Churches across the diocese have marked Sea Sunday, taking time to remember and give thanks for the men and women who work at sea and keep the world’s trade moving, often facing danger, isolation and long periods away from home.
Beaulieu Churches
A Sea Sunday service took place at Buckler’s Hard marina, on the banks of the Beaulieu River – a fitting setting in which to reflect on the lives of seafarers and pray for their safety.
Members of the congregation were joined by local residents, while visitors to the marina also stayed and listened. Music was provided by the Beaulieu Brass Band and Beaulieu Abbey Church choir.
The parish welcomed Kate Powell, Southampton Port Chaplain with the Mission to Seafarers, who spoke about the realities of life for those working at sea and the vital support provided by the charity, both practically, emotionally and spiritually. The Mission to Seafarers works alongside welfare agencies across the world to help seafarers feel connected, valued and loved.
She said, “Seafarers are often the forgotten people of the world, because you don’t see the ships – they’re far away at sea. Sea Sunday is a good opportunity to intentionally think about all that they do for us, especially at the moment with everything that’s going on in the Middle East. It’s an opportunity to pray for those innocent seafarers who are caught up in the conflict.
“Just this week we heard about tankers in the Strait of Homuz that had been attacked and at least one seafarer has been killed. It’s horrible to think that those seafarers have been at anchor for months on end, desperately wanting to get home but needing to stay on their ships. It’s unimaginable and incredibly tough.”
The parish has long standing links with the Mission to Seafarers and, as a community situated on a busy river, Sea Sunday has become an important date in the calendar.
During the service, prayers were offered in thanksgiving for seafarers and for the beauty of God’s creation which surrounded those who gathered at Buckler’s Hard.
Revd Catherine Cowie, Rector of Beaulieu, said, “Many people who choose to worship within our parish have worked at sea themselves and know exactly what it is like to be a seafarer. They also understand that so much of our everyday lives, whether it’s fuel, food, toys or clothing, is shipped from overseas.
“We have all of these things, thanks not only to other countries who are providing them, but to those hardworking men and women who sacrifice so much of their own family life and wellbeing, to ensure we have those resources in our shops and garages.
“We want to give thanks for the people who enable us to live the lives we have, while also remembering our responsibility to protect and nurture God’s world, which of course, includes all of God’s people.”
The congregation also donated 200 hand-knitted woollen hats and blankets, created by members of the church and its craft group, for the Mission to Seafarers to distribute to those in need.
St. Denys, Chilworth
St Denys Chilworth also marked Sea Sunday with its annual service, celebrating the contribution of seafarers around the world.
The contemporary Morning Prayer service was led by BCM Cilla Riley with the support of retired Master Mariner Captain Francois Hugo. Before retiring, he served as Chief Officer and Master on a variety of ships, mainly oil tankers, across the world
Reflecting on Sea Sunday he said, “Sea Sunday reminds me of the value to seafarers of the Missions to Seafarers that I visited in ports around the world and the chaplains who came aboard my ships during my career at sea”.
During the service, the congregation also heard the story behind the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ and why it was written. The collection was donated to the Mission to Seafarers to support its continuing work with seafarers and their families around the world.
Read more about the work of the Southampton Port Chaplain here.
