A Farewell Message from both of us…

06/06/2007 by the walkers.

Following the walk - we can finally say, “been there; done that; got the T-shirt”. However that would not be the end, as we have learned so much from the experience, not only of the walk, but about how the charity can be helped by those of us who live inland, and who cannot get involved in ship visiting and hands-on supporting seafarers. The recent celebration of World Communication Sunday brought this home to us. We can be proactive in other ways, like the non parishioner in Haltwhistle, who knits a supply of woolly hats for the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) following an appeal within the parish

The AOS leaflets are now part of my personal effects; I have a supply in the car, in my handbag, ready to hand out to those interested in hearing about the walk. The current supply of leaflets are very relevant as, thanks to Tony, each contains a label with the website address, so when people ask about the walk, they don’t have to remember to write it down, the leaflet is handed to them and it’s there, together with the bullet points about the charity – spreading the news.

As an aside - on the second day of the walk, we came across eight Evangelist clergymen who were promoting the Christian faith around the Lakes by various walks. When they approached us, we checkmated them before they were able to pass their literature to us, by handing them the AOS leaflet and telling them about our mission. We met up with them later at one of the hotels as we were having an evening meal, when they invited us to listen to the Bishop of Carlisle.

The gem of the AOS pocket-size leaflets, was also instrumental in prompting one of our neighbours to inform us that she would be posting it to her son in the South of England to urge him to consider becoming a Ship Visitor.

Unable to attend a recent reunion in London, I used my letter of apology to highlight the charity and enclosing the leaflet, and was delighted to subsequently receive a donation.

The Polo Shirts which Tony supplied with the Coast to Coast message on them, and the T-shirts with the additional message(‘taking steps for seafarers’) are also providing opportunities to talk about seafarers and the charity.

So as we reluctantly and sadly sign off the blog now that the walk is well and truly over, we are looking forward to meeting members of the AOS on Saturday during the annual pilgrimage to Holy Island. Eddie and I wish to say how much we have enjoyed being part of this charity and sharing the fellowship. You do a great job and we are sorry we are not living near a port to partake in your mission, but we hope we have tried in our own way, to ‘Cast the Nets out into the Deep”, and as St. Basil writes, “Bloom where you are planted”, it only remains for us to wish you well and ask the Lord to bless each and every one of you.

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