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"Welcome a Stranger and send off a friend"
The Story of
the Mission to Seafarers began in England in 1835 when an Anglican clergyman,
John Ashley, was on holiday near Bristol. He noticed the ships anchored
offshore awaiting a favorable wind and became curious about the seafarers
on board. When he visited them he found that no clergyman had ever been
near them before. He was so moved by their isolation and need that he
gave up a secure living to start a ministry to them. His work soon inspired
Anglican
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ministries in other
ports, and it was decided in 1856 that there should be one organization
to co-ordinate and expand this ministry to seafarers. It is now called
The Mission to Seafarers and also known as Flying Angel Club worldwide.
The Tuticorin Seafarers'
Centre is a unit of CSI, Tirunelveli Diocese and a branch of the Mission
to Seafarers, London. Through the Mission to Seafarers, London the buildings
were donated by the ITF Seafarers Trust, London and were dedicated to
the glory of God and for the welfare of the seafarers worldwide on September
17, 1995. The very nature of seafarers' work means that they need special
consideration. Their isolation and long absences from their homes and
families tend either to accentuate problems or create them. They need
people who are aware of their special circumstances, who are there where
their ship is docked, and who are prepared to offer a welcome, help with
problems, and provide facilities for contact with home.
The
Objectives:
a) To provide a welcome and friendship to seafarers of all races and creeds
helping them in unfamiliar surroundings to overcome difficulties of language
and culture.
b) To help and counsel seafarers in need, in times of crisis or in cases
of injustice.
c) To work closely with other denominations, showing seafarers that Christians
are united in concern for their well being.
How
Seafarers are Benefited through the Club:
a) We take pleasure in welcoming seamen of all faiths and nationalities
to our club, which is one of 300 other clubs, run around the world.
b) Seafarers are visited on board their ship every day morning by the
Port Chaplain to give counsel and pray-for them and to allow them to share
their grievances if any.
c) We offer free pick-up at ship side to and from the club. We send our
minibus to their ship at 17.30 hours every evening. If they work late,
they can call us over phone so that we can collect them any time until
19.30 hours. We look after their needs from the time they arrive in our
club. We close at 21.30 daily.
d) We deal in dollars, so seafarers don't lose time or money at the exchange.
e) They can enjoy soft drinks, write their letters and make their calls
home in air-conditioned comfort.
f) We look after their mail and they don't have to visit the post office.
g) We have a small shop where they can buy essential items, such as toiletries
and stationery, at competitive prices.
h) They are provided with leisure facilities such as pool table. table
tennis, etc.
i) We have a chapel where we conduct Communion and Worship services for
the Christian seafarers at any time they request.
j) Or the Chaplain can hold a mass for Christian seamen aboard their ship
by making arrangement with their captain.
k) If they are interested, on Sundays we take them to the church in city
where they can take part in the mass along with the public.
1) We arrange trips to city or nearby places (within the limits of municipal
boundary) for shopping or sight seeing at their request.
Future
Plans:
As there is no sufficient room for accommodation of Pool Table and Gymnasium
at the Centre, plans are there to expand and modify the existing structure
of the centre building. Further to attract more seafarers to use the club,
an adjacent land can be purchased for construction of a swimming pool.
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