DETROIT (WWJ) -- A local church is kicking off the start of the shipping and boating season -- a sure sign that Spring is on its way.
Father Jeffery Hubbard told WWJ's Sandra McNeill that Mariner's Church in Detroit on Saturday will hold its annual "Blessing of the Fleet." Boaters, Yacht Club groups and commercial seamen are welcome to bring their flags.
"It's at the end of the service itself that we have that sort of climatic moment where everyone presents their flags," said Hubbard. "We place them on the altar and pray a prayer of blessing."
Hubbard said the service used to draw about 200-300 boaters before the pandemic, but those numbers have swelled considerably since Mariner's began streaming the service live on the church's YouTube channel.
Hubbard expects hundreds of boaters to take part in person - and by tuning in to the livestream.
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