While the pandemic prevented churches from celebrating Sea Sunday in person, congregations can gather together again for the popular annual event that highlights the many ‘storms’ faced by seafarers today.
Sea Sunday is a time to remember seafarers in prayer, give thanks for the crucial work they do and support them by donating to the work of international maritime charity Sailors’ Society.
The theme for this year is: ‘Calming the storm at home, in port, and at sea.’
Sailors’ Society CEO Sara Baade said: “The inspiration is the story of Jesus calming the storm, from Matthew’s Gospel. This reminds us not only of the power of faith but of the unpredictability of life and how storms can beset us all.
“Storms can be global – Ukraine, record tsunamis and the Covid pandemic or they can be individual – sickness, unemployment, and bereavement.
“As the leading charity for the welfare and well-being of seafarers and their families worldwide, we aim to help calm the storms facing seafarers at home, in port, and at sea.
“Whether churches have two minutes or an entire service to highlight Sea Sunday, Sailors’ Society is delighted to connect with them to bring hope and transformation into the lives of seafarers and their families.
Sea Sunday will be officially marked on July 10, but churches can celebrate anytime in the year as works for them.
And in the coming weeks, Sailors’ Society will be offering a range of Sea Sunday resources for churches to download and use.
These will be available on the Sailors Society Website
About Sailors’ Society:
For more than 200 years, international maritime charity Sailors’ Society has been transforming the lives of seafarers and their families at home, in port, and at sea through the delivery of chaplaincy, education and the relief of poverty and distress.
The charity works to provide practical, emotional and spiritual welfare support to the world’s 1.6m seafarers, regardless of background or faith. Sailors’ Society chaplains and ship visitors have a presence in 87 global ports, with wider projects and services covering 21 countries.
