On Sea Sunday our thoughts turn to those whose life’s work is to be at sea. For them it is the same unpredictable and uncertain world that we face, founded on the sea of life; only with the sea providing an added challenge to making decisions.

Those who work at sea are responsible for the transport of 90% of the world’s goods, fuels and people.

It is estimated that nearly 2 million people across the world work at sea on 74,000 ships.

These men and women, of all nationalities, can spend up to nine months of their life at sea in a year, and life can be extremely challenging.

People are often far from their families and loved ones for long periods of time, they work long hours, and face the threats of accidents, piracy, and harsh weather conditions. And when they come into port in a foreign land, they know no one.

There are many organisations set up to support the men and women working at sea. The Mission to Seafarers is one such. Today we will make a special collection to support their work. We will wish to give generously; reflecting that as God is good to us, so we will wish to share his love for us, with those who work at sea.

Chaplains and volunteers of the Mission to Seafarers offer the hand of friendship and listen to the concerns of the people they meet. They help people to contact their families back home, take them to worship, or arrange for a priest to come on board, provide transport to local shops, help to resolve problems of missing pay or sub-standard conditions and help with the limited access to internet onboard ships. The support includes assistance for those experiencing loneliness or mental health issues.

For the men and women who work at sea, the Mission to Seafarers puts into action the offer that Jesus made to give rest to those who are burdened and weary. Chaplains and volunteers are the hands and feet of Jesus in this watery world.

From time to time we all need support in life. There can be no better support than the faith in God we have developed over the years. Let's endeavour to follow in the steps of Jesus and use our faith to support those "all at sea" with life, and share the the love of God around.

The Revd Malcolm France