A shared network of love in Rotterdam

The Revd Canon Michael Roden, Chaplain of St John and St Philip’s The Hague and outgoing Chair of Mission to Seafarers Rotterdam, shared the following story in the church’s weekly newsletter.

‘As the outgoing chair of Mission to Seafarers Rotterdam, it was a profound joy to welcome the Catholic Bishop of Rotterdam, Hans van den Hende, to our Seafarers centre this past Tuesday. In the vast, industrial landscape of the
Rotterdam port, hosting the Bishop was a beautiful reminder that our work is a shared network of love that transcends denominational lines. As we toured the Flying Angel Club, we were able to tell of the hard, isolated existence seafarers face, our journey in rebuilding the Mission’s 39 foundations and our profound desire to work ecumenically.

In my time as chair a primary goal has been restoring the vital and original bridge between this centre and St Mary’s Anglican Church Rotterdam. To ensure this work flourishes, we have focused on recruiting a stellar chaplaincy team: 
Revd Mark Hafkenscheid, who serves as our Chaplaincy Team Lead, and Revd Daniel Odhiambo, our dedicated Port Chaplain. Together, they are revitalizing our pastoral reach and ensuring the relationship with St Mary’s is one of mutual strength.

(left hand picture) Jenni Pridmore, Daniel Odhiambo, Catholic Bishop Hans van den Hende, Michael Roden and Mark Hafkenscheid

With the centre now in significantly better shape and our ecumenical partnerships with protestant and now with the Catholic church, I felt the time was right for a transition. I have officially handed over the Chair to Revd Jenni Pridmore. Her leadership marks a new chapter for the Mission in Rotterdam, allowing us to continue serving the half-million seafarers who pass through our docks with renewed energy. 

Having a warm and good-humoured relationship with other denominations is a key part of mission. Seeing the Bishop cheerfully put on protective boots and a hard hat to visit seafarers with Mark and Daniel at the Tweede Maasvlakte reaffirmed our shared mission: that hard pressed seafarers should feel valued and met with Christian compassion in this great port. The catholic diocese is running this ecumenical story on their website:
https://www.bisdomrotterdam.nl/nieuws/netwerk-van-liefde-nieuws/bisschop-van-
den-hende-bezoekt-mission-to-seafarers-en-rotterdamse-haven