I, IAN Frank Greenhalgh, swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity against all her enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, and of the Air Officers set over me. So Help me God.

These were the words of the Attestation I read on my first day in the RAF, whilst standing in the atrium of College Hall at RAF Cranwell, in front of the large oil paintings of Trenchard and Churchill, one hand on the Bible and made this commitment at the very start of my military career as a chaplain, before the training had begun.

When you attest into the RAF, or any of the armed forces, you are declaring your commitment to serve, to live a life under authority. It is interesting that you make this commitment at the very start of your military career, even before the training begins. It is the training which instils discipline and shapes the new recruit into someone who can be an effective part of the team.

In a similar way when we become a Christian we start by making a commitment to serve God. When we make this commitment, at the start of our Christian journey, we begin the amazing journey of transformation into the likeness of Christ.

Our Christian transformation comes from a desire to serve God in the light of what has been done for us.

Jesus provides the example of service when he willingly serves his disciples by washing their feet. In serving God, not only are we transformed more into the likeness of Christ, but it is where we see God most at work in our lives.

May God bless you all in serving one another.

Canon Ian Greenhalgh,

Vicar of Austwick, Clapham, Eldrorth and Keasden