Those who cross the oceans wide …
Dear Friends,
As someone who loves to spend time by the sea, I’m looking forward to spending summer holiday time in Devon and, hopefully, enjoying some bodyboarding. Although when it comes to spending time on the sea – as I frequently had to when crossing the Irish Sea on ferries - I have to confess that I am a bit of a landlubber!
This month, on Sea Sunday (12 July), we are invited to remember those who spend months of the year at sea working as seafarers. As we have become more aware recently, the work they do in transporting goods is of vital importance. In fact, over 90% of the world’s goods and fuels are transported by sea. Seafarers are therefore essential key workers, and there are 1.89 million of them from all nationalities who operate across the world on 74,000 ships. Their work can be lonely and dangerous. Not only do they spend long spells away from home and loved ones, but they must contend with stormy seas and difficult weather conditions, and war also threatens their safety – as we have been reminded by the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict in the Middle East.
So if you are spending time at the seaside this summer, and you spot a fishing boat, lifeboat, or large container ship offshore, do remember those who spend much of their lives on the restless waves. And although our villages are many miles from the sea, we can pray for seafarers using words of a hymn by Timothy Dudley-Smith:
Hold within Your care unsleeping
all who face tempestuous seas,
harvests from the waters reaping,
God be thanked for such as these.
Earth is rich beyond all measure,
may we prize her gifts the more,
we who find our work or pleasure
on the seas or by the shore.
Guard, when stormy waves are breaking,
those who cross the oceans wide;
share with them their watchful waking,
be with them through wind and tide.
Christ our Saviour, Friend unfailing,
as the seas of life we roam,
chart our course and guide our sailing
safe to harbour and to home.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
As someone who loves to spend time by the sea, I’m looking forward to spending summer holiday time in Devon and, hopefully, enjoying some bodyboarding. Although when it comes to spending time on the sea – as I frequently had to when crossing the Irish Sea on ferries - I have to confess that I am a bit of a landlubber!
This month, on Sea Sunday (12 July), we are invited to remember those who spend months of the year at sea working as seafarers. As we have become more aware recently, the work they do in transporting goods is of vital importance. In fact, over 90% of the world’s goods and fuels are transported by sea. Seafarers are therefore essential key workers, and there are 1.89 million of them from all nationalities who operate across the world on 74,000 ships. Their work can be lonely and dangerous. Not only do they spend long spells away from home and loved ones, but they must contend with stormy seas and difficult weather conditions, and war also threatens their safety – as we have been reminded by the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict in the Middle East.
So if you are spending time at the seaside this summer, and you spot a fishing boat, lifeboat, or large container ship offshore, do remember those who spend much of their lives on the restless waves. And although our villages are many miles from the sea, we can pray for seafarers using words of a hymn by Timothy Dudley-Smith:
Hold within Your care unsleeping
all who face tempestuous seas,
harvests from the waters reaping,
God be thanked for such as these.
Earth is rich beyond all measure,
may we prize her gifts the more,
we who find our work or pleasure
on the seas or by the shore.
Guard, when stormy waves are breaking,
those who cross the oceans wide;
share with them their watchful waking,
be with them through wind and tide.
Christ our Saviour, Friend unfailing,
as the seas of life we roam,
chart our course and guide our sailing
safe to harbour and to home.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector