Governance
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is comprised of 11 Directors, the Chaplain and the Archdeacon of Thunder Bay-North Shore. Directors hold their appointment for a 2 year term. 5 Directors are elected annually at the Mission’s Annual General meeting (AGM) normally held in May. The Thunder Bay-North Shore Deanery Council appoints 1 Director for a 2 year term at its pre-Synod meeting.
The Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary are Directors and appointed for a 1 year term by the Board of Directors at its meeting following the AGM.
2024/2025
Chair
Pastor Matthew Diegel
Vice-Chair
Vacant
Secretary
Anne Zuliani
Treasurer
vacant
Directors
Barbara Brayshaw Fontaine
Janet Pike
David Stephens
Don Wright
Brad Yeo
Jean Paul Mercier
Dorothy Playle
Irene Wyrozub
Susan Zirnsak-Pike
Chaplain – Non-voting
The Reverend Canon Ed Swayze
Archdeacon of Thunder Bay-North Shore – Ex-officio
The Venerable Deborah Kraft
Goals and Objectives
The purpose of the Mission to Seafarers is to promote the spiritual, moral and physical well-being of seafarers and their families world-wide.
Our goals fall into two categories, Direct Ministry and Providing Resources to Minister to Seafarers:
Direct Ministry
- Provide ministry to seafarers and port personnel who request our services.
- Visit seafarers aboard ocean-going ships in the Port of Thunder Bay.
- Transport seafarers to shopping, the Seafarers’ Center and upon request to worship or for a tour of city.
- Operate the Seafarers’ Centre as a welcoming place where seafarers are provided with an opportunity to connect with volunteers and relax. Seafarers are offered:
- communications facilities and the purchase of SIM cards so that they may contact their family and friends;
- Bibles in various languages, free of charge; and
- warm clothing.
- Deliver Christmas Gift Bags to ships that are in Port in December.
- Offer an annual Blessing of the Fleet service for local mariners.
Providing Resources to Minister to Seafarers
- Educate the community about seafarers and enhance the profile of the Mission in the community.
- Attract, train and retain volunteers.
- Fund raise to operate the local station and provide for capital improvements.
- Work with Missions to Seafarers: Canada (MTSC) and the North American Ministry Association (NAMMA) in order to share practises and information so that the Thunder Bay station maintains standards of ministry consistent with other MTS stations.