Christmas at Sea - The Seamen’s Church Institute

Christmas at Sea (CAS) is an inclusive supportive community that represents the oldest and longest continuously-running charter knitting program in the United States. CAS delivers the highest volume of knitted gifts to international seafarers of any non-profit, and is the only chaplaincy delivering knit gifts to the thousands of professional U.S. mariners at work aboard towboats, harbor tugs, and dredges on the Mississippi River system and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways. The Christmas at Sea program supplies items to mariners who are on the water—either oceans or rivers—at Christmas time, so each person receives a present to open. These packages include handmade items such as hats & scarves, toiletries, snacks, and a card.

In the fall of 2021, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana hosted a Zoom presentation with Joanne Bartosik, Senior Manager of Development and Christmas at Sea. During this presentation, Joanne talked about CAS and how individuals can support the program through knitting items for the mariners.

• Watch Joanne Bartosik’s presentation  here.

• View Joanne Bartosik’s PowerPoint slides here.

• Information about knitting, crocheting, making cards or sewing for Christmas at Sea, including patterns, is here.

Christmas at Sea is part of The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), affiliated with the Episcopal Church, which began in 1834 with concerned citizens—people who saw a need and worked to meet it. Fostering relationships between mariners, shipping companies, and international governments, SCI’s staff and volunteers effect change in our complex world. Through ministries of chaplaincy, education, advocacy, and its volunteer knitting/crocheting program, SCI supports seafarers with what they need to make a difference in their lives and the world.

Project Coordinator
The Rev. Canon Michelle Walker

Diocesan Representative
The Rev. Canon Michelle Walker