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inmarsat/sateliteAGM and Annual Service
25-06-2009
FOCUSING on caring for seafarers in ports where the need is greatest was one of the key themes of the 2009 Annual Service and Annual General Meeting of The Mission to Seafarers held at the society’s home church of St Michael Paternoster Royal in London on June 24. The Mission’s President, HRH The Princess Royal, told a packed hall at the AGM that the work carried out by Mission chaplains was “a wonderful example of practical Christianity.” And that “the gift of friendship is offered to any seafarer who needs it, whatever their nationality or faith.”
In her presidential address, the Princess spoke of the great challenges facing the shipping industry at a time when trade has fallen to its lowest level for decades and the increasing numbers of ships laid up in anchorages around the world. She also said that with an economic downturn the requirements on port chaplains’ time are increasing with more and more seafarers seeking help and advice.
The Princess Royal, who had met many of the Mission’s members, friends and supporters at a lunchtime reception, praised the tireless efforts of local fundraisers who have spent the past year holding all kinds of events to support the ministry of the society, as well as Central Office organised fundraising drives such as the forthcoming Tour Pour La Mer cycle ride which starts in Antwerp in September.
With piracy high on the agenda, Her Royal Highness praised the work of Mission chaplains around the world, including Dubai, Tuticorin and Mombasa who have been providing care and assistance to crews kidnapped by pirates and the families who are left behind.
Her words echoed those of the preacher at the earlier Annual Service, the Secretary General of the Mission, the Revd Canon Bill Christianson, who preached his last sermon to Mission supporters before retiring at the end of June. Canon Christianson said that the society should use the service to recommit itself to the service of seafarers to ensure that it remains effective to those who come into contact with the society.
