Partnering Churches

SCI offers opportunities to share God’s love with folks from all over the world. As an extension of outreach in their neighborhoods and the world, faith communities around the country partner with SCI in its ministry to mariners. SCI relies on and deeply values the support of faith-based communities who make our mission possible.



Many congregations choose to become Seafarer Friendly Churches and River Friendly Churches. Based on their location and capability, they commit to helping SCI through prayer, service, gift collection and distribution, and financial support. They minister to real needs of fellow humans and extend open arms to mariners in their community.



SCI provides worship resources for faith communities of all denominations to share in maritime ministry, and SCI Chaplains are available to speak to churches, youth groups, and other organizations. Without the support of churches, SCI could not accomplish its unique and valuable work.

For information on becoming a Seafarer or a River Friendly Church, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to email us.

Seafarer Friendly Churches

Offer hospitality in the ports where our shores connect with the ends of the earth.

Seafarers deliver over 90% of all goods imported from other countries to the United States. Their work is round-the-clock with precious shore leave time becoming shorter and shorter.

At its centers in the ports of New York and New Jersey and the Bay Area of California, SCI extends the hand of fellowship and pastoral concern. Our chaplains visit many ships daily. They offer hospitality and connect thousands of mariners each year with the comforts and conveniences available ashore.

Through generous support and partnerships, SCI is able to serve international seafarers and America's port workers, truckers, stevedores, and warehouse workers at the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, NJ and the International Maritime Center in Oakland, CA.

River Friendly Churches

Although the work on inland waterways often goes unnoticed, they are vital conduits on which America’s commerce flows. America’s inland mariners safely and efficiently transport the bounty of our nation’s heartland.

SCI’s Ministry on the River provides hospitality and pastoral care to inland mariners and their families. It is the only network of pastoral care available on the nation’s inland waterways, and it operates 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. The program includes boat visits, counseling services, fellowship, and collecting and distributing gifts for Christmas and Easter.

Even if SCI’s chaplains worked night and day, they could never reach all the boats on the thousands of miles of rivers in the United States. SCI relies on a network of River Friendly Churches to welcome mariners and support our work.

Guidelines

To become a Seafarer or River Friendly Church, a church pledges the following:

• prayers for seafarers, mariners, and the work of SCI
• availability of clergy and lay persons during a maritime emergency
• providing a speaking opportunity for representatives of SCI
• making or providing “in-kind gifts” for SCI’s Christmas at Sea program
• financially supporting SCI with a proportion of outreach giving (ideally, 10% of an established outreach budget)


As a Seafarer or River Friendly Church, SCI will

• present the parish with a framed certificate identifying the church as a Seafarer or River Friendly Church.
• give the parish the Seafarer or River Friendly Church logo for use on their website and printed materials
• list the parish on SCI’s website
• give recognition in SCI’s promotional materials
• invite participation in SCI special events

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Our mission is to care for the men and women whose work is on the water. If you want to find out more about how you can help and perhaps become  a Seafarer or River Friendly Church, let us know.

Our mission is possible only with your support.

Church Relations
The Seamen’s Church Institute
241 Water Street
New York, NY 10038
(212) 349-9090
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