The Mission to Seafarers is pleased to announce the attendance of key shipping professionals at its annual Christmas service: The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2013.
The evening was attended by leaders from the shipping industry and loyal supporters, with a performance by the Lloyd’s Choir, at our international headquarters, St Michael Paternoster Royal in the City of London. The service was held on Tuesday 10 December between1830-1930 followed by a reception at Skinners’ Hall.
Lesson readers were: HRH The Princess Royal, The Baroness Kramer Minister of State for Transport, John Nelson Chairman of Lloyd’s, Jeremy Penn CEO of The Baltic Exchange, Katharina Stanzel Managing Director of Intertanko, Kuba Szymanski Secretary General of Intermanager, Claudio Chiste Chairman of SPNL; plus the Mission’s Secretary General Revd Andrew Wright, and volunteer cruise chaplain Revd Colin Still.
Andrew Wright said: “The evening was a great success and was much appreciated by all. The service was marked by excellent singing, both by the congregation and by Lloyd’s choir, and by a distinguished team of readers.
“The historic Skinners Hall provided the perfect setting for the reception where shipping leaders and other supporters had the unique opportunity to meet HRH The Princess Royal, those who spoke to her were greatly impressed by her warmth and interest.” Guests also had a chance to network over canapés, mince pies and mulled wine.
The Lloyd’s choir, founded in 1922, are a vibrant group of around 60 mixed voices from across the City’s financial community and beyond, they performed for the first time at the Mission and in front of HRH Princess Royal.
The Mission to Seafarers has been at the forefront of the response for crews affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, by making free communications available in centres and offering counselling services for seafarers who have been bereaved. Events such as the Christmas Festival help to fund the Mission’s welfare provision for crews in 260 ports in 71 countries.
The Mission to Seafarers
Founded in 1856, and entirely funded by voluntary donations, today’s Mission to Seafarers is a registered charity that offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting over 260 ports around the world in 71 countries.
Whether caring for victims of piracy or providing a lifeline to those stranded in foreign ports, we are there for the globe’s 1.3 million merchant seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.
The Mission to Seafarers’ Patron is Her Majesty The Queen and our President is Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
To find out how we help those facing shipwreck, abandonment, loneliness and danger, visit our website: www.missiontoseafarers.org
To make a donation to The Mission to Seafarers so that we may continue our vital welfare work, please visit our JustGiving web page:
www.justgiving.com/themissiontoseafarers/donate
Our essential port-based welfare services include:
Emergency support: When a ship and her crew are in danger, the Mission is on hand in the world’s ports to provide emergency help and assistance once seafarers are brought ashore.
Ship-visiting: Our chaplains visit hundreds of ships a day in ports around the world to provide a friendly welcome and offer help, support and advice.
Flying Angel centres: We have seafarers’ centres in 100 ports, offering refreshments, television, books, recreational activities, internet and phone facilities and the chance to spend time away from the ship.
Justice and welfare services: When a seafarer has not been paid, is working in substandard conditions, being bullied or has been a victim of wrongful arrest, our staff can intervene and put them in touch with professional support and legal advice through local expertise and contacts.
Communications: The Flying Angel phone card is known by seafarers everywhere, providing a vital link to friends and family. Our centres provide telephones and wi-fi internet for email and Skype calls. We print and publish 6 editions per annum of our international news digest for seafarers, entitled The Sea.
Counselling: Harsh working conditions, tensions between crew members and isolation from friends and family can take their toll on seafarers, leading to depression, anxiety and loneliness. Our chaplains are experienced counsellors, on hand to listen and offer sympathy and advice.
Transport: Many ports are located in industrial areas miles away from towns, shops and amenities. We provide transport so that seafarers can make the most of their brief time ashore.
Emergency support: In cases of pirate attack, shipwreck, abandonment, serious injury or bereavement, the Mission is on hand to offer whatever assistance a seafarer needs, from food to phone calls home.
Post-trauma care: Our chaplains are trained to recognise and respond to signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. In the aftermath of pirate attack, shipwreck or industrial disaster they offer a caring response in the midst of post-event interrogation and bureaucracy.
High-level advocacy: We work to uphold seafarers’ rights and ensure justice, fair pay and good working conditions at sea. We are in constant dialogue with the shipping industry, international governments and regulatory bodies.
Spiritual support: The Mission to Seafarers is a missionary agency of the Anglican Church. Our chaplains provide Christian services, spiritual support and opportunities for prayer and quiet reflection. We serve seafarers of all beliefs and work in partnership with other faith groups to meet their spiritual needs, whatever they may be.
In the UK, The Mission to Seafarers is a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales, Number: 6220240, Registered charity no: 1123613. Registered Office: St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL.
The Mission to Seafarers Scotland Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland, Number: 389483, Registered charity in Scotland: SC041938. Registered Office: 109 Avalon Gardens, Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7PL.
