East End Churches Host Sea Sunday Service
East End churches welcomed the New Year by hosting the traditional Annual Sea Sunday Service in January, uniting clergy and the maritime community in worship and appreciation.
A spokesperson said, “East End Churches started the New Year off in the traditional fashion. Pastor Milton Burgess and the St. Luke AME congregation welcomed the Bermuda Branch Pilots, family and friends to their annual Sea Sunday Service.
“This service has been hosted by several Pastors over the past 40 years; it was started by the renowned teacher, Pastor and historian Rev. Dr. Erskine Simmons.
“During the early services Dr. Simmons invited British Navy personnel from Dockyard, personnel from the US Navy Base, officers from visiting ships along with Pilots. This service grew to include all sections of Marine and Ports, fishermen and various personnel engaged in employment on the waters around Bermuda.
“On behalf of St. Luke AME, Pastor Burgess presented Pilot Warden Mario Thompson with a plaque of appreciation for his service. Every section of the Department of Marine and Ports was presented with a certificate of appreciation starting with the Dockyard Workshop, Aids to Navigation Workshop, Boats and Moorings, Ferry Services, Hamilton Administration, Bermuda Maritime Operations Center, the Pilot Boat Crews and the Branch Pilot Service.
“Rev. Thomas Nisbett officiated his first Sea Sunday Service at the Chapel of Ease as the new Pastor for St. George’s Parish. Rev. Nisbett recalls his father, the late Canon Nisbett, conducting a similar service when he was a youngster.
“The service was attended by family and friends and personnel from the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Bermuda Public Services Union, RBR Coast Guard, Bermuda Police Service and Bermuda Fire & Rescue Services. Representatives from Meyer Agency, the Sloop Foundation, Endeavour Sailing Program, Bermuda Maritime Academy, Cruise Port Management, WISTA and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences were also in attendance to support the Department of Marine and Ports employees and those engaged in employment on the waters.
“In addition to the traditional service, the congregation was treated to a musical selection by renowned saxophonist Keith Lee. Pilot Warden Mario Thompson was designated to present the roll call of the maritime students in college, employed or engaged in employment overseas. Pilot Warden Thompson was honored with a tribute from the Ferry Services Coordinator Maquel Bailey for his mentorship and service to Bermuda’s maritime community.
“A memorial and wreath laying service followed at the Lost at Sea Memorial at the Great Head Park in St. David’s. George Butterfield of Meyer Agency laid a wreath in memory of the officers and crew that perished on the container ship Lloyd Bermuda in 1988. Deputy Warden Burchall laid a wreath on behalf of the Bermuda Branch Pilot Service. There was also a special mention of the crew of the pilot gig Ocean Queen II that were lost at sea in 1927.”
