Nautical parties are a lot of fun. They make great baby boy shower ideas too. What’s not to like with ships, boats, whales, and fish for a boy themed shower?
There are so many avenues you can go down if you want to take it to use as a women’s ministry theme. The spiritual direction could be “Anchored in Christ”, “Safe”, or even “My Anchor Holds”. Lots of possibilities!
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Nautical Event Concept
—Originally Posted in 2015 as “Anchored in Christ” women’s ministry theme
—This theme was first brainstormed on my FB Page back on 2/24/15. Read the original input here.
—Updated June 2020
The event themes on the website can be used for showers, parties, women’s ministry retreats and activities, or church functions. Each theme will have one or several possible spiritual applications. I give you lots of info and ideas—You pick just a few to enhance your event. More ideas can be used for showers and parties, but less is always more for ministry events.
Theme Title Ideas
- A Firm Anchor
- A Steadfast Anchor
- A Wave of Fun (or Fellowship)
- Ahoy!
- An Unchanging Anchor
- An Unwavering Anchor
- An Unyielding Anchor
- Anchors Away!
- Anchor in the Storm
- Anchored
- Anchored by God
- Anchor for Her Soul
- Anchored by Love (bridal shower)
- Anchored Deep
- Anchored in Faith
- Anchored in His Strength
- Anchored in Hope
- Anchored in Jesus
- Anchored in the Haven of Rest
- Anchored in the Promises of God
- Anchored in the Word
- Anchored in His Love
- Anchored in…(any of the following) Faith, Joy, Love, etc.
- Anchored to the Rock
- Anchored to the Rock of Ages
- Anchored Secure
- Anchors Aweigh (see the devotional starter ideas for this one)
- Get On Board! (use as a women’s ministry kick-off)
- God is my Anchor
- God is my Anchor of Life
- He is my Anchor
- Hold Fast (1 Thessalonians 5:21 )
- Hope – The Anchor of the Soul
- I’m Anchored in Jesus!
- Jesus, Anchor of my Life
- Jesus is my Anchor
- My Anchor Holds
- Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13)
- Promised Hope
- Riding the Waves
- Safe Harbor
- Sea, Sun, and Sand
- Seaside Escape (spa type)
- Ship Ahoy!
- Steadfast & Sure
- SON, Sea, & Sand
- Sure Anchor
- The Anchor Holds
- Trust the Anchor
- Uncharted Waters (stepping out in faith)
- We Have an Anchor
- Weathering the Storm
- Wonders of the Sea (creation)
- See the Beach Theme here.
Spiritual Application
- Focus on being anchored in Christ. Knowing we can count on the Lord no matter what storms arise in our lives.
- Focus on having a solid Hope.
- Focus on holding fast (to that which is good) 1 Thessalonians 5:21
- Focus on charting our life. Getting direction from the Lord.
- Focus on weathering the stormy seas.
Theme Verse Suggestions
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:18-19 (KJV)
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)
Devotional and Workshop Ideas
- Download the Anchor Theme Devotional Starters (pdf)
- More Devotional Writing Starters
- Find my author page on Amazon.
Simple Decorating
- Tray filled with nautical items.
- Anchors
- Seashells
- Ropes
- Compass
- Maps
- Small net to line the tray
Icebreakers
Nautical Printable Game
Walk the Plank!
- Place a blue drop cloth down and put a plank (long piece of wood) down on your stage or platform.
- Ask for volunteers to walk the plank!
- Take turns having your ladies stand on the plank and share a time when they had to rely on their Anchor (Christ) or felt like God was watching them through a storm.
Discussion Starter Questions
- Have you ever been on a boat? What was the experience like?
- Do any of you get seasick?
- Have any of you ever served in the Navy? Or have spouses or family members that have served?
Anchors Aweigh (Baby Shower)
Have your guests guess the weight of the baby (if the baby has already arrived).
Music
- How Firm a Foundation
- My Anchor Holds
- Sheltered in the Time of Storm
- Ship Ahoy
- The Haven of Rest
- The Solid Rock
- Sing sea shanties. (Search online to find some or make up your own.)
Favor Ideas
- Anything with an anchor (Check craft stores for anchor charms in the jewelry section)
- Roll of Lifesavers candy
- Saltwater Taffy
Door Prizes
- Anything nautical themed
- Devotional book
- Gift certificate to a Christian bookstore
Just for Fun
Make it a cruise theme.
You can pretend to be anchored off of a specific coast or part of the world.
Ship Areas
Name your rooms or areas of your event different ship terms and make signs for each.
- Gangway – Entryway or vestibule
- Deck – Main Session area
- Bridge – Platform or where the speakers are
- Galley – Kitchen
- Stateroom or Cabin – Guest rooms if having an overnight retreat
- Purser’s Office or Engine Room – Information Center
- Dining Room – Fellowship Hall or meal area
- Promenade – Book or information tables
- Activity Deck – Place for games and icebreakers
- Dock – The parking lot
Ship Staff
- Have a “captain” (the women’s leader or ever who is in charge. It could be the MC).
- Have “stewards” (your helpers)
Do a Group Craft
- There are so many nautical theme craft supplies such at Hobby Lobby.
- Use anything with anchors or rope for your project.
Invitation Wording Ideas
- Sail on Over
- Come for a Whale of a Good Time
- Here’s your boarding pass for fun!
- Ship Ahoy! It’s a Boy! (baby shower)
- He/She is Sailing into Retirement (retirement party)
- Float in for some fun
Food and Serving
- Have a “captains” table to seat special visitors such as any speakers.
- Any type of sea food
- Fish sandwiches and chips (Makes for an easy food choice and easy clean up)
- Crab dip with crackers
- Cold shrimp and cocktail sauce for dipping
- “Sand” Cake – Like Dirt Cake with Oreos but use the golden Oreos for topping.
Fun Nautical Food
- Spinach Dip – Seaweed
- Blueberries – Caviar
- Licorice Ropes – Rope
- Lifesaver’s Candy – Lifesavers (Use Individually wrapped ones.)
- Goldfish – Fish
- Gummie Lifesavers – Floaties
- Mini white donuts – Lifesavers
- White donut holes – Sea pearls
- Cookies with grooves such as Madeleines or peanut butter cookies (flattened with a fork) – Seashells
- Blue Punch – Ocean or sea water
- Gummie fish candy – Sea fish
- Anything oblong such as sugar waters, graham cracker quarters, etc. – “Walk the Plank” Cookies
Photo Sources
- Want the photo used for the page title of this theme? Find the original at Unsplash here.
Leaving with a saying think on today.
Let the storms prove the strength of your anchor.
Thanks for stopping in. Please leave any extra ideas for this nautical theme in the comments. What’s your favorite type of get-together for summer?
Creative blessings,
Julia
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