Update from Mission to Seafarers

The Mission to Seafarers (Northern Ireland) is pleased to announce significant appointments to its executive team as from November 2022.

The appointment of Paul Kirker (June 2022) as Centre Manager Belfast (Northern Ireland) 

Paul began his career as an accounting technician for some years before transitioning into sales management. Paul worked for many years for large retail groups (Carpetright and Dreams) as sales manager which involved raising the profile of retail stores while managing sale teams. Paul then spent some years at Boots chemist as PDC (pharmacy delivery and collection) Operations Manager for Northern Ireland which had the responsibility of ensuring the most vulnerable people in our communities received their much needed medication, mainly care homes and people who were housebound. Helping people is what Paul found the most satisfying part of his previous work and was drawn to the Mission to Seafarers through that desire to provide support to those that really need it, the seafarers. I’m sure you will join me in welcoming Paul to the Mission to Seafarers (NI) the support he will provide to the Mission, our staff, volunteers, chaplain and visiting seafarers to our centre. 

The appointment of Revd Mark Reid (November 2022) as Chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers (Northern Ireland) 

Mark began his career in Manufacturing as he says, “a long time ago” and has enjoyed managerial positions in companies such as Bombardier, Sanmina, Wrightbus, Montupet and Radius Systems, managing and leading people and processes in a wide range of industrial settings. In 2004 he began a “parallel” existence when he undertook training and studies at the Church of Ireland Theological College, in Dublin resulting in full ordination in 2007 into Non Stipendary Ministry (part time ministry).  Mark served a 5-year NSM curacy in the Parish of Glenavy, a Parish comprising 3 churches St Aiden’s, St John’s and St Andrews (Tunny). In 2012 Mark was appointed as NSM priest in charge of St John’s Upper Falls and served there for 9 and a half years. He has found the connection to people as the most fulfilling component of his ministry, being with people and families as they worship and find and shape their individual ministries. Mark has also served as a part-time Chaplain to the Forces at Aldergrove and found working on base and the welfare he provided to servicemen and their families as an important part of his ministry. He is very much looking forward to working Full-time with the Seafarers, the Mission committee, staff, volunteers and the broad base of churches and supporters who have become very much a part of the Mission to Seafarers family.