Chaplaincy reaps its reward shore side
On the 8th November The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will award Church Army’s Philip Slater with the Cross of St Augustine at a ceremony in the chapel of Lambeth Palace. Philip is the first Church Army evangelist and serving naval Chaplaincy officer to receive the award, which is given for outstanding service within Church of England and for those who have contributed to advancing relations between various Christian communions and Churches. Philip serves as Chaplain’s Assistant at HMS Drake - the biggest Naval Base within the Royal Navy with a flotilla of over 30 ships and submarines and 4 married quarters’ estates.
Commenting of his nomination, Philip was characteristically thoughtful and reflective about what the award means to him: “I feel so proud yet humbled to receive this award when I look at some of the other recipients. It is a great honour and I am delighted to accept it not just in a personal capacity, but as affirmation of the valuable role Chaplaincy plays within the Royal Navy. Church Army’s motto is sharing faith through words and action and that is exactly how I see the role of the Naval Chaplaincy Service. It’s about being available when service personnel need a sounding board and a shoulder to lean on - the friend and adviser of all on board regardless of rank. Spiritual values inspire people to reach out beyond what they are and our service personnel need to know that God is with them in every situation.”
Within an ever mobile Naval community Philip’s shore side posting as a Chaplain’s Assistant has provided an element of continuity in the Chaplaincy of HMS Drake and Church of St Nicholas. Over the years he has supported 11 Chaplains as they look after their flock, currently of around 3600 personnel and their dependents. In addition he now has special responsibility for resources across the whole of the national Naval Chaplaincy Service, and is the Warden of Readers. As well as preparing hundreds of families for baptism and confirmations Philip has organised a series of Rock Gospel concerts in Naval Establishments, young peoples camps, helped set up an innovative café church coffee bar at the Naval Base and the Chaplaincy Services web site, which he now runs as webmaster. “I never cease to be surprised what God does with some of the seeds I have helped sow. I was in church when I recognised a face from the past - a navy wife with her young daughter. It turned out seven years earlier I had run a baptism preparation class for her husband and herself. She told me both of them had become a committed Christians as a result of God challenging them in that experience. Evangelism here is about getting alongside people and meeting them in their need, be it joy, bereavement, marital issues or career frustrations. They need to know God is in the day-to-day matters of life as well as the big and dramatic events.”
Church Army Chief Secretary Philip Johanson OBE added: “I am, delighted for Philip. This award recognises his long term commitment to the work of evangelism in the Navy and it is thoroughly deserved.”
Revd Mark Jackson is the Chaplain at HMS Drake and nominated Philip for the award. He said of his colleague; “The contribution Philip has made to HMS Drake and the whole Naval Chaplaincy across the fleet is invaluable. I am overjoyed that such a long serving, talented individual has been recognized with such a prestigious church award. It is so well deserved.”
Captain David Larmour, Captain of the Base said: “This award reflects dedicated, hard work given to HMS Drake over the last 20 years and we are all absolutely delighted for Philip.”
