Religious Programs

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Religious Programs

Our Mission
The Naval Support Activity Washington Chaplain, Naval District Washington and the staff of Religious Programs facilitate religious ministries for all faiths, provide individual pastoral care together with care for all and advise commands on religious, moral, and morale issues. Training and ceremonial support are also offered, contributing to the mission of Naval District Washington and area commands, promoting the personal, religious, and professional needs of sea service personnel and their family members.

Locations
The NSAW Chaplain’s office is located at the United States Naval Observatory, Bldg. 56. If you are unable to reach the Chaplain, please call the NSAW Command Duty Officer (CDO) at 202-421-3597.

There are several military chapels located in close proximity to the Washington Navy Yard, including the Washington Navy Yard Chapel. For a list of the chapels, types and times of services please see the Chapel Listing.

What We Do
Chaplains provide and facilitate infant and adult baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, memorials and other services. Chaplains provide preparatory instruction or counseling prior to performing these ministries, so it’s best to schedule an appointment with the chaplain as early as possible. This is especially true in the case of weddings, where faith groups may set time or other requirements. The couple must have the name of the officiating chaplain or civilian clergy in order to schedule the chapel for their wedding. Religious/spiritual, pre-marriage, marriage, and personal counseling is provided upon individual request and by command referral. Couples should know that marriage laws differ between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For more information on marriage laws in these areas, visit http://www.maryland.gov/, http://www.virginia.gov/, or http://dccourts.gov/.

Naval Support Activity Washington chaplains work with various agencies to ensure the best professional care is provided. Small group opportunities are available for personal growth, fellowship and Bible study. Chaplains’ “ministry of presence” can be a meaningful morale booster. In addition to regular workspace visitation, chaplains also provide assist visits, as in the case of a sudden or traumatic loss within a command.

The Command Religious Program exists for the purpose of helping to develop resilient Sailors and families who are spiritually, relationally, and morally fit. We are here to serve all Military members and their families and to provide for or facilitate your spiritual growth and fitness.

While physical fitness helps maintain a strong body and mental fitness is necessary for a sound mind, spiritual fitness is essential in strengthening your being. Spiritual fitness is growing in your faith through involvement in your chosen faith community, personal spiritual growth through individual study and prayer, and living your faith through services to others.

The main purpose of our Religious Ministries Team is assisting your spiritual fitness either by directly providing for it through Bible Studies and counseling or facilitating with referrals to faith groups offering worships and study opportunities in the community. We also arrange for community relations events which gives you the opportunity to live your faith and values and share your life with others.

Besides spiritual assistance the Chaplain is available to military and civilian personnel to provide pastoral counseling when they need someone whom they can discuss personal, professional, and spiritual matters in complete confidence. Whether the issue is marriage, grief, spiritual matters, or anything else, we are ready to assist. We offer to each of you the opportunity and resources to increase your spiritual fitness while serving in the United States Navy God’s richest blessing to you from your Religious Ministries Team.

CREDO Programs
The Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operations (CREDO) offers a variety of programs aimed at improving communication, adding resiliency, and training service members in valuable life skills.

For information on Marriage Retreats, Personal Resiliency Retreats, or any of the CREDO workshops please contact the CREDO Office at 202- 284-4355 or credo.ndw@us.navy.mil.
CREDO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NDW-CREDO/

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