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
What can I do? Call someone who is alone : A lesson from seafarers’ ministries
That we all crave social contact has become painfully clear in the past weeks – we do not do well in self isolation, especially in quarantine. If there is any upside to the current crisis, it might be that we
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
Adapting Care due to Coronavirus
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Adaptability is the marker for successful care among seafaring centers regarding the Coronavirus. Ship visiting is normally a primary contact for meeting seafarer’s needs. The opportunity for face-to-face contact is slimming quickly as fear of the spreading epidemic rises. Regardless
Coronavirus and those we serve
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA As seafarers travel the world so does the current pandemic. Yet in light of associated challenges with the Coronavirus the opportunity to care for those living and working on ships remains a high priority. Ministries are adapting their practices as
“Winds of Change”: ICMA Oceania Regional Conference in Wellington, NZ
From March 9-11, more than 50 participants took part in a conference on the future of seafarers’ welfare at the Brentwood Hotel in beautiful, windy Wellington, New Zealand. The conference theme, “Winds of Change”, helped participants understand their current identity