By Rev Shuna Dicks
"Rev Keith Blackwood and I are Padres (Chaplains) with the Army Cadets, as is Rev Sean Swindells. This week we are supporting our respective Battalions at their annual camps, which are taking place side by side at Barry Buddon near Monifieth. Keith & I support the 2nd Highlanders Battalion and Sean the 1st Highlanders Battalion.
It is a wonderful ministry which involves supporting both the cadets and the adult volunteers. At camp we help with welfare issues and Keith and I help run the tuck shop. We will sometimes be dealing with homesick cadets or cadets and adults who have problems at home that a listening ear might help with. Aside from camp, over the years we have helped local detachments that might appreciate help someone from out with the normal leadership, such as a sudden death within the cadet family. And we have conducted weddings and funerals for members of the Army Cadets Force. We are all members of the Royal Army Chaplains Department. Keith and I have the rank of Major and Sean is a Captain. Keith and I have worked together as Padres for over 10 years, Sean has been with 1 Highlanders for a few years but has served with other Battalions before."
[This year's General Assembly encouraged those eligible to consider service as Chaplains in any of the Cadet organisations and thanked all serving Cadet Chaplains for their work with these organisations. As a former Chaplain to the ATC, I can highly recommend serving in this way - Rev Stella].