HISTORIC TRIANGLE — “Ten Questions with” is a series that allows readers to get to know local business leaders, volunteers and community members in the Historic Triangle.
This week, meet Chris Terrell.
What is your job title and description?
I am the new command chaplain for Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. My primary responsibility is to provide professional Naval Chaplaincy for the active duty members, their families, and civilian employees of the installation and other tenant commands without chaplain support.
We are also available for retirees present in the community. Navy Chaplains do this by providing faith-group specific ministry, caring for all authorized users, facilitating faith-group specific needs beyond what can be directly provided, and advising on religious, spiritual, and ethical matters.
Who do you interact/work with regularly?
Literally any day could involve working any authorized user from the installation. We never
know who is going to reach out to us for support and care, for a listening ear and
compassionate presence. That is something I appreciate about this work – the uncertainty in every day.
How do you/your organization interact with the local community?
Through the Command Religious Program, one of the largest ways we interact with the local community are through Community Relations service events. We want to support the work of service organizations, usually registered non-profits, by setting up work days for our sailors to get out and help. It’s a win-win for everybody.
We also interact with the local community by learning what religious communities are established and what their ministry looks like. This is so that we can accurately advise sailors who are looking for a civilian faith community and balance their specific spiritual priorities and needs.
What is something about your job most people wouldn’t know about?
We see this all the time with our service members. You may not know that every chaplain is entrusted with absolute confidentiality. When an authorized user discloses something to a
chaplain, it does not matter how good, bad, or ugly that topic is – chaplains cannot report or disclose that information without the consent of that individual. We function a little
differently from our civilian clergy counterparts who are mandated reporters. We have that
degree of confidentiality so that our sailors can feel safe to share whatever is going on in
their life that they need help with. We do not listen and then send them on their way – we
help them find the right resources and supports from that space of confidentiality, and we
respect their process in getting to help and doing what is right.
How do you define success?
There are three questions I reflect on: Am I leaning toward purpose and meaning (and God’s purpose for me)? Am I more joyful than sorrowful? Am I causing more help than harm toward others? I feel that checking in with those three criteria keeps me moving toward success.
What is your most successful accomplishment to date?
I was deployed earlier this year during the final phase of my doctorate of ministry program
from Vanderbilt University. Completing the degree was a big deal for me, but doing so from
a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser with all kinds of communication limitations made finishing a little extra special. And I can use those three questions I mentioned to confirm it
was a big success for me.
How long have you lived/worked in the Historic Triangle?
I have worked at Weapons Station Yorktown for a month and a half, so I look forward to
exploring more of this community and who makes the Historic Triangle special.
What is your favorite part of being in the Historic Triangle?
I will have to get back to you on that, but it will probably involve frequenting a local bakery
or ice cream shop and getting to know the folks who work there.
What do you do for downtime/to relax?
Building off the last question, I love to bake and I love to enjoy what others bake. If you
could not tell, I am a foodie. The “Great British Bake-Off” is where I find inspiration,
challenge, and humility – I don’t think I could ever pull off some of the things they create.
I’m also a fan of burning off the calories outdoors whether running, hiking, or camping.
What is the next step in your journey?
It has been two years since our installation had a full-time chaplain assigned, so my next step is doing a hard look at where opportunity exists to foster spiritual readiness & meaning with our sailors in new, creative ways. Through shared experiences in the arts, topical learning, religious study, spiritual discernment, and service-oriented activity, I am very hopeful about how I can help support individual growth for those in our Navy community and in partnership with the larger Yorktown community.
Do you want to learn more about your community and the people that live and work in the Historic Triangle? We are looking for people with interesting jobs, super volunteers, or community leaders to showcase. Reach out to let us know if you (or someone you know) would like to be considered for Ten Questions.
