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Andersen chapel here to help

  • Published
  • By Airman Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
With eight different worship services per week, Bible study sessions catering to men, women and youth, and various monthly and seasonal activities, Andersen's Chapel has something for everyone looking for a spiritual connection. 

Most programs sponsored by the chapel are volunteer-driven, meaning the base community does most of the work for them, said Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew McIntosh, 36th Wing senior protestant chaplain. 

"Andersen's spiritual community is very active which allows us to offer more programs than we are required to," said Chaplain McIntosh. 

The Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed program, or AWANA, is the one of the most popular programs offered to youth by the base chapel annually. 

"The AWANA program happens during the school year from September through May," said Master Sgt. David Westfelt, 36th Wing superintendant of chapel operations. "The program is very popular among school age children, bringing in on average 135 participants. The most recent AWANA program which ended in May was a large success with upwards of 200 participants on Andersen." 

Two chapel locations are on Andersen. Chapel One, built in 1955, can accommodate 350 people in its sanctuary. Chapel Two, built in 1965 can hold 288 people in its sanctuary. 

In addition to the wide range of programs the chapel staff features, Department of Defense identification cardholders may use the chapel sanctuaries or annexes for special events such as weddings, baptisms, christenings, confirmations, funerals, memorials or religious rites and rituals. 

Another service the chapel provides is counseling. 

Members who want to be married by a chaplain are required to attend three to six months of pre-marital counseling depending on the denomination of the chaplain.
Aside from marriage counseling, Chaplains are available for privileged counseling. 

"We are one of the best places to start when someone needs to talk to a person about something that could negatively impact their career," said Chaplain McIntosh. "Privileged counsel stays between the chaplain and the individual who needed the counseling at all times. Chaplains cannot be made to testify against an Airman in Uniform Code of Military Justice proceedings." 

For more information about Andersen's Chapels and their services, call 366-6138.