Port Canaveral is the second-busiest cruise port in the world. Seven major cruise lines have ships based here. These floating palaces are a place of dream vacations for passengers, but it’s a very different experience for crew. Most are far from their home countries, spending months at sea away from family, and missing important moments like birthdays and anniversaries. Lilla Marigza spoke with United Methodists in Cocoa Beach, Florida, who are part of a ministry that provides a home away from home for seafarers.
This blog post offers a personal view of the mission of the Canaveral Port Ministry.
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Churches and individuals can support the Canaveral Port Ministry in several ways through volunteer hours, prayer and monetary donations.
The seafarers who visit First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach come from all over the world and from many different religions. The Rev. Mark Reynolds says the mission of the port ministry is a good fit with United Methodist beliefs.
“One of our core beliefs is radical hospitality. And I see hospitality as making space for other people without centering our own story, just letting them come and be who they are. And anybody who has a desire to come into a Christian church who is not a Christian, to me that’s an incredible opportunity to show them with our actions the love and compassion of Jesus.”
Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
