Shiny shoes, immaculate dress and beaming smiles were just a small part of the commissioning of two Salisbury clergy members that took place on 12 January as they joined the ranks of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department. The service was attended by Archdeacon Alan MBE, and the Bishop of Salisbury’s Liaison with the Armed Forces.
Revd Trudy Hobson – the former Rector of Upper Wylye Valley – was commissioned as a Regular Army Chaplain, and will initially serve with The Royal Lancers, a Reconnaissance Regiment, based in Yorkshire.
Revd James Menzies – Rector of the Weymouth Ridgeway Team – was commissioned as a Reservist Army Chaplain and will initially serve with the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, the Nation’s Armoured Reserve Regiment equipped with the Challenger 2 main battle tank. As a reservist, James will complete the training in his spare time as he continues his position as Rector of Weymouth Ridgeway.
Army Chaplains are Professionally Qualified Officers who deliver pastoral care, provide or facilitate spiritual support, and give moral guidance to the whole force and their families irrespective of faith, philosophy or status. The chaplains will wear British Army uniforms and help provide leadership, but do not command any forces and remain non-combatants who do not carry weapons.
The profound service saw a total of eight chaplains commissioned, with three as regulars and five as reservists – including an Army Cadet Force Rabbi who was also commissioned as a reservist. The service was a beautiful combination of two faiths and compiled as an inter-faith Jewish Christian liturgy, drawing from both Old and New Testament scripture.
The Senior Jewish Chaplain welcomed the new Reservist Jewish chaplain in Hebrew, placing his Tallit prayer shawl around the Rabbi’s shoulders, whilst the Chaplain General commissioned those remaining by presenting the Royal Army Chaplains Department preaching scarf to all eight chaplains. In his address, the Chaplain General reminded the new commissions that they are called to be leaders both spiritually, pastorally, and morally whilst being mindful of the Army’s values of moral courage, discipline, respect, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment.
The diocese sends its prayers and best wishes to Trudy and James as they start their ministries with the British Army, whilst remembering and praying for our diocese's other clergy who exercise ministry both through the Armed Forces and in many other institutions.
If you've been inspired to take up the call to ministry, you can find more information on how to get involved on the Salisbury Diocese ministry page here.