The Rev. Nancy Simpson — Chaplain, Ministry on the River, Houston Ship Channel & Gulf Coast Region

From the June 2025 Quarterly Activity Report

Before I began my calling as a Chaplain with the Seamen’s Church Institute, moving from one ministry to another, my bishop offered a simple reminder: keep singing. I had sung in church choirs all my life, but I wasn’t sure how that would connect to my maritime ministry. Or, that is, not until recently.

I boarded a tugboat for a crew visit. As I opened the heavy metal door and stepped over the threshold, I introduced myself and then began my check-in procedure. As I was filling out paperwork, one mariner welcomed me, and another was eager to share a story with me. It seemed like I showed up at just the right time.

As we sat around the galley table and began to talk, I realized I was hearing a story of resilience, faith, and God’s providence. The mariner had endured a serious accident off the vessel that deeply affected his life. Yet, he found his way back to being a mariner. It was a moving story, and I felt honored and humbled to hear him tell it.

Now, in a new season of life, he’s back doing the work he’s skilled in and uniquely suited to on the tugboat. He spoke with quiet satisfaction about being on the water again, part of a crew, awaiting their next assignment. There’s a distinct joy in meeting a mariner who has rediscovered his place.

There’s a distinct joy in meeting a mariner who has rediscovered his place. —The Rev. Nancy Simpson

As it turned out, it was also his birthday. One of the crew members and I broke into a spontaneous rendition of “Happy Birthday” (without cake or candles), followed by a round of applause. It was unplanned but meaningful—a joyful, blessed moment aboard that vessel. In that instant, I remembered my bishop’s advice: keep singing. I was reminded how deeply singing is woven into my ministry. It was a gift to bring song into that visit, and I left feeling grateful and moved by my time with those mariners.