Episcopal congregations across the country are encouraged to join others that minister to mariners on America's inland waterways through Ministry on the River's ecumenical River Friendly Church program.
River mariners perform dangerous work and endure long periods away from home and family, moving millions of tons of valuable cargo. Typically mariners will be away from home for at least six months of the year, disrupting family patterns. Every other Christmas is spent underway. Under the strain of the "home-a-month", "gone-a-month" working routine, marriages are tested, and often damaged.
River families endure these hardships without the support systems that many take for granted. Their schedule precludes traditional participation in the community.
Ministry on the River and River Friendly Churches show Christ's love to mariners and their families by providing:
- Pastoral care, counselling, emergency response onboard and ashore
- Family support
- Bible distribution and worship aids
- Pass It On book and video exchange
- Christmas on the River
Nearly 100 congregations are River Friendly Churches. These include:
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Forrest City, Arkansas
St George's Episcopal Church, Macomb, Illinois
St Paul's Episcopal Church, Evansville, Indiana
Grace Episcopal Church, Paducah, Kentucky
St James' Episcopal Church, Greenville, Mississippi
All Saints' Episcopal Church, River Ridge, Louisiana
St Peter's Episcopal Church, La Due, St. Louis, Missouri
All Saints' Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Ohio
Fox Chapel Episcopal Church, Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania
St George's Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee
Trinity Episcopal Church, Parkersburg, West Virginia
To learn more about becoming a River Friendly Church e-mail: riverministry@seamenschurch.org or call Karen Cox, Ministry Project Co-ordinator, on 001 270 575 1005.
The Seamen's Church Institute's mission is to advance the personal, professional, and spiritual well being of mariners worldwide. Established in 1834, SCI is an ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church and is the largest independent maritime agency in North America.
Article from: The Seamen's Church Institute of New York and New Jersey