MISSION OF THE MONTH FOR JULY
Piracy, shipwreck, abandonment and separation from loved ones are just a few of the problems merchant seafarers face. Around the world, The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.5 million men and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.
The Mission works in over 200 ports in 50 countries caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through their global network of chaplains, staff and volunteers they offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers’ centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services. Her Majesty the Queen is the Patron, The Princess Royal is the President and the Secretary General is the Rev’d Andrew Wright.
The Mission produces a regular newsletter called ‘Flying Angel News’, which gives an interesting update on how the Mission is performing against its key aims. It also gives an interesting insight into the work of some of their chaplains and caseworkers around the world. A copy of the current Flying Angel News is available at this link.
In 2018 the Mission made 70,600 ship visits (up from 65,000 in 2017) and helped approximately 353,000 seafarers. Also, 673,000 seafarers visited their seafarers’ centres (580,000 in 2017), and their chaplains transported 439,000 seafarers from ship to shore locations (430,000 in 2017) and worked on 895 justice, welfare and medical cases. The statistics for 2019 are not yet available, presumably due to the Covid crisis.
Sunday July 12th is designated as Sea Sunday, which has been happening for over 160 years, when prayers are especially focused on the seafarers upon whom we rely for global trade. We will be recognising Sea Sunday at St Eustachius on this day, remembering the work of the Mission in our prayers, and holding a retiring collection for them as well.
There will also be an online service organised by the Mission for Sea Sunday, which will be on a link from our website, or at this link here.
As we have done for other Missions of the Month during the current Covid crisis, we are running an online appeal for donations. As with the other collections, this is set up as a campaign within the St Eustachius’ VirginMoneyGiving site, where you can make a donation, including gift aid if you wish. When this campaign is over, we will send the total to the Mission. It’s good to do it this way, as we know how much we have contributed as a congregation.
Here is a link to the donation page.
In addition, there will be a Zoom coffee morning on Wednesday 15th July, to raise funds for the Mission. If you would like to attend this, please email Martin Pendle at m.pendle@icloud.com
Knitting is another means of donation to the Mission, who are always keen to receive woolly hats, scarves and gloves in their centres, to give to seafarers. Information on this and the rest of the work of the Mission is contained in their website www.missiontoseafarers.org.
A Prayer for Seafarers Families
Heavenly Father we pray for the families of seafarers, often separated for long periods from their fathers, husbands, mothers and wives. Protect those families and help them stay close together until they are reunited. Bless the children of seafarers at school and help them in their learning. Amen.
A Prayer for the work of The Mission to Seafarers
Heavenly Father we pray for the work of The Mission to Seafarers and their kindred organisations, their Chaplains and Ships’ Visitors around the world. Help them as they help seafarers and may the Mission always provide the practical and spiritual support that seafarers need. Amen.
Martin Pendle