Good News: Camp Aldershot
One of the things that I really enjoy is working as a military chaplain in the army reserves. For some people, all employment is a chore but I’m thankful that I enjoy both my pastoral and chaplaincy work.
Most of what I do is with my home units of 3 Intelligence Company and 3 Military Police. But every once in a while I get to do something different.
I just finished three weeks at Camp Aldershot, a training base here in Nova Scotia. My role was to provide chaplain support to both those taking the courses this summer and the staff.
I really enjoyed myself on this tasking. Camp Aldershot is a fairly small camp and so it is easy to get to know people.
My job was to visit with the courses, talk about the role of the chaplain, do some teaching, and provide any support needed for individual soldiers. Some of what we call “ministry of presence” also included playing dodgeball, soccer, and ball hockey!
Why would I do this when I already have a lot going on? Because I find military chaplaincy to be life giving to me. It is not a drain to my mental health but actually a boost. I felt better having been there for a while and I’m ready to get back to my other tasks with a renewed energy.
