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Dear Friends,
We have been watching Saving Lives at Sea during this spring. It describes the wide variety of situations that the RNLI attend. The RNLI stations in the area remind us of protecting people at sea.
The second Sunday in July (14th July this year) is also Sea Sunday. This particularly makes us remember the work of the Mission to Seafarers (formerly Missions to Seamen). Having been an Honorary Chaplain for them for a number of years I have had a long interest in the sea – my Dutch Grandfather worked at sea for many years before becoming a Lighthouse keeper in Holland.
The Mission to Seamen works worldwide in conjunction with other similar organizations. But there is also the Fishermen’s Mission which looks after fishermen within Britain. Their local base here is at Lowestoft. The work was inspired by the tragedies of two groups of fishing boats going to sea in calm water but most of the fishermen died in a sudden rough wind. One was at Eyemouth and the other off the Island of Yell in Shetland. The Mission continues to support families where fishermen have died or been injured; they also help fishermen in other domestic situations.
The Mission to Seafarers continues to look after seafarers when in port. These have centres where crew can go and relax, ring home or buy necessities. Chaplains also visit ships in port and be ready to listen or just chat. They bring support and friendship and help where there are issues or worries.
In a different way, the Mission attends worldwide conferences involving shipping companies and associated organizations. Its concern is the welfare of seafarers; such issues include fatigue from long hours or loneliness from being away from home for long periods. These can reduce their safety at sea. The Mission would also help if seafarers suffer from accidents on ship.
All three organisations remind us that God’s concern is for all people in all situations. This was also shown in Jesus’ ministry. In particular the disciples had to learn to trust in him. This is something that we, as a Church, must always remember. And thinking of Sea Sunday it is an opportunity to remember also how many people there are involved in bringing food and many other goods by ship. We pray for their safety and security.
With good wishes
Canon William
A Prayer for the Mission to Seafarers:
Lord God, be the canoe that holds us in the sea of life. Be the rudder that keeps us on the straight course. Be the outrigger that supports us in times of great testing. May your spirit fill our sails to carry us through the day, and keep our bodies strong so that we may paddle steadfastly on the voyage of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for Seafarers:
O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreads out the heavens and rules the raging of the seas, receive into your protection all those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business on the great waters of the world. Preserve them both in body and soul, prosper their labours with good success, in all times of danger, be their defence, and bring them to the haven where they would be. We ask this in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
A Prayer for the Families of Seafarers:
We pray for the families of seafarers, often separated for long periods from their fathers, husbands, mothers and wives. Protect those families and help them stay close together until they are reunited. Bless the children of seafarers at school and at college and help them in their learning. We pray all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
PRAYER CORNER
“Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian. If it is well cultivated and nourished it will produce fruit, but if it is neglected, it will wither and die.”
Please pray--
· For our government and political leaders, that those who govern may be governed by God’s love and that the Holy Spirit may guide them to speak out for what is right and take action to build a better future.
· For all the countries that are going through conflict and political instability; we ask for peace, and that their citizens be free from fear and know stability once more.
· For people throughout the world who struggle to get enough food. May God inspire us all to reach out with small acts of love, making a big difference, so that no one goes hungry.
· For the Church throughout the world: that she may be a sign of God’s love for all people and a beacon of hope for all who are in need.
· For our services across the Benefice that they will engage and connect with people in a special way.
· For our Benefice and Parishioners, especially those who are suffering with their health; and the recently bereaved.
· For our parish community: that we may be moved by God’s love to reach out to others in our turn, especially to those who are poor, so that no one may feel abandoned, forgotten or alone.
· For everyone who is sick or afraid, bereaved or isolated and we pray for all who support them. May God grant each of them peace and comfort, courage and perseverance.
· For our Churchwardens – Peter, Robert, Connie, Jean, Rosemary and Stephen.
· For the members of the Parochial Church Councils.
· For the WILD-er Church initiative.
· For the Open Book initiative.
SAFEGUARDING, HELP AND ADVICE
Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of children and adults at risk of, or experiencing, emotional, psychological, physical or spiritual harm and/or neglect.
Safeguarding means enabling those who are affected to live safely, free from any kind of abuse or neglect. It is about people and organizations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and actual experience of abuse in all of its forms.
We take safeguarding very seriously, at all of the Benefice Churches and care about all those we seek to serve within our churches and our communities.
We conform to the policy of Norwich Diocese which can be found at https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/about/safeguarding
If you believe that either yourself or someone you know may be at risk of harm or neglect, please contact the Benefice Safeguarding Officer Rev. Paul Yeomans 07437203535 to discuss your concerns and what the next steps might be.
Alternatively, you may contact the Norwich Diocese Safeguarding Team by email at [email protected] or by telephone on: 01603 882345.
If you yourself or someone you know is in immediate danger of being harmed then please call 999 to be advised by the emergency services.
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