Basically, we get involved in every aspect of the program to assure we provide our community with the very best chapel programs and services, said Robinson. Chaplain assistants are trained and have to be proficient in the basic tenets of many of the predominant religions. Accordingly, Nickle, fresh out of technical school and still working on her career development program, often attends the different services to learn more about religion as a whole. As a chaplain assistant you must be ready to accept and support other people s religion and not judge them or their faith, said Nickle. If there is no chaplain available for a particular denomination, the staff will search in the local community to find a location for those people to worship.
Worship services are the most visible aspects of their job.
Preparing the chapel each week for the four different services held there can be hectic for the assistants. Most of the worship services require a complete change of religious symbolism and time can run short, said Nickel. Other churches and chapels aren t normally required to provide that kind of service. During the week, the chapel is neutralized so no one who enters is offended by its appearance. Their efforts allow us as Chaplains to concentrate purely on our community and ministries.