Seasons and Festivals
Picture, People at Worship
The church exists first to offer worship (honour) to God and to thank him for the gifts he gives us, and secondly to honour and support each other, because we're all fellow creatures of God and so by honouring each other we honour him too.

As well as the Seasons and Major Festivals which help us worship God, the church celebrates several 'Special Days' throughout the year to remember, honour and support each other and our work in God's world. Celebration of the "Special Days" is usually optional, Christians chose which they want to remember, not all churches celebrate all these days....
'Special Days'
Sea Sunday
Picture, Mission to Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers is an international agency of the Anglican Church. It reaches out to some 1.2 million seafarers in the merchant fleets (both men and women) in over 230 ports worldwide. 'Sea Sunday' is an annual day when the Mission to Seafarers asks churches to remember both crew and officers who maintain our international trade, and who unfortunately sometimes need our care and protection.

Resolving Conflict: Whilst the large majority of ship owners treat their seafaring staff well, there is still a rogue minority that do not. Seafarers have been stranded on vessels in ports with no idea how long they'll be there. Some go for months with no pay, or not enough food and fresh water. In these situations, local representatives of the Mission to Seafarers work with ships' agents and other partners to bring resolution and comfort to crews.

Personal Support: Mission chaplains and staff visit seafarers on their ships to extend a hand of friendship and help in times of crisis. The Mission to Seafarers operates Seafarers’ Centres in over 100 ports. These are inviting places in the middle of dull, featureless docksides. Inside, crew members can make the most of their limited time ashore by replenishing essential items from the Mission's shops, celebrate Holy Communion and fellowship in the Mission's chapels and, crucially, use the Mission's telephones and computers to keep in touch with their loved ones thousands of miles away.
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