THE annual Mission to Seafarers’ ‘Sea Sunday’ church service will break with tradition because of the Covid-19 situation.
The service is always held on 12 July at the end of Seafarers Awareness Week and is hosted locally at the Richards Bay Seafarers Mission.
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This year will see a departure from the norm, with an international virtual service broadcast online, connecting seafarers at more than 200 ports in 50 countries.
It will take place via the Mission’s Youtube channel and website, and is an opportunity to focus on the world’s seafarers, to let them know they are valued.
Rev Canon Andrew Wright, secretary-general of the mission, will be joined by special guests, as well as chaplains and seafarers from across the globe.
The service will include a message from the charity’s president, Princess Anne.
The event this year carries even greater poignancy, as seafarers have selflessly continued to keep the global economy turning – ensuring that essential cargoes of food, medicine and other supplies reach their destinations.
It is widely recognised that life at sea is challenging and unpredictable, but the past months have magnified the challenges.
With welfare services scaled back in line with social distancing regulations, feelings of loneliness and isolation have also been exacerbated.
Rev Wright said: ‘We are united in gratitude, especially in recognition of the heroic work of seafarers, and in hope for the future.
‘Throughout this challenging time, our chaplains and port centres across the world have been adapting their usual activities to safely meet the needs of seafarers.
‘Connecting this Sea Sunday to everyone around the globe provides a great opportunity to thank so many for their dedicated service alongside seafarers.’
The service will be available for viewing again after its initial streaming to allow all seafarers, as well as friends and supporters of the Mission, access to this global celebration whatever their time zone.
To register your interest in Sea Sunday, or view via the Mission website, please visit https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/sea-sunday
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