September 18, 2009
By Lynette Wilson

NEW YORK – Looking out over the crowed of Church Club of New York members gathered at the Seamen's Church Institute on Water Street in lower Manhattan September 17, Doug Stevenson, SCI's director for seafarer's rights, reminded them that the United State's prosperity depends on shipping.

"Probably 100 percent of what you're wearing came over on a ship," Stevenson said.

Despite the world's dependency on shipping, the rights and safety of merchant mariners – the men and women who staff the ships – are often overlooked, he said.

Stevenson presented "The Church and Piracy: Justice and Reconciliation on the High Seas" during the first of seven annual social events/lectures sponsored by the Church Club.

Established in 1887, the Church Club of New York is a forum to discuss important issues facing the Episcopal Church and to exchange ideas among those who are active in their parishes and who serve on vestries and diocesan committees. The Church Club also supports theological education and keeps members informed by sponsoring opportunities to hear experts on topics of vital interest to Episcopalians.

"Being a member of the Episcopal Church is something more than simply showing up on Sunday mornings," said Church Club President Arnold Hayward Neis.

Stevenson embarked on an eight-day journey in August that took him through the Gulf of Aden, aka "Pirate Alley," the waters off the coast of Somalia, as a guest aboard the cargo ship Maersk Idaho, to learn firsthand about the experience of sailors who routinely travel pirate-infested seas.

Media attention focused on "Pirate Alley" in April when pirates seized the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship owned by the U.S.-based Maersk Line Ltd. and held its captain, Richard Phillips, hostage at gunpoint for five days. U.S. Navy Seals rescued Phillips on April 12.

The data Stevenson collected and his observations will also contribute to a clinical study of piracy's effects on merchant mariners and their families that is being conducted by SCI in conjunction with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the New York Psychoanalytic Institute. The study explores the clinical assessment and treatment of piracy attack survivors and is the first of its kind.

Church Club membership is open to baptized lay members of Episcopal churches and to members of parishes in communion with the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

Church Club vice president Dana Cole says that as a member of the group she has made many friends from different generations, and is leading the charge to get Episcopalians in their 20s and 30s involved.

"In a city like New York it's nice to be able to know that everyone in the room has something in common," she said. "And that is a good start."

Episcopal News Service
Lynette Wilson is staff writer, Episcopal Life Media.