A Ministry of Small Miracles
By Deacon Paul Rosenblum At the end of Luke’s Gospel, he describes how Jesus commissions his disciples to go out to the world with the message of the Good News. He gives them the power to perform great miracles: driving out
e-Galas, Flyers, and facebook: New approaches to seafarers’ ministry from the Houston International Seafarers’ Center
by Kevin Walker, NAMMA More than a month into lockdown, COVID-19 and the safety precautions necessary to contain it continue to take their toll on seafarers’ welfare. Seafarers looking forward to relief have faced extension to their work terms, while those
Chat Services, Social Media, Online Learning, and Local Guides – Digital tools for Connection with Seafarers
by Jason Zuidema Image: Selection from a chat conversation on April 21 between seafarer and Jason Zuidema on Chat to a Chaplain In normal times, the best methods to interact with seafarers are physical visits to ships and transport to shops or
Liverpool Seafarers Centre thanks community for donations for seafarers stuck on ships during pandemic
Ecumenical charity Liverpool Seafarers Centre has hailed the heart-warming response to its appeal for donations after the community pulled together to support seafarers. The Crosby centre called on the public to help after announcing it would be increasing its ship visits
Adapting methods for seafarers’ ministry in uncertain times
Image: When seafarers arrived in the Port of Montreal on April 3, they texted local Chaplain David Rozeboom for some sweets which he then purchased and delivered to the gangway. The coronavirus crisis has deeply impacted the ministry methods of Christian
Strategy for digital chaplaincy to seafarers
ICMA is in conversation with Rev. Philip Edell, Chaplain and director of The Mission to Seafarers in Dunkirk, France about how to boost efforts at digital chaplaincy. Listen to the original conversation (link here) or read the interview here. (We
Communicating in the crisis
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA For years, chaplains at international seafarers centers have concerned themselves with the problem of isolation at sea. Work at sea has always been isolating, no doubt, so seeing the growth of new tools for communication via Internet
Connect/Disconnect – The Art of Visiting Ships
The theme of 2019’s NAMMA conference in Charleston, SC was studying connections and disconnections in our modern world. After leaving the conference, I continued to reflect on that theme, especially to do with what ship visitors do on a daily
The Flight Home
Photo: Fidel Labrador with Susanne Hergoss, Felix Tolle, and Dr. Wolfgang Baumeier. Deutsches Seemannsheim Hamburg - Krayenkamp. by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Dotted around the globe are people drawn by compassion to care for those who work at sea. An interlocking of hands and hearts
Celebrating Christmas at Sea
Image: Chaplain James Kollin of the Seamen's Church Institute with a seafarer wearing a new watch cap and scarf. While crinkled tinsel hangs in the mess room and a slightly battered artificial tree is pulled from storage, Christmas on ships is