On Sunday, 650 people attended the first service in the newly built Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Miami, Florida, that has been named after Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Church, Scandinavian Church and Center, held their first service Sunday morning in Miami. The Crown Princess attended both the service and the official opening ceremony that followed. "This is a big day for me," she said. "The Seamen’s Church is a home on one’s journey. A place for rest, unity and prayer – and with the world’s best waffles." The Norwegian Seamen’s Church was first established in Miami 30 years ago, and has been more to Norwegians than just a place for worship. To many, it’s a home away from home, and a place to meet other Norwegians, or simply come in for a chat and a coffee. However, over the most recent years the church has also been forced to modernize in order to reach a changing demographic. With fewer and fewer Norwegian sailors on the high seas, it is catering more and more to the permanent Scandinavian population in the area. The new center cost NOK 32 million, and will also offer office space for rent to Scandinavians, as well as a swimming pool. It will still be a place where people can meet to socialize, seek guidance and practice their faith. "It means a lot to us that the Crown Princess has lent her name to the church and been able to come here today," said the Secretary General of the Seamen’s Church, Audun Myhre. "The Crown Princess represents the same values as the Seamen’s Church: Openness, generosity, and that one can bring one’s life into the church, regardless of what it is like, and be met with warmth, love and support if needed." The church was built as a center for the 10,000 Scandinavians that live in Florida. Around 4,000 of them are Norwegian. The church is also an important place for the 150 Norwegians that work at Disney World in Florida, whom the church keep in touch with and offer their support to. (Aftenposten) (Picture from Sjomannskirken) Julie Ryland
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