The Skiffies and the Storm

The SkiffieWorlds are one of Stranraer’s success stories. An article in the Scotsman on Saturday described the coastal rowing championships as ‘the celebration of community in a town that refused to become a backwater’. It reflects ‘the ambition of a community refusing to accept decline as inevitable’ – and indeed is ‘one of Scotland’s most remarkable community regeneration stories’. Last time round, between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors descended on the town – bringing in an estimated £3.5 to £4 million for the local economy. This time is the biggest ever with a record-breaking 79 teams taking part.

You don’t have to look too far in the Bible to find stories about boats: from Jonah being thrown overboard, to Jesus and his (mostly) fishermen disciples on the Sea of Galilee, to the three shipwrecks of the Apostle Paul. In fact, at eight miles across, the Sea of Galilee, that Jesus and the disciples frequently crossed, is the same width as Loch Ryan is long.

One story involving Jesus, the disciples and the water, took place when Jesus told them to cross those eight miles of the Sea of Galilee to the other side. Partway across however, a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, which began to fill with water.

We can tell how bad a storm it was from how the disciples react. Many of them were experienced fishermen. They knew this stretch of water like the back of their hands. They had seen in all. But when this storms hits, they’re absolutely terrified.

Read the rest of this article written by Rev. Stephen Steele for a local paper here.