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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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October 2005 |
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The nomads of the seaHaven’t seen my family for 10 months! Which port am I in? What is this country? Saw my new baby for the first time on your Internet. Sent my photo with your web-cam. Thanks for you selling toothpaste! These are typical comments made by seafarers using the ‘Flying Angel Club’ of the Mission to Seafarers in Morrison Street, Hobart. The Mission supplies a vital ministry of Christian love and care for those who regularly spend six to twelve months or more away from their families and homes. The Flying Angel Club is staffed by a very small band of volunteers when there is a ship in port. Most ships are in port for 12 to 14 hours or two days at most. Consequently crews have very limited opportunity to contact families or friends and appreciate the facilities of the Flying Angel Club, which includes internet and email access and phone-booths for use with phone cards. Most international seafarers are not present for children’s birthdays, or when a family member dies, or to celebrate Christmas or other important family occasions. The Flying Angel Club has a small Chapel and quiet area (impossible to find on a ship), a reading room with books and Bibles in a variety of languages, tv and video facilities. Seafarers appreciate being able to play 8-ball, table tennis and table soccer on a floor (or deck) that does not go up and down or from side to side! As well, there is a kiosk with basic toiletries, sweets, a few souvenirs, etc. With the coming cruise ship season and the Antarctic supply ships starting their voyages this month, there is a desperate need for more people to spend a few hours each week (or less often), to keep this vital service open. At least two volunteers are rostered when the Mission is open. The Hobart Mission to Seafarers is one of more than 300 world-wide. Resulting from the work of the Rev. John Ashley, it was established in England in 1835 as an Anglican Mission to care for the spiritual and physical welfare of seamen of all races, faiths and nationalities. Now the majority of crews are from Asia, Africa or Eastern Europe and, sadly, sometimes work and live in very poor conditions. The Mission in Hobart was founded 90 years ago in the former St David’s City Mission Church in Campbell Street. In the 1950s larger premises were built in Hunter Street on the site of the present Grand Chancellor Hotel. This centre had accommodation for seafarers and a Chaplain as well as recreational and worship facilities. In 1985 the Mission moved to its present site at 31 Morrison Street. Although the Club no longer provides accommodation, it does seek to meet the changed needs of seafarers who are usually only in port for a day or two. A former chairman of the Hobart Committee and still an active and enthusiastic volunteer is Mr Jack Tomes who has notched up over 67 years of service to the Mission. Consider positively becoming a volunteer to continue this vital ministry to the ‘nomads of the sea’ and above all, pray for those who bring our daily needs to us across the sea and for those ministering through the Mission to Seafarers.
The new Chaplain, the Rev. Bruce Mitchell 03 6265 8720, Management Committee Chairman Mike Ashmore 03 6295 1841, Scott Cook Centre Manager 0437 077 753, or State Chair Arthur Hinsley 03 6229 2046 would love to hear from willing volunteers. A simple pamphlet with more information for volunteers can be sent to you.
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