“Christ Came to Us and for Us, and He Is Our Hope,”— Father Oleksandr Smerechynskyi on Serving Seafarers
Interview by Viktoriya Mazur, UGCC Information Department on December 24, 2024 (published originally in Ukrainian here) Soon, Ukrainians, along with the rest of the world, will celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas is always associated with miracles and brings hope. We
A Sea of Generosity: Bringing Christmas to Seafarers in Wilmington, DE
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Volunteers have been tirelessly working for months in preparation for the grand delivery of Christmas cheer to the Port of Wilmington, Delaware. The culmination of their efforts—knitting hats, gathering gifts, wrapping packages, and organizing deliveries—has finally arrived,
Rejoicing in the Savior’s Birth: A Christmas Message
“When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went
Christmas in Vancouver Port
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA As Amazon trucks and postal services scramble to deliver holiday packages on time, chaplains and volunteers in the Canadian port of Vancouver board the free water taxi to deliver Christmas gifts to seafarers at anchorage in their
Seafarers’ International House: Supporting Seafarers Through Faith and Community
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA In port cities and landlocked towns, seemingly random people are synchronized in their concern for seafarers, especially at Christmas. Reverend Susan Tjornehoj grew up in Colorado. As a young Lutheran pastor, her first call was to remote villages
Caring for Seafarers: The Heart of Halifax’s Mission to Seafarers
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA The Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is noted as one of the most impressive natural harbors in the world. Economically, its development provides depth of support to its local markets and to the entire province. The Canadian
A Feeling of Home while at Sea: Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas at Sea
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Knitting needles bring Christmas joy and global impact. Knitting, like other hobbies, can be personally gratifying when you see the end product. But, for 102-year-old Ms. Vicki, in Fresno, Calif., satisfaction isn’t what she
Shoebox Christmas in Fort Lauderdale
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Following COVID-19 limitations and a long-anticipated re-opening, seafarers are now flooding the new Seafarers’ House, a multi-faith mission to seafarers in Port Everglades, Florida. The center offering pool tables, internet, an in-house
Seafarers’ Christmas in the Ports of Philadelphia and South Jersey
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA The Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey cares for seafarers who travel the globe and pass along the Delaware River. Commonly unnoticed, they absorb personal sacrifices, including war strife, to
Mom on a Mission: A Next Generation to Cheer Seafarers in Port Houston
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Deanna Fry is committed to instilling values in her children and beyond. The mother of two faces a busy holiday season because of her passion for seafarer missions. “I have a huge heart