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.
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.
LiamJohnston ExecutiveDirector RailwayMission
Oreventhepersonwhostartstocleara mountainofworkthat’sbeenbuilding overdays,weeksorevenmonths.
FromthetopYoucould bebraver thanyou think… Weshouldn’t focusonfear,but ontheLord… Xin-HDforUnsplash.com BangsaiNamforUnsplash.com
Forexample,someonehasthestrength tostandupforwhatisrightwhena friendtriestopressurethemintodoing, saying,orthinkingsomethingwrong.
Forsomepeople,ittakesthemasmuch couragetodothese‘small’thingsasit doesforpoliceofficerstoruntowards danger.
Whatdoyouthinkofwhenyouhearthe word‘courageous’?
Lifecanbefulloffearfulsituationsand leftunrestrained,feargrows,paralysing ourminds. Nevertheless,inthosetimeswhenwe feelfearisparalysingus,Godsays,‘Be strongandcourageous’(Joshua1:9).
Supportonlife’sjourney 3
Maybeit’safirefighterenteringa burningbuilding,oraBritishTransport Policeofficerrushingtowardsaterrorist incident,perhapssomeonesummoning thestrengthtobattlecancer.Ofcourse, allofthesetakeanimmenseamountof bravery. Whatpossiblydoesn'tspringtomindare thesmallactsofcouragethatweeither don’tnoticeorthathappeninsecret.
MicheleAshtonischaplainforthe AngliaRoute,whichtakesherfrom LondonLiverpoolStreetStationoutto Norfolk,Essex,Suffolk,Angliaand partsofCambridgeshire,servingC2C, TfLTrains,GreaterAnglia, Thameslink,TheElizabethLine,and evensomeofTfL’sLondon UndergroundontheCentralLine. Inrecentweeksappreciationforthe workofRailwayMissionhasbeen shownthroughthegenerousdonations ofrailworkersinMichele’sarea.
RailwayMissionisabletoemployfull andpart-timechaplainsbecauseofthe generousgivingofrailcompaniesand donationsfromrailstaffandsupporters. It’sespeciallygratifyingwhenagroup ofrailemployeesgetstogetherto demonstratetheirthanksforthework ofourrailwaychaplainsbysowinginto oursupportwork. 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 Michele(withthefloweryyellowtopin thecentrefront).
Thanksforsupporting RailwayMission
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“Iamhumbledathowmuchhasbeen donatedbytheIpswichteamsof MOMs,Signallers,S&Tandthe managementandI'msogratefulto everyonefortheirgenerosity.It'sa privilegeandapleasuretobeyour chaplain.”
RailwayMissioneitherthroughour prayersupporters,throughthosewho contributefinancially,andthosewho givechaplainsakindwordof appreciationwhenwemeetup.
RailwayMissionisverythankfulfor theirconsiderationandformakingit suchafundayforMicheleasthey raisedfundsforourcharity. IpswichMOMs&Signallers
MobileOperationsManagersandLocal OperationsManagers,alongwith Signallers,doafantasticjobonthe railways,andweareoftenintouchwith them,especiallyfollowingrail incidents. Theyarealwaysappreciativeofhaving chaplainsavailablewhentheyneed them,soit’sgreattobeabletoremind everyoneoftheincredibleworktheydo tokeeptherailwaysrunning, Thankstoeveryonewhosupports
Michelesays,“NetworkRail'souter operationsteamisbasedatIpswich's signallingschoolintheMaltings.A collectionwasorganisedbyDave Shannon,FieldServiceDelivery Manager,withdonationsreceived fromstaffasathankyoutoRailway Missionforourvaluedsupport.”
Itwasafantastic day,theweather wassuperkind,and itwasawonderful opportunityforme tosayapersonal thankyoutoateam whoworkhardto keepmeand thousandsofothers safe.
Addedtothis,Michelehadthedelight ofmeetingupwithsomeofthe NetworkRailMobileOperations Managersinherarea,atIpswich (picturedright),who,alongwithother membersofthesignallingteams,also decidedtoraisefundstosupportthe workofRailwayMission.
Supportonlife’sjourney
LondonWaterloo Fri11Nov 10:45am CHenley
6 Lestweforget photobyiamnahforunsplash Location Date Time Chaplain
BirminghamMoorStreet Thurs10Nov 10:45am AHall LeamingtonSpa Thurs10Nov 14:00pm AHall BirminghamNewStreet Fri11Nov 10:45am AHall Fri11Nov 10:45am JCarrick GlasgowCentral Fri11Nov 10:45am DGrant EdinburghWaverley Fri11Nov 10:45am GWhitehead 10:55am AThorpe Fri11Nov 10:45am ALevitt-Harwood&HBartlett
Ayr
LondonEuston
York
Kidderminster(SVR) Sun13Nov 10:45am AHall LondonPaddington Fri11Nov 10:45am JRoe LondonLiverpoolStreet Fri11Nov 10:50am MAshton
Fri11Nov 10:55am SRowe LondonKingsCross Fri11Nov 10:45am DGeorge Dover Tue8Nov 10:45am DGeorge
BristolTempleMeads Fri11Nov
7 REMEMBRANCE
Eachyeartherailwaycomestogether torememberthesacrificeandloss experiencedduringtimesofconflict. Annually,chaplainsareinvolvedin around30servicesaroundthecountry. Belowwehavealistofsomeofthe servicesthatarecurrentlybeing planned.Somearestilltobeconfirmed, andotherswillbeaddedtothelist.Find intendedtoglorifywar,trivialise sacrificeandlossexperienced,butto bothfacilitateacorporateactof remembranceandtobringa
connectionbetweenchurchand industrythatcanstimulate conversationandunderstanding. Chaplainsareworkingtobuildonthe successofthepastandtoenhancethe chaplaincyandtherelationship betweenstationsandlocalchurches. Location Date Time Chaplain Longsite,Manchester, Alstom Wed9Nov 10:50am MRoberts PrestonPALSMemorial Thurs10Nov 10:50am MRoberts ManchesterPiccadilly Fri11Nov 10:45am MRoberts Liverpool,JamesStreet Fri11Nov 14:00pm MRoberts Barrow-in-Furness Sat12Nov 10:50am MRoberts ManchesterVictoria Sun13Nov 10:45am MRoberts CreweWorksBogie Workshop Mon14Nov 10:50am MRoberts CreweStation Mon14Nov 13:00pm MRoberts
moreinformationonservicesonour websiteat www.railwaymission.org/ news/remembrance. Remembranceservicesarenot
InMay,forthefirsttimesincethestart oftheCOVIDpandemic,Railway MissionheldourChaplains’ ConferenceatKing’sPark Northampton. Itwasagreatopportunitytomeet togetherandrekindletherelationships andsupportnetworkswithinthe chaplaincyteam.Weorganisedour timetoallowplentyoffreetimetohelp theteamrechargeaftertwoyearsof COVID.
Joiningtheconferencewereseveral representativesoftheInternational RailwayMission,RailHope.Delegates fromIndia,Switzerland,The Netherlands,Belgium,Finland,Norway andGermanyjoinedtheconferencein aspiritofcooperationand encouragement.
workspredominantlywithfrontline, careanduniformedservices,aswellas thosewhohavebeenthroughtrauma, asaResilienceandRecoveryCoach. AformerjournalistandPTSDsurvivor, Gemmaispassionateabout communicationandawarenessaround resilienceandwellbeing.Railway Missioniscontinuingtoworkwith Gemmatooffersupporttoteam memberswhoneedextrasupport.
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Wealsohad GemmaMargerison (right) leadfoursessionswiththeteamon ‘ResilienceandRecovery.’Gemma
Supportonlife’sjourney
Externalspeakersarealwaysimportant atourconferencesandthisyearwasno exception;withspeakersfromRailway BenefitFund,TransportBenevolent Fund,RailwayChildren,Samaritans andBritishTransportPolice.
Conference RailwayMission
BarryreceivesacalendarfromUlrich
Waterloosubterraneantour
AlexpraysforAndrew Conferencegrouptalk
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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.
Seeingallsidesofadispute
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.
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Industrialactionontherailwayalways poseschallengesforyourRailway Missionchaplains.Manyseestrike actioninstrictblackandwhiteterms, butaschaplains,wesitinthegreyarea betweentheopposingsides.Our strapline,‘SupportonLife’sJourney’ appliestoeveryonewhoworksinthe industry,fromnewstartersontheir firstday,totheretireeontheirlast, fromthepeoplewhocleanonboardto thepeoplewhositontheBoard.
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.
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Next,wehaveTraumaRisk Management(TRiM)providedby BritishTransportPolice,andalsothe BritishTransportPoliceEmployee AssistanceProgram,whichprovides counsellingifrequired,amongother things. Becausechaplainsoftenthinkthey shouldbeabletocopewitheverything, wewanttoensurethatbeyondallofthe abovewealsohaveatouchpoint followingsevenincidents.Theideais thataftersevenincidentswherethe
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!
That’swhychaplainsmusthavelocal pastoralsupportviatheirchurch.Of course,chaplainsalsosupportone anotherandthatisencouraged,but beyondthis,wealsohaveproactive 'chaplaincytothechaplains.'Wealso havea'pastoral'trusteetowhomwe canreferstaffforpastoralsupport.
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
ChaplainsMicheleAshton andJohnRoearepartofthe chaplaincyteamthatlooks afterthenewCrossraillinks ontheElizabethLine.
On24May2022,thelinewas officiallyopenedbythe Queen,andMicheleandJohnrodethetrainsto gainasenseofanticipationforthenewtransport linkforpeopletravellingacrossLondon. WeaskedJohnandMicheleforsomeoftheirfirst impressionsofthelineastheytravelled. Johnsays,“Thebigdayfinallyarrived:The openingoftheElizabethLine,anewhigh-speed railservicefromPaddingtonthroughCentral LondontoAbbeyWoodandShenfield. “MicheleandIjoinedtensofthousandsof passengersatPaddingtononthatspecialday,to samplethislatestadditiontoLondon’spublic transport.” AndtheywillbewellservedbyMicheleand John,alongwithfellowRailwayMission ChaplainsDylisGeorgeandJohnRobinson,as RailwayMissioncontinuestobuildrelationships withstaffandprovidepastoralcare. Micheleadds,“AsweexploredoutsideLiverpool StreetstationtofindtheentrancetotheElizabeth Linemyexcitementincreased.Wefoundacavern
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“RichardFry,ElizabethLineStationManager proudlyannouncedthattheShardBuilding(the highestbuildinginLondon)wouldfitcomfortably onitssideontheplatform. “Fromconversationswithstaff,itisclearthatthere isasenseofpridetobeworkingontheElizabeth Line.” Elizabeth Line
Johncontinues,“Itwasauniqueexperience.Almost everyonewassmiling,strangerstalkingtoeach other,sharingphotoswitheachotherandthe helpfulstaff,resplendentintheirnewpurplelivery uniforms.Therewasanoverwhelmingsenseof spaciousnessonahugescale.
Ridingthe
ofanentranceunlikeotherstationsgivingagreat senseofspacewhichcontinuedinside.
Supportonlife’sjourney 15
“Abigsurprisewastheunusualdiagonalliftwetried out.Theseliftswerecheapertoinstallandshould saveonpowercomparedtoverticallifts.The travellingexperiencewasquiteuniqueasitfollowed thepathoftheescalator.“
CommonwealthGamesReport
AndrewHall
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NewStreetStation,Birmingham InternationalandUniversitywerethe busieststations,andthethroughputof passengerswasimmense.University stationaloneaveraged37,000 passengersaday. ThetrainoperatorsandNetworkRail hadmajorplansinplacetoensurea robustandsafeserviceforlocalsand visitorschoosingtotravelbytrain.
Idon'tthinkanyoneofsoundmind wouldcallmeasportsfan,butIhave beendelightedtobeinvolved,evenin asmallway,withthehugeundertaking deliveredastheCommonwealth GamesBirmingham22.
BritishTransportPolice[BTP],working withWestMidlandsPolice,hadtheir ranksswelledbyhundredsofofficers importedfromacrossthenation.Silver commandwassetupinNorth Birminghamandpatrolsandspecialist teamsweredeployedtoallstations
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 fillingthesquare.Hewillremain insitu untiltheendofSeptember.
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.’
havingincreasedfootfallduetothe games.
Theeventwasatremendoussuccessandacredit,notonlyto theRegion,theCity,localauthoritiesandtheorganisers,butto everymemberofstaffandvolunteerwhodidtheirbit.
WithsupportfromHelenLewis,Colin FraserandAndreaSmyth,Ispenttime withrailstaffandBTPteamsatvarious stations.Wehadtheprivilegeoftalking withofficersfromvariouspartsof Scotland,severalareasofLondon, Bristol,Cardiff,Manchester,Derby, Leedsandmanyotherlocations. Asactivitycentredaround Birmingham,Iwasalsoabletospend timewithstafffromtheTrainOperating Companiesastheyrosetothe challengeofmanagingthethroughput ofvastnumbersofextrapassengers.I madeapointofdroppingintotheHead OfficesofWestMidlandsTrainsand AvantiWestCoast,andvisitedNetwork RailatBaskervilleHouse,wherethere werefewerthannormalstaffasmany wereoutonthestationsaspartofthe armyofpink-jacketedhelpers. Inadditiontothehundredsofrailstaff andpolicetherewere14000volunteers workingacrossthecitytoensure everythingwentsmoothly.
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impressionsoftherole
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 discussions? Wearetheretostabiliseandsupport existingstructures.We’renotjustdoing itinournamebutinGod’sname.Wetry andshowadifferentway,notbytaking sidesinaconflict.RailwayMissionhas alwaysprovidedimpartialadviceand
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Mission’sMarketing Manager,spentsometime
Alex Volossevich Interview
LydiaPaine,Railway withChair,Alex Volossevich,toaskabouthis
“ThisActofRemembranceservedto paytributetothecourageousmenand womenwhojoinedthemilitarytask forceandhelpedliberatetheFalkland Islandsin1982.Plymouthand Devonportplayedasignificantpartin theconflict,andwehonouredthe serviceandbraveryofallthosewho neverreturnedhome,alongwiththe manymorewhowerewounded, physicallyandmentally.”
GreatWesternRailhelda remembranceserviceatPlymouth stationonTuesday14thJune,where theyunveiledaspecialFalklands40 liverydedicatedtothosewhomadethe ultimatesacrifice40yearsago.
Tell–ofyourexperienceofthe missionbecauseyouvalueit,shareit withothersandspreadthewordabout theworkofthechaplains.Consider howyoucoulduseyourgiftstoraise awarenessandsupportforthecharity. 1Peter3:15:“Butinyourheartsrevere ChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedto giveananswertoeveryonewhoasks youtogivethereasonforthehope thatyouhave.Butdothiswith gentlenessandrespect.”
Doyouhaveafavouritetrainand/or journey? IwouldreallyliketodoWestHighland LineacrosstheGlenfinnanViaduct–theviewsarefantastic!
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GreatestrailwayjourneythatIhave donewasfromonesideofCanadato theother.Travellingacrossthe RockiesarrivinginBanffwaslike travellingfromautumntowinter,asit snowedthenightwearrived. Anotherpersonalfavouritewason boardasteamengineonLondon Transport,travellingonthefootplate.
RailwayMissionchaplainJohnRoe said,“Itwasaprivilege,onwhatwasa veryhot,sunnyday,toleadtheshort Falklandsremembranceservice, accompaniedbyveteranswhoserved intheconflict.Itbroughtbackmany memoriestomyself,watchingthe horrorsofthewarunfoldinginrealtime onthenews.”
FalklandsWar Dedication Service
Whatarethebestwaysthat stakeholderscansupporttheir chaplainsandthecharityasawhole? Pray–it’sveryimportanttoseekGod’s agenda.NotmywillbutGod’s,as ChristprayedinGethsemane. Ask–ifyouknowyourlocalchaplain, askwhattheymayneed.Youcanfind outwhoyourlocalchaplainisonour websiteifyou’reunsure.
Supportonlife’sjourney support,togivepeoplethetoolsto copewhenthingsaren’tgood. Throughourwork,weaimtoshow peoplethatwhenprovokedwedon’t havetoretaliate.
20 Liverpoolwasagreattradingcity servedbyseaandrail,thetwoworking togetheratthedockside.Thisprovided highlevelsofemploymentwitha highlyorganisedworkforcethat sometimesbroughtunrest;in1911this sparkedthefirstnationalrailwaystrike. Itwasawealthycitywithmuchofits prosperitycomingfromthe transatlanticcottontrade;thisnorthern wealthhelpedfundrailwayexpansion acrosstheUK,startingwiththefirst intercityrailway,betweenLiverpool andManchester. Itwasareligiouscitywithastrong dividebetweenCatholicsand Protestants.TheIrishbroughttheir CatholicismfromIrelandandtheWelsh linkstotheirrevivals.Itwasa metropoliswithmanymissions; approximately180in1894. Outreachtorailwaymenstartedwith visitsbytheLiverpoolTownMissionto TithebarnStreetandLimeStreet stationsin1860.ItbecameLiverpool CityMissionin1899continuingtovisit railwaymenintheworkplace.
MissionontheMersey
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 thefollowingparagraph:“Atthebirthof Railways,nearlysixtyyearsago, Liverpoolmerchantswereamongthe
Jschweikartforpixabay.com
firsttolaydowntheirmoneyto promotethefirstParliamentaryRailway Bill…Werejoicethatto-daytheyarenot behindinhigherandnobler work…[and]theMissionhasatitshead someoftheleadingChristianbusiness menofLiverpool.”
DudleyClark LiverpoolParishChurch.PhotobyVasilyKleymenovforpexels.com
andblessing…”Thebranchhad recentlyhadavisitfromanAmerican ministerwhodeclared“thatitwashis firstexperienceinacook-house meeting,andfeltrathernervous.”
ThefirstBishopofLiverpool,JCRyle, becamePresidentoftheRailway Mission’sworkinLiverpool.By1900 therewere32sub-brancheswhich principallyservedthedocksthatlined bothbanksoftheMersey.Otherswere scatteredasfarasOrmskirk, WarringtonandpartoftheWirral.
ButthetellingoftheloveofChristsoon dispelledhisnervousness,andhegave “astirringandhelpfuladdress.”
Supportonlife’sjourney 21
Onelesscommonactivitywastheband oftheEdgeHillbranch.Acommittee minutefromOctober1916recordsthat “therewastrouble…bothTreasurerand Secretary…wereunsatisfactoryand duringtheband-master’sabsencein Egypt,thetreasurerrefusedtogiveup eitherthecashinhandorthe instruments,whichwerepaidforoutof thebandfunds.”
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
LiamJohnstonExecutiveDirectorof RailwayMission,said: “In2020researchfromCanadaLife revealedthatthreeinfive(59%)ofUK adultshavenotwrittenawill.This equatesto31millionpeople,whose property,financialandotherassets couldbelefttosomeonetheyhavenot chosenwhentheydie.RailwayMission isdelightedtobeabletohelpthe railwayfamilywriteawill,freeof
charge,thatwillhelpensureyour ‘will’istheirchoice.” Ourcharitiessawanincredibletake upfromtheindustry.Over1,000 peopleregisteredtocreateafreewill, withatotalof£22,000leftasgifts. Thewillwritingcompanyreported thatthetakeupfromthiscampaign was20%higherthanallothercharity willmonthscombined.
LydiaPainewrites,“InMarchofthis year,wepartneredwithfellowrailway charitytheRailwayBenefitFund(RBF) tocreateajointlegacygiving campaign,whichwaskindlysupported bytheRetiredRailOfficersSociety.The freewillwritingservicewassupplied byBequeathed,whoseaccreditedlegal firmsdonateupto30minutesoftheir timetohelpusersmaketheirwill. Usersofthefreewillwritingservice weregiventheoptiontoleaveagiftin theirwillforacharityoftheirchoice. Therewas,ofcourse,noobligationfor userstoincludeRailwayMissionorRBF intheirwill,butlegacygivingisa fantasticwaytosupportcharities. Whetheritisadonation,ora percentageofanestate,itensuresthat RailwayMissionandRBFcancontinue tosupporttherailwayfamilygoing throughdifficulttimeswheneverthey needthem.
ClaireHoughton,CEOoftheRailway BenefitFund,said: “Weareamazedattheincredibletake upwesawduringMarchandare delightedtobeabletoextendourfree willwritingserviceforayear.We’d alsoliketothankeveryonewhohas madeadonationorleftalegacywhen creatingtheirwill–thissupport enablesourcharitiestobetherefor theRailwayFamilylongintothe future.”
Duetothisincrediblesuccess, RailwayMissionandRBFhavemade thedecisiontoextendtheservicefor anotheryear,sothatevenmore peopleintheindustrycouldcreatea willforfree.Ifyouhavenotyettaken advantageofthefreewillwriting service,headovertoourwebsite www.railwaymission.org/make-afree-will-month.”
LydiaPaineisMarketingManagerfor RailwayMission alisadysonforpixabay
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Freewillsextension
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 websitebyscanningtheQR-codeonthispageorgoto www.railwaymission.org.
Whilstitishumblingtobeasked,italso bringshomethefactthatweas chaplains,togetherwithChristianrail
AlanThorpe BristolTempleMeads AndreaSmyth LondonNorth,ARL,Chiltern, Avanti,Eurostar,GTR,TfLNorth AngelaLevitt-Harwood GreatNorthern,LNER,Yorkto KingsCrossLondon DavidHardy WestMidlands,Gloucester, RetiredRailwayStaff
Ithasbeen asadtimeintherailway community.Ihaveconductedalarge numberoffuneralsofretiredmen.I knewthemandtheirfascinating stories. AtthefuneralIshareaboutChrist’slove andvictoryoverdeathandthat althoughthehopeofheavenis important,theGospelisalsofornow:in 24
During recentvisits,twotopicsof conversationarecommon:theongoing strikesandthecostofliving.
Overtheyears
Ofcourse,theseareinterlinkedwiththe disputeleadingtolossofincome.There isarealsenseofuneaseaboutthe futureespeciallywiththeplannedGBR bringingquestionsaboutpotential closureofticketoffices,voluntary redundancy,andrestructuring.
Ihavemetthousandsof railwaystaff.Someinlifelongcareers whileothersmoveontopasturesnew. Aretiredlifelongrailman,whoseolder sonhadalsoworkedforGWR,phoned mesayhisyoungerson(43)had unexpectedlydiedinthenight,and wonderedifIcouldofficiateathis funeral.
employees,areformanythe embodimentofChurch.Weareindeed 'ambassadorsforChrist.'Continueto praythatourwitnessremainsbright andfresh.
Uncertaintyisastateofbeingforallof usbutmaybewecanpraythatthrough ourworkwecanall,inthewordsofSt Augustine,be"instrumentsofpeace"as wepassthroughstations,officesand depots.
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.
“Purgatory,Heaven,Hell,“and,“why didn’tJesusfeaturemoreinhisteenage yearsintheBible?”Justsomeelements ofconversationinlocaldepots. Ithasbeenabusyfewweekswiththree fatalitiesontheline,adeathinthe StationHotel,afreighttrainshunt,a suddendeathonatrainandanumber ofnearmisses.Ithasnotbeenquiet aroundhere. Thestrikescontinueandthereare alwaysthevulnerablefolk.Lifeisstillas complex.Andyetthereisnodoubtthat Godisrighthere‘inthemix’.Ithank Godcompletelyforhiscompassionate support.
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. Oftenfriendsandcolleaguesprovidea “GuardOfHonour”forthecoffin.The archwayofgreenflagsshowsthatitis safetotravelthroughdeathbecause Christiswithusandtheroadaheadis clear!
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…
Onethingwe needprayerforonthe railwaysisstability.
Wegivethanks forthemanyChristians workingintheindustry,whoappreciate thesupportofferedbychaplains,as theyseektobe'saltandlight'inthe workplace. Ihavebeensupportingstaffwhohave sufferedasuccessionofserious incidentsinrecentmonths,including staffassaults,suicides,andasuspected murder. ADutyManageratoneofmystations approachedme,askingifIcouldobtain Bibles,todisplayalongwithotherfree literatureavailableatthestation,"so thatthemessageofhopecanberead andexperienced."Iwasabletosupply themwithRailwayMissionbranded NewTestaments. It'sajoy andaprivilegetoreturnto servingwiththeRailwayMission, alongsideGrahamandDereck.Iam enjoyingbeingbackandvisiting stationsIhaveneverheardofbefore. Achnasheen,Achanalt,and Achnashellach.IdidwonderifIhad beentransportedtoGermany. MyLineManager,Andrew,hasasked meifIwas"goingforthehattrick."Yes. Havingpreviouslycoveredboththe EastandWestofScotlandandnowthe northwhereDereckhasdonesucha wonderfuljob. Pleaseprayforopportunitiestoshare God'slove,guidance,protection, wisdom,andcompassionasItakeon thisnewarea.
There'snothingbetterthanbeing appreciatedfortheworkyoudo,andall staffneedthis.Akindwordandasense ofaffirmationwillalwaysgofar. Ourchaplainsalsodoafabulousjob, andareappreciated,soit'sgreatwhen wearetoldthis,or,asyouwillseefrom Michele'sstory(pages4-5),when peoplegivetosupportourwork.
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JohnRoe GreatWesternRailway, Paddington,TfLWest RuthMcBean NorthScotland
PleasecontinuetopayforRailway Missionchaplains.Asthissituation highlighted,chaplainsmeetaveryreal andconsistentneedforlove,care,and supportinthelivesofrailwayworkers andtheirfamilies;supportthatmany otherindustrieslack.
StephenRowe AreaManagerLondon&The South,TfLCentral
Rightnow,withindustrialaction,the changestowardsGreatBritishRailand extremeweathereventsfollowingthe pandemic,theindustryneedsaboost–a sustainedperiodofcertainty–bothfor thetravellingpublic,andforthefuture ofemployees.
ChristopherHenley SouthWestRailway,Waterlooto theSouthCoast,TfLSouthWest DylisGeorge Southeastern,GTRforSouth Easternroutes,TfLSouth
MicheleAshton LondonEast,Anglia,AbellioEast Anglia,c2c,TfLEast,Crossrail Cambridge Railway Station
drop-in foracoffeeandachat
Supportonlife’sjourney 27 Rejoicealways, praywithoutceasing, ineverythinggivethanks…
Vector:GDJforpixabay
Ilandedin Ipswichunannounced,to hearthesadnewsthatastaffmember hadpassed."YouhavesavedmeajobI wasabouttocallyou"saidtheField Manager.Weneverknowwhenwe’re suddenlyneeded. Thenextsurprise:acollectionjarwith £150wasgiventoRailwayMissionfrom oneoftheteamsasathankyouformy support.Iwasblownaway,howlovely. Anotheremployeerecallingtoa colleaguehowIhadsupportedand helpedhimwastotallyshockedtosee meafterseveralyears.
SomeAreaManagersandaHuman ResourceLeadhaverecentlycalledon metosupporttheirstafffollowing deathsinservice.
Itistheywhoareabreathoffreshair. Myprayeristhatweallcontinuetobe that‘breathoffreshair’toall.
“Youhavebeen abreathoffreshair” washowagroupofDispatchers,who hadwitnessedatragicincident, summedupourconversationrecently. AsltravelaroundtheWessexarea,I encountersomanyBTP,NetworkRail andSWRteamswhowanttojusthavea chatabouttheirlife,theirworkand showtheirenthusiasmfor‘working’ (manyseetheirworkas‘service’,not ‘work’)aspartoftherailwayfamily.
Thankyouforyourcontinuedprayer support.
Pleaseprayforfamilymembersand staffmemberswhohavelostaloved
"CovidhasshakenmelikeIhavenever experiencedbefore"hesaidand thankedmeforlistening. Whataprivilegeandpleasuretomeet railwaypeopleastheywork.
oneorcolleague.PleaseprayforGod’s comfortandpeaceintimesofdifficulty.
Theseareunprecedented timesin whichmyroleasachaplainisvery muchneededandIamgratefulfor conversationsIhavehad,especially withnewstaff.Itisgoodthatstaffand managersareusingorsignposting peopletotheirchaplainespeciallyafter fatalities.
Thecontinuedwork ofRailwayMission hasbeenassuredbyitsadaptabilityto changesintherailindustry.While fundingisafaithjourney,thefaithful prayersupportofmanyhasenabledthe missiontocontinueinthiswork. IwasremindedofthelegacyofRailway MissionatachurchinDerbywhostill celebratetheiroriginsasaRailway Missionchapel. Ourfocusisnolongerchurchplanting, butwestillserveas'thechurch'tothose inourareasandIgivethanksforthe opportunitiestosharemyfaithwith others,bothatpointsofcrisisandin incidentalmeetings. Pleaseprayformoreofthese opportunities.
Scotlandisnotexemptfromthe industrialrelationsproblemsinthe industry,pleaseprayforgood leadership,fairdealings,andajust settlementtothesedisputes.
peoplethroughthese“interesting times,”andthatwechaplainswillbe abletosupportherandherteam.
Confidential Impartial Independent ColinFraser EastMidlandsRailway,London StPancras MikeRoberts NorthWest,NorthWales,
Chaplaincyisalways abalancingact. It'saboutbeingindependentofthe operatingcompaniesinthesupportwe offer,butalsobeingembeddedinthose companiesinawaythattheycanuseus forhelpfulsupport. Givethanksforsomereally encouragingopportunitieswith companiestoworkwiththemto engagewithteamstoraiseawareness ofRailwayMissionandtheworkwedo. Pleasealsoprayforme,asPhilleaves, andIpickupcontactsinthe Manchesterareaagain.
GrahamWhitehead WestHighlandsandCentral Scotland 28 www.railwaymission.org Liverpool
ImetJoanne Maguire,ScotRail'sChief OperatingOfficer,recently. ShejoinedtheindustryinApril,as ScotRailmovedfrombeingafranchise toanarms-lengthgovernment operation. Changeofanysortcancause uncertaintyandanxietyforallstaff,so pleaseprayforJoanneassheboth learnsaboutourindustryandleadsits
Supportonlife’sjourney 29 Rejoicealways, praywithoutceasing, ineverythinggivethanks…
Muchofmy time,recently,hasbeen spentwithpeoplewhohavebeen focusedondeliveringthe ‘CommonwealthGamesBirmingham 2022.’StafffromTOCs,NetworkRail andBTPhavebeenputtingtheirplans togetherforseveralyears.Pleasegive thanksforthemandwhattheyhave achieved.
Scanthislinktothe
Anotherfocus,forme,hasbeen reinstatingsomeoftheregularvisits initiatedbefore‘Covid’and‘Lockdown’ wereinanyone’svocabulary.
Whynot‘adopt’andsupportoneofour
. Pictured:ChaplainAngelaLevitt-Harwood,
Adopta
AndrewHall AreaManagerNorth,West
JustrecentlyIhavemadeoneortwo breakthroughsintermsofestablishing therightcontacts.Ihavehadtolearn thatthe‘gatekeeper’isnotnecessarily whoIthoughtitwas.Pleasepraythat theLordwillcontinuetoopendoorsfor us. chaplainswithadonationtoRailway Mission?Orjoinourprayersupporters inupholdingchaplainsastheygoabout theirwork? Bymakingadonation,youwillenable chaplainstocontinueintheirfullor part-timeministrytorailstaffacross England,ScotlandandWales. Youcanlocatethechaplainthatserves yourlocalareaat railwaymission.org/ find-a-chaplain basedinHull,servingtheNorthEast. donationpage forRailwayMission chaplain! Midlands,Avanti,Chiltern Justask. www.ruoktoday.co.uk
Beafriend.
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
