NAMMA united for seafarers
ICMA member NAMMA (North American Maritime Ministry Association) brings diversity to our ecumenical endeavours.
NAMMA was founded in 1932 as the National Group of Seamen’s Agencies. Later, as the International Council of Seamen’s Agencies, the organisation was one of the founder members of ICMA. They took the name NAMMA in 1991.
It is the mission of NAMMA to assist port chaplains in their ministry to seafarers and other members of the maritime community. NAMMA acts as consultant and coordinator offering training and resources to those engaged in the spiritual, moral and practical support of seafarers. NAMMA members are active in ports throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Chaplain Lloyd Burghart, Executive Secretary, NAMMA
Mrs Maggie Whittingham-Lamont, President, NAMMA
Member organisations of NAMMA represent a diverse range of Christian denominations. These include large international agencies, some of which are also members of ICMA, and smaller locally-focused port ministries. Currently, NAMMA members include 41 major maritime ministry agencies and approximately 150 member chaplains in addition to support workers and volunteers.
An important tool is the NAMMA Directory which covers 108 ports in the United States and Canada. The directory is not confined to NAMMA members but gives a comprehensive picture of seafarers’ ministries in the region. The most recent edition lists 173 ministries, of which 27% are NAMMA member agencies, and 337 individuals representing 16 different Christian denominations.
ICMA congratulates NAMMA for successfully bringing together so many ministries and uniting their common cause: to serve seafarers throughout the region of North America.
Click here for the NAMMA website which includes the NAMMA directory.