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| News > JB MDL religious education year kicks-off |
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Joint base community members gather around serving tables during the religious education event at the Dix Chapel Sept. 18 here. The chapel education year includes separate Protestant and Catholic events. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Sean Crowe/Released)
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JB MDL religious education year kicks-off
Posted 10/2/2012 Updated 10/2/2012
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by Airman Sean Crowe
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
10/2/2012 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Chapel Services kicked off the 2012 through 2013 year of religious education with Protestant Family Night Sept. 18 at the Dix Chapel here.
The chapel education year follows that of the local school calendar, running from September through June. The chapel education year includes separate Protestant and Catholic events. The evening included a meal followed by a religious class. Classes will be held at Dix Chapel every Wednesday throughout the school year to promote and enhance community relations between service members and their families.
"This program is an opportunity for active-duty and retired service members to give back to the community," said Chaplain (Maj.) Eric P. Boyer, 87th Air Base Wing deputy chaplain who led the kick-off event Sept. 18. "One of the four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness is spiritual fitness. We offer Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen a means to strengthen their resiliency through spiritual fitness."
The spiritual pillar of Comprehensive Airman Fitness represents strengthening a set of beliefs, principles or values that sustain a person beyond family, institutional and societal sources of strength.
There are currently 200 people registered for upcoming classes. Boyer predicts attendance will rise as information about the religious-educational services continues to reach the community. Attendance averaged 160 service members each week during the 2011 through 2012 year, said Boyer.
The classes are more than a go-and-sit environment where those attending may feel intimidated or lose interest, explained Boyer.
Amanda L. Doyle, Dix Chapel protestant religious education director, said the class curriculum is meant to be relevant to the attendees.
The chapel offers dinner to ease stress the stress of finding time to prepare meals between work and the classes while also providing families an opportunity to spend time together.
Service members here are always busy. Providing them with dinner also helps them socialize and relax, said Boyer.
Children and adults attend classes respective to their age group after dinner.
The children's class curriculum is based on an introduction to their Protestant faith and an overview of faith-specific beliefs. The children partake in religious story and song time. The program leaders' goal is to introduce the youth to their religion without causing them to lose interest, said Boyer.
"I hope this class builds a sense of community amid the sister services here," said Doyle.
"Discovering that others have gone through what you have been through strengthens faith and communities." |
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