“When we turn towards the suffering and show up for each other, the miracle of healing begins.” SCI Supervisory Chaplain, the Rev. Grace Pardun, shared this message during her keynote address at the Lumera Healthcare Collective, highlighting the power of presence, compassion, and connection in caring for others. The gathering brought health experts together and […]
Read MoreSCI’s Center for Maritime Education welcomed two new team members to its Houston, Texas, location in September. We are pleased to introduce the newest members of our team, whose work will support SCI’s mission to equip mariners with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate safely and confidently. Meet them below and join us […]
Read MoreConference in Houston, Texas. Under the theme “Yes, You Can,” the conference brought together maritime professionals for conversations focused on empowering women and supporting lasting careers in the industry. Phil joined the panel “Defining Your Identity in Work & Life,” which explored transitions between sea and shoreside positions, challenging work environments, and major life changes. […]
Read MoreSCI’s International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) welcomes Amelia Schonbek, our 2026–2027 Ordained Chaplain Intern, and Anwar Afifi, our new Daytime Operations Associate. Their experience in journalism, ministry, and maritime work will help us care for seafarers and support those visiting Port Newark. Amelia joins ISC while studying at Union Theological Seminary. Her background in journalism includes […]
Read MoreThe ninth annual Women Offshore Conference brought maritime and offshore leaders, emerging professionals, students, and industry advocates together October 1–2 at San Jacinto College’s LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology in the Houston area. Centered on the theme “Yes, You Can,” the two-day gathering combined personal stories, workshops, and interactive sessions to help attendees […]
Read MoreThe Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has received a $500,000 grant from the Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust to support Ministry on the River: Renewal, Reflection & Reach. This two-year initiative will strengthen and expand SCI’s Ministry on the River (MOR) program and advance a key commitment of the organization’s most recent strategic plan. The […]
Read MoreIn 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 MoreWorking With the Inland Maritime Industry to Find Solutions to Mariner Well-being In this The Waterways Journal article, Phil Schifflin, Esq. Director of SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, outlines how the Seamen’s Church Institute is moving from identifying challenges facing inland mariners to developing practical, collaborative solutions. Building on the U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment […]
Read MoreWomen in Maritime Operations (WiMOs) recently hosted a timely conversation with Philip C. Schifflin Jr., Esq., Director of the Center for Mariner Advocacy at The Seamen’s Church Institute. The webinar examines the personal, professional, and legal challenges mariners face throughout their careers, with particular attention to the experiences of women working at sea. Drawing on […]
Read MoreEvan Brown—Director, Communications: Seamen’s Church Institute The Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) Center for Maritime Education (CME) has been designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), recognizing CME’s demonstrated success in training and developing the nation’s maritime workforce. The five-year designation places […]
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