Chapel offers single, married, family retreats

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 100th Air Refueling Wing Chapel is offering three types of retreats for Team Mildenhall members; SingleCare, MarrigeCare and FamilyCare.

The outings are designed to increase resilience and assist participants in overcoming the challenges of married, family and single life. Usually weekend trips to a resort, the retreats are split into two parts; a learning portion and time to explore the area surrounding the trip.

Facilitated by one or more of the chaplains, participants are guided though a class aimed at enriching their lives.

"We give them the tools and resources to educate, inspire and encourage (themselves) on how to become more proficient in their relationships," said Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Croft, 100th Air Refueling Wing deputy chaplain from Walla Walla, Washington.

Croft advises anyone interested in attending a retreat to sign up as soon as they hear about them being offered, as they tend to fill up very quickly and usually have a waiting list.

The retreats generally have positive responses, with many participants coming away with more knowledge and emotional strength. Comments from the anonymous surveys conducted at the end of the retreats have included statements such as, "It was a great learning experience. I liked all the tips and help that was provided. Marriage doesn't come with a handbook and we always need help improving," and, "Thank you, this made us feel so much closer (to eachother) and (we) felt a huge weight lifted off our shoulders."

Emma Doel, 100th ARW chaplain's secretary from Bury St. Edmunds, England, is a strong believer in the retreats, and has an expertise in the FamilyCare program.

"I think people get so caught up in their everyday lives, they forget what it's like to spend time together as a family," Doel said. "With FamilyCare, they get together and spend the weekend as a family."

This type of bonding not only helps service members at home, but it transfers to the workplace as well.

"When people are mentally and spiritually healthy and when their relationships are strong, then they can focus more on their jobs instead of being distracted by things at home that may be heavy on their hearts," Croft said.

By offering these retreats, the chapel is lending a hand in keeping Team Mildenhall fit in the four domains of the RUFit program; physical, mental, spiritual and social. This, in turn, helps Airmen be as ready as they can to complete the Air Force mission.

For more information contact the chapel at DSN 238-2822 or commercial at 01638-54-2822.