Chaplaincy to Seafarers from a Sailboater’s Perspective
Over the last year, NAMMA member Eric Phinney of the Saint John Seafarers’ Mission and his wife Val have been sailing in a sailboat called Tevah (the Hebrew word used for both Noah’s ark and Moses’ basket). The trip gave
“I know chaplains who are hurting”: Confronting Isolation
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Isolation goes viral The poet John Donne’s line, “no man is an island,” is not only great poetry, but a human reality: people need to be connected. Yet loneliness and isolation seep into our lives even in a
Responding with Compassion to Those in Need: Archbishop Hiltz on Mission to Seafarers
During the most recent Missions to Seafarers Canada regional meeting in Thunder Bay, Jason Zuidema of The MARE Report had a chance to sit down with The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and liaison
Gamification in Online Learning: MARE Training’s Approach
by Kevin Walker, NAMMA MARE Training A top priority of the developing strategic plan for NAMMA is the focus on training to attract and retain people in seafarers' ministry. This continues a trend developed in the last few years: NAMMA has prioritized
Book Review: Dreaming of a Better Life
Stefan F. Lindberg and Lennart Johnsson. Dreaming of a Better Life: Humans as Commodities. Stockholm: Wall & Vivien, 2017. This book is a collection of stories and photos of migrant workers around the world, intended to humanize the workers and help
MLC: Mixed blessings for seafarers
by Carolyn Graham, PhD and Captain Kunal Narayan, MSc The International Labour Organization (ILO) is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, and with good reason. Like a storm-tossed ship, it has weathered many internal and external adversities, some so great that its
Book Review: Into the Raging Sea
Rachel Slade, Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm and the Sinking of El Faro. Ecco, 2018. On October 1, 2015, Hurricane Joaquin brought down the El Faro along with every member of its 33-person crew. Boston-based journalist Rachel Slade’s
Finding Fulfillment in Chaplaincy
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Transitions can be a navigational challenge. But for these newly established chaplains finding fulfillment in a new role proves to be profitable. Three professionals who shifted from their previous positions to the world of serving seafarers discuss how
Tampa Meeting Explores Partnerships to Support Seafarers’ Welfare
From March 5-6 in Tampa, Florida, NAMMA partnered with the International Port Welfare Partnership (IPWP) project for a seminar on developing port welfare committees to support seafarers' welfare. More than 35 individuals participated in the seminar, with representatives especially from
Book Review: Learning about bravery from survival at sea
Louise Beech, How To Be Brave. London: Orenda Books Press, 2015. 370 pp. This book is a tapestry of two stories compassionately woven together by Louise Beech. The narrative combines the present-day story of Natalie, a mother coping with her young daughter’s