Christmas in the Gulf
Warwick Cuthbertson will never forget Christmas 2007.
After thirty years of ministry, Warwick Cuthbertson, HMAS Chaplain will never forget Christmas 2007, on board HMAS Arunta in the Arabian Gulf!
During a busy month at sea, some of the ship's company worked with me to ensure that Christmas celebrations would be a highlight of Arunta's deployment. The festivities began with Carols by Cyalume sticks (it is dangerous to burn candles in a warship!) on Christmas Eve.
Next came Midnight Mass at 23.30, and then a Christmas Day service and Holy Communion on the gun deck platform at 09.00 in the morning.
Santa visited all the messes with the Secret Santa gifts that the ship's company provided. Christmas Dinner was a feast served by the officers, with the special guest for Christmas being the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Shalders.
For me as Chaplain, creating liturgies with limited resources that express something of the mystery, wonder and joy of Christmas was quite a challenge!
Preparation needed to factor in the possibility that services or visits would be requested on the Coalition ships.
The Chaplain's schedule was finalised just the night before the ship visits - quite a difference from the usual arrangements where I know in advance exactly where I am going and who is likely to be there! HMAS Arunta's company were keen for us to show the spirit of Christmas to other seafarers, and our chefs made magnificent apple pies for me to take as Christmas gifts to each ship I visited.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, I climbed into Arunta's sea boat, with two other crew, holding onto a rope as a crane lowered us over the ship's side, and quietly thanked God my wife could not see me!
First stop was to meet a US Chaplain on their ship and to conduct a service. I arrived in rough conditions and clambered over to the Coastguard Ship Monomoy and was later joined by the US Chaplain. The reality of the situation hit home when shortly after our arrival the ship had to deal with an emergency, which took precedence. Our transport then took both Chaplains to the US Patrol Craft Whirlwind then delivered me to the Arunta and the US Chaplain to the USN Winston Churchill. An unconventional way to commute!
On Christmas Day, I left Arunta at 11.00 by sea boat to US Patrol Craft Firebolt. The intention was to have Christmas dinner on board, followed by a service. Before I could eat the turkey the sea boat had arrived to take me onto US Patrol Craft Sirocco. Unfortunately, I did not have time to finish Christmas dinner or lead a service, but the Commanding Officer asked for some prayers of blessing prior to dinner.
The US Coastguard vessel Adquidneck was the final visit for the day. The Commanding Officer was keen to give crew members the chance to meet, talk and pray with me privately. This was a privilege and many took the opportunity to meet with me. Time passed quickly and a US sea boat soon arrived to take me back to Arunta. This trip took about an hour at high speed.
We collected the US Chaplain, who had taken a service elsewhere, and delivered him back to US Winston Churchill.
I was pleased to finally climb up over the side of our ship, apple pies delivered and faith shared, have a warm shower, and then to go to the wardroom to open my Secret Santa present. I will have an extra Christmas dinner next year as I was unable to finish mine!
Christmas in the Arabian Gulf has been a privilege to share with our own ship's company and other Coalition forces.
We celebrated the joy that comes with our Saviour's birth, and for many of the personnel posted here from different countries, this Christmas season has been a highlight of their faith journey.