08/06/2016 - Permalink

St Chad’s Church Shrewsbury to sign the Armed Forces Covenant

Related topics: Community / Partner organisations

Shropshire’s Civic Church – St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury is to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, making it the first church in the UK to do so.

The formal signing will be at 5pm on Wednesday 8 June 2016.

The Covenant will be signed by a churchwarden from St Chad’s on behalf of the whole congregation and Colonel R L Maybery QGM from 11 Signal and West Midlands Brigade on behalf of the Armed Forces.

Father Mark Chadwick, Vicar at St Chad’s Church, said:

“We all owe a great debt to those who serve this country in the Armed Forces and it’s important that every organisation works to ensure that they do not face any disadvantage. Our Covenant pledge confirms the commitments we have had to the Armed Forces for many years.”

Central to St Chad’s commitments, are (click here for full details):

  • Adopting a flexible approach to meeting families for weddings or baptisms
  • Working with local military associations and regiments to maintain the military chapel
  • Supporting employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces.

Dignitaries from Shropshire and beyond, including the Archdeacon of Salop: The Ven Paul Thomas, the High Sheriff of Shropshire: Christine Holmes, The Reverend Steven Whiting and Councillor David Turner will be attending.

Tim Barker, Shropshire Councillor responsible for the Armed Forces Covenant, said:

‘‘Shropshire Council are delighted that St Chad’s Church have shown commitment to further support our Armed Forces community.

 

“The Church are huge supporters of our Forces and we fully endorse their willingness to help, not least the pledge to adopt a flexible approach for Baptisms and Weddings taking in to account deployment issues.’’

Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Commander of 11 Signal and West Midlands Brigade, said:

“I am delighted that one of our principal churches in the region is the first in the whole country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. This public statement of their special commitment is greatly valued by the Ministry of Defence and will be warmly appreciated by the military community in Shropshire.”

The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Rt Revd Mark Rylands, said:

“I applaud the congregation of St Chad’s who are pioneering in signing the Armed Forces Covenant as a parish.

 

“Those serving in our armed forces and their families are uprooted and moved around the country frequently. The welcome and care that any church can offer is a small token of our gratitude and the respect we have for them.”

Charities and Businesses wishing to sign up to the Covenant can get involved by visiting https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

If you would like to discuss pledging your support, but don’t know how, or have a query about the Shropshire Covenant, contact David.Fairclough@Shropshire.gov.uk.