ACNS 4132 | ENGLAND | 31 MARCH 2006
Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate 150 Years of The Mission to Seafarers
On March the 28th 2006 a Thanksgiving Service took place in Westminster Abbey to mark the 150th anniversary of The Mission to Seafarers. Thanks was given to those who inspired its foundation in 1856 and those who have carried out its ministry over the last century and a half with their dedication and commitment.
The Mission to Seafarers (formerly The Missions to Seamen) is a missionary society of the Anglican Church, which cares for the welfare of all seafarers regardless of their nationality or faith. Founded in the 1830s by a young Anglican clergyman John Ashley who had concerns about the terrible conditions in which seafarers lived in, he decided to devote his life to their care by giving up a secure parish appointment. In years to come many individuals became involved in similar work and in 1856 it was decided that these ministries be grouped together under one name: The Missions to Seaman.
The society adopted a flying angel sign that was inspired by a verse from the Book of Revelation: 'Then I saw an angel flying in mid-heaven with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those on earth, to every nation and tribe, language and people.'
The United Kingdom became the first place to begin the work of the society then dispersed to ports around the world, where the main aim was to take care of seafarers' spiritual welfare. Throughout history the Mission's chaplains, staff and volunteers have made a profound difference to the lives of seafarers. Even today The Mission to Seafarers proclaim: "Through our network of chaplains, staff and volunteers in 300 ports world-wide, we reach out to them by visiting them on their ships, offering a welcome and whatever help may be needed. In over 100 ports we run centres where seafarers can relax away from their ships, get local information, find help with problems, share worship and telephone or email home."
Celebrating the work of the society 150 years after it began, shows how much has been achieved and succeeded by the society. Present at the celebrations marking the 150th Anniversary at Westminster Abbey were the President of The Mission to Seafarers Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and the Most Revd John Sentamu, Archbishop of York. Also present were members of the Council of The Mission to Seafarers including the Chairman of the Council - DK Newbigging, Chairman of the Executive Committee FM - Everard CBE and Secretary General - the Revd Canon Bill Christianson. Others included chaplains, staff and hundreds of supporters throughout the UK and overseas to launch a year of events celebrating the anniversary.
The Princess Royal has been President of the society since 1984 and read one of the lessons (Revelation 21: 1-7). After the service the Princess Royal met Mission staff and volunteers who carried the society's flag at the service.
The Reverend Robert Wright, Sub Dean of Westminster offered this prayer; "Lord God, Creator of land and sea, bless those who work at sea. Be with them in fair weather and foul, in danger or distress, strengthen them when weary, lift them up when down and comfort them when far from their loved ones. In this life, bring them safely to shore and, in the life to come welcome them to your kingdom. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."
The Address was given by the Archbishop of York. The Archbishop's text was: "Hashem, the Lord then responded to Job from out of the whirlwind, and said: 'Who is this who gives murky counsel, with words without knowledge? Grid your lions like a warrior, and I will ask you and you will inform me." (JOB 38: 1-11, 16-18).
He said, "Job is one of the world's greatest dramas. Its poetry brings hurtfully to one's consciousness the reality of human suffering and the difficulty of maintaining one's faith in God. Yet in the end, Job discovers that it is in his God that his troubled heart can find peace. Job responds by recognising that God's ways are best. During difficult times, with too must humbly remember, our petition and position before the eternal, holy and gracious God."
He continued, "Remembering especially as Psalm 8 reminded us, "What are human beings that God is mindful of us, mortals that he cares for us? Yet he has made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honour. He gave us rule over the works of his hands. He put everything under our feet." Yes its true humanity's failure, treachery and cruelty, and the suffering of God's creation abounds, obscuring God's glory throughout the earth. And yet, amidst all the failure of human responsibility come glimpses of what can and will be. Crowned with honour, close to the angels, the human race made new in Christ will love those under their rule as they themselves are loved by God. And this I believe is the vocation of the chaplains and The Mission to Seafarers: putting love where love isn't, amidst the often raging seas. Always magnanimous and willing to meet seafarers halfway."
The vision for the future of The Mission to Seafarers (An Act of Rededication) was led by the Secretary General of the Society: "Brothers and Sisters; as we give thanks today for the work of The Mission to Seafarers throughout the years, I ask you to renew your dedication to those vocations to which God has called each one of you. Will you, in times favourable and unfavourable, proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to all people; will you give of your time and dedication to all those in every kind of need or danger; and will you pray for patience and vigilance in all that you do."
As is noted by the The Mission of Seafarers: 'Ships and ports may have changed since these early years, but many of the difficulties that seafarers face remain the same, such as isolation, separation from home and family, danger and, in some instances, exploitation and poor conditions. This means that the welcome, friendship and practical and spiritual support offered to seafarers by The Mission to Seafarers is needed as much as ever.'
Article by: Suminder Duggal ACNS.
Further information on the Mission to Seafarers can be found here:
http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/menu_index.php
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