We are Family

A huge thank you to everyone who attended any of the worship and memorial services last weekend to honor the 50th Anniversary of the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  We were one of many remembrances all over the country, but the “Maritime Cathedral” was filled to capacity and into overflow on Friday, Sunday, and Monday.  (See recap pictures at the end of this email)

We are so blessed as a church to have so many friends, old and new, in the Maritime community.  We are a family.  As I was thinking about our friendship this week, I read a powerful quote in the book “Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart” by Russ Ramsey.  He said:

If the Lord in his kindness gives us the blessing of friendship, he is most certainly calling us to the holy work of burden bearing…To truly love someone is to move beyond first impressions into the heart of things. It is to take on the sacred work of stewarding another’s joys and sorrows…Is there a more sacred calling?

At Mariners’ Church, we take the stewardship of mourning and rejoicing with the Maritime community very seriously, and count it a blessing to do so.

Ramsey goes on to say,

Our sorrows, failures and afflictions are sacred, not shameful because they tell the truth for our need of redeeming grace and mercy. These things Christ alone can give. And he gives them freely to anyone who would believe in him.

As I have reflected on all that transpired, I feel a deep gratitude to God for the overwhelming support displayed to the Edmund Fitzgerald families and the Maritime Community as we corporately grieved and remembered.  Some of the highlights for me were:

• Folks who came from Alaska, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Toronto, and all over Michigan – from the UP to the “tip of the thumb”.
• There were families from the Fitzgerald in attendance.  Fathers and Mothers were passing the tradition of ringing the bell at Mariners’ Church down to the next generation.  They were telling them to come back throughout their lifetime and never forget their grandfathers and great grandfathers.
• Gordon Lightfoot’s daughter made a surprise visit and rang the 30th bell for all of the Maritime tragedies of the Great Lakes on Nov. 10.
• The son of Eugene W. O’Brien a wheelsman on the Fitzgerald came to the honor guard position after ringing the bell. This tall man was wiping away the tears as taps and Amazing Grace was played, made tears well up in my own eyes.
• Another man came up to me and said, “I drove here from NC because I’ve always wanted to experience this memorial.  I’m an Atheist, but after this service I have felt something I’ve never felt before about God.”
• When we offered an opportunity to serve those sailors on ships docking at the Port of Detroit, over 60 people indicated a desire to get involved.

As God continues to show us his heart toward remembering and honoring the past, we also look forward to the future of service and love at Mariners’ Church.  If you attended and want more information about how to serve the Maritime community or our regular Sunday services, please reply to this email and I’ll reach back out personally.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd

Friday Night “Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald” with Mike Fornes

Sunday Nov. 9 – Memorial Service with Honor Guard