
One of the first trips the Singles Ministry offered was its visit to New York City.
"Our trip to New York City was a blast," Chaplain Davidson said. "We stayed at a hotel located near Times Square, ate at the Carnegie Deli, watched the Macy's parade and the balloons get inflated, went to the Thanksgiving parade and then spent the afternoon volunteering at a local soup kitchen. It was a memorable time for all."
For more information, contact Chaplain Davidson at 301-981-2111 or via email at gary.davidson@afncr.af.mil; or Chaplain Reeder at 240-857-4942 and christopher.reeder@afncr.af.mil.