(Thanks Alan Matheson)

Hi
“They can be hidden.
They are unknown.
They arrive and depart unnoticed.”

Our country churches and their farmer members would be bankrupt without them.
Our city ministers without them would be pedalling bikes.
Our tables would be sparse.

Wardrobes would be empty.
Myers would be bankrupt.
No TV,radio,iPods or laptops.

We’re almost totally dependent on the 1.5 million seafarers,who often in appalling conditions,bring some 90% of the goods we need, and ship the raw materials,which ensure our livelihood. Workers don’t generally figure in our thoughts,prayers,mission docs or our theological reflection.
Seafarers are the least of all workers.Its dangerous work;its lonely;they’re exploited;they’re from the poorest countries.

Sunday July 1 is Sea Sunday.

If you’re leading a service,preaching or guiding your congregation in prayer….pause for a moment for seafarers.
* Sea Sunday www.seasunday.org (Register without cost and download for eg.’Sermon notes and family service’)
* Apostleship of the Sea:NB ‘Articles’-“Threats and challenges’ for an insight into the life of these workers.
http://www.aos-world.org/articles/threats.htm
* Seafarers Prayers. http://www.ourchurch.com/member/p/PrayerLines/index.php?=1_8_Seafarers-Prayers

Prayer
Let us thank God,the giver of all good gifts,for seafarers who leave their families,friends and homes to bring us the goods for our table,the cargoes for industry and commerce,the coal and fuel for our country.May we in turn care for them and their families,and hold them in our prayers so all may sail in safety,and return home for their loved ones………
(Prayer:Apostleship of the Sea in the USA)
http://predmore.blogspot.com/2011/06/prayer-apostleship-of-sea-in-united.html

Did you know we in Vic CofC have a ministry with seafarers?
Maybe your state also has one.
I wonder if your congregation sits next to the sea-Portland,Newcastle,Freemantle,Gladstone,Williamstown or Adelaide,have do seafarers chaplains ever make it into your pulpit?
Have theological students or ministers ever shared with such ministries?

“Big sea,Little boat
Dear God be good to me
The sea is so wide,
And my boat is so small. Celtic prayer http://www.visitdunkeld.com/celtic-blessing-prayers.htm

Alan

The workplace,whether seafarers or cleaners or garbage collectors or process workers rarely figure in the ’emerging church’ literature, theological formation or mission studies. For example note the papers for the AAMS(Australian Association for Mission Studies) Conference 2011. Motorcycle clubs,eco-mission,cross-cultural/multicultural,secularisation,generations,indigenous…..but no-one seems to know much about workers.
http://groupsthatclick.com/aams/index.php?type=page&ID=3585

THE MARINER’S 23RD PSALM

The Lord is my pilot, I shall not go adrift;
He lighteth my passage across dark channels;
He steereth me through the deep waters,
He keepeth my log.

He guideth me by the evening star for my safety’s sake.
Yes, though I sail mid the thunders and tempests of life,
I fear no peril, for Thou art with me,
Thy stars and heavens they comfort me.
The vastness of the sea upholds me.

Surely fair winds and safe harbours shall be found
All the days of my life;
and I shall dock secure forever. AMEN.