For Those in Peril on the Sea: Seafarers International House at the Port of Houston
(l-r): Chris Hicks (Zion-Houston), Pastor Marsh Drege (SIH), Pastor Tracey B Schultz, Pastor Susan Tjornehoj (SIH), Pastor Jonathan Westerlund (SIH chaplain), David Kingery (Zion-Houston), and Pastor David Wangaard (Global Refuge)
By Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership
The last week in February, I visited the Seafarers International House (SIH) at the Port of Houston. I was part of a small group of stakeholders hosted by Pastor Marsh Grege (Executive Director, SIH-Metro New York Synod) and Pastor Susan Tjornehoj (SIH Board Chair). Both of them ELCA clergy, they were in Houston to talk with us about a greater ELCA presence at the Houston port, including the possibility of calling a part-time chaplain!
In order to invite a chaplain to consider this call, I wanted to know all I could about it. Was there ever much to discover! Did you know that ninety percent of what we’re wearing, eating, and using in our households comes to us by ship? Merchant seafarers, usually in crews of 20-25, navigate the seas to take shipping containers to their (international) destinations. We are indebted to them for commerce, yet most of their work goes unnoticed and uncelebrated.
After weeks to months at sea, seafarers look forward to coming into port. Some crews are able to get off their ship, and at SIH-Houston, they are welcome to shop in the commissary, enjoy leisure activities (like pool, foosball, or basketball), eat in the restaurant, and visit the chapel. A chaplain is available to pray with them and lead them in worship or to take them to a local store (a frequent request). If time does not allow a crew to get off their ship, a chaplain comes aboard, hears their needs and concerns, and offers prayer. After so much time away from family and the routines of everyday life, the ministry of port chaplains is best experienced as re-humanizing.
St Nicholas, patron saint of seafarers
Many people do not realize that traveling by sea can be dangerous. Storms, piracy, international conflicts, mental health issues, and physical risks pose the worst threats to seafarers. Because of this, the SIH chapel includes an icon of St Nicholas, who is not just the patron saint of children and the poor, but also of travelers, merchants, and sailors. While we gathered in the chapel for a time of devotions and learning, I noticed the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” running through my head, especially the line, “oh, hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.” I will never sing this again without thinking of seafarers.
You may be familiar with SIH if your congregation has ever donated to their Christmas Shoebox Program. During the Christmas season, when seafarers come to port, SIH chaplains offer them shoeboxes full of items they often request (toiletries, socks, snacks, and other essentials). Many of these are donated by congregations and schools. The hope is the newly-called Houston-based port chaplain might also serve as an ambassador to local churches, giving temple talks about the mission to seafarers and inviting even more people, in the spirit of St Nicholas, to donate shoeboxes or to the ministry in general.
Seaman’s Church Institute (SCI), a similar ministry to seafarers, primarily on the river, is housed right next door to SIH. Pastor Nancy Simpson of our synod is a chaplain for SCI in Houston.
To learn more about Seafarers International House in Houston, visit their website or reach out to their executive director. If you think you may be interested in a part-time Houston-based chaplain position with SIH, contact me!
In your prayers, join me in remembering those in peril on the sea.
A seafarer’s prayer