Founded in 1834,

SCI is a voluntary,

ecumenical agency

affiliated with the

Episcopal Church that

provides pastoral care,

maritime education, and

legal advocacy services

for mariners.

The newsletter of the

Seamen’s Church Institute’s

Christmas at Sea Program

In this Issue

Summer 2016 VOLume 10 / NumBer 2

The Seamen’s Church Institute

Just as every stitch from every knitter contributes to mariners’ warmth during the winter months, every dollar you give to SCI upholds the valuable services we provide and on which the entire maritime community depends.

Expert ConnectorsDo you remember the first time you saw someone knit or crochet? As a novice,

you might have had difficulty following everything—so dense and intricate! Perhaps you thought, “How in the world do you know what to do?”

Knitters and crocheters have to keep track of a lot of things. By interlocking loops of yarn, they create beautiful garments. Miss a stitch, though, and you wind up with just a bunch of knots. The secret to success lies in knowing exactly where you are—where each strand of yarn comes from … and where each is going.

In everyday language, people use the word “knit” to describe the process of joining or combining things. That’s probably because knitters are experts at makings things come together. But in our world, a lot of people fail to make some important connections. Many only appreciate finished products, which arrive on a local store shelf as if by magic. They don’t see how our global system of commerce relies on an international network of hardworking men and women.

Just as knitting seems incredibly complex to non-stitchers, so must the tangled network of global trade appear to those who don’t know much about it. Reading a pattern (or the manufacturer’s tag) doesn’t capture the elaborate and sophisticated processes that tie everything together. Vessels, like strands of yarn, crisscross dense shipping lanes in a complex web stretching over thousands of miles.

Keeping track of so many things might seem impossible … at least at first. But in time, you learn to see connections just like knitters and crocheters do—one stitch at a time. Eventually, experienced stitchers come to appreciate how certain bits correlate and complement each other.

Others could take a leaf from knitters’ and crocheters’ book. Knowing where things come from and how everything weaves together not only makes for a more integrated way of living but a more wonderful and colorful one, too.

As stitchers in the Christmas at Sea family, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) hopes you can help cultivate a more careful observation of the world’s operation. Share what you do and why you do it—knit in public, give away our patterns and encourage others to get involved. Explain to folks who don’t know just how all the dots connect. You have the prime skillset to do it.

With your help, we can make the world take notice of the intricate threads that link us all together.

Use the envelope enclosed in this newsletter or go online to make a donation that

supports our connections

with the maritime world.

Full Circle 2

SCI Ceases management of Bay Area Seafarers’ Center 3

You Can Go Your Own Way 3

Pattern Line-up 4

Thinking Inside the Box 5

Knitting Connections 5

Do you live in an assisted or independent living community? 5

Baby It’s Cold Outside 6

The Knit Before Christmas Summer 2016 • 2 seamenschurch.org

Come visit the Christmas at Sea knitting room in SCI’s Port Newark International Seafarers’ Center. Email psato@seamenschurch.org to find out how.

Need help? Turn to your knitting friends for support. Check out Christmas at Sea’s Facebook page to meet new ones.

Looking for a PDF of this newsletter that you can read on your iPad or email to a friend?

Full CircleThirty years ago, I spent my summers interning at an advertising agency

in New York. I absolutely loved the work but found the scheduling a bit perplexing. In the heat of summer, we were photographing and

writing copy for holiday catalogs. For me—as a college student—time moved somewhat slowly, so everything seemed out of place—models in fur coats, tree trimmings galore, tons of red and green, while the sun shone brightly outside.

Fast forward to 2016 … time moves a little less slowly. From my window in Port Newark, I see the hustle and bustle of ships and trucks moving at a fast clip. In the morning, a multi-ton vessel is full of cargo; by that afternoon it’s empty. Those in the maritime industry always seem to have their eyes on the horizon—the next port, the next pick-up, the next drop-off.

So although we’ve just celebrated the Fourth of July, I can’t help but realize, “Christmas will be here tomorrow!” I’m already scheduling volunteers to come in and pack. And I chuckle to myself, recognizing a bit of kismet from my past: the products the ad agency hawked 30 years ago arrived by container just like the ones I watch come and go now.

An older boss once told me that time passes more quickly for grown-ups because they’re more settled into routines—back-to-school, holidays, spring cleaning, graduation season, etc. When we’re younger, new experiences lengthen the passing of time.

I wonder if the same holds up on board a ship? Does the day-to-day monotony of work and rest schedules make time pass quickly, or does that routine slow time to almost a standstill?

I can’t help but think the monotony would kill me. Like many, I relish my routine—my morning run, iced coffee on the way to work, walking the dog in the evening, and a good dose of knitting and Netflix at night. But each part of that routine can change, if I want it to. On a whim, I can it switch up (make my daughters walk the dog; sew, instead of knit). Mariners don’t have that luxury. While their work schedules may alter, the setting doesn’t.

As a Christmas at Sea stitcher, your handiwork offers a connection to the wider world outside the vessels mariners call both work and home. Whether time moves at a snail’s pace or whether it zooms by, your out-of-the-ordinary gift marks a special moment. Your handmade knit disrupts—in a good way—a mariner’s routine.

This year, I invite you to disrupt your own routine ever so slightly by knitting up a mini watchcap for the #WATCHthisCAP campaign. Help us spread the word about the work of mariners. It’s a tiny hat—a small gesture, especially considering the scale of mariners’ work—but we all know how tiny things add up. Single stitches grow into garments. Small efforts make a big impact.

Need…

Patterns?

Tags?

Ready to mail?

Christmas at Sea118 Export StreetPort Newark, NJ 07114Paige Sato, Program Manager973-589-5828cas@seamenschurch.org

Summer 2016Published by the Seamen’s Church Institute

seamenschurch.org

The Rev. David M. RiderPresident & Executive Director

Editor, Oliver Brewer-LennonDesign & Production by BlissDesignThis newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

The Knit Before Christmas Summer 2016 • 3 seamenschurch.org

SCI Ceases management of Bay Area Seafarers’ Center

Since 2009, SCI has supervised and administered a small seafarers’ center in the Port of Oakland, coordinating ship visits, supplying and maintaining seafarer transport, and assuming costs for building

maintenance, insurance and repair. In 2016, SCI relinquishes management of this Center, which houses an ecumenical partnership of ministries to seafarers in the Bay Area of San Francisco, CA. Day-to-day ship visiting continues with these partners, which represent three denominational seafarers’ ministries. SCI will collaborate with these and other seafarers' welfare agencies to ensure that seafarers find support no matter where their journeys take them.

You might ask, “What does this mean for

Christmas at Sea?”Every year since 2009, Christmas at Sea has worked with two local Oakland-based organizations to distribute handknits to seafarers calling at Bay Area ports. We are happy to announce that these organizations wish to continue our rewarding and wonderful partnership. So stitchers can carry on sending completed hats and scarves to Christmas at Sea in Port Newark, and we’ll coordinate with our West Coast friends to get these to mariners in Oakland. If you used to send or drop off projects directly at SCI’s Center in Oakland, please send your handknits to Port Newark for the time being and until further notice.

A Complex PatternShipping lanes connect so many places around the globe. Every day mariners move tons of cargo across thousands of miles. If you want to get a glimpse of just how far and wide these connections run, visit www.marinetraffic.com for a live map of vessels around the world.

You Can Go Your Own WayIf you’ve got a favorite hat or scarf pattern of your own you’d like to use, please do so—just remember a few simple things:

1. Hats must fit close to the head (no slouchy or loomed hats)

2. Scarves should measure 6-in to 8-in wide and 45-in to 55-in long.

3. No embellishments (fringe, tassels, pompoms), but yes to cables, stripes, and variegated or bright colors.

The Knit Before Christmas Summer 2016 • 4 seamenschurch.org

Pattern Line-UpOver the years, Christmas at Sea has added to its pattern repertoire, building upon the venerable seafarer’s watchcap that started it all many years ago. Now, we have a lot of ways to help keep mariners warm … from head to toe. If you haven’t already, check out the entire list of available patterns, and visit http://seamenschurch.org/cas to download copies. (If you don’t have access to a computer, call or write, and we’ll send you a paper version.)

HATSSeafarer’s Watch Cap • The original watch cap, in garter stitch, knit flat and seamed

Oliver’s Cap • A simple beanie-style cap that pairs beautifully with the mariner's scarf

Seafarer’s Watch Cap (in the round) • SCI’s original watchcap modified to be knit in the round

Seafarer’s Beanie • A double-brimmed beanie perfect for cold weather

1898 Hat • SCI’s very own double-thick ear flap hat

Knit Helmet • A comprehensive head-topper, keeping the face and neck warm

SCARVESSeafarer’s Scarf • An SCI original with a ribbed neckline that reduces bulk

Mariner’s Scarf • A basket-weave pattern that shows beautiful stitch definition

Knit Scrappy Scarf • Knit lengthwise, this scarf makes use of all your leftovers

Cowl • Knit without any loose ends—a perfect neck warmer for anyone working outside

GARMENTS

Seafarer’s Vest • A simple one-size garment, easily embellished with cables or stripes

SEWINGDitty Bag • A simple drawstring bag perfect for keeping personal items

FOOTWEARSeafarers’ Socks • A traditional wool sock makes the best work sock

Seafarer Stripey Crew Socks • Knit in worsted weight yarn, a great slipper sock

Nola’s Knitted Slippers • A thick, durable slipper perfect for after-work lounging

CROCHETCrochet Seafarer’s Cap • A close-fitting crochet version of SCI’s popular watchcap

Crochet Mariner’s Scarf • Crochet stitches manipulated to mimic the knit basket-weave—a handsome scarf

Crochet Scrappy Scarf • Another opportunity to use up yarn leftovers

Micro Yarn MillTM North Light Fibers offers some special patterns—the Block Island Hat and the Samantha Cowl—whose proceeds benefit the mariners served by SCI. To purchase, visit northlightfibers.com.

The Knit Before Christmas Summer 2016 • 5 seamenschurch.org

Thinking Inside the Box

Do you belong to a knitting circle? Does your church, local yarn store or town recreation center knit for Christmas at Sea? Or do you want to start a group?

If so, let us send you our Christmas at Sea KnitBox! This box contains all our patterns, garment tags, information about SCI, back issues of The Knit Before Christmas newsletter, stickers and a return shipping label.

Once you receive the box, decorate it with the included travel stickers and display it in public for your group. Bit by bit, folks can fill it with knitted items (and include toiletries and/or candies, too). When ready, just tape it up, adhere the included shipping label and send it back to Christmas at Sea.

When placed in a conspicuous place, the box makes it easy to advertise all the good work going on with your group, and it makes it easy to get that good work onto the heads and necks of mariners. Thinking inside the box isn’t always a bad thing!

Some Knitting ConnectionsYou may belong to a knitting circle, or perhaps

from time to time you meet informally with other knitters. Getting together with people who share

your interests can motivate and inspire. Exchanging stories, tips and news connects you with like-minded people in your local community.

As a stitcher for Christmas at Sea, you also belong to a wider community. Thousands of individuals make up a group of knitters and crocheters who work together for the benefit of mariners across the United States and the world. Make sure you stay connected with them, too. Join the conversation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasatSea/. Share your pics, asks questions and give encouragement to your fellow Christmas at Sea stitchers.

Do you live in an assisted or independent living community?

Christmas at Sea provides residents in these types of facilities with a fantastic

opportunity for stimulating endeavors. The people who participate in our program say they enjoy expressing themselves creatively—while making a real difference in the lives of others.

With well over a dozen free patterns to choose from, knitters and crocheters can select whatever takes their fancy. Our portable projects suit all levels of stitchers—from the beginner to the

seasoned pro. And, there is no charge from Christmas at Sea to participate. We supply our patterns for free. Participants only need to provide their own yarn and send their knits back to Port Newark (or arrange for a pick up).

We even cater to residents who don’t knit, so everyone can get involved. We invite non-knitters to make greeting cards, and we have a project for sewers, too: our Ditty Bag. Every autumn, Christmas at Sea also relies on volunteers to package the gifts we

receive, so your community might enjoy taking a field trip to Port Newark to pack and take a port tour.

Want to test the waters? Start by introducing the program to your recreation director. If he or she shows interest, send us the relevant contact info. We’ll reach out and provide all the necessary information, and if agreeable send out a Christmas at Sea KnitBox, which includes everything needed to get started with the program.

SCI The Seamen’s Church Institute118 Export StreetPort Newark, NJ 07114

seamenschurch.org

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #99

NEW HAVEN, CT

C H R I S T M A S A T S E A

The Knit Before Christmas Summer 2016 • 6 seamenschurch.org

Planned GivingFor over 180 years, SCI has built a lasting legacy of service to the

maritime community. The Institute’s commitment to hospitality, education and advocacy has sustained the quality of life for many

generations of mariners. SCI continues to fulfill this mission for millions of men and women in today’s maritime workforce in the United States and throughout the world. You can help support SCI’s lasting commitment to mariners through a legacy gift.

SCI has set up a new section of its website focused on planned giving that outlines many of the possibilities for making an enduring impact on the lives of mariners. Visit seamenschurch.org/planned-giving and discover how you can share in the Institute’s heritage of service to mariners.

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Well, not yet … But it will be soon, and that means time for the #WATCHthisCAP campaign. As in years past, Christmas at Sea invites you to use your yarn scraps to help increase awareness of mariners’ contributions to our world. Make up a tiny watchcap (pattern available online), affix a special information tag and then strategically place it in a public setting of your choice (library shelf, bus seat, supermarket banana perhaps?) and (this is the key!) take a picture and post it to the social media platform of your choice using the hashtag #WATCHthisCAP. (If you’re unsure how to post, you have options: borrow the skills of a grandchild or neighborhood

teen, or send the photo with a caption to Christmas at Sea in an email

[cas@seamenschurch.org] and we’ll post it for you.)

Is this the first time you’ve heard about #WATCHthisCAP? Read more

about it at http://seamenschurch.org/watchthiscap. If you want to

know more, or need tags or help getting your knitting group involved, email us at cas@seamenschurch.org. (Be sure to include your mailing address.)