Make the most of the Moment

That moment…‘The meeting’ or, if you like, the encounter – the encounter of human longing for friendship, for salvation. Our Chaplain can help you. Our Seafarers’ Clubs and Centres are there for you.

When your ship comes into port, and one of our Chaplains comes aboard to meet you and your fellow crew members, to ask what you might need and to see if you want help, please make the most of that moment with them. We want you to benefit from our mission at sea.

Our Chaplains can provide a listening and supportive presence to all at times of stress, exhaustion, danger and bereavement. They will seek to assist access to worship in any faith. They will pray with you if you wish. They will offer friendship, counselling and comfort.

We all need friendship. It is our shared humanity that binds us together despite our various faiths and distinctly different views. Each one of us needs our own salvation, deliverance and wholeness. And that so often comes through those moments of encounter, when you can truly meet with another and freely unburden your worries and anxiety without fear of ridicule or reprisal.

If you have the opportunity to get ashore to a Seafarers’ Club or Centre please do take it. They are not just places of refuge from the confinement and noise and routine of the ship. They are places of warm welcome and hospitality and companionship.

We believe that the continuing presence of our Chaplains is vital to the wellbeing of merchant seafarers. Each Chaplain is present on board and ministering to you as they do because of God’s love.

Just as God creates in love so he asks us to create in love. We believe that we should love the stranger, for we know what it feels to be a stranger. That’s why we do what we do.

Enjoy the moment! Do make the most of it.