Christmas At Sea
Knitters in every State
keep busy year-round
creating gifts for mariners!
July 18, 2005.
Seafarers braving dangerous
and lonely seas are now bringing the goods we buy for Christmas - why not
honor their sacrifice with a gift? Please knit a cap, scarf, or
other items for mariners far away from home on Christmas Day. All
who work at sea face particular perils, endure substantial physical
hardships, observe strict discipline, suffer lonesome separations, and
confront dangerous seas.
The Christmas-at-Sea program of
the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey is looking for
knitted items as chaplains prepare to increase distribution in the Port of
New York & New Jersey and along 2,200 miles of America's inland
waterways.
Most seafarers come from
tropical to temperate countries and are unprepared for frigid winter
temperatures. The garments are deeply appreciated. The hand
knit gifts the chaplains bring are a tribute to the friendliness and
compassion of Americans to seafarers from all countries. Last year
SCI placed close to 14,000 hand-knitted gifts onboard vessels, but we need
more knitters.
One of the Christmas-at-Sea
patterns is a custom-designed river mariner's scarf. SCI has an
extensive ministry to the 30,000 mariners on the inland waterways called
Ministry on the River that includes support from over 100 River Friendly
Churches in 11 states. Our nation's river mariners perform dangerous
work and endure long periods away from home and family.
Because demand exceeds the
number of garments received, knitted items are collected year-round.
Add your name to our list of 3,500 knitters from every state by contacting
Barbara Clauson at Christmas-at-Sea, 212-349-9090, cas@seamenschurch.org
or download patterns from www.seamenschurch.org
Send knitted items to:
Christmas-at-Sea
Seamen's Church Institute of New York
& New Jersey
241 Water Street
New York, NY 10038
Captain Roger Haskell of the Motor Vessel Sea-Land Comet explains,
"Crossing oceans, especially stormy ones at Christmas can be
depressing. There is loneliness in 40-knot winds and 35-foot seas that is
difficult to express to those who have never experienced it. We received
our packages of presents from Seamen's Church Institute in Elizabeth on
November 13 and here we are more than half way across the Pacific in route
from Yokohama to Long Beach on Christmas. That's 12 ports and 19 time
zones. The fact that there are people who will sit down and make gifts
like these for merchant mariners they've never met is truly moving. You
have brightened our Christmas away from home. May God bless all of
you."
Capt. Frank Smith, a river mariner, sent this letter:
"My crew and I would like you ladies to know how much we appreciate
the scarves you made. We traveled up to Chicago, North Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Today it
was cold and rainy and everyone is wearing their scarves. What you
ladies do is truly in the Christmas spirit. Thank you so much!"
Capt. Gregory F. Partlow sent this letter: "Our normal travel
route is from Louisville, KY to Pittsburgh, PA. I have worked on the
river for almost 19 years. During that time I have spent 12
Christmas' on the boat. The gift packages that we get from the
Seamen's Church are a very welcome treat. I received a light brown
scarf that you made. I just love it. Another one of my
crewmembers got one that you made also. It never fails to amaze me
how gifts from people like you can brighten up a bunch of men. Thank
you so very much for your time, talent, and gift of self. I have
several scarves that I have received over the years. I wear a
different one very day all winter. I never put one on without
wondering who made it. Thanks again from myself and my entire
crew."
For more information or photos, please contact, Debra Wagner, Director of
Communications, Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey, dwagner@seamenschurch.org
or call 212-349-9090 Ext 249.