The Seafarers Mission Celebrate 150 years

 

Celebrations for the 150^th Anniversary of the Seafarers Mission took place on Wednesday 16th July at St Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth. 

 

The service began with a procession led by the church warden followed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Great Yarmouth; The Queen’s representative, Barry Capon, (Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Norfolk) ;  The Rev Canon Chris Ivory from Kings Lynn. Rev Peter Paine (Port Chaplain); Rev Tom Heffer (Director of Ministry Mission to Seafarers); Rev Irene Knowles (Rural Dean) and The Rev Canon Woods.

 

The Rev Peter Paine paused the procession at the West Door to set the scene and to name and remember those who had lost their lives in a helicopter crash. He recalled that it was on a clear summer’s evening, Tuesday 16^th of July 2002, when the Bristow Sikorsky S76 helicopter, contracted to Shell UK Exploration and Production, left the Sole Pit Clipper gas platform bound for Leman gas field. Onboard were two pilots and nine passengers who had completed work offshore and were travelling home. It was at 19.44 when the aircraft suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure and crashed into the sea with the loss of all lives. At the West door entrance you can read the names and also a poem which has been dedicated to the crew. Rev Paine finished with a prayer and a wreath was laid in remembrance and respect by the Mayor Councillor Terry Easter on behalf of the Borough.

 

 

The procession then proceeded to the front of the church and the service continued with a hymn for all the Saints during which the Seafarers flag was raised above the high altar displaying the flying Angel.

 

A very warm welcome was given by The Rev Canon Michael Woods to everyone present.

 

His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Terry Easter, took a look into the past and present and spoke about how Great Yarmouth had always been a coastal town since the fishermen had set up home there. The Mission for Seamen was formed 152 years ago by the Anglican Church and after two years the first mission centre was established in Great Yarmouth.  He spoke of how the town had experienced great prosperity followed by hard times. Today we may be looking at a new generation of wind turbines on land and sea and the outer harbour which is now taking shape.

 

 

 

 

The mayor spoke about the great work of the Seafarers Mission and the work of the Chaplains in helping seamen when they are away from their homes and families. These seamen often suffer great hardship through sickness, financial problems and various hardships. The Rev Peter Paine was commended for the great work that he is doing as Port Chaplain. In 1975 the church set aside a special Sunday to remember the Seafarers to thank them in prayer and song for bringing produce from all over the world to us. Sea Sunday is celebrated all over the world and tonight this is our Sea Sunday and we are remembering Seafarers all around the world.

 

 

Children from the Wroughton Middle School Singing Club, sang several nautical hymns with great enthusiasm which was much appreciated by all present. 

 

 

 

The Sea Cadets from Yarmouth and Lowestoft Units also took part in the service; Rev Peter Paine commended them for their professionalism and said that they were a credit to their unit.

 

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The service was brought to a close with a thank you from Rev Peter Paine to everyone who had contributed in making the evening so special and to the congregation for attending the service.

 

By Yvonne Hill

Photos supplied by Roger Hill (Mr Snappy)