Observance of CAP Sabbath/Sunday

[Chappie]

"In 1972, the CAP National Board designated the first Sunday in December as CAP Sunday.  Soon after that, the Saturday before was added to the celebration for those whose day of worship is Saturday.  The week-end commemorates the fact that CAP was chartered by the U.S. Congress on December 1, 1941.  CAP Sunday/Sabbath gives CAP Chaplains an opportunity to acquaint their churches with their ministry as CAP Chaplains.  Sometimes units may choose to support their chaplains by all worshipping in the same place, and in uniform.  Other units, encourage members to attend the church or synagogue of their church in uniform.  This is an excellent opportunity to take the message of aerospace to non-CAP members.  For chaplains, it is also an excellent opening for telling their religious bodies about the importance of character development in CAP."   (CAPP221A – Chapter 4, p. 18)

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the CAP Chaplain Corps.

Please encourage each member of the Chaplain Corps, chaplain and CDI alike, as well as all CAP members, to proudly wear their uniform to the worship service they attend on either 12/5 or 12/6 – be it the service dress, the corporate uniform or the blazer combo.   Wear of uniform for this observance has been approved by Maj Gen Joseph Vazquez, National Commander.

It is also noteworthy that Gill Robb Wilson, one of the founders of CAP, was an ordained Presbyterian Minister and is even called CAP's first "Chaplain"  (CAP News, June 2000).

[thebeggerpie]

 Interesting...

[SkywalkerRA]

I would be interested to know who has participated in this in the past, what the reaction was from general public,  and who plans on doing so this year.

[Flying Pig]

I did it every year as a cadet back in the 80s and 90s.  A few times when I was a DCC in the early 2000s and we were invited to a church (I don't recall why) to bring cadets.  Perhaps a Sq member arraigned it.  I dont recall.  A few of the typical "thank you's"  It was relatively uneventful each time.

[SarDragon]

I did it twice as a cadet, and was warmly received both times. This was in the mid-'60s.

[Brit_in_CAP]

I have participated every year since I joined in 2011.

No major impact, good or bad.  Found one congregant who's daughters had both been CAP members elsewhere in the Wing, which made for pleasant conversation.

Since my appointment as a CDI I have never been joined at church by any of the cadets or Senior Members, and I've never been invited to another church.  Not a problem, merely an observation.  Not sure our Chaplain ever wore his uniform to church - he was a retired minister when he joined the squadron, and had no congregation of his own.

One congregant, former Army, thought that the 'CAP' on my rank slide was to remind me what rank I was was....   Can't make this stuff up!

On balance, worthwhile for me.

<Edited to correct the date>

[Chappie]

When I was active in pastoral ministry - I wore my uniform to the worship service and gave a brief presentation about CAP to the congregation regarding the missions of CAP and how I was involved.  At one time I had a couple of cadets who attended our church regularly...they did the presentation.  There were a couple of occasions when I was a squadron chaplain, that several CAP members (seniors and cadets) attended as a "show of support".   Upon returning I still wear the uniform -- which provides an opportunity to answer questions regarding CAP.

The main purpose in my books is that it provides an opportunity for CAP members to do a little "PR" within a religious setting....excellent recruiting pool since most parishes depend upon volunteers to make the wheels turn.