How QVSR's work inspired Revd Helen Cameron

After a brilliant visit to the Queen Victoria Seamans Rest (QVSR) in Poplar, London, on 17 October to see the QVSR's work and deliver the 4th Annual Revd David Roe Lecture, I am tempted to launch a connexion photograph competition for the most interesting location where the British Methodist Church name and logo can be found.

I say this because when I visited the QVSR in Poplar I was reminded of the work now being done by them in providing chaplaincy and support services to seafarers in Bristol, Immingham, Tilbury, and London Gateway as well as the lovely set of premises in Poplar which offers a home to 190 men some of whom are seafarers, some are those made homeless for a range of reasons, including those who have served in the armed forces. The work in Poplar is supported by a large diverse team involved in welfare support and settlement work in supporting finding permanent homes. So, the Methodist Church name and logo are now to be found on a rest lounge on the quayside for seafarers at Tilbury.

I was struck by the quality of the chaplaincy offered by the Revd Cameron Kirkwood, the wonderful staff team and the very pleasant environment at Poplar. One visitor had wondered if the quality of the provision was “too good” for people who would otherwise be homeless but was rebutted with the response from staff that “the best” was something we should all, despite our circumstances, be offered because we all mattered to God and we all bear God’s image. That response is worth us all reflecting on in terms of what we offer in our contexts and communities as the Methodist Church. At Poplar accommodation provided is bright and light, there is a good restaurant, artwork on the walls, a cinema space and a lovely chapel where prayers are said each work and which is often used by residents seeking peace and a space for reflection.

For a Church seeking to do “what is right, seek justice and challenge oppression” I found the work being done by the QVSR team both inspiring and challenging. I found the detailed attention paid to the lives of the seafarers, the offering of safe space, rest, and re-creation for seafarers who are often away from family and community for very long periods, to be deeply impressive. One important reflection was how hard it was to have any privacy of any kind for phone calls because seafarers always share berths – so the provision of private space in a rest lounge by QVSR for those seafarers who may only have a brief rest period to make a private call has been made. There was strong evidence that staff listened carefully to the needs of those they seek to serve – the question was asked, “What do you need”? The persistence shown by chaplains in getting Covid jabs to seafarers by encouraging immunisation teams to go on board ships increased the take-up and increased the health and well-being of the crew.

The work done by QVSR in paying attention to the needs of seafarers as God pays attention to the whole world is inspiring, ambitious and excellent. I want to suggest that focused or deep observation is the beginning of attentiveness and attentiveness is the beginning of faithful witness. We are called to watch over one another in love because God watches over us and enters our world as incarnate and embodied to be present fully. In the incarnation, we celebrate the mystery that God is folded with us, with all humanity, in time and space, in Christ and his gaze on us, is a gaze of love.

Please pray for the ongoing work, for seafarers, for all those using the centres at Polar, Bristol, Immingham, Tilbury and London Gateway, and for the staff team including the brilliant chaplaincy teams.

If you want to contribute to the work of the QVSR please make contact on-line www.qvsr.org.uk