I always think of the ride Pirates of the Caribbean in Disney World whenever I get a letter from the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington. I know, it is an unfair comparison…perhaps even offensive and I must apologize for that. I suppose not being from the East Coast has something to do with this. I also have to admit; I was not familiar with this organization.
The mission statement on the website for the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington states:
“The mission of the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington, Inc., is to meet the needs of the seafarers who visit the Ports in the State of Delaware. Our goal is to make their time in port a rewarding one by providing personal, practical and spiritual assistance. A warm welcome is extended to ease the pain of loneliness and isolation and to offer a respite from the hazards of the sea.”
You do not have to be familiar with the work to already know that these jobs are both difficult and lonely. The letters I receive in the office talk about how these men are usually on the sea for holidays and unable to spend Christmas morning with their family or attend Christmas Eve service as easily as we can. One of the efforts that we are invited to participate include the creation of Ditty Boxes. A Ditty Box is a gift given to every sailor that docs in a Delaware port in the month of December. Simply they are a shoe box with things such as a hand knitted scarf and hat, a toothbrush and toothpaste…other toiletries and comforts….
This year I was wondering if perhaps the church might like to participate in creating a dozen or two of these boxes? On Sunday we will have a check list of items…perhaps you might like to create a full box yourself…perhaps you might like to just donate some items…either way, would it not be nice to be able to bring some Christmas joy to folks? Plus, with this weather, I can say that I happily look towards winter!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jason
