Deacon Mark Möller works at St Katharinen Church in Hamburg and is the pastor of the floating riverboat church. The floating church ship has been a place of church life in Hamburg harbour since 1952. In this interview, the theologian talks about his day-to-day work.
YACHT: Tell me, Mr Möller, do you run a church ship without a boating licence?
Your church itself has neither engine nor steering wheel and is moored at the quay most of the time. Instead, you visit the bargemen with a launch ...
Yes, we take it into the harbour every week and go alongside the barges. If they feel like it, the crews come to the railing and we have a chat. It usually takes six to twenty minutes. We visit the people where they are, because it is often difficult for the crews to even get off the ship in Hamburg harbour.
Are there any topics that you encounter more often?
The topic of family often comes up. The crews are often on board for two to four weeks at a time and work really hard. Another topic is the conditions here in the tidal harbour, which many are not happy with. This is also due to the fact that the Port of Hamburg does not invest much in infrastructure for inland shipping, although this is essential for them. In addition, investment in maintaining the waterways is rather sparse throughout Germany, which also often causes frustration.
How does your work on the water differ from your work on land?
Actually, not so much. I'm fascinated by immersing myself in a microcosm like inland navigation. But my perspective is different: I'm sitting here in my office on a pontoon. When I look out of the window, I can see the water flowing away and the quay wall. For me, this is a change of perspective with a symbolic character.
How is your community made up?
We are an association and no longer a church congregation in the traditional sense. We have around 100 visitors a month at our church services. Of these, 30 to 40 per cent are regulars, the rest are tourists or people from the city. One of our special features is that almost every service is organised by a different volunteer preacher.
What do you and your colleagues actually do for the crews in the harbour?
We are your point of contact. The Port of Hamburg is big, anonymous and expensive. We do small things that make a difference. A "Hello, how are you?" or an apple that we bring along. It sounds trivial, but we are there.
About Mark Möller
The theologian, who works at St Katharinen Church in Hamburg, has been the pastor of the floating riverboat church for six years. He was previously a sailor's deacon on the Thames.
David Ingelfinger
Volontär
