September 3rd is Merchant Navy Day. Here, I remember my introduction to The East Midlands Branch of the Vindicatrix Association where I discovered a whole new world of retired Merchant Seafarers and their families. There, I learnt about blessings, listening, hospitality, humour and teamwork. We all rely on Merchant seafarers across the world and today, many are in danger and hardship.
The sun shone into the busy study and lit up books, papers and teacups, along with souvenirs of a lifetime of ministry in the Church of England. It was summer 2022. I had completed my college training and been ordained as a deacon. My training continued while living and working as a curate in a large and busy parish. Revd. Bryan, may he rest in peace and rise in glory, was my vicar and training incumbent. He was very experienced, hardworking, humorous, wise and knowledgeable. He cared passionately about parish ministry and passed that passion onto me.
That sunny day, I was still feeling brand new, self-conscious and out of my depth. Bryan, was skilled at challenging me with tasks beyond my experience or ability. He had been invited to a meeting of the local branch of The Vindicatrix Association and there to bless the British Red Ensign.
He volunteered me to do it instead of him.
To my shame, I knew nothing about the Merchant Navy, and I’d never heard of The Red Ensign.
Not for the first time, my mam came to my rescue. In no uncertain terms, she told me to be grateful for the Merchant Navy, because without them, the people of Britain would have starved during the second World War, and I wouldn’t have been born!
So, one Saturday morning, armed with a speech written by my mother and a prayer of blessing approved by Bryan, I braved the interior of the Ex-Servicemen’s Victory Club.
Walking into a room full of strangers and introducing myself was a skill I needed to learn and would use constantly as a parish priest.
I was welcomed warmly and invited to speak. I passed on my mother’s personal thanks to the Merchant Navy and acknowledged the 35,000 merchant seamen who were lost during the Second World War. This brought tears to some old eyes.
The Red Ensign (Red Duster) is the civil ensign for merchant and passenger ships. At that meeting, a brand new one was unfurled and I prayed a prayer of dedication and blessing.
The Vindicatrix Association is made up of seafarers who trained on the Training Ship Vindicatrix at Sharpness. This training ship closed down in 1966, so the men I met were all retired. I was asked to be chaplain to the Midlands Branch. I knew nothing about being a chaplain and said I’d have to ask Bryan, who of course said yes, I must do it.
One of them told me sheepishly that I probably wouldn’t be asked to do many Christenings but would be asked to take funerals!
Thus began a fascinating five years of meetings, dinners, dances, church services and yes funerals.
The Vindi Boys were friendly and ready to talk. I looked at many photographs of shiploads of memories and listened to countless stories, which were sometimes watered by tears. It hadn’t been an easy life.
I learnt about camaraderie and teamwork, between men of different nationalities and beliefs and I learnt the importance of each person doing their job well and trusting that everyone else did the same. Their lives depended on it.
I learnt about the difficulty of transporting treacle through different climates and crossing the international dateline.
I learnt about hospitality and humour, friendly rivalry and enjoyed Christmas parties where my mam was an honoured guest.
I will not forget them or what I learnt.
Today, we still rely on merchant seafarers across the world and many of them are working in dangerous and difficult situations. Think of them when you hear world leaders arguing over the Strait of Hormuz.
Next week, I’ll tell you more about parish ministry when I remember the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
Wander Well,
Mandy.
Things I love:
- Hearing life stories.
- A challenge.
- Being a priest in the Church of England.
