Bibles and 2006 Calendars Needed for Seafarers
Episcopal News Service. December 6, 2005 [120605-3-A]
Bibles in English and other languages, and 2006 calendars-from pocket to wall size- are currently being collected by Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) of New York and New Jersey for distribution to seafarers.
"The monotony of life at sea can become unbearable," said the Rev. Andy Moore, director of SCI's International Seafarers' Center in Port Newark. "It is so easy for a seafarer to lose track of time and their connection to those of us on land. A calendar helps to link them to events at home and enables them to create a diary of their travels."
The donation of Bibles is part of SCI's cross-cultural ministry to seafarers.
"Reading God's Word is a comfort for seafarers who spend weeks at sea," said Moore. "Reading a Bible, especially in their own language, brings them out of desperate loneliness and into God's loving presence."
The top three nations supplying the world's seafarers are the Philippines (Tagalog), Russia, and Ukraine.
Foreign language Bibles can be purchased at Amazon.com; or the American Bible Society Store (800-32-BIBLE) http://www.bibles.com
Mail all calendars and Bibles to: The Rev. Andy Moore, director International Seafarers' Center, 118 Export Street, Port Newark, NJ 07114.
To learn more about SCI, visit http://www.seamenschurch.org
The Seamen's Church Institute advocates for the personal, professional, and spiritual well being of merchant mariners around the world. Founded in 1834, the Institute is a voluntary, ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
Note: The following title is available from the Episcopal Book/Resource Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017; 800.334.7626; http://www.episcopalbookstore.org/
On this St. Nicholas Day, Episcopal News Service refers its readers to a new title this year featuring the popular patron saint.
TO READ: ST. NICHOLAS: A CLOSER LOOK AT CHRISTMAS by Jim Rosenthal and Joe Wheeler, 2005, published by Nelson Reference & Electronic. ISBN #1-4185-0407-6.
This beautiful, fully illustrated coffee table book provides a closer look at Christmas and the St. Nicholas of history and legend. Full of historical information and rare illustrations from Christian traditions around the world, this book will entertain, inform, and inspire readers as it teaches the true meaning of Christmas giving.
Joe Wheeler and Jim Rosenthal use stories and pictures to reclaim the historical St. Nicholas that inspired the Santa Claus story. Ultimately the authors show that the tradition of St. Nicholas can make the celebration of Christmas more meaningful.
Jim Rosenthal is director of communications of the Anglican Communion, Anglican Episcopal World/ACNS. He is based in London, England.
Joe Wheeler is general editor for Focus on the Family and is considered one of America's leading story anthologizers. He and his wife Connie live in Conifer, Colorado.