News from our Sector Ministers
Revd Dr David Howling
Senior Waterways Chaplain (London and Coastal)
Jesus tells us in John 12:36 to live our lives in a way that reflects the light of our saviour. We do this by using the unique combination of interests, skills, knowledge and experience that God has given us. As we walk alongside those who share our interests and passions we seek to guide them to Jesus through what the theologian Henri Nouwen calls the ministry of presence.
For me, the two things I’m most passionate about are the Gospel and boats. I’m extremely blessed to be able to bring these two passions together serving as a Senior chaplain with Waterways Chaplaincy.
Waterways Chaplains offer support to people who use the canals and rivers of the UK’s waterways network. Chaplains regularly visit their local waterways to support and encourage everyone regardless of religion, orientation or race and are always happy to offer practical and spiritual advice.
The kind of help that chaplains give can vary from something as simple as directing a hire boater to the nearest water tap, or where to buy diesel. It could be helping a liveaboard boater who’s struggling with their finances to access a food bank or understand what benefits they might be entitled to claim. It might be helping a single hander navigate through a series of locks. It might be spending time with someone who’s lost a loved one. Waterways chaplains are there to meet people at their point of need regardless as to what that need might be.
J had been a keen boater all of his life so when his marriage broke down he wasn’t fazed by the prospect of moving onto his boat. He had very little money but was able to cover his living costs. He weathered cold winters, wet summers and gale force autumn winds but the one storm he couldn’t beat was cancer. He died after a short illness leaving all his possessions at the marina where he had lived for many years. Having no traceable relatives and with his only friends being his fellow boaters he had an unattended funeral. His passing could have gone un-noticed had it not been for a Waterways Chaplain who had gotten to know J during the last few of years of his life. The chaplain approached the marina manager and asked to hold a simple memorial in J’s memory to mark his passing. The memorial was held in the middle of the boat yard, with stories told, memories shared and a life given thanks for, thanks to the work of Waterways Chaplaincy.
If you would like to know more about The Waterways Chaplaincy please feel free to contact me. I’m based in West Sussex but I’m always happy to travel and would be delighted to share with you some of the exciting things that God is doing through WWC.