F o r e w o r d FOREWORD BY THE CHAPLAIN-IN-CHIEF I
t has been a delight to witness the RAF Families Federation come of age in terms of it’s very strong and powerful message that Families matter. Of course this is not a new message for the RAF Chaplains Branch, and one that I am
delighted to endorse. Part of my role as Chaplain-in- Chief is to help bring an extra perspective and insight into the issues affecting the wider RAF Family. As I have visited Stations in the UK and overseas it has been helpful to hear from many of you the issues which influence and affect your lives. Tese conversations and even passing comments give context to the messages I have the opportunity and responsibility to share with the leadership of the Royal Air Force and a reminder that we all have a part to play in maintaining the message that ‘people matter’.
The RAF Chaplains’ Branch motto, ‘to serve: not to be served’ is expressed in our mission, ‘to serve the RAF Community throughPrayer, Presence, and Proclamation.’ On joining the Royal Air Force, every new entrant meets a RAF Chaplain on their first day. That Chaplain makes a commitment that, wherever their RAF service may take them, they will meet a RAF Chaplain, whether it is on operational tours or on a home
unit. That commitment is relevant to families too for it is enshrined in Queen’s Regulations that Chaplains provide care and support to ‘members of the Royal Air Force and their families’. It should be therefore no surprise that the Chaplains’ Branch is a firm ally of the RAF Families Federation.
Of course in the 21st Century families come in all shapes and sizes, and that brings with it fresh challenges for our community. These challenges must be met with compassion as well as understanding and legislation. The Federation’s engagement at all levels is vital whether on a Unit offering support or as acting as an advocate to the MoD.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Envoy, and I encourage you to make use of all that the Federation has to offer, and of course to remember that the Chaplain on your Unit is there to serve the whole RAF community.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Spring 2010
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