CHRISTMAS FOR SEAFARERS

Christmas is a time of tradition, and The Ministry to Seafarers in Montreal plans to continue the tradition of giving Christmas gifts to seafarers who come to this port during the Christmas season. Last year we were able to give gifts to over 1600 seafarers during November and December. We hope to give away at least as many gifts this year, since the port of Montreal is especially busy at the end of the year.

Many of the people who work on the ships do not see home and family for nine months or more, so the Christmas season can be lonely for them. Receiving a gift and a personal message helps in the Christmas celebration even if the gift is from an unknown person.

The parcels we distribute are accompanied by a letter of greeting to the captain and crew from our ministry staff as well as Bibles in the languages of all those on board. The letter asks that the Christmas story be read and the parcels be distributed during the Christmas celebration which takes place on either Christmas Eve or Christmas day.

Giving gifts at Christmas time is our way of showing, in a practical way, the love God showed us by giving Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. This year we ask you again to make the giving of parcels a success. It might be that your parcel will show the Lord’s love to a seafarer this Christmas.

Christmas Parcel Drive 2009

Each year, in November and December, we give out over 1600 parcels to seafarers from over 70 different ships! These gifts are received with much thankfulness, happiness and excitement. This year we’ve set our goal at 1800 to reach as many seafarers as we can. As you know, seafarers spend a lot of time away from those they love, and a gift, at a time when we celebrate God’s gift of His Son to us, speaks volumes of the love that God extends to all men and women of all tribes and nations. With each parcel we have the opportunity to reflect Christ’s Kingdom where each and every person is precious and cared for by our Almighty God.

We hope that this year you will once again put some of your time and resources to reach out to these men and women by supplying Christmas parcels for The Ministry to Seafarers parcel program.

Making The Parcels

To ensure that parcels are of similar value, we ask that you follow the following guidelines as closely as possible:

1. Fill a box (perhaps a small shoe box) completely. It is better to have a small full box than a half empty big box.

2. Enclose a Christmas card with a personal note and your name and address. Many of those who receive these gifts want to acknowledge them.

3. Parcel contents: Enclose one or more of the following: scarf, toque, gloves, socks. writing pad and envelopes, address book, letter opener, ballpoint pens, scissors, scotch tape, calendar. Other suggestions: packaged candy, aftershave lotion, handkerchief, face cloth, playing cards, soap, nail clipper, a small souvenir of Canada.

4. Wrap the individual parcels in Christmas wrapping paper.

5. Please note the approximate value of the gift on the top right-hand corner (postage stamp area) of each parcel as follows:

We ask you to do this so that we can give the “richer” gifts to the less fortunate seafarers.

6. Pack the parcels into cartons. On the outside of each one be sure to: 1) print the name and address of your church so that we may acknowledge your gift; 2) indicate how many parcels are in the box.

Sending Parcels

When sending the parcels by delivery service address shipping boxes to:

The Ministry to Seafarers
MONTREAL SEAMAN’S CLUB
Iberville Terminal
Shed No. 3, Second Level
OLD PORT, Montreal, QC H2Y 2C9

When sending by Canada Post please address shipping boxes:

The Ministry to Seafarers
PO Box 815, Place D’Armes Postal Station
Montreal, QC H2Y 3J2

Sending by post or parcel delivery services such as UPS, Fed Ex, etc. are great but you can also send by truck or traveler to Montreal and we will meet up with them and get them to the Seafarers’ Center. Let us know either by phone, 514-844-1476 or email, min2seaf@colba.net.

Special Notes

Please send your parcels as soon as possible. We would like to receive them any time after November 1 and before December 25.

As there are sometimes women sailing on the ships, we will need a few parcels packed with them in mind. Please mark “female” on the outside of any such parcels.

We sometimes receive parcels that are poorly wrapped or that contain used items that should not be used as a gift. Please, give of your best, not of what you no longer want or need.

May God bless you in your giving.

Thank you Quotes from Seafarers who received a Christmas Parcel

"Please accept on behalf of all crew members of the “Maersk Penang” our heartfelt thanks for your kind Christmas prayers and gifts."

"As seafarers, away from home for many months, often working long hours we especially appreciate the work that The Ministry to Seafarers provides. In this day of short port stays and commercial pressures it is still very good to know that somebody cares for our welfare and happiness."

And from the 'Maersk Patras':

To: The Unsung Heroes,
"On behalf of all the officers and crew here in Maersk Patras we would like to thank you all there in Seafarers’ Club for your unstinting support and service to all seafarers. Oh everything works together for Good, what is said in Matthew 6:33-34 really works. God Bless you all!!! – 3rd Officer."

To: Montreal Seaman’s Club,
"Thank you for the service that you have given to all the seafarers, to the concern and gifts, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."
CADN: Jim Jon Miler

"Even though we’re far from our family, but you are there to comfort us. Thanks for being part of our life . . . All the best next year . ."