On November 16, the Mission to Seafarers celebrated the opening of their new centre in Nelson, sure to be a comforting sight for those arriving after lengthy periods at sea. Since the 1980s Mission to Seafarers Nelson has helped tens of thousands of seafarers needing support or pastoral assistance, and they’re now equipped with a new cabin and minibus to continue serving the port. Reverend Lance Lukin, Archdeacon Harvey Ruru and Reverend Steve Jordan blessed the centre.
People in the shipping industry face many hardships at sea, including profound isolation from their families. As a global voluntary organisation with a robust relationship with the Anglican Communion, Seafarers’ ministry is practical and holistic, in the spirit of Matthew 25’s emphasis on sheltering the homeless, giving water to the thirsty, and feeding the hungry. They offer a range of support, including chaplain visits, ship welfare, money exchange, grocery delivery, free Wi-Fi and transport. Their chaplains are licensed by local bishops, and their staff and volunteers at the frontline are largely, though not exclusively, drawn from local churches.
Seafarers chaplain Peter Akuhata shared a few words on working with seafarers. “We’ve been privileged over the years to cry with them, to laugh with them, and to pray with them.”
The Mission to Seafarers exists to care for the shipping industry’s most important asset: its people. As the whakataukī (proverb) says, shared by Archdeacon Harvey Ruru at the opening: “He aha te mea nui tea o? He tangata he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people."
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
On November 16, the Mission to Seafarers celebrated the opening of their new centre in Nelson, sure to be a comforting sight for those arriving after lengthy periods at sea. Since the 1980s Mission to Seafarers Nelson has helped tens of thousands of seafarers needing support or pastoral assistance, and they’re now equipped with a new cabin and minibus to continue serving the port. Reverend Lance Lukin, Archdeacon Harvey Ruru and Reverend Steve Jordan blessed the centre.
People in the shipping industry face many hardships at sea, including profound isolation from their families. As a global voluntary organisation with a robust relationship with the Anglican Communion, Seafarers’ ministry is practical and holistic, in the spirit of Matthew 25’s emphasis on sheltering the homeless, giving water to the thirsty, and feeding the hungry. They offer a range of support, including chaplain visits, ship welfare, money exchange, grocery delivery, free Wi-Fi and transport. Their chaplains are licensed by local bishops, and their staff and volunteers at the frontline are largely, though not exclusively, drawn from local churches.
Seafarers chaplain Peter Akuhata shared a few words on working with seafarers. “We’ve been privileged over the years to cry with them, to laugh with them, and to pray with them.”
The Mission to Seafarers exists to care for the shipping industry’s most important asset: its people. As the whakataukī (proverb) says, shared by Archdeacon Harvey Ruru at the opening: “He aha te mea nui tea o? He tangata he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people."
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
