Chaplains on the River

I had lunch with the Association of Retired Marine Personnel today. It was their annual barbecue get together. What a feed! BBQ pork, ham, ribs, chicken plus all the traditional stuff…baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and DESSERT. Lots and lots of dessert!

Better than  the food was the company. It was great to see old friends,  make new ones and listen to the tales being told. The friendships run as deep and long as the river.

Thanks be to God.

Ann

Posted: May 29th, 2008 under Towboaters.
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On a bright Friday morning, 23 May, the newest vessel of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the M/V Gordon M. Stevens was christened at the Paducah, KY, Riverfront.  I gave the Invocation and the Blessing of the Boat and presented the Bible.

Presentation of th Bible:  Captain, I present this Bible to the M/V Gordon M. Stevens, that the Word of God may ever be with those who crew this vessel.  As this Good Book begins with the words, “In the beginning God,” and ends with the word “Amen” (So be it!), may that same God who created all things and called all that he had made good, watch over you from this day of your vessel’s launching until your journey’s end.

Chaplain Jim Wilkinson+

Posted: May 28th, 2008 under Churches and Groups, Jim's Posts, Towboaters.
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On the evening of Monday, 19 May, I said the Invocation and did the Blessing of the Wreath at National Maritime ceremonies aboard the M/V C. Q. Princess, at ceremonies hosted by the Port of Louisville Propeller Club.

Blessing of the Wreath:  We bow in reverence to honor the memory of all mariners who have passed from this life this past year.  Bless, O Lord, this wreath as we now cast it upon the water.   May it be a sign of our continuous and abiding trust in you, as all our cares we cast on you.  Now in a moment of silence, from the depths of our hearts, we honor the memory of our departed.  Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Chaplain Jim Wilkinson+

Posted: May 28th, 2008 under Churches and Groups, Jim's Posts, Towboaters.
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Recently I’ve had a chance to do something new in my river ministry: to bless boats, the way we sometimes have our houses blessed.  The boat blessing is not the same as a christening.  It’s fairly informal.  Prayers are said for the living and working quarters of the boat; a Scripture passage is read; and a candle is lighted and passed around the circle of crewmembers and others present, giving everyone the chance for silent or verbal personal prayers for the crew and boat.

The reasons for each of these boat blessings have been varied, but the aim is the same: to acknowledge God’s presence and unfailing love in our lives, wherever we live and work.  If a boat has not had a chance to be christened, due to the incredibly busy work schedule for towboats, a blessing is a way to provide the same kind of spiritual care for a boat that a christening provides, in a less formal setting.

– Chaplain Pam

Posted: May 22nd, 2008 under Pam's Posts, Towboaters.
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It doesn’t look dangerous…

Last night a 14 year old kid drowned at the Riverfront here in Paducah. He was just playing in the water with friends when the current caught him. It was that quick.  The river’s like that.

And so we offer prayers for all who are on the water. 

Posted: May 21st, 2008 under Start, Towboaters.
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