News from our Voluntary & Part-Time Chaplains 

Revd Tony Mayes

RAFAC Chaplaincy

As an Air Cadet chaplain I have served with 2 squadrons for a total of 7 years; one in Harlow when I was in full time ministry and currently in Burgess Hill since retiring.

Being a chaplain has involved me in some official duties and plenty of time on Squadron nights to interact with the staff and cadets. I visit once or twice a month to provide pastoral support, friendship and some safeguarding backup. Often listening to staff ups and downs and to cadets with difficulties or who just want to share the good things going on in their lives 😊.

When new recruits are ready to become full cadets, the Chaplain is the one who enrols them with a promise and a prayer and I give them an “RAFAC new testament and psalms“ from Good News for All. Chaplains also attend, as they are able, formal public events with the Squadron, such as Air Cadet parades for annual events. For ministers in church ministry it also provides the opportunity to bring the cadets to the church at times for special services.

Chaplains are often asked to teach the whole squadron about morals and ethics and how to engage with current events. Recently I have been working through the 4 underlying principles that cadets are expected to embed in their service – R(Respect), I(integrity), S(Service), E(Excellence). It gives an opportunity to bring faith into the presentations where many of the cadets will have never heard anything about God 😊.

In the south there are a number of Squadrons with no Chaplain. I joined Burgess Hill because they had not had one in the time of the current C/O because they couldn’t find anyone to do it ☹. Its well worth considering if you like interacting with young people.

If you would like to know more about serving as a chaplain, contact the SEBA team who can put you in touch with Tony.