SCI Appoints Lower Mississippi Chaplain
On March 1, the Rev. Michael Christopher Nation begins work at the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) as a chaplain for Ministry on the River, the nation’s only full-time pastoral care ministry on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi River systems. Operating from Vicksburg, MS (where Nation served as rector of a local parish for over 9 years), the new SCI chaplain ministers to mariners working in the Lower Mississippi River region. He succeeds the Rev. Michael Hammett who left SCI last year. Living and working in the city of Vicksburg has wrapped Nation up in the maritime industry. On the Mississippi, Vicksburg functions as a hub of river commerce with several river transportation companies operating in the area. Not surprisingly, Nation already knew about SCI.
SCI Exceeds Fundraising Expectations, Awards Industry Leaders
SCI awarded three honorees at the River Bell Awards Luncheon on December 9, 2010. Stephen Little of Crounse Corporation (River Bell Award), Buck Lay (River Legend Award), and the Rev. James Wilkinson formerly of SCI (Distinguished Service Award). In December, the inland waterways industry impressed SCI fundraisers with sponsorship dollars surpassing the budget aim for the Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) River Bell Awards Luncheon, an annual event held in Paducah, KY recognizing contributions of an individual, company, or organization to the inland maritime industry. Income from the awards luncheon, which supports SCI’s Ministry on the River, the nation’s only full-time pastoral care ministry on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi River systems, soared close to $180K.
SCI Appoints New Ohio River Chaplain
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has appointed the Rev. Kempton D. Baldridge to serve as its new Ministry on the River (MOR) chaplain, serving the Ohio River region, effective June 1. Based from SCI’s Paducah, Ky. Center for Maritime Education, Chaplain Baldridge will serve mariners along the Ohio River plus river regions surrounding Nashville, St. Louis, and Memphis. In addition to his direct care for mariners and their shore-side counterparts, Chaplain Baldridge strengthens a network of River Friendly Churches who partner with SCI to provide ministry to mariners.
Rev. Dr. Jean Smith Appointed as Executive Director of SCI
The Rev. Dr. Jean Smith has been appointed Executive Director of the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) of New York & New Jersey by its Board of Trustees at its December 5 meeting. On January 1, 2003 she will succeed the Rev. Canon Peter Larom who will become a special advisor to the Institute and other organizations. The first woman to lead the 169-year-old maritime institution, Dr. in North America whose 2003 budget is over $6.5 million. legal advocacy work. said George D. Benjamin Chairman of SCI's Board of Trustees. With the Institute since 1990, Dr. Services. from Pittsburgh to Houston. Dr. Port of New York & New Jersey. from under-served ports around the world. Friendly Churches.
