After deadly typhoon, Episcopal ministry rescues Filipino seafarers

From the Episcopal Journal
January 2014 edition, Vol. IV, No. 1
By Jerry Hames

Chaplain James Kollin, center, with seafarers

Loggan, a Filipino seafarer on a Bahamas-registered cargo ship, had been at sea for four weeks, desperately anxious to get news about his family. After finally speaking with them and watching videos on his phone, posted by friends, that showed that they had survived, he asked for a few moments of quiet and then prayers for his family.

That scene played out in major ports across the world in November and December as anxious seafarers sought to learn about conditions at home after Typhoon Haiyan roared through the Philippines with sustaining winds of 190 miles per hour, making it stronger than all but three tropical cyclones in recorded history.

More than 5,000 deaths were caused by the devastating storm that affected an estimated 160,000 Filipino seafarers and their families. Maritime welfare agencies, many associated with Anglican and Episcopal churches, immediately sprang into action.

The U.K.–based Mission to Seafarers (formerly Mission to Seamen), which operates in many British Commonwealth countries, and the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), founded in 1847 by the Episcopal Church and supporting chaplaincies in the major ports of New York, New Jersey, and Oakland, Calif., responded instantly.

“The destructive typhoon that laid waste to the Philippines impacted millions of lives,” said the Rev. David Rider, president and executive director of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) from his New York office. He said each seafarer from the Philippines received a free phone card from chaplains or ship visitors. “Both our coastal centers provided free Wi-Fi, which seafarers used to send messages or make calls via webcams where possible.”

The task of one SCI intern at the Newark, N.J. port — Ryan Bruns, 22 — is to pick up seafarers who have visas and are allowed to leave their ship and drive them to and from a local shopping mall. One day he noticed a Filipino seafarer had returned empty handed.

“When I asked him why, he told me that he was saving money because his house was devastated by the typhoon, and he didn’t have money to buy anything,” Bruns, a college graduate from Cleveland, recalled.

On another occasion, Bruns and fellow intern Michelle McWilliams learned from a chief cook on a cargo vessel that his house in the Philippines had been destroyed. “The cook explained that he had put in a request to leave ship before his contract was finished, which the ship’s agent had approved,” Bruns said. “Anxious to get home to his family, he wanted to make sure they were really okay and to begin rebuilding their life together.”

One of the most inspiring stories, according to an account from Oliver Brewer, SCI’s director of information, came from Port Newark chaplain James Kollin who met a seafarer named Edito. The typhoon destroyed Edito’s house, the product of ten years of saving, and forced his wife and two-year-old son to flee. Five days after the storm hit, Edito finally reached his wife by phone.

“When I went to the ship, Edito told me about his property being devastated by the typhoon,” Kollin recounted to Episcopal Journal. “He came from ground zero of the typhoon. His family was safe, they moved to a relative’s house in a safer area, but his house and property was destroyed,” he said.

Kollin, 50, who was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of the North Central Philippines, came to the United States 13 years ago and began as an intern with SCI in 1997-98. Because he is proficient in Tagalog, one of the two major languages in the Philippines (the other is English), he is a valuable resource for the Port Newark maritime ministry.

Ordinary Seaman Edito, who has the lowest among ranks, expressed to SCI his appreciation for his job as a seafarer—work that enables him to sustain his family, to help his neighbors and to someday build another house, the chaplain said.

According to maritime records, Filipinos serving in the global shipping fleet (close to 364,000 seafarers) make up 28 percent of the crews of all ocean-going vessels.

In California, Adrienne Yee, who herself served for eight years as an officer on an ocean-going vessel, is now director of SCI’s International Maritime Center in Oakland. Like the SCI centers on the East Coast, the Oakland facility is an agent for a money-transfer system that enables seafarers to send money home.

“They have been coming in from the very beginning when the typhoon hit,” Yee said in December. “Some were unable to connect because of communications being down. On one occasion guys huddled around one seafarer who had not heard from [his family] … and on Facebook he saw a posting of them.

“That brought on a lot of cheers and smiles … we see the anticipation, we see the anxiety.”

The inability to connect with loved ones at home often leads to a call for a chaplain. “We are very sensitive to their issues,” Yee said. “We talk to them, ask questions, ask whether they want counselling or pastoral care. I have spoken with many over the past several days,” she said in an interview on Dec. 5, “and things are just beginning to settle down.”

The West Coast maritime ministry has three full-time chaplains supplemented by lay Eucharistic ministers. The team also includes an intern from the Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps, Charles Ledbetter from Southern California.

“We are ecumenical,” said Yee. “We have many different denominations under one roof, including a Roman Catholic priest, a Korean Presbyterian and a retired Lutheran pastor. But for all of us, we have one goal—and that is to service the seafarers.”

Adrienne Yee, director of the SCI's International Marine Center in Oakland, Calif., at the Port of Oakland with seafarers from the container ship William Shakespeare.

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Jerry Hames is a senior correspondent for Episcopal Journal.
Top photo courtesy of James Kollin/SCI Newark.
Bottom photo courtesy of Adrienne Yee/SCI Oakland.


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Utah Bishop on Court’s Lifting the Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

December 21, 2013

[Episcopal Diocese of Utah]  As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, I rejoice that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby has struck down Utah’s Amendment 3.  All people should have the right to due process and equal protection enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Gay and lesbian people are human beings with hopes, dreams, and the need for love. I celebrate that now they will have access to the same fulfillment enjoyed by heterosexual people. They are people made in the image of God.

Many people will find this ruling difficult. The change that this represents will cause them heartache, frustration, and a feeling that our country is going in the wrong direction. Understanding, compassion and prayer for people who deplore this decision is important. They are people made in the image of God. I will be offering my prayers for them.

We are one people. We are one state. We can and must work to make Utah into the place where all people are treated with respect and dignity, and where God is seen in the face of each and every person. As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, I will continue to welcome all people into The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Scott B. Hayashi

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About Bishop Hayashi

Nov. 6, 2010 Photo

The Right Reverend Scott B. Hayashi was consecrated as the Eleventh Bishop of Utah on November 6, 2010, following his election in May, 2010.

Bishop Hayashi served as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Chicago, for five years, prior to his Utah election. In his Chicago position, he acted as the Bishop’s confidante, Chief of Staff to 20 employees, deployment officer, consultant on congregational development, as leader of Diocesan Council, and as general troubleshooter for the diocese. Prior to holding that position, Scott was a parish priest from 1984-2005, serving in parishes in Washington, Ogden, Utah, and California.

Bishop Hayashi was the youngest of 3 children from an unchurched family from Tacoma, Washington, and he is the only active Christian from this nuclear family. His desire to know and to understand spirituality in general led him to a longing to know Christ when he was 15-years old. He has been engaged in critical Bible study since his conversion.

Hayashi attended Harvard Divinity School where he met his wife, Amy, who was then a student at Episcopal Divinity School. They have been married for 29 years and have three daughters ages 27, 23, and 15. His undergraduate work was at the University of Washington where he received a Bachelor of Social Work degree. He also obtained a Certificate of Theology from CDSP in 1984.

The Bishop was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Spokane in 1984. In addition to his work in the Diocese of Chicago, he has acted as a Conference Leader for CREDO since 1999 and has worked with nearly 600 clergy of The Episcopal Church in the area of wellness and development. He has served in rural, urban and suburban parishes, thus drawing on a variety of experience in a broad spectrum of the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Hayashi has fought for the dignity of all humans in our immigration laws, health care for all, rights for all who are made in God’s image, and respect for those of other faith traditions.

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Statement by General Seminary's President on Bishop Suffragan-Elect Allen Shin

On Saturday, December 7, the Rev. Allen K. Shin (General Theological Seminary Class of 1996, STM 2001) was declared the bishop suffragan-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of New York at a special election held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. 

Shin, who is currently rector of St. John's Church, Huntington, New York, was elected by a majority of the active clergy and by a majority of the lay delegates who participated in the election.

"Alan is a great leader of the Church," praised the Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle, Dean and President of The General Theological Seminary. "Many recognized him as such this past Saturday. General is proud to send forth its beloved son into the wider Church, well prepared 17 years ago on this very Close."

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Bp. Provenzano: "Blessings on the Diocese of New York at the Election of a Bishop Suffragan"

The clergy and people of the Diocese of Long Island extend to all our sisters and brother in the Diocese of New York our sincere congratulations on the election of one of our beloved priests, Fr. Allen K.  Shin, as the bishop suffragan-elect of New York.  

May the love, grace, mercy and joy of Jesus Christ continue to bless the Diocese of New York as it moves forward in mission. 

The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano 

Bishop of Long Island

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The Rev. Allen K. Shin Elected Bishop Suffragan on 4th Ballot

Bishop Suffragan-Elect

At 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at the special election convention held at Manhattan’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, the Rev. Allen K. Shin was declared the bishop suffragan-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

The new bishop suffragan will work alongside and under the direction of the 16th Bishop of New York, the Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche. Shin, who is currently rector of St. John’s Church, Huntington, LI, NY was elected on the 4th round of balloting by a majority of the active clergy of the diocese in attendance at convention and of the lay delegates in attendance from congregations of the diocese.

Shin was one of five candidates nominated in early October by the Committee to Elect a Bishop, which began work following the call for the election of a suffragan by Bishop Dietsche’s predecessor as diocesan, Bishop Mark S. Sisk, at the diocese’s annual convention in November 2012. Bishop Sisk retired, and Bishop Dietsche was installed as XVI Bishop of New York, on February 2, 2013.

The bishop suffragan-elect must now receive the consent of a majority both of the other diocesan bishops of the Episcopal Church and of the standing committees of the Church’s dioceses, before being consecrated in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Saturday, May 17, 2014.

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Current Position:

2010 – Present
Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Huntington, LI, NY

Previous Ministries and Positions:

2005 – 2010
Fellow and Chaplain, Keble College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

2002 – 2005
Honorary Assistant, All Saints Church, Margaret Street, London

1996 – 2001
Curate/Assistant, Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, 
New York, NY

1996 – 1999
Assistant Officer, Episcopal Asian American Ministry, Episcopal Church Center, New York, NY

Education:

2001 – 2005
Post-Graduate Research in Patristic Studies, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

2001
Master of Sacred Theology, General Theological Seminary, New York, NY

1996
Master of Divinity, General Theological Seminary, New York, NY

1983
Bachelor of Art, Music/Vocal Performance, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Ordination:

12/07/1996
Ordination to Priesthood, Diocese of New York

06/15/1996
Ordination to Diaconate, Diocese of Chicago

Highlights of Diocesan, National Offices and Community Leadership:

• Faculty Member, School for Deacons at Mercer School of Theology, Diocese of Long Island

• Board Member, Protestant Campus Ministry at Hofstra University, Long Island Council of Churches

• Huntington Inter-faith Clergy Association

• Episcopal Asian America Ministry Commission, Diocese of Long Island

• National Episcopal Korean Ministries Convocation

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Sermon reflection on Typhoon Haiyun

Sermon on November 17, 2013 by
The Rev. Debra Low-Skinner
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Saratoga, California

They say that a woman shouldn’t reveal her age.  Well, I’m all about “Truth, Justice, and the American Way”!  So I am proud to say that, last month, I celebrated my 61st birthday.  One thing about living some three score years is that one has seen and experienced a lot of stuff, some of which were pretty traumatic.  Beyond family of origin issues, there were political crises like the intractable gridlock in Congress and the recent Government shutdown; economic crises like the Great Recession; and international crises like the continuing Mideast conflict and War on Terror.  But, in polite company, one is not supposed to talk about politics or religion.  So, let’s talk about the weather!

Having lived on the East Coast and in California, I have been through some pretty serious climatological disasters:

• There was the Big Northeast Power Blackout that took place in August 2003.  Don and I had just moved to Long Island when, during a particularly oppressive hot and humid summer day, a software bug at a power station in Ohio—yes, Ohio, the home state of our Rector Channing—took down the entire power grid of the Eastern Seaboard.  It affected some 55M people living in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and Ontario.  It was the second worse widespread power outage in the past 25 years.  Don and I didn’t have air conditioning or lighting; we couldn’t charge our computers and cell phones; and, because the rectory had an electric stove, we couldn’t cook anything for nearly 24 hours.

• There were a few notable winter storms that we saw on the south coast of Massachusetts and New York. But one particularly nasty Nor’easter dumped 18-24” of snow in one day in Feb 2010.  It was named by pundits at the “Washington Post” and by Jon Stewart of the “Daily Show” as “Snow-mageddon” or the “Snow-pocalypse”.  For hours, Don and I checked the snowfall outside and periodically went out to shovel snow from beyond our front and back doors, to keep a path open out of the house and to the car.  We couldn’t drive anywhere because the roads hadn’t been plowed for hours, and stores and offices and local transit were shut down for a day.

• Then, of course, like most people who lived here in the Bay Area at the time, we lived through the Loma Prieta (or so-called “World Series”) Earthquake that took place In October 1989.  How many here experienced the Earthquake?  It was a 6.9 magnitude geological shift/jolt along the San Andreas Fault that leveled houses, caused power and telephone outages and gas pipeline explosions, collapsed part of the Bay Bridge killing 42 people, injured thousands of others, wreaked $6B in property damage, and disrupted all our lives for days and weeks afterwards.   With a slight case of PTSD, how many of us remembered shuttering with dread with each aftershock that came?

Yet, throughout all these traumatic events, we persevered.  We made adjustments and learned new things.  We repaired and replaced what was damaged or lost.  We got to know our neighbors better, as we pulled together and helped each other out.  We discovered how strong and resilient we are, as we eventually recovered our equilibrium.  And, by the grace of God, we survived and recognized how truly blessed we are for our lives and having our loved ones still around us.

So, those of us who have been through such disruptions and disasters have some inkling, some sense of understanding, of what the people in the central Philippines are going through, after being struck over a week ago by Super-typhoon Haiyun (also known as Yolanda).  Officials have said that this is the worse cyclone in 25 years.  With 195 mph winds and 230 mph gusts, its destructive force was 1-1/2 times more powerful than Hurricane Katrina and over twice as powerful as Super-Storm Sandy last year.  It is estimated that some 4,000 persons are dead, 2M have been displaced, and there is at least $14B in damage.

Looking at photos in the news, the devastation is massive and mind-bog-gling, with miles and miles of villages and coastlands flattened and debris everywhere.  Aside from a nuclear blast of human origin, one wonders if such widespread and horrific destruction could have been an act of God?

We read from the Book of Job (38:1, 17-18, 25) that “God answered Job out of the whirlwind.  ‘Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, and a way for the thunderbolt?  Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?  Declare, if you know this?’”  Then we read, later on in Job (42:1-3), “Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.’”

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke (21:9a,11), Jesus said, “…do not be terrified…there will be great earthquakes and, in various places, famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.”

Certainly, for the Filippinos suffering mightily from the Super-typhoon, it must seem like the end of the world and the apocalypse has come.  They must be asking themselves, “What have we done deserve this?  Have we angered God (or at least Mother Nature) in some way?  Is God teaching us a lesson?”

And yet we know, from our previous personal experiences of disasters, that by the grace of God and through long hard work, communal cooperation, perseverance, and the charitable generosity and kindness of multitudes upon multitudes of strangers, the survivors of Tacloban and Leyte Province will come through this.  Like Job, they will gain a much better appreciation of themselves, and an appreciation of the sanctity of human life, and an appreciation of the awesome and all-powerful love and mercy of God, our Creator and Savior and Sustainer.

I urge all of us, who have been through our own share of traumatic events and have made it through “to tell the tale”, to be generous in giving to the Episcopal Relief and Development Disaster Fund, which is helping to aid the victims of Super-typhoon.  Let us pray for help and healing for the survivors, and for the safety of those who are traveling there to bring them food and medical aid.   Let us pray for those who may have lost their faith in the face of catastrophic loss.  And let us stand with them, with our hearts open and compassions stirred, as we together sing the words from today’s Canticle 9/Hymn 679:

Surely it is God who saves me; trusting him, I shall not fear.
For the Lord defends and shields me and his saving help is near.
So rejoice as you draw water from salvation’s living spring;
In the day of your deliverance thank the Lord, his mercies sing.

Amen.

DebraL@st-andrews-saratoga.org
Office:  408 867-3493 ext. 244

Pastoral Associate
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
13601 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga CA  95070
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References:  Wikipedia:  “Northeast Power Outage 2003”, “Snow-maged-don”, “Loma Prieta Earthquake”; “Time” magazine, 25 Nov 2013 and www.CNN.com on “Super-typhoon Haiyun”.

Prayer Vigil on Friday, December 6 for Typhoon Haiyan Victims

The Episcopal Asian American Ministry of the Diocese of Long Island is sponsoring a Prayer Vigil for the victims of the typhoon and their families on Friday, Dec 6, at 7 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 149-49 Sanford Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. 

Fr. Dario Palasi and Fr. Fred Vergara are coordinating the event. 

For more information, contact Fr. Palasi: dariopalasi@aol.com 



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