GLAD TIDINGS

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A hearty congratulations to Bunbury MTS manager John Smyth and chaplain Graeme Weaver on being officially appointed to their respective ministries late last year. Bunbury’s bishop Allan Ewing, a strong supporter of the seafarers’ centre led the service that welcomed both John and Graeme into the MTS family. A number of those present are in

BUNBURY COMMISSIONING

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the image below including- from left to right- Katherine Weaver, Fr Graeme Weaver, Sara Weaver, Bp Allan, John Smyth, Bianca Rogers & Kate Smyth. John brings to the role his many skills and experience in management, welfare service and pastoral outreach, and will prove a great blessing to MTS Bunbury.

In this edition:

• Bunbury commissioning • Port Giles – from blue to green

• Sydney move complete

• Fremantle’s visitor from the Solomons • Christmas in Geraldton • Townsville conference update • Worrying trend in Piracy • BBC focus on MTS’ Work • Bishops’ conference in WA

GLAD TIDINGS February, 2013 No. 12 Part C

No. 12 PART C

PORT GILES - FROM BLUE TO GREEN It is easy to forget that seafarers with a bit of shore leave on land crave to experience the very simple things that most of us do and take for granted. For example, a recent excursion, organized by Jeff and June Harrison, for some seafarers visiting Port Giles to visit local gardens and the chance to smell some flowers and pick

some fruit was met with great joy - a radical change from endless weeks at sea surrounded by blue and grey water and the smell of salt. A simple kindness and an interesting local experience can often rejuvenate the spirits of a fatigued and homesick crew.

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After almost six months of not having a centre from which to operate, Sydney MTS has finally moved into its new premises on Sydney Harbour located at 24 Hickson Road, Millers Point. The new telephone number is +61 2 924 13009 and email is sydney@mts.org.au. Assisting

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the Revd Ian Porter with the ministry are Revd Tae Kim, Revd George Gayagay, Revd Un Hui Tay, Mr Jong Nam Jo, Mrs Gabrielle Burcher and Capt Jack Starmans (CA). Please update your records accordingly. .

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SYDNEY MOVE COMPLETE

FREMANTLE’S VISITOR FROM THE SOLOMONS

Our Fremantle and Albany centres were delighted to have Deacon Luke Foai spend time with them prior to Christmas. Luke as part of the Anglican Board of Mission’s Encounter programme travelled from Honiara to gain exposure and experience in the work of the Mission to Seafarers in Australia. Luke’s dedication, willingness to help and strong pastoral priorities were very welcomed by our ministry teams. Luke has completed the certified ships captain course from the Maritime College in the Solomons. As a former captain of the Church’s vessel, the Southern

Cross - he has a strong heart for those who work at sea. In Luke’s words, “I have a vision to build a centre in the Solomons in order to care for the welfare and lives of seafarers…seeing that we do not now have a centre for them”. Our people at the Fremantle Flying Angel have assured Luke of their prayers and practical support in the years to come, to ensure Luke’s vision becomes reality- for the benefit of the many hard working seafarers on the Pacific Ocean. Thanks Luke for sharing with us your inspirational passion & commitment. Good fortune.

GLAD TIDINGS February 2013 No. 12 Part C

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CHRISTMAS IN GERALDTON

Bill Ross has kindly sent some photographs of Geraldton centre’s exciting Christmas day celebrations with crews visiting Geraldton port. Some 168 gift bags were distributed to the crews of eight ships in port over the Christmas period. Bill reports that, “For us at the centre, it was a delight to see the faces of the seafarers receiving their gifts, and be able to share

God’s love in a practical way. The seafarers expressed their appreciation of being thought of in this way, to the extent that one captain making a special visit to present us with a photo of his crew.” Bill is nearly ready to intrepidly climb the gangways again following his recent successful operation.

TOWNSVILLE CONFERENCE UPDATE Please note that our Townsville biennial conference will be held from the 19-22 August. The timing of the conference has been chosen so that the MTS family will all be together the day the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (called the ‘Seafarers’ Bill of Rights’) finally becomes international law; a cause for spirited celebration and gratitude, in the hope that the working conditions and well being of

the world’s 1.2 million seafarers will begin to improve. Graham Miller recently sent out to all centres attractive and detailed brochures concerning the conference. Included in the package was the conference registration form. This needs returning to Graham by 7 June 2013. Please mark the date in your diaries. It should be a most enjoyable and memorable gathering in the tropics.

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WORRYING TREND IN PIRACY

For a number of years the majority of pirate attacks on hapless seafarers crewing the world’s biggest ships have been in the waters off Somali. At this time as many as 191 crew from 14 merchant vessels and fishing boats are still being hostage. In the last 6 months incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali basin have decreased due to the increased use of armed guards on ships, international naval patrols, and seasonal bad weather. However, the new hot spot for attacks is West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea. The Gulf which includes waters off Nigeria, Africa’s

largest oil producer has seen 62 attacks in the last 12 months. The attacked vessels were all carrying oil or gas. Alarmingly, pirates in West Africa have been more willing to use greater violence than their Somali counterparts, as their income is made by selling the cargo on the black market rather than from ransoming crew members. The Seamen’s Church Institute of New York has produced some excellent materials on assisting chaplains deal with crews suffering post piracy/hostage trauma. Visit http://www.seamenschurch.org

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GLAD TIDINGS February 2013 No. 12 Part C

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BBC FOCUS IN ON MTS’ WORK MTS Australia has been invited to assist in the production of a popular prime time BBC television programme called “A Parish at Sea” which follows the life and work of chaplains in unique settings. The MTS (UK) has appointed Revd Colin Still who has considerable experience of chaplaincy on cruise ships to minister to the passengers and crew of the “Balmoral” currently sailing the high seas. The BBC is onboard filming Colin’s interaction with passengers and crew on the journey. The “Balmoral” will visit Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane over

February and March, when under the gaze of the camera, Bishop Chris Jones will meet with Colin to welcome him to Australia, then transport the chaplain with crew from the “Balmoral” to an MTS centre for some hospitality and refreshment. Just how much of our participation ends up in the final programme to be aired in the UK is anyone’s guess. But fingers crossed; and at last we might be able to shake off the rather deflating tag that “we are the invisible ministry to invisible people”.

BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE IN WA

In March, the Australian bishops will be meeting in WA. MTS chairperson Chris Jones will be attending, and presenting to the conference a report on the work of our organisation in recent times. Fremantle’s Flying Angel vehicles will also be providing a free shuttle service to help the conference participants move around, including collections and returns to the airport. We pray for Chris in his role as chairperson of MTS and for the success of the conference itself to be held

over 8-12 March, at Shoalwater (Rockingham) on the shores of the Indian Ocean- a vast expanse of water but to us, seen as simply one of MTS’ “parishes” as we pray and care for, “Those that go down to the sea in ships, who work in the great waters” (Psalm 107:23). EDITOR Colin Brown Executive Officer Australian Council of the Mission to Seafarers Incorporated www.mts.org.au/