North Star Port

n April, the Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers entered into an official mission agreement with New York-based Seafarers International House to collaborate and expand outreach efforts. Founded in the mid-1960s, the Twin Ports Minis- try to Seafarers is an ecumenical ministry of hospitality for sea- farers visiting the Port of Duluth-Superior. It offers assistance and friendship to oceangoing crew members from multiple religious, ethnic and national backgrounds. The ministry exists because of support from church bodies and congregations, along with individuals and port businesses who are concerned about the wellbeing of those who sail the seas for their liveli- hood. By aligning with Seafarers International House (SIH), the Ministry to Seafarers will gain crucial financial support and a connection to the North American Maritime Ministry Asso- ciation, while also helping advance the SIH mission to North America's furthest-inland seaport. "We're very excited to enter into this agreement, which will strengthen our ministry to seafarers visiting Duluth-Superior, many of whom have precious little connection with friends, fam- ilies, or the outside world during their months away at sea," said Reverend Doug Paulson, director of the Ministry to Seafarers. SIH, which operates a guesthouse in New York City and port chaplain services in multiple coastal ports, is an affiliate of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2023, SIH cele- brated 15 decades of uninterrupted services to more than 2 mil- lion seafarers and immigrants in New York City and beyond. Its leadership council includes Mark W. Barker, president of the Great Lakes-based Interlake Steamship Company. As part of the agreement, Pastor Susan Tjornehoj, a SIH board member based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, joined the Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers board and will serve as a liaison. She and Pastor Marsh Drege, SIH executive director, will work with Reverend Paulson on numerous initiatives, including the implementation of Christmas-at-Sea, a SIH initiative that spreads holiday cheer—and gift satchels—among seafarers during the holidays. "We look forward to our organizations' collaboration in the name of Jesus for the benefit of seafarers arriving into the Port of Duluth-Superior," said Pastor Drege. To learn more or donate to the Ministry to Seafarers, please visit seafarerstwinports.org. I New collaborative agreement boosts Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers 16 | NORTH STAR PORT | SPRING 2024 PORT LOGBOOK TWIN PORTS MINISTRY TO SEAFARERS HAS BEEN PROVIDING HOSPITALITY TO OCEANGOING CREW MEMBERS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS SINCE THE 1960s. PHOTO / David Schauer

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