Background

Following the enthusiasm of the late Victorian age for missions which cared for the spiritual and welfare needs of working people such as the Mission to Seafarers , the Miner's Mission , and the Railway Mission  , underland hosted all of these . As long ago as the 1870’s the new parish of Pallion appointed a vicar who would specifically minister to shipyard workers and their families . The shipyards have all but gone and the mines have closed but there is still a vibrant Industrial Mission , nowadays often called Workplace Chaplaincy , based in Sunderland Minster but thoroughly ecumenical in its delivery ,  which serves working people in Wearside and beyond  , whatever their employment , or lack of it . Northumbrian Industrial Mission  , whose registered office is in the Minster , serves the urban areas of Sunderland  , Newcastle , Gateshead , Washington  , and Peterlee ,  facilitating chaplaincies to major local employments including the International  Airport , the Metrocentre , Asda , Nissan , Nexus Transport , and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service .

Faith at Work

Rev. Stephen Hazlett , who leads the Sunderland chaplaincy team, became Industrial Chaplain / Team Vicar in January 2000  , after fifteen years serving parishes  , mostly in N. Ireland . When Michael Turnbull as previous Bishop of Durham initiated the concept of a Minster Church reflecting the new city status of Sunderland , Workplace Chaplaincy was and is central to that ethos. Playing a full role in the liturgical and pastoral life of the Minster , for his first few years in post Stephen also had specific pastoral responsibility for the East End and Holy Trinity ,  the old Sunderland Parish Church which housed the city’s first council and is in an area of high unemployment and social dependency . It is now the centre of the major government –funded regeneration scheme Back on the Map, on whose original steering committee Stephen was an active member . He is also a director of ETEC , which delivers apprenticeship training  , work readiness programmes , life skills and disability awareness , and a vibrant community group . Industrial Mission should be rooted in the local church , and the Minster is perfectly situated  with its city centre congregation and fellow Chaplains to the University , Schools , Civic life , the City Centre , Emergency Services , Sports and Leisure facilities , to be an all- encompassing ministry for the city and region in a thoroughly ecumenical context which literally outreaches to thousands of people . Specific church services and activities organised by the Industrial Chaplaincy include the City Harvest which reflects thanksgiving for commercial prosperity as well as the traditional rural images  followed by the annual Harvest  auction which benefits local charities .  Christmas Services include the City Carols and the Magistrates Christmas Service ; the local Courts may also develop a chaplaincy . The International Workers Memorial Day sees an annual concert and service in the Minster , complete with the evocative sounds of a brass band . This day also calls for open air services in Sunderland and Gateshead

Ships to Click

Sunderland is one of the few cities in the UK which still has a strong manufacturing base.  Nissan Motors employs over 4000 workers ; from its inception in 1985 a chaplain has been present . There are also  chaplaincies in the other major manufacturies of Unipres , Grundfos , TRW , and in recent years Liebherr Cranes . A few months ago Stephen was invited to adjudicate in balloting the Rolls Royce Pallion workforce regarding the firm’s future ; the result of this involvement  is the possibility of an on- site chaplaincy being established .
 When he first came into post , Stephen  was charged with maintaining chaplaincy to the manufacturing sector,  but also developing  pastoral care to the rapidly expanding call centres . There are now additional chaplaincies to Shop Direct ( formerly Littlewood’s) in Hendon ,  Royal Mail in Doxford , the Inland Revenue , and the huge HMRC govt. office in Washington  which employs some 2000 people  . Often the workers are low- paid women who are the sole bread- winners for their families  , and who have particular pastoral needs. Sometimes the chaplain finds himself engaged in pastoral conversation against the background noise of hammer on steel- plate ; just as likely the clicking keys of office machinery will be the backdrop today . The local Bridges Retail centre has also appreciated having a chaplain .

Calling the Fire Brigade

More correctly , the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service calling chaplaincy . Originally this was no more than a ceremonial presence by the church at passing- out parades with the occasional bishop invited to dinner . This has now been developed into one of the most successful workplace chaplaincies of all , with the full blessing of Fire Chief Iain Bathgate . Where possible individual stations are pastorally cared for by individual chaplains whom Stephen coordinates and supports . The chaplaincy is seen as part of the TWFRS total welfare care , and works closely with the Medical unit Particularly valuable has been the linkage with the Trauma Support Group  , and the chaplaincy has been able to offer training such as bereavement counselling and team cohesion . Local chaplains are part of a national network  , and have undertaken intensive counselling courses which TWFRS fund as they evidently appreciate what the church offers through chaplaincy . TWFRS also funds local chaplaincy expenses .  Traditional church services are hosted in the Minster and various churches  , and often in conjunction with Police and Ambulance personnel . Although police chaplaincy is well established , there are signs that something similar may be provided by us for Ambulance crews .

Associate Chaplains

Several years ago NIM realised that this expanding
                                                work could not be sustained by full or even part- time stipendary chaplains , not leastly because sponsoring churches were ( and are) having major difficulties paying for this professional ministry  , despite its success in reaching such a large non- church going population  . Associate chaplains  , lay and ordained  , have been appointed to work alongside the core chaplains serving in particular factories , offices , retail outlets , fire / ambulance stations  , and transport networks . One enterprising chaplain has even begun chaplaincy to a local taxi rank ! Presently Stephen supports ten such ecumenical chaplains , who meet regularly for prayer and the development of the work . A proper interview process has been established and  specific training in Ushaw College , Durham and/ or  the national Industrial Mission Assoc. course is undertaken . More are needed !

Partners in Economy

Chaplaincy affords the church the wonderful
                                                       opportunity to be an appreciated partner in organisations which have traditionally had a huge influence on the workforce and the business world  . First , the Unions all value the support given by the church in the pastoral care of many members and the shared history of working people’s rights and safety . Specifically  , Stephen is chair of his local Unite union branch  , and has represented NIM on the Northern TUC. He is also attends the Sunderland Trades Council  , and the County Association of  Trade Councils meetings .  
Wearside Chamber of Commerce has always welcomed the presence of the Industrial Chaplain  , and Stephen has delivered a number of presentations to Chamber events .  Jobcentre Plus has invited the chaplain to give talks to its staff , and he has in the past participated in case revue panels and chaired an employment diversity group .   

The Wider Issue

The local chaplaincy , NIM , is part of the national Industrial
                                        Mission Association . Stephen has been Moderator of this for the past two years , and is editor of Agenda , the national IMA magazine . He represents the IMA on the Council of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland . During the recent recession  , when so many people lost their jobs  , the chaplaincy was invited to offer additional pastoral visits which it was honoured but saddened  to do  . This was widely covered in the local newspapers and radio  as something positive the church had to offer , at a time when many question the relativity of faith to everyday issues .  Literally chaplaincy was seen to be offering “a tough faith for tough times” .BBC Songs of Praise also featured Sunderland Minster and Industrial Mission in July 2009 and Stephen was interviewed by BBC 4 on the 25th.  anniversary of the Miners’  Strike.  He has chaired public debates for Age Concern  , Sunderland College , and the Echo newspaper . With his own past military connection , Stephen has conducted a number of services for both the Army and the RAF Association  , including the Battle of Britain annual Sunderland service , and previously served as an Hon.Chaplain to the Royal Navy Cadets , and the local fishing fleet in Sunderland .