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Episcopal churches become 'river friendly'
2002-100-5
4/19/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Ministry on the River's ecumenical River Friendly Church program is attracting Episcopal congregations across the country to join others that minister to mariners on America's inland waterways. Nearly 100 Episcopal congregations are River Friendly Churches.
River mariners perform dangerous work and endure long periods away from home and family, moving millions of tons of valuable cargo. Typically mariners will be away from home for at least six months of the year, disrupting family patterns. Every other Christmas is spent underway. Under the strain of the 'home-a-month,' 'gone-a-month' working routine, marriages are tested, and often damaged. River families endure these hardships without the support systems many take for granted. Their schedule precludes traditional participation in the community.
Ministry on the River and River Friendly Churches provide mariners and their families with pastoral care, counseling, and emergency response onboard and ashore; family support; Bible distribution, worship aids; Pass It On book and video exchange; and the yearly Christmas on the River program. To learn more about becoming a River Friendly Church, e-mail riverministry@seamenschurch.org or call Karen Cox, Ministry Project Coordinator at 270/575-1005.
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