Diocese Ordains the Revs. Anatol Ferguson and Tristan Lockhart to the Sacred Priesthood at Christ Church Cathedral
Lamar Moss Nottage Ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons
On Tuesday, July 29, the Parish of St. Peter in Simms, Long Island, held its annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Salt Pond dock as fishermen prepared for the start of crawfish season on August 1st.
“It’s a practice that I inherited from the previous rector,” said Rev. Philip Hield Jr., who now serves the parish. “Long Island is one of those islands where fishing is a big thing for the community, in terms of recreation as well as for livelihood.”
Each year, just before the first multi-week trips of the season, the parish gathers with the fishing community for a brief liturgy by the water.
“I would have a service, a very brief service—a liturgy—right on the dock in Salt Pond. We would sing a hymn, do the first lesson, a psalm, of course a gospel reading, and I’d offer reflection. Words of encouragement, but also words of remembering God in the midst of what they do. Never to forget God once He’s brought them back home, and not to forget God while they’re out on the seas.”
The Blessing of the Fleet is not just for those heading out, but for the wider community that stands behind them.
“It gives them an assurance, from what I can tell and comprehend, that God is in the midst with them as they go out. Because sometimes, you know, waters can be tricky. It can be rough. And it’s a big thing not just for the fishermen, but the community as well.”
Long Island, he added, is deeply tied to the sea, not only through fishing but also through the island’s role in boatbuilding and sailing. “When you look at sailing, Long Island is where most of the renowned boats are made for our national sport. This is a very connected island when it comes to the waters.”
“This service,” he said, “is done every year to uplift them, to encourage them, and to remind them that God is not just a God who is worshipped on Sunday but also a God who is worshipped in all things, even in the midst of our daily means of trying to survive and make a living for our families and our communities.”
As fishermen head out for their first haul of the season, the Diocese joins the parish and the people of Long Island and throughout our two countries in praying for their safety, strength, and return.
Photos by: Phillip Figdore
