Supporting the Next Generation of Mariners at Texas A&M Maritime Academy
August 18, 2026
Earlier 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 […]
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SCI Welcomes New Chaplain Associate in Jacksonville, Florida
July 22, 2026
SCI 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 […]
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Before the World Cup: Seafarer Soccer at Port Newark
July 17, 2026
by Bridgit Patterson SCI Communications Coordinator With the FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey this weekend, it is only fitting to remember that soccer has long been part of SCI’s history of serving seafarers. Beginning in the 1890s, crews arriving aboard ocean liners regularly played soccer matches against local clubs. Shipping companies encouraged the […]
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SCI to Welcome A New Maritime Chaplain in St. Louis
July 16, 2026
SCI’s Ministry on the River is pleased to announce that the Rev. Charles Uhlik will join the organization as Chaplain serving the Upper Mississippi River region, based in St. Louis. Beginning September 30, he will expand SCI’s chaplaincy presence along the inland waterways, providing dedicated pastoral care and support to mariners from St. Louis northward […]
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CMA Director Phil Schifflin Featured in The Waterways Journal
June 22, 2026
Phil Schifflin, Esq., Director of SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy (CMA), is featured in a recent Waterways Journal article, “Next Steps for the U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment.” The piece highlights the findings and future direction of the landmark assessment conducted by SCI and the Yale School of Medicine, which examined the health, wellness, and […]
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Honored to Work With SUNY Maritime Cadets
June 22, 2026
By Matthew Morse, Esq. Director, International Seafarers’ Center From the June 2026 Quarterly Activity Report The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) is pleased to continue its strong partnership with SUNY Maritime College through active SCI Chaplain participation in the 2026 SUNY Maritime Summer Sea Term (SST). This yearly voyage represents a vital period of hands-on training […]
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SCI Chaplains Continue Sixth Consecutive Summer of Service During SUNY Maritime’s Summer Sea Term
June 22, 2026
As SUNY Maritime College’s 2026 Summer Sea Term (SST) continues, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) is proud to mark the sixth consecutive summer that SCI Chaplains have served aboard in support of cadets during this transformative maritime training experience. A cornerstone of the academic journey for cadets pursuing U.S. Coast Guard licenses, the Summer Sea […]
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Building Trust Through Consistent Presence
June 21, 2026
“Wait! I’ve met you before!” a young man in the front row exclaimed as I introduced myself to the class of new hires. It took me a beat and then I was brought right back to where we met for the first time. It was a few months ago that we sat around the table […]
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Honoring Leadership and Supporting Seafarers at SCI’s 2026 Silver Bell Awards
June 15, 2026
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomed 635 maritime leaders and professionals to Chelsea Piers in New York City on June 11, 2026, for an evening celebrating the maritime industry and honoring two exceptional leaders: John Wobensmith, recipient of the Silver Bell Award, and Adm. Linda Fagan (USCG, Ret.), recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The […]
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The Status of Chaplaincy in Supporting Seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz
June 9, 2026
Many across the maritime industry remain deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges facing seafarers transiting or stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. While SCI is a U.S.-based organization, our mission compels us to stay connected with seafarer welfare organizations around the world, monitoring conditions and supporting mariners wherever they serve. According to Phil Schifflin, Director […]
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