All Hands on Deck!

As the 50th Anniversary of the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald approaches, it has become very apparent that the opportunity to bring Glory to God in this defining Maritime moment is larger than we even imagined.  Consider what has happened just in the last month:

    • 200+ Atheletes, dignitaries, and community members came to honor the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the swimmers who completed the 411 miles remaining in the Fitzgerald’s tragically shortened journey in a very moving tribute. (See cover picture)
    • Enquires coming from all over the country on the details of the Sunday, Nov. 9 memorial service and how they might attend. 
    • News stories about the 50th Anniversary and Mariners’ Church:

– Local news stations from all over Michigan, including a 5 part series that will air throughout the week prior to Nov. 10 on Fox 2

-CBS/Saturday Morning a nationally televised show filming at our church about the upcoming release of The Gales of November, a book about the Fitzgerald by bestselling author John U. Bacon.

-A documentary that will air next year with Mariners’ Church memorials featured.

-A Live broadcast of the Nov. 10 Memorial on local PBS station.

    • The Detroit Mercy Law School Symposium will be joining us on Nov. 10 for the memorial Service and inviting attenders to join their luncheon on their campus across Jefferson Ave. afterwards.
    • The “Evening of Tribute tor the Edmund Fitzgerald” on Friday Nov. 7 has sold almost 100 of the available tickets two months before the event.

This is truly a time for us to serve and be a light to our community.  The main point of these events during is to honor those who died and to minister to those who survive.  The collective grief the Great Lakes Community and beyond feels about this tragedy is something we have been part of ever since Bishop Ingalls rang our Brotherhood Bell, and Gordon Lightfoot composed an epic song.  It is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.  We view this as an opportunity to show the world where to turn when tragedy strikes: Jesus Christ, our loving Savior.

Picture this as having invited guests to your home and more people showed up than you thought. A hospitable host would be to give up their spot at the table and help with the extra demand to take care of the guests.  That is exactly how we want to approach the weekend of November 7-10.  Would you help us?

If you consider Mariners’ your home (whether you live in Detroit or not), then I would challenge you to be part of this extraordinary opportunity, not as a spectator, but as a participant.  Instead of considering not attending the services because “it may be too crowded”, think about how you can serve those who are visiting your home.  Instead of wondering if you will be able to get there early enough to find a seat, think about how you might give your seat to a visitor and stand greeting or ushering. Jesus said of Himself, “the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.” (Matt 20:28) We, wanting to be like Christ, have an opportunity here to follow in his steps in a small way. 

Consider this: We are in need of greeters, ushers, and hosts that would look out for the needs of the many guest we are expecting.  The 3 specific events to consider serving are:

  • Friday, November 7, 5:30-7:30 pm. – “Evening of Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald”.  No need to buy a ticket if you would like to serve as an usher or greeter.
  • Sunday, November 9, 11 am – The Annual Great Lakes Memorial Service with a special Tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  This is where the largest crowd is expected and we need people there as early as 10am to help greet and direct people.
  • Monday, November 10, 12:10 pm – The actual date of the anniversary.  We will be hosting thec community and Detroit Mercy Law school.  Please also join us for Lunch at the Law School afterwards.

If you can help with any of these events please reply directly to this email Newsletter.  Charlotte McKenzie will receive it and we will get you plugged into helping on these most momentous days.

Thanks for considering being part of all that is happening to serve our city.  See you on Deck!

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd