What do YOU look for in a garrison chapel community?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver. I look for resident open minded wise old conservative rabbi. Warmest Regards, Sandy

LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow

More than anything, I want to feel welcome. To me, that usually means going to a smaller church (i.e., one with a smaller congregation). Big churches/congregations tend, in my experience, to be less welcoming.

If they have the type of church service that I like to attend but chances are they don't so I seek churches outside of post.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver, to be completely honest, I avoid the base chapel like the plague.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver the problem with many post Chapels is their need to try to be non-denominational. I understand that need at sea or forward deployed, but at home I have worshiped with people who believe as I do in my own church.

Yes, I have attended services at the Base Chapel. There are times and reasons I have felt the need to be with fellow Sailors to worship. Sometimes it is the Pastor, sometimes it is the occasion, sometimes it is just a feeling of camaraderie or need for the same.

As a child i was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church. There are very few Eastern Orthodox Chaplains in the Navy but when I ran into them, I made a special effort to attend services in their Chapels. In boot camp that meant a trip to the main base in Great Lakes, that itself meant three hours off from boot camp. Three hours out of RTC, heaven itself. After services, fresh pastry and coffee, better than breakfast in the galley. After Boot Camp I attended services here for an additional year while in school, services in English and made many friends.

That is the main thing that Post Chapels can provide, friends. Service members of all pay grades learning about each other and becoming friends outside of their duty days. Yes the Chapels can provide other services too, but community is the main thing, especially for single members.

A place to gather with fellow Pagans and celebrate holy days and other special times without interference from people who don't believe we should be afforded that right.