July 23, 2009. In June, the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), an association of 28 Christian not-for-profit seafarer welfare organizations, named Douglas B. Stevenson as its new Chairman. Stevenson, Director of the Seamens Church Institutes (SCI) Center for Seafarers Rights, succeeds former, retired chairman, the Rev. Hero Feenders of the Deutsche Seemannsmission. The 8 members of ICMAs Executive Committee, including the new Chairman, work for separate, independent ministries to mariners, collaborating as member organizations of the 40-year-old seafarers ministry partnership.ICMA promotes ecumenical cooperation among a variety of ministries to seafarers. Its charter and Code of Conduct explain that each member organization should provide for seafarers, fishers, and their dependants regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender, or ethnic origin. ICMAs membership represents 526 seafarers centers and 927 chaplains in 126 countries.Serving on ICMAs Executive Committee since 2007, Stevenson embarks upon a new responsibility as Chairman. Earlier this month, Stevenson said, I am honored to work in ICMA with leaders of other maritime ministry organizations. ICMA and what it representsa common desire for the welfare of marinersis important and harmonizes with the work that we do at SCI. Stevensons appointment is one of several modifications to ICMAs Executive Committee in the new fiscal year. About the changes, the Rev. Hendrik F. la Grange, ICMA Secretariat, blogged, ICMA wishes every blessing on the members of the Executive Committee who are taking up new roles.Stevenson has served as the Director of the Center for Seafarers Rights at SCI since 1990. A maritime lawyer and retired US Coast Guard officer, Stevenson works simultaneously one-on-one with merchant mariners requiring legal assistance and globally with international governments and organizations to establish and enforce fair practices that protect the men and women of the maritime workforce. He continues work as Director of SCIs Center for Seafarers Rights alongside other leadership roles in maritime ministry. CENTRO DE APOIO AOS MARINHEIROS E ASSOCIACAO MARITIMA CRISTA DO BRASIL PROMOVEM CURSO DE CAPACITACAO PARA VISITADORES DE NAVIOS EM VITORIA-ESNos dias 18 e 19 de Abril de 2011 sera realizado o Ship Welfare Visitors Training Course (Curso para Visitadores de Navios), durante a Semana de Capacitacao do Centro de Apoio aos Marinheiros (CAM) que vai de 18 a 20/04/11, aqui em Vitoria-ES, este curso sera ministrado pelo Rev. Adelar Shunk, da German Seamens Mission de Santos SP. A capacitacao ainda contara com a presenca dos missionarios Ernerst e AnaTodas as pessoas que trabalham nos centros de atendimento aos maritimos ou que se interessam em desenvolver este ministerio em seu porto local. Todos sao convidados. A inscricao e somente R$ 40,00 (Quarenta Reais), para cobrir despesas com material didatico e lanche. Almoco, hospedagem e transporte sao de responsabilidade do participante.Caso alguem necessite de ajuda para reservar um hotel favor entrar em contato com lorena@multiconecta.com.brFavor trazer um documento de identificacao oficial (Passaporte ou carteira de motorista).Todos que tem interesse devem preencher a ficha de inscricao que segue em anexo.O curso sera realizado nas dependencias da Primeira Igreja Batista de Vitoria, Av. Marechal Mascarenhas de Moraes, 595, Centro, Vitoria ES.O curso tera a seguinte programacao:Dia 1 18/04/11 0900