In a recent editorial published in The Waterways Journal, SCI emphasizes that pastoral care is all-encompassing—not limited to emergencies, tragedies, or moments of crisis. Chaplains are here to support the whole person and to offer a compassionate, confidential presence whenever something is weighing on a mariner’s mind or heart. A concern does not have to […]
Read MoreThe Seamen’s Church Institute brought a message of collaboration and care to the 121st Annual Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) Seminar, held August 5–7, 2026, in New Orleans. SCI Supervisory Chaplain the Rev. Grace Pardun joined SCI Chaplain the Rev. Geoffrey Davis and licensed clinical social worker and certified trauma professional Mandy Culbreath, MSW, LCSW, […]
Read MoreEarlier this month, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mariners throughout every stage of their careers through its participation in O-Week at Texas A&M Maritime Academy. O-Week introduces incoming cadets to the routines and traditions of the Corps of Cadets while building the skills and discipline essential to maritime life. Throughout […]
Read MoreSCI recently welcomed its first Chaplain Associate serving the Port of Jacksonville, Florida, an important milestone in expanding the organization’s Chaplain Associate network. Pictured during training in New Orleans, Chaplain Associate Josh Burns (left) joins SCI Chaplain the Rev. Geoff Davis (right) as they visit with a mariner at American Commercial Barge Line. Expanding SCI’s […]
Read MoreBy Bridgit PattersonCommunications Coordinator The maritime industry is the backbone of global and domestic trade, yet the human realities behind it often remain unseen. While the line of work comes with many attractive opportunities, circumstances such as long hitches, irregular schedules, high-pressure environments, and time away from loved ones create conditions where stress, loneliness, and […]
Read MoreOn May 12, the Training Ship Empire State VII departed Fort Schuyler to begin SUNY Maritime College’s Summer Sea Term (SST), with SCI Chaplain the Rev. Geoff Davis joining cadets and crew for the first leg of the voyage. This marks Davis’s second year participating in the program, and he is thrilled to once again support cadets […]
Read Moreby the Rev. Geoffrey Davis SCI Chaplain, Ministry on the River, Lower Mississippi & Gulf Coast Region From the December 2025 Quarterly Activity Report One of the great aspects of working in the maritime industry, particularly on the inland side, is the abundance of advancement opportunities. As an SCI Chaplain, it is a tremendous blessing […]
Read MoreEach box represents more than warmth; it carries a heartfelt reminder that mariners, who spend long stretches away from loved ones during the holidays, are remembered and appreciated. The Christmas at Sea on the River program has long been a cornerstone of SCI’s mission, bringing comfort to our nation’s mariners during the cold months of […]
Read MoreBridgit Patterson Communications Associate For more than 185 years, the Seamen’s Church Institute has been dedicated to serving mariners at every stage of their careers. For cadets at SUNY Maritime College, the Summer Sea Term (SST) is their first true taste of life at sea; this is true for those just embarking on their career […]
Read MoreServing as Chaplain aboard the State University of New York Maritime College’s training ship, Empire State VII, left me deeply encouraged about the future of the maritime profession. For years, conversations about mariner shortages have raised real concerns: Where will new mariners come from? Can today’s young sailors meet the demands of the job? My […]
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