The Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay
Position Description – Chaplain
Adopted by Board of Directors 11 March 2009
The Chaplain shall be appointed by the Bishop in consultation with the Board of Directors. (By-law 12.1)
The mission of the Mission to Seafarers is to promote the spiritual, moral and physical well being of Seafarers and their families world-wide. Seafarers include crew from ocean-going vessels, lakers, tugs, and coast guard vessels and people working for marine businesses and agencies in the Port of Thunder Bay. The Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay focuses primarily on seafarers from ocean-going vessels.
The Chaplain is responsible for the ministry of the Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay, under the direction of the Bishop of Algoma and the Board of Directors. The Chaplain ministers to seafarers and volunteers working for the Mission, and oversees the Mission to Seafarers including the operation of the Seafarers’ Centre and the supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator. The Chaplain is an official spokesperson the Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay.
The basic service that the Mission offers is for the Chaplain or a volunteer ship visitor to visit ocean going ships, bringing a bag of magazines and information on Thunder Bay and orienting the seafarers to Thunder Bay. Arrangements are made for seafarers to be picked up by the Mission to Seafarers' van, and the crew are driven to the Seafarers’ Centre at Keefer Terminal, then to shopping and back to the ship. When the crew is in port for more than a couple of days, and/or when wives and children are aboard the ship, a tour of the city and a visit to Old Fort William may be offered. Approximately thirty volunteers work for the Mission to Seafarers.
Provide a ministry of presence within the port:
visit, or ensure a ship visitor visits, each ocean going vessel within 24 hours of it coming alongside;
liaise with shipping agents;
update Vessel Report daily;
ensure the Ship’s Database (ship, crew nationality and date visited) is maintained; and
visit Coast Guard base and tugs.
Ensure pastoral care and services of the Mission are provided to seafarers:
be on-call, as the Seafarers’ Centre’s phone is to be forwarded to the Chaplain’s cell phone when the Centre is not in use;
arrange for transport for seafarers or pick them up himself;
visit, or ensure a volunteer visits, a seafarer in hospital; and
officiate at a funeral.
Ensure sacraments are provided to seafarers:
ensure seafarers are provided with information on local masses (Seafarers’ Guide to Thunder Bay);
celebrate a Eucharist or arrange for a priest to celebrate a Eucharist on board ship as requested;
officiate at a wedding.
Read publications to stay current on seafarers’ issues.
Ensure that the work of volunteers is well coordinated, that effective communication happens between the volunteers and staff, and that volunteers are well trained to do the tasks asked of them:
meet weekly with the Volunteer Coordinator and/or Seafarers Centre Manager;
celebrate at the monthly Eucharist and attend the lunch;
write letters to volunteers to keep them informed, 2 – 4 letters per year;
organize and attend volunteer meetings as required to exchange information with volunteers;
conduct Port Tour in van for volunteers, annually and as required;
update the Volunteer’s Handbook annually, and as required; and
train ship visitors.
Ensure that new volunteers are screened:
interview a prospective volunteer with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Provide pastoral care to volunteers:
visit volunteers in their home or coffee shop as a need arises.
Ensure that volunteers are recognized for their contributions:
oversee the organization of the annual Volunteer Recognition Social.
Assist the Board of Directors in full-filling its role:
consult with chair of the Board of Directors;
report to and attend the Board of Directors meetings;
draft correspondence as required;
produce Annual Report; and
attend Annual General meeting.
Ensure that print and web based public relations materials are produced and distributed that truthfully communicate the situation of seafarers and the needs of the Mission to Seafarers:
ensure statistics are recorded and complied;
ensure that the Friends database (Donor and Contact information) is maintained;
ensure public relations supplies are ordered from England;
ensure that print publicity materials are prepared and distributed to Deanery and Parish Reps;
write content for and edit 2 or 3 newsletters each year;
write or ensure one Algoma Anglican article is written each year;
write report for Diocesan Synod;
update Port of Thunder Bay web page; and
update Mission to Seafarers: Canada web page.
Speak on behalf of the Mission to Seafarers.
Chair the Blessing of the Fleet Committee and officiate at the service.
Oversee Sea Sunday planning and officiate at the service.
Work with the Board of Directors to raise funds for the Mission to Seafarers:
write fund-raising letters;
oversee Donor Recognition Program; and
conduct Port Tour for groups.
Maintain contact with other Maritime ministry organizations, and especially with the Episcopal Visitor for the Mission to Seafarers.
Liaise with Council of Clergy.
Keep computers working:
Make back up of computer data files.
Participate in Anglican gatherings:
attend weekly Anglican Clericus meetings,
attend Deanery Council (3 times a year);
attend Clergy School (bi-annual, 3 – 4 days); and
attend Diocesan Synod (bi-annual, 3 – 4 days).
Participate in Anglican work that promotes the ministry of the church.
The agreement between the Bishop of Algoma and the Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay is for the Chaplain’s position to be 2 days a week and 2 days a week as Incumbent of St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church. The Chaplain can be flexible in terms of how the time is worked over the course of a year.
The Chaplain works under the policy of the Diocese of Algoma. Currently the policy is one month’s vacation and two weeks study leave.
The Chaplain works under the policy of the Diocese of Algoma. The Executive Committee of the Diocese sets the policy for clergy.