Frequently Asked Questions

OK, folks, here's the chance you've all been waiting for! It's Question and Answer Time with the German Seamen's Mission of New York:

1. Why does the Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA have a German Seamen's Mission?

   Actually, the German Seamen's Mission of New York was founded in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1907 by German-language churches, people from the German Consulate and German shipping interests. In those days, Hoboken was called "Little Bremen" because that was where the German ships docked, and there were a lot of German seamen wandering around Hoboken who needed pastoral and practical care. A Seamen's House was purchased on Hudson Street in 1907 and a lively ministry began. The German Seamen's Mission of New York became a member of the Metropolitan New York Synod in 1974.

2. Are you affiliated with the German Seamen's Mission in Germany?

   Yes, we are an independent branch of the network of stations that is headquartered in Bremen, Germany. I say "independent" because we have our own Board of Directors and are financially independent. We receive no money from Germany and are self-supporting. We do have very friendly relations with Germany and often participate in their events.

3. How are you financed?

   The Seamen's House in Hoboken and another house on West 22nd Street in Manhattan were sold in the 1970s, and the proceeds provide investment income to finance the ministry today. However, our expenditures exceed our income every year, and we have to draw on our capital. We need and welcome donations from churches, shipping companies and individuals.

4. Are there many German seafarers nowadays?

   Germany is one of the world's largest suppliers of container ships, many of which are chartered to companies all around the world. The Port of New York and New Jersey has as many as ten German vessels a week. A typical German ship has two to six officers from Germany or another European Union country such as Poland. The other crewmembers are Filipinos, Kiribatis and other South Pacific islanders, Eastern Europeans and people of other nationalities. (Most container ships have a crew of about twenty-two.)

5. What does your day-to-day ministry look like?

   I drive out to the docks and go onboard the ships, since the seafarers have little time to go ashore. (Most ships dock for less than sixteen hours.) I bring magazines and newspapers in various languages, telephone cards, Bibles and devotional material, postcards, stamps, maps and tourist information. If time allows, I take crewmembers ashore for shopping or sightseeing. My ministry is to the "whole person" and aims to show that the Church cares for these visitors from foreign countries who lead very isolated lives on board.

6. What can I do to help?

   You can support us with prayers, donations, and gifts for seafarers at Christmas. You can volunteer to visit a ship with me and get a firsthand impression of what maritime ministry is like.

Now that I have answered some of your questions, I would like to thank our Board of Directors, our supporters, and the chaplains and staff of Seafarers & International House for their teamwork in this ministry. Together I believe that we are making a real Gospel impact on the lives of countless seafarers far from home.

The Rev. Clint Padgitt
Chaplain and Executive Director