RMNews Issue3•2022 Remembrance2022 infoinside
Supportonlife’s journey www.railwaymission.org RailwayMission RugbyRailwayStation Rugby•CV213LA office@railwaymission.org support@railwaymission.org 02038877000 RailwayMissionisaregisteredcharityinEngland andWales(1128024)andinScotlandSC045897).A companylimitedbyguaranteeinEnglandand Wales(06519565) 2 3 FromtheTop 4 Thanksforsupporting RailwayMission 6 Remembrance 8 RailwayMissionConference 10 Seeingallsidesofadispute 11 Backattheshowfor2022 12 Caringforcarers 14 RidingtheElizabethLine 16 CommonwealthGames Report 18 AlexVolossevichInterview 20 MissionontheMersey 22 FreeWillsextension 24 Chaplains’Prayer&Info 30 SixwaystosupportRailway Mission 32 Theyhelpedmethroughthe hardtimes CoverPhoto•NorthernRailstockontheWhitchester TunnelapproachbetweenNewcastleandCarlisle by6089GardeneratFlickr.
Supportonlife’sjourney 3
Maybeit’safirefighterenteringa burningbuilding,oraBritishTransport Policeofficerrushingtowardsaterrorist incident,perhapssomeonesummoning thestrengthtobattlecancer.Ofcourse, allofthesetakeanimmenseamountof bravery. Whatpossiblydoesn'tspringtomindare thesmallactsofcouragethatweeither don’tnoticeorthathappeninsecret. Forexample,someonehasthestrength tostandupforwhatisrightwhena friendtriestopressurethemintodoing, saying,orthinkingsomethingwrong.
FromthetopYoucould bebraver thanyou think… Weshouldn’t focusonfear,but ontheLord… Xin-HDforUnsplash.com BangsaiNamforUnsplash.com
Oreventhepersonwhostartstocleara mountainofworkthat’sbeenbuilding overdays,weeksorevenmonths. Forsomepeople,ittakesthemasmuch couragetodothese‘small’thingsasit doesforpoliceofficerstoruntowards danger.
LiamJohnston ExecutiveDirector RailwayMission
Lifecanbefulloffearfulsituationsand leftunrestrained,feargrows,paralysing ourminds. Nevertheless,inthosetimeswhenwe feelfearisparalysingus,Godsays,‘Be strongandcourageous’(Joshua1:9).
Psalm27:1says,‘TheLORDismylight andmysalvation-whomshallIfear?’ Thisshowsthatweshouldn’tfocuson fearbutontheLORD. Theninversefour,thepsalmistwrites ‘OnethingIaskfromtheLORD...thatI maydwellinthehouseoftheLORDall thedaysofmylife,togazeonthebeauty oftheLORDandtoseekhiminhis temple’. So,fixyourfocusonGod,becausewhen we’rewalkingwithGodandtrusting Him-fearwon’tovercomeus.
Whatdoyouthinkofwhenyouhearthe word‘courageous’?
MicheleAshtonischaplainforthe AngliaRoute,whichtakesherfrom LondonLiverpoolStreetStationoutto Norfolk,Essex,Suffolk,Angliaand partsofCambridgeshire,servingC2C, TfLTrains,GreaterAnglia, Thameslink,TheElizabethLine,and evensomeofTfL’sLondon UndergroundontheCentralLine.
4
Inrecentweeksappreciationforthe workofRailwayMissionhasbeen shownthroughthegenerousdonations ofrailworkersinMichele’sarea. RailwayMissionisabletoemployfull andpart-timechaplainsbecauseofthe generousgivingofrailcompaniesand donationsfromrailstaffandsupporters. It’sespeciallygratifyingwhenagroup ofrailemployeesgetstogetherto demonstratetheirthanksforthework ofourrailwaychaplainsbysowinginto oursupportwork.
Thanksforsupporting RailwayMission
Michelehasmadeherselfthefaceof chaplaincyinherarea,andhasbuilta hugeamountofgoodwillamongstthe railstaffsheservesoverthecourseof thetimeshehasbeeninvolvedinthe region. Michelesays,“Iwasthrilledtobe invitedbyAndyFieldingfromthe DistributionandPlantteamtojointhem todayastheytookadayouttoraise donationsfortheirchosencharity, RailwayMission.Itwasafantasticday, theweatherwassuperkind,anditwas awonderfulopportunityformetosaya personalthankyoutoateamwhowork hardtokeepmeandthousandsof otherssafe.Thewalkingtourwas plannedwellandgavemethe opportunitytoexploreoutsideofthe railwayandseeLondonfromSky Gardens.” MembersoftheDistributionandPlant Teamcanbeseenpicturedabovewith
Supportonlife’sjourney 5
Missionforourvaluedsupport.” “Iamhumbledathowmuchhasbeen donatedbytheIpswichteamsof MOMs,Signallers,S&Tandthe managementandI'msogratefulto everyonefortheirgenerosity.It'sa privilegeandapleasuretobeyour chaplain.”
Addedtothis,Michelehadthedelight ofmeetingupwithsomeofthe NetworkRailMobileOperations Managersinherarea,atIpswich (picturedright),who,alongwithother membersofthesignallingteams,also decidedtoraisefundstosupportthe workofRailwayMission.
Michele(withthefloweryyellowtopin thecentrefront).
MobileOperationsManagersandLocal OperationsManagers,alongwith Signallers,doafantasticjobonthe railways,andweareoftenintouchwith them,especiallyfollowingrail incidents. Theyarealwaysappreciativeofhaving chaplainsavailablewhentheyneed them,soit’sgreattobeabletoremind everyoneoftheincredibleworktheydo tokeeptherailwaysrunning,
Thankstoeveryonewhosupports
RailwayMissioneitherthroughour prayersupporters,throughthosewho contributefinancially,andthosewho givechaplainsakindwordof appreciationwhenwemeetup.
Michelesays,“NetworkRail'souter operationsteamisbasedatIpswich's signallingschoolintheMaltings.A collectionwasorganisedbyDave Shannon,FieldServiceDelivery Manager,withdonationsreceived
fromstaffasathankyoutoRailway
RailwayMissionisverythankfulfor theirconsiderationandformakingit suchafundayforMicheleasthey raisedfundsforourcharity. IpswichMOMs&Signallers
Itwasafantastic day,theweather wassuperkind,and itwasawonderful opportunityforme tosayapersonal thankyoutoateam whoworkhardto keepmeand thousandsofothers safe.
6 Lestweforget photobyiamnahforunsplash
7 REMEMBRANCE Eachyeartherailwaycomestogether torememberthesacrificeandloss experiencedduringtimesofconflict. Annually,chaplainsareinvolvedin around30servicesaroundthecountry. Belowwehavealistofsomeofthe servicesthatarecurrentlybeing planned.Somearestilltobeconfirmed, andotherswillbeaddedtothelist.Find yourlocalchaplainforenquiriesonour websiteat www.railwaymission.org. Remembranceservicesarenot intendedtoglorifywar,trivialise sacrificeandlossexperienced,butto bothfacilitateacorporateactof remembranceandtobringa connectionbetweenchurchand industrythatcanstimulate conversationandunderstanding. Chaplainsareworkingtobuildonthe successofthepastandtoenhancethe chaplaincyandtherelationship betweenstationsandlocalchurches. Location Date Time Chaplain BirminghamMoorStreet Thurs10Nov 10:45am AHall LeamingtonSpa Thurs10Nov 14:00pm AHall BirminghamNewStreet Fri11Nov 10:45am AHall Ayr Fri11Nov 10:45am Rev.JohnCarrick GlasgowCentral Fri11Nov 10:45am DGrant EdinburghWaverley Fri11Nov 10:45am GWhitehead BristolTempleMeads Fri11Nov 10:55am AThorpe York Fri11Nov 10:45am ALevitt-Harwood&HBartlett LondonEuston Fri11Nov 10:55am SRowe LondonKingsCross Fri11Nov 10:45am DGeorge Dover Tue8Nov 10:45am DGeorge LondonWaterloo Fri11Nov 10:45am CHenley Kidderminster(SVR) Sun13Nov 10:45am AHall LondonPaddington Fri11Nov 10:45am JRoe LondonLiverpoolStreet Fri11Nov 10:50am MAshton www.railwaymission.org/news/remembrance
AformerjournalistandPTSDsurvivor, Gemmaispassionateabout communicationandawarenessaround resilienceandwellbeing.Railway Missioniscontinuingtoworkwith Gemmatooffersupporttoteam memberswhoneedextrasupport.
InMay,forthefirsttimesincethestart oftheCOVIDpandemic,Railway MissionheldourChaplains’ ConferenceatKing’sPark Northampton. Itwasagreatopportunitytomeet togetherandrekindletherelationships andsupportnetworkswithinthe chaplaincyteam.Weorganisedour timetoallowplentyoffreetimetohelp theteamrechargeaftertwoyearsof COVID.
Conference RailwayMission
Supportonlife’sjourney 8
workspredominantlywithfrontline, careanduniformedservices,aswellas thosewhohavebeenthroughtrauma, asaResilienceandRecoveryCoach.
Joiningtheconferencewereseveral representativesoftheInternational RailwayMission,RailHope.Delegates fromIndia,Switzerland,The Netherlands,Belgium,Finland,Norway andGermanyjoinedtheconferencein aspiritofcooperationand encouragement.
Externalspeakersarealwaysimportant atourconferencesandthisyearwasno exception;withspeakersfromRailway BenefitFund,TransportBenevolent Fund,RailwayChildren,Samaritans andBritishTransportPolice. Wealsohad GemmaMargerison (right) leadfoursessionswiththeteamon ‘ResilienceandRecovery.’Gemma
Wealsohadtheprivilegeofwelcoming theChiefExecutiveofNetworkRail, AndrewHaines totheconference. Andrew(above)talkedcandidlyabout hisfaithandthevalueoftheRailway Missionchaplaincyduringtimesof difficultyforcolleaguesinallareasof theindustry.OurChairofTrustees, AlexVolossevich,prayedforAndrew andthewiderNetworkRailteamasthe industrycontinuesthistimeof transitionintoGreatBritishRailways. FollowingtheChaplains’Conference, RailHopedelegatesstayedforthe GeneralAssemblymeeting,whichwas bothin-personandviavideolinkfor thosenotabletotraveltotheUK. Thiswascoupledwithatriptothe NorthamptonandLamportRailwayand thenadaytriptoLondon,where Barry Kitchener,NetworkRail,Facilities ManagerSouthernRegion,gavea guidedtourofthesubterraneanparts ofWaterloostation.Barryispictured (seconddown,right)withUlrich Berger,PresidentofRailHope International.
Waterloosubterraneantour
BarryreceivesacalendarfromUlrich AlexpraysforAndrew Conferencegrouptalk
Supportonlife’sjourney 9
10
Seeingallsidesofadispute
Industrialactionontherailwayalways poseschallengesforyourRailway Missionchaplains.Manyseestrike actioninstrictblackandwhiteterms, butaschaplains,wesitinthegreyarea betweentheopposingsides.Our strapline,‘SupportonLife’sJourney’ appliestoeveryonewhoworksinthe industry,fromnewstartersontheir firstday,totheretireeontheirlast, fromthepeoplewhocleanonboardto thepeoplewhositontheBoard. Ihaveheardalotabouttheaveragepay intherailwayindustry.Butconsiderit likethis,ifyoulivedinasmallvillage, wheretheaveragesalarywas£18,000 peryear,everyonemightbestruggling withthecostoflivingrising.Butif RichardBransondecidedtomoveinto yourvillage,hisvastearningswould suddenlymeanthattheaveragesalary ofyourvillagewentfrom£18,000to £200,000.Doesthatincreasedaverage meanthatpeoplearenolonger struggling?No,ofcoursenot;andinthe samewaytheaveragesalaryonthe railwaymeansmanyarepaidbelowthe average.
WhatIfeelisimportantisthatthereare continuedhonestandopendiscussions surroundingtheissues.Turnoverisnot profit,noteveryoneearnsthesalaryof atraindriver,cleanersmaynotbe employedbyatrainoperating company,buttheystillworkinthe industryandtheirsalariesshouldbe takenintoconsideration. Ourindustryischanging,andchange canbringfear.Fearaboutjoblosses, paylevels,thefearofnewtechnology orworkingconditions.Aschaplains,we arenotheretotakesides.Butwewill continuetosupporttheemotional needsofeveryoneintheindustry, helpingthemtofacetheirfears. Ultimately,theindustryischanging, butmyprayeristhatallsideswill continuetoworktogethertofinda solutiontotheproblemswefacenot onlyontherailwaybutineveryaspect ofoursociety. LiamJohnstonlooksatthepros andconsofongoingindustrialaction
Supportonlife’sjourney 11 EmergencyServicesShow Backat theshow for2022 RailwayMissionhasa standattheupcoming show.Whynotcomeand seeusinperson? Areyouinterestedinemergency services? TheEmergencyServicesShowis theUK’sleadingannualshowcaseof thebluelightsector,featuring450+ exhibitors,livedemonstrations, uniquelearningopportunitiesand unrivallednetworking. Wearegratefultotheshoworganisersfor allowingustohaveastandattheshow,free ofcharge! Youtoocanattendtheshowfreeofchargeby visiting www.emergencyuk.com Wewouldbedelightedtoseeyouat Stand S28.
Chaplaincyisauniquerole,withits ownsetofchallengesandpressures. Thedangerinchaplaincyaswithany caringrole,fromnursingto counselling,pastorstosocialworkers, isthatwecanabsorbthepainandfear ofothers,withoutadequatefiltersor releasemechanisms. That’swhychaplainsmusthavelocal pastoralsupportviatheirchurch.Of course,chaplainsalsosupportone anotherandthatisencouraged,but beyondthis,wealsohaveproactive 'chaplaincytothechaplains.'Wealso havea'pastoral'trusteetowhomwe canreferstaffforpastoralsupport.
Next,wehaveTraumaRisk Management(TRiM)providedby BritishTransportPolice,andalsothe BritishTransportPoliceEmployee AssistanceProgram,whichprovides counsellingifrequired,amongother things. Becausechaplainsoftenthinkthey shouldbeabletocopewitheverything, wewanttoensurethatbeyondallofthe abovewealsohaveatouchpoint followingsevenincidents.Theideais thataftersevenincidentswherethe
12
chaplainhastakenthelead,thereisa supportiveengagementfromtheline manager.However,achaplainin Londonmayhavesevenincidentsina weekoramonth,butthewildsofNorth Scotlandmayhavesevenintwoyears. Nevertheless,thereareotherthings thattheydealwith,thatmakethe monthlycontactthebaseline. WeusetwoApps,BackupBuddyand Optimise(RoadtoHealthGroup).Both arepaidforbyBritishTransportPolice andareavailabletoallchaplains. Furthermore,wehaveengagedGemma Margerisonwhoisworkingwithsome oftheteamasaResilienceand RecoveryCoach. But,ultimately,thereareourprayer partners.Wevaluetheprayersof everyonewhotakesthetimetopray forourwellbeing.Soasweseekto supportthechaplains,wealso acknowledgetheinvaluablesupportof yourprayers.
Caringforthecarers Thankyou!
Supportonlife’sjourney 13 Howyoucan supportour chaplains Pray Donate Cheer Joinourteamofprayer supportersby contactingourofficefor aweeklyemailthat includesamessageof hope Regulargivinghelps supportourwork financiallyandtellsus thatyouappreciatethe supportworkwe provide Sendusanotetoletus knowhowyou’vebeen supportedbyoneofour chaplainsandhowwe canbettersupportyou andyourcolleagues Email:office@railwaymission.org Web:www.railwaymission.org
14
ChaplainsMicheleAshton andJohnRoearepartofthe chaplaincyteamthatlooks afterthenewCrossraillinks ontheElizabethLine.
“MicheleandIjoinedtensofthousandsof passengersatPaddingtononthatspecialday,to samplethislatestadditiontoLondon’spublic transport.” AndtheywillbewellservedbyMicheleand John,alongwithfellowRailwayMission ChaplainsDylisGeorgeandJohnRobinson,as RailwayMissioncontinuestobuildrelationships withstaffandprovidepastoralcare. Micheleadds,“AsweexploredoutsideLiverpool StreetstationtofindtheentrancetotheElizabeth Linemyexcitementincreased.Wefoundacavern
On24May2022,thelinewas officiallyopenedbythe Queen,andMicheleandJohnrodethetrainsto gainasenseofanticipationforthenewtransport linkforpeopletravellingacrossLondon. WeaskedJohnandMicheleforsomeoftheirfirst impressionsofthelineastheytravelled. Johnsays,“Thebigdayfinallyarrived:The openingoftheElizabethLine,anewhigh-speed railservicefromPaddingtonthroughCentral LondontoAbbeyWoodandShenfield.
Johncontinues,“Itwasauniqueexperience.Almost everyonewassmiling,strangerstalkingtoeach other,sharingphotoswitheachotherandthe helpfulstaff,resplendentintheirnewpurplelivery uniforms.Therewasanoverwhelmingsenseof spaciousnessonahugescale.
ofanentranceunlikeotherstationsgivingagreat senseofspacewhichcontinuedinside. “Abigsurprisewastheunusualdiagonalliftwetried out.Theseliftswerecheapertoinstallandshould saveonpowercomparedtoverticallifts.The travellingexperiencewasquiteuniqueasitfollowed thepathoftheescalator.“
Ridingthe Elizabeth
“RichardFry,ElizabethLineStationManager proudlyannouncedthattheShardBuilding(the highestbuildinginLondon)wouldfitcomfortably onitssideontheplatform.
“Fromconversationswithstaff,itisclearthatthere isasenseofpridetobeworkingontheElizabeth Line.” Line
Supportonlife’sjourney 15
passengersaday.
CommonwealthGamesReportAndrewHall
16
insitu
ThetrainoperatorsandNetworkRail hadmajorplansinplacetoensurea robustandsafeserviceforlocalsand visitorschoosingtotravelbytrain.
BritishTransportPolice[BTP],working withWestMidlandsPolice,hadtheir ranksswelledbyhundredsofofficers importedfromacrossthenation.Silver commandwassetupinNorth
fillingthesquare.Hewillremain untiltheendofSeptember. NewStreetStation,Birmingham InternationalandUniversitywerethe busieststations,andthethroughputof passengerswasimmense.University stationaloneaveraged37,000
Idon'tthinkanyoneofsoundmind wouldcallmeasportsfan,butIhave beendelightedtobeinvolved,evenin asmallway,withthehugeundertaking deliveredastheCommonwealth GamesBirmingham22. Apartfromsomecyclingeventsatthe Velodromeonthe2012OlympicParkin London,alleventswerewithinmy chaplaincyareaofWestMidlands. On28thJulytwoyearsofplanning becamearealityinthepacked AlexanderStadiuminPerryBarrand themomentumdidnotletupfora momentuntileveryonehadbecome 'Paranoid'aboutOzzyOsbourne'sfinal chorusattheclosingceremony. 'Perry'theragingbull(oppositepage) managedtoescapefromthestadium andtakeupresidenceinCentenary Square,rightoutsidemyNetworkRail andBTPmainoffices.Hispresence alonebroughtthousandsofextra visitorseverydayofthegames,with sometimesasmanyas10,000people
workingacrossthecitytoensure everythingwentsmoothly.
WithsupportfromHelenLewis,Colin FraserandAndreaSmyth,Ispenttime withrailstaffandBTPteamsatvarious stations.Wehadtheprivilegeoftalking withofficersfromvariouspartsof Scotland,severalareasofLondon, Bristol,Cardiff,Manchester,Derby, Leedsandmanyotherlocations.
Formany,theburdenofresponsibility duringtheplanningstagehadbeen heavy.Thethrongsofextrapassengers wereaconstantstresstoallinvolved andthecommitmentanddeployment ofsecurityresourcesbyBTPwas immense. Theeventwasatremendoussuccess andacredit,notonlytotheRegion,the City,localauthoritiesandthe organisers,buttoeverymemberof staffandvolunteerwhodidtheirbit. Inevitably,thereweresomehitches,a problemwiththeticketchecking systemattheopeningceremony,strike actionandindustrialunrestandsome problemswithaccommodationforoutof-townofficers.Oneofficerhadfound thathisroomhadabsolutelyno beddingincludedsohehadtogoout andbuysome,whileanotherofficer hadtomovebecauseofcockroaches. Generally,theatmospherewasbest describedas'buzzing'withthrongsof colourfullydressedfansmovingaround thenetwork,thecity,andothervenues inthelovelysunnyweather.There seemedtobepeoplefromalltribesand nationsallembracingtheatmosphere together,walkinginharmonyand peace.Intalkingwithofficersabout crowdbehaviourandresponsetothe policepresence,oneofficersaid,'it's great,it'snotafootballcrowd.’
Asactivitycentredaround Birmingham,Iwasalsoabletospend timewithstafffromtheTrainOperating Companiesastheyrosetothe challengeofmanagingthethroughput ofvastnumbersofextrapassengers.I madeapointofdroppingintotheHead OfficesofWestMidlandsTrainsand AvantiWestCoast,andvisitedNetwork RailatBaskervilleHouse,wherethere werefewerthannormalstaffasmany wereoutonthestationsaspartofthe armyofpink-jacketedhelpers.
Inadditiontothehundredsofrailstaff andpolicetherewere14000volunteers
Birminghamandpatrolsandspecialist teamsweredeployedtoallstations havingincreasedfootfallduetothe games.
Theeventwasatremendoussuccessandacredit,notonlyto theRegion,theCity,localauthoritiesandtheorganisers,butto everymemberofstaffandvolunteerwhodidtheirbit.
Supportonlife’sjourney 17
18
Howhaveyoufoundyourfirstyearas Chair? It’sbeenveryexciting,interestingand challenging.Theothertrusteeshave shownsuchgreatdedicationtothe charity,whichhasbeenbrilliantanda realprivilegetobeapartof. Myroleistopulltogethertheskillsof otherpeople,whichissomethingI reallyenjoydoing. Themorechallengingsideistowitness theworkthecharitydoesonadaily basis.Therearesome400fatalitieson therailwayeachyear,about300of whicharesuicides.Thechaplainsare doingaveryseriousjobandthe trustees’roleistoenablethechaplains todotheirjobs. Wehaveseenhowpoliticaland economictensionshavebeengrowing inthislastyear.HowcanRailway MissionbringGod’sgraceintothese Wearetheretostabiliseandsupport existingstructures.We’renotjustdoing itinournamebutinGod’sname.Wetry andshowadifferentway,notbytaking sidesinaconflict.RailwayMissionhas
Alex Volossevich Interview
LydiaPaine,Railway Mission’sMarketing Manager,spentsometime withChair,Alex Volossevich,toaskabouthis
discussions?
impressionsoftherole
GreatWesternRailhelda remembranceserviceatPlymouth stationonTuesday14thJune,where theyunveiledaspecialFalklands40 liverydedicatedtothosewhomadethe ultimatesacrifice40yearsago. RailwayMissionchaplainJohnRoe said,“Itwasaprivilege,onwhatwasa veryhot,sunnyday,toleadtheshort Falklandsremembranceservice, accompaniedbyveteranswhoserved intheconflict.Itbroughtbackmany memoriestomyself,watchingthe horrorsofthewarunfoldinginrealtime onthenews.” “ThisActofRemembranceservedto paytributetothecourageousmenand womenwhojoinedthemilitarytask forceandhelpedliberatetheFalkland Islandsin1982.Plymouthand Devonportplayedasignificantpartin theconflict,andwehonouredthe serviceandbraveryofallthosewho neverreturnedhome,alongwiththe manymorewhowerewounded, physicallyandmentally.” Service
Whatarethebestwaysthat stakeholderscansupporttheir chaplainsandthecharityasawhole? Pray–it’sveryimportanttoseekGod’s agenda.NotmywillbutGod’s,as ChristprayedinGethsemane.
alwaysprovidedimpartialadviceand support,togivepeoplethetoolsto copewhenthingsaren’tgood. Throughourwork,weaimtoshow peoplethatwhenprovokedwedon’t havetoretaliate.
Tell–ofyourexperienceofthe missionbecauseyouvalueit,shareit withothersandspreadthewordabout theworkofthechaplains.Consider howyoucoulduseyourgiftstoraise awarenessandsupportforthecharity.
FalklandsWar Dedication
Doyouhaveafavouritetrainand/or journey?
Supportonlife’sjourney
1Peter3:15:“Butinyourheartsrevere ChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedto giveananswertoeveryonewhoasks youtogivethereasonforthehope thatyouhave.Butdothiswith gentlenessandrespect.”
Ask–ifyouknowyourlocalchaplain, askwhattheymayneed.Youcanfind outwhoyourlocalchaplainisonour websiteifyou’reunsure.
IwouldreallyliketodoWestHighland LineacrosstheGlenfinnanViaduct–theviewsarefantastic! GreatestrailwayjourneythatIhave donewasfromonesideofCanadato theother.Travellingacrossthe RockiesarrivinginBanffwaslike travellingfromautumntowinter,asit snowedthenightwearrived. Anotherpersonalfavouritewason boardasteamengineonLondon Transport,travellingonthefootplate.
19
Itwasareligiouscitywithastrong dividebetweenCatholicsand Protestants.TheIrishbroughttheir CatholicismfromIrelandandtheWelsh linkstotheirrevivals.Itwasa metropoliswithmanymissions; approximately180in1894. Outreachtorailwaymenstartedwith visitsbytheLiverpoolTownMissionto TithebarnStreetandLimeStreet stationsin1860.ItbecameLiverpool
Liverpoolwasagreattradingcity servedbyseaandrail,thetwoworking togetheratthedockside.Thisprovided highlevelsofemploymentwitha highlyorganisedworkforcethat sometimesbroughtunrest;in1911this sparkedthefirstnationalrailwaystrike. Itwasawealthycitywithmuchofits prosperitycomingfromthe transatlanticcottontrade;thisnorthern wealthhelpedfundrailwayexpansion acrosstheUK,startingwiththefirst intercityrailway,betweenLiverpool andManchester.
20
Jschweikartforpixabay.com
MissionontheMersey
CityMissionin1899continuingtovisit railwaymenintheworkplace. NextcametheLiverpoolRailway Servants’Mission,butitsoriginis unclear;ithelditsfirstconferencein approximately1878.TheYMCAwas veryprominentinthetownandatits 1884annualconferencetheir committeeagreedtotakeoversightof thiswork. Thismissioncompetedwiththe nationalRailwayMissionuntil1890, whentheLondonbasedGeneral Secretaryvisitedoneoftheir secretaries. Thecompetitionwasdemonstratedby theirpublications-theLiverpool missionhaditsRailwayChariot-the nationalmissiontheRailwaySignal. Bothwerelaunchedaround1882.In 1886theGeneralSecretarywas authorisedto“payupto£50to purchasetheChariot.”
TheApril1891issueoftheRailway Signalcelebratedtheamalgamationin
ButthetellingoftheloveofChristsoon dispelledhisnervousness,andhegave “astirringandhelpfuladdress.”
ThefirstBishopofLiverpool,JCRyle, becamePresidentoftheRailway Mission’sworkinLiverpool.By1900 therewere32sub-brancheswhich principallyservedthedocksthatlined bothbanksoftheMersey.Otherswere scatteredasfarasOrmskirk, WarringtonandpartoftheWirral.
Supportonlife’sjourney 21
Legaladvicewasreceived“thatthe debtsshouldbepaidoff&thebalance dividedamongthebonafidemembers &theinstrumentsshouldbegivenupto MissGiven.”MissGivenwashonorary SuperintendentoftheLiverpoolBranch by1910andremainedinofficeuntil 1947.Shewaswellrespectedandlived offherownmeansasdidothers. Meetingswerecustomarilyheldatthe workplace;inamess-room;oracookhouse.Thelattersoundsstrangebut severalbranchesmetthereat lunchtime;atonethecookwasthe branchsecretary.
Abranchreportdescribesacook-house meetingwheretheleader,“haslately startedamonthlytestimonymeeting… whichhasprovedasourceofstrength andblessing…”Thebranchhad recentlyhadavisitfromanAmerican ministerwhodeclared“thatitwashis firstexperienceinacook-house meeting,andfeltrathernervous.”
thefollowingparagraph:“Atthebirthof Railways,nearlysixtyyearsago, Liverpoolmerchantswereamongthe firsttolaydowntheirmoneyto promotethefirstParliamentaryRailway Bill…Werejoicethatto-daytheyarenot behindinhigherandnobler work…[and]theMissionhasatitshead someoftheleadingChristianbusiness menofLiverpool.”
DudleyClark LiverpoolParishChurch.PhotobyVasilyKleymenovforpexels.com
Onelesscommonactivitywastheband oftheEdgeHillbranch.Acommittee minutefromOctober1916recordsthat “therewastrouble…bothTreasurerand Secretary…wereunsatisfactoryand duringtheband-master’sabsencein Egypt,thetreasurerrefusedtogiveup eitherthecashinhandorthe instruments,whichwerepaidforoutof thebandfunds.”
charge,thatwillhelpensureyour ‘will’istheirchoice.”
alisadysonforpixabay Freewillsextension
ClaireHoughton,CEOoftheRailway BenefitFund,said: “Weareamazedattheincredibletake upwesawduringMarchandare delightedtobeabletoextendourfree willwritingserviceforayear.We’d alsoliketothankeveryonewhohas madeadonationorleftalegacywhen creatingtheirwill–thissupport enablesourcharitiestobetherefor theRailwayFamilylongintothe future.”
Usersofthefreewillwritingservice weregiventheoptiontoleaveagiftin theirwillforacharityoftheirchoice. Therewas,ofcourse,noobligationfor userstoincludeRailwayMissionorRBF intheirwill,butlegacygivingisa fantasticwaytosupportcharities. Whetheritisadonation,ora percentageofanestate,itensuresthat RailwayMissionandRBFcancontinue tosupporttherailwayfamilygoing throughdifficulttimeswheneverthey needthem.
22
LiamJohnstonExecutiveDirectorof RailwayMission,said: “In2020researchfromCanadaLife revealedthatthreeinfive(59%)ofUK adultshavenotwrittenawill.This equatesto31millionpeople,whose property,financialandotherassets couldbelefttosomeonetheyhavenot chosenwhentheydie.RailwayMission isdelightedtobeabletohelpthe railwayfamilywriteawill,freeof
Ourcharitiessawanincredibletake upfromtheindustry.Over1,000 peopleregisteredtocreateafreewill, withatotalof£22,000leftasgifts. Thewillwritingcompanyreported thatthetakeupfromthiscampaign was20%higherthanallothercharity willmonthscombined.
Duetothisincrediblesuccess, RailwayMissionandRBFhavemade thedecisiontoextendtheservicefor anotheryear,sothatevenmore peopleintheindustrycouldcreatea willforfree.Ifyouhavenotyettaken advantageofthefreewillwriting service,headovertoourwebsite www.railwaymission.org/make-afree-will-month.”
LydiaPainewrites,“InMarchofthis year,wepartneredwithfellowrailway charitytheRailwayBenefitFund(RBF) tocreateajointlegacygiving campaign,whichwaskindlysupported bytheRetiredRailOfficersSociety.The freewillwritingservicewassupplied byBequeathed,whoseaccreditedlegal firmsdonateupto30minutesoftheir timetohelpusersmaketheirwill.
LydiaPaineisMarketingManagerfor RailwayMission
Supportonlife’sjourney 23 OrderyourCalendars &ChristmasCards Pack often cards ChristmasCards *Thesearedonationsuggestions Calendars Whynotsendafriendorfamilymemberapackoften ChristmasCardsora2023Calendar,andhelpsupport RailwayMissionwithagiftasyoudo? Suggestedamountis£6:50(includingpostage)fora Calendar,orforapackoftenChristmasCards. Youcanfindmoreinformationonhowtomakea donationandreceivecalendars,cardsorbooksatour
Ihavemetthousandsof railwaystaff.Someinlifelongcareers whileothersmoveontopasturesnew. Aretiredlifelongrailman,whoseolder sonhadalsoworkedforGWR,phoned mesayhisyoungerson(43)had unexpectedlydiedinthenight,and wonderedifIcouldofficiateathis funeral. Whilstitishumblingtobeasked,italso bringshomethefactthatweas chaplains,togetherwithChristianrail
AndreaSmyth LondonNorth,ARL,Chiltern, Avanti,Eurostar,GTR,TfLNorth
AngelaLevitt-Harwood GreatNorthern,LNER,Yorkto KingsCrossLondon
DavidHardy WestMidlands,Gloucester, RetiredRailwayStaff
Overtheyears
During recentvisits,twotopicsof conversationarecommon:theongoing strikesandthecostofliving. Ofcourse,theseareinterlinkedwiththe disputeleadingtolossofincome.There isarealsenseofuneaseaboutthe futureespeciallywiththeplannedGBR bringingquestionsaboutpotential closureofticketoffices,voluntary redundancy,andrestructuring. Uncertaintyisastateofbeingforallof usbutmaybewecanpraythatthrough ourworkwecanall,inthewordsofSt Augustine,be"instrumentsofpeace"as wepassthroughstations,officesand depots.
24
AlanThorpe BristolTempleMeads
employees,areformanythe embodimentofChurch.Weareindeed 'ambassadorsforChrist.'Continueto praythatourwitnessremainsbright andfresh. Attherisk oflookingvery unprofessionaltoeveryone,afterabout ayearofaskingstaff,onandoff, whethertherewereactuallyanypeople basedataveryvaguelocationIhad beenaskedtovisit,andbeingtold emphaticallythatnothereweren’t, someonefinallytoldmethatyes,there arestaffthere,andtheytoldmewhere tofindtheplace. Iwentalong,wasletinimmediately, andreceivedawarmwelcome.Ithink there’ssomethingintheBibleabout persistence,eventothepointofslightly annoyingpeopleoccasionally…
Ithasbeen asadtimeintherailway community.Ihaveconductedalarge numberoffuneralsofretiredmen.I knewthemandtheirfascinating stories. AtthefuneralIshareaboutChrist’slove andvictoryoverdeathandthat althoughthehopeofheavenis important,theGospelisalsofornow:in
Oftenfriendsandcolleaguesprovidea “GuardOfHonour”forthecoffin.The archwayofgreenflagsshowsthatitis safetotravelthroughdeathbecause Christiswithusandtheroadaheadis clear!
“Purgatory,Heaven,Hell,“and,“why didn’tJesusfeaturemoreinhisteenage yearsintheBible?”Justsomeelements ofconversationinlocaldepots. Ithasbeenabusyfewweekswiththree fatalitiesontheline,adeathinthe StationHotel,afreighttrainshunt,a suddendeathonatrainandanumber ofnearmisses.Ithasnotbeenquiet
Theseareuncertain timesforthe railway.Pleaseprayforstaffdealing withtheupcomingintroductionofGBR, jobinstability,thefinancialcrisisand theupheavalofindustrialaction. Praytooforcustomerfacingstaffand BTPofficerswhoaredealingwith publicfrustrationwithdisruptedtrain services.Pleaseprayforco-workers' relationshipswhichcanbecome strainedduetotheindustrialactionand theincreasedworkloadmanyare facing. Historically,economicupheavalhasled toariseinsuicidefigures,soplease prayforthosewhoarecontemplating endingtheirlives-thatthey'llfind appropriatesupportandahopeforthe future.
faithHeiswithusandbringsus comfort,peace,andcouragetofacethe future.
aroundhere. Thestrikescontinueandthereare alwaysthevulnerablefolk.Lifeisstillas complex.Andyetthereisnodoubtthat Godisrighthere‘inthemix’.Ithank Godcompletelyforhiscompassionate support. Iwasrecently askedtoattendafatal accident,involvingaRailway Contractor. Apartfromthetragicnatureofthe wholesituation,whatreallybecame apparentwastheneedforpastoral supporttobemadeavailabletothe colleaguesinvolved. NetworkRailcontactedtheRailway Missionandaskedthatweofferthat support,inthisinstance. Supportonlife’sjourney 25 Rejoicealways, praywithoutceasing, ineverythinggivethanks… HelenLewis South&MidWales&The Marches HelenBartlett NorthEast,Newcastle JohnRobinson Southern,GatwickExpress, GTR&TfLforSouthernRoutes Sometimes,simply talkinghelps…
PleasecontinuetopayforRailway Missionchaplains.Asthissituation highlighted,chaplainsmeetaveryreal andconsistentneedforlove,care,and supportinthelivesofrailwayworkers andtheirfamilies;supportthatmany otherindustrieslack.
Havingpreviouslycoveredboththe EastandWestofScotlandandnowthe northwhereDereckhasdonesucha wonderfuljob. Pleaseprayforopportunitiestoshare God'slove,guidance,protection, wisdom,andcompassionasItakeon thisnewarea. Onethingwe needprayerforonthe railwaysisstability. Rightnow,withindustrialaction,the changestowardsGreatBritishRailand extremeweathereventsfollowingthe pandemic,theindustryneedsaboost–a sustainedperiodofcertainty–bothfor thetravellingpublic,andforthefuture ofemployees. There'snothingbetterthanbeing appreciatedfortheworkyoudo,andall staffneedthis.Akindwordandasense ofaffirmationwillalwaysgofar. Ourchaplainsalsodoafabulousjob, andareappreciated,soit'sgreatwhen wearetoldthis,or,asyouwillseefrom Michele'sstory(pages4-5),when peoplegivetosupportourwork.
MyLineManager,Andrew,hasasked meifIwas"goingforthehattrick."Yes.
It'sajoy andaprivilegetoreturnto servingwiththeRailwayMission, alongsideGrahamandDereck.Iam enjoyingbeingbackandvisiting
Wegivethanks forthemanyChristians workingintheindustry,whoappreciate thesupportofferedbychaplains,as theyseektobe'saltandlight'inthe workplace.
26
stationsIhaveneverheardofbefore. Achnasheen,Achanalt,and Achnashellach.IdidwonderifIhad beentransportedtoGermany.
JohnRoe GreatWesternRailway, Paddington,TfLWest RuthMcBean NorthScotland
StephenRowe AreaManagerLondon&The South,TfLCentral
Ihavebeensupportingstaffwhohave sufferedasuccessionofserious incidentsinrecentmonths,including staffassaults,suicides,andasuspected murder. ADutyManageratoneofmystations approachedme,askingifIcouldobtain Bibles,todisplayalongwithotherfree literatureavailableatthestation,"so thatthemessageofhopecanberead andexperienced."Iwasabletosupply themwithRailwayMissionbranded NewTestaments.
oneorcolleague.PleaseprayforGod’s comfortandpeaceintimesofdifficulty.
“Youhavebeen abreathoffreshair” washowagroupofDispatchers,who hadwitnessedatragicincident, summedupourconversationrecently.
AsltravelaroundtheWessexarea,I encountersomanyBTP,NetworkRail andSWRteamswhowanttojusthavea chatabouttheirlife,theirworkand showtheirenthusiasmfor‘working’ (manyseetheirworkas‘service’,not ‘work’)aspartoftherailwayfamily.
ChristopherHenley SouthWestRailway,Waterlooto theSouthCoast,TfLSouthWest
MicheleAshton LondonEast,Anglia,AbellioEast Anglia,c2c,TfLEast,Crossrail
drop-in
foracoffeeandachat Cambridge Railway Station Vector:GDJforpixabay
Itistheywhoareabreathoffreshair. Myprayeristhatweallcontinuetobe that‘breathoffreshair’toall.
Theseareunprecedented timesin whichmyroleasachaplainisvery muchneededandIamgratefulfor conversationsIhavehad,especially withnewstaff.Itisgoodthatstaffand managersareusingorsignposting peopletotheirchaplainespeciallyafter fatalities. SomeAreaManagersandaHuman ResourceLeadhaverecentlycalledon metosupporttheirstafffollowing deathsinservice. Pleaseprayforfamilymembersand staffmemberswhohavelostaloved
DylisGeorge Southeastern,GTRforSouth Easternroutes,TfLSouth
Supportonlife’sjourney 27 Rejoicealways, praywithoutceasing, ineverythinggivethanks…
Thankyouforyourcontinuedprayer support. Ilandedin Ipswichunannounced,to hearthesadnewsthatastaffmember hadpassed."YouhavesavedmeajobI wasabouttocallyou"saidtheField Manager.Weneverknowwhenwe’re suddenlyneeded. Thenextsurprise:acollectionjarwith £150wasgiventoRailwayMissionfrom oneoftheteamsasathankyouformy support.Iwasblownaway,howlovely. Anotheremployeerecallingtoa colleaguehowIhadsupportedand helpedhimwastotallyshockedtosee meafterseveralyears. "CovidhasshakenmelikeIhavenever experiencedbefore"hesaidand thankedmeforlistening. Whataprivilegeandpleasuretomeet railwaypeopleastheywork.
GrahamWhitehead WestHighlandsandCentral Scotland www.railwaymission.org ColinFraser EastMidlandsRailway,London StPancras MikeRoberts NorthWest,NorthWales, Liverpool
Pleasealsoprayforme,asPhilleaves, andIpickupcontactsinthe Manchesterareaagain.
28
Confidential Impartial Independent
Thecontinuedwork ofRailwayMission hasbeenassuredbyitsadaptabilityto changesintherailindustry.While fundingisafaithjourney,thefaithful prayersupportofmanyhasenabledthe missiontocontinueinthiswork. IwasremindedofthelegacyofRailway MissionatachurchinDerbywhostill celebratetheiroriginsasaRailway Missionchapel. Ourfocusisnolongerchurchplanting, butwestillserveas'thechurch'tothose inourareasandIgivethanksforthe opportunitiestosharemyfaithwith others,bothatpointsofcrisisandin incidentalmeetings. Pleaseprayformoreofthese opportunities.
Chaplaincyisalways abalancingact. It'saboutbeingindependentofthe operatingcompaniesinthesupportwe offer,butalsobeingembeddedinthose companiesinawaythattheycanuseus forhelpfulsupport. Givethanksforsomereally encouragingopportunitieswith companiestoworkwiththemto engagewithteamstoraiseawareness ofRailwayMissionandtheworkwedo.
ImetJoanne Maguire,ScotRail'sChief OperatingOfficer,recently. ShejoinedtheindustryinApril,as ScotRailmovedfrombeingafranchise toanarms-lengthgovernment operation. Changeofanysortcancause uncertaintyandanxietyforallstaff,so pleaseprayforJoanneassheboth learnsaboutourindustryandleadsits peoplethroughthese“interesting times,”andthatwechaplainswillbe abletosupportherandherteam. Scotlandisnotexemptfromthe industrialrelationsproblemsinthe industry,pleaseprayforgood leadership,fairdealings,andajust settlementtothesedisputes.
Supportonlife’sjourney 29 Rejoicealways, praywithoutceasing, ineverythinggivethanks… Muchofmy time,recently,hasbeen spentwithpeoplewhohavebeen focusedondeliveringthe ‘CommonwealthGamesBirmingham 2022.’StafffromTOCs,NetworkRail andBTPhavebeenputtingtheirplans togetherforseveralyears.Pleasegive thanksforthemandwhattheyhave achieved. Anotherfocus,forme,hasbeen reinstatingsomeoftheregularvisits initiatedbefore‘Covid’and‘Lockdown’ wereinanyone’svocabulary. JustrecentlyIhavemadeoneortwo breakthroughsintermsofestablishing therightcontacts.Ihavehadtolearn thatthe‘gatekeeper’isnotnecessarily whoIthoughtitwas.Pleasepraythat theLordwillcontinuetoopendoorsfor us. Whynot‘adopt’andsupportoneofour chaplainswithadonationtoRailway Mission?Orjoinourprayersupporters inupholdingchaplainsastheygoabout theirwork? Bymakingadonation,youwillenable chaplainstocontinueintheirfullor part-timeministrytorailstaffacross England,ScotlandandWales. Youcanlocatethechaplainthatserves yourlocalareaat railwaymission.org/ find-a-chaplain. Pictured:ChaplainAngelaLevitt-Harwood, basedinHull,servingtheNorthEast. Scanthislinktothe donationpage forRailwayMission Adopta chaplain! AndrewHall AreaManagerNorth,West Midlands,Avanti,Chiltern Beafriend. Justask. www.ruoktoday.co.uk
30 Chequeor PostalOrder Standing Order Web Donation Wills& Legacy GiftAidas anextra Payroll Giving* Aone-offorregulardonationthroughyourbank. EmailourAdministratorformoreinformation: office@railwaymission.org. Aone-offorregulardonationbyChequeorPostal Ordersentto:RailwayMission,RugbyStation, Rugby,CV213LA. Aone-offorregulardonationthroughourwebsite. Visitwww.railwaymission.org,andclickonthe Donatepage,whereyouwillfindeasy-to-follow directions. Toincludeusinyourwill,ourcharitynameis RailwayMission,ourcharitynumberinEngland& Walesis1128024,andinScotlandisSCO45897. UKtaxpayerscanclaim25%ondonationsviaHMRC, aslongasyoucanmeettheirconditionsand complete,signandreturnaGiftAidformtous. Becauseeverydonationistakenfromyourgrosspay, everypoundyougivewillonlycostyou80p,oronly 60pifyouareahigherratetaxpayer. Sixwaystosupport RailwayMissionchaplains www.railwaymission.org inpartnershipwith
Photo:MikhailNilovforpexels Supportonlife’sjourney 31 Yourdonationtakesusfurther… Regularstandingordershelpus supportstaff moreeffectively Pleasefill out your detailsaboveand we’llgetin touch tolet youknowhow you canbe even moreinvolvedin supporting rail staff throughthe valuable workofRailwayMission. We’llnevershare your detailswith otherorganisations We’dlike tolet youknowhow your donationsarehelpingus support railstaff,andhow Railway Missionismakingadifference intheindustry Youcan optout atanypoint bysimplylettingus knowthrough ourcontactdetailsbelow Please completeand returnthis formwith yourdonation to: Administrator,RailwayMission, Room 66,RugbyRailwayStation, Warwickshire,CV213LA Hereis mygiftof£10 £15£20Other £ Ienclosea chequepostalordermadepayable to RailwayMission TitleFirst Name Surname Address Postcode Telephone Email Yes,I wouldlike tomake regular donations Make yourgift worth25%more atno extracost to you! IamaUK taxpayerandI wouldlikeRailwayMission totreatall donations Ihavemade nowandinthefutureasGiftAiduntilInotify otherwise Signature………………………………………………………………………………………….Date…………………………… Iconfirm thatIhavepaidincome/capital gains tax atleastequal totheamountsofgiftsmade to allcharitiesandAmateurSportsClubsinthe same tax yearasthe donationhasbeenmade.I understandthat VATand Council Taxdonotqualify RailwayMission Room 66•RugbyRailwayStation• WarwickshireCV213LA www.railwaymission.org•office@railwaymission.org• 07718971919 RailwayMissionisa registered charityinEnglandand Wales(1128024)andinScotland(SCO45897). Acompanylimited byguarantee registeredinEnglandand Wales(06519565).
www.railwaymission.org inpartnershipwith Theyhelped methroughthe hardtimes… Supporton life’sjourney
