Mission mandate: ‘To promote and provide for the spiritual, physical and mental needs of all seafarers and their families’(Vancouver 2016)
Welcome to Winter 2021/2022 ‘Ship to Shore’. January is a time to look forward and make plans but first it is also a time to look back at the year that has been and assess and give thanks. That in mind I want to share the following stats with you from 2021 A) Seafarer visits to centres- Total: 3316 seafarers - 533 downtown and 2783 RB (includes 24 hr room) B) Ship visits -Total: 1860 ships- 1152 downtown-North and South shore, 573 RB , 90 Port Moody, 6 Fraser Surrey, 39 December Christmas gifts. C) Transportation- Total: 299 seafarers - 229 downtown and 70 RB. Note 90 of these were for vaccinations.Given that we have been living in a pandemic this has been a wonderful service to seafarers only possible through team work, the Chaplains, staff, volunteers and many supporters who gave through their time, talent and treasure, from the Mission centres to the gangways. I want as Senior Chaplain to express my gratitude to all for enabling this work to happen and so making a real difference to the lives of the seafarers.
A thought…’Embarking on a new year carries uncertainty much like it does for seafarers as they head out on to the open sea from the safety of port. Yet in both cases there is the certainty that a journey has to be made and there will be challenges along the way.You don’t have to take that journey alone for to be isolated from others as seafarers testify to over the many months at sea can be a lonely place. In the face of challenges in 2021 families, communities and seafarers have come together to support one another. As you live out 2022 there is so much more and it is Jesus, God with us. May we each learn to trust and obey for there is no other way to journey in life but to be happy in Jesus.’
Christmas at Sea 2021…’gift in the hand, to provide joy in the heart’. On Christmas Eve 2021 thanks to the donation by Tymac Transport of the vessel Tymac Surveyor , Chaplains Peter and Steve along with helpers Isaac, Aedan, Charlotte,Ted,Douglas and photographer Wayne Chose loaded the gifts onboard and under the Captaincy of Salty Walt headed out to English Bay and then the inner harbour going from ship to ship reaching across to the lowered gangways and handing the gifts to the seafarers to be met with much appreciation and warm smiles. When all was said and done we gave out approx 1500 gift bags to 70 ships.It was only possible because of people’s donations be it money or gifts in kind such as toothpaste,toques, chocolate or socks and those from St Michaels Anglican Church,Vancouver and Waterfront Shipping for packing up the gifts.Thank you to everyone for reaching out in generosity.
Ditty bags for Christmas 2022. Yes we in the Mission like to be prepared and so looking ahead if you would like to make some bags for the gifts for seafarers to go in here is a pattern courtesy and with thanks to our sister station in Seattle or if you have one of your own go with that. Our goal is 500, more or less we will appreciate everyone. https://www.mts-seattle.org Thanks to those who have already made some.
Cycle for Seafarers ‘Design a Shirt’ Competition-The winner will get a free shirt and have their name displayed on the collar of every shirt.
1. You don’t even have to be a cyclist, or an artist, to submit an entry! The shirt judging will be based on the following criteria:Eye-catching bright colours/ 2-4 colours max/Space for sponsors logos and www.flyingangel.ca on body and sleeves/Mission logo larger than sponsors logo and more prominent/The words ‘Cycle for Seafarers’ needs to go on the shirt/Space for name of competition winner on collar/look uncluttered.
2. Mission Logo and Shirt Template are available on our website www.flyingangel.ca under ‘Cycle for Seafarers 2022’
3.Don’t forget to include your contact information with each entry; Name, tel number and email address
4.Submit entries to cycleforseafarers@gmail.com marked ‘Shirt Competition’.
We will be receiving design entries up to midnight, April 30th 2022. If you have questions please email us. Thank you for the support.
The International Christian Maritime Association - member organisations represent various Christian churches and communities. Each member organisation retains its independence and autonomy. ICMA defines seafarers as people who work in merchant shipping, fishing and on passenger ships. Through its members, ICMA currently represents more than 400 seafarers’ centres and 900 chaplains and ship visitors in approximately 125 countries.To find out more go to www.icma.as
In January of 2022, the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) distributed an online survey to its members, asking about the state of seafarers’ welfare in their ports. Responses were received from 38 ministries in Canada, the USA, and Puerto Rico from January 26 to February 7. The results show an encouraging persistence of ministry in difficult times, with many vaccinations and other services having been provided, but also a disturbing lack of access to shore leave for many seafarers. https://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2022/02/10/namma-releases-survey-report-on-seafarers-ministries-and-welfare-in-north-america-2022/
Seafarers Happiness Index-is the shipping industry’s ongoing barometer of the key issues facing those at sea today. Seafarers are asked 10 key questions every quarter, sharing their views about specific issues affecting their life and work. To see the latest response for the 4th quarter of 2021 click on the following link https://www.happyatsea.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Seafarers-Happiness-Index-Q4_2021.pdf
The latest edition of FAN -Flying Angel News especially for those interested in the work of the Mission, supporters of it; use this link https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/wp-content/uploads/FAN-Magazine-February-2022-1.pdf
New Board of Director at the Mission we welcome Louise Murgatroyd to the board. Louise is a Program Manager for the the Oceans Protection Plan with Transport Canada and has extensive experience working in the marine sector. We intend to welcome several more new directors in 2022 as part of our succession planning.
Prayers for Seafarers- a)Seafarers unable to go home as their relievers test positive meaning longer onboard and away from family. b) a greater generosity amongst shipping companies towards the seafarers they employ.c)cadets as they embark on a career often the first time onboard a ship for any length of time.
Prayer for Volunteers- Thank you Lord for those who give of themselves in ways of sharing time, talent and treasure to support the work of caring for seafarers in Vancouver. Please bless and encourage them in their service and bring along others to work alongside them. Amen
Donations to support the seafarers can be made by; Cheque to Mission to Seafarers. Cash. Credit card- under ‘Donate and Tithely on our secured website www.flyingangel.ca or through the Vancouver Foundation. Always received with our gratitude.
Contact information- 401 East Waterfront Road, Vancouver,BC, V6A 4G9, Tel: 604 253 4421. Email: m2svancouver@gmail.com Facebook: @mission2seafarers Twitter: @MtSVancouver