There’s still time to become a permanent part of Seamen’s history! We have just 16 spaces left for engraved bricks on the top row of our Memorial Wall at the Bowen’s Wharf entrance. We’re   hoping to have the wall finally completed by the end of the summer, so there’s a deadline of May 25!

If you missed the opportunity to honor someone or something special in your life, please don’t hesitate to place your order for your own engraved brick. Each brick is $250 and offers 3 lines of 20 characters each for your personalized message.  A 3″ x 1″ mini-brick is yours to keep for each brick ordered.

Download the order form and send in your engraved brick order today!

Seamen’s Church Institute will sponsor a benefit concert entitled “Rachmaninoff the Docks” on Sunday, March 17, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the St. George’s School Chapel, 372 Purgatory Road in Middletown. Internationally known pianist, Agustin Anievas, will perform selected pieces by Chopin, and Rachmaninoff during the program. His wife, Carol, will accompany him at the second piano to play the orchestral part on selected pieces. Tickets for the concert are $35 per person and may be purchased in advance or at the door.  (via the Donate/PayPal on this website or by calling the Seamen’s office at 401-847-4260)

“We were delighted to present this special concert for the first time last year and it was such a wonderful experience for everyone who attended, including our guest pianists,” said David C. Brown, Board President of Seamen’s. “Following their performance, Agustin and Carol Anievas graciously offered to return for a repeat performance this year.  The hospitality of St. George’s School is certainly a major contribution to this event since the amazing acoustics within their Chapel are a perfect compliment to this musical program.”

Agustin Anievas was born in New York City of Spanish-American parents. He began his musical studies with his mother before his fourth birthday and by the age of twelve he had already performed at the Pan American Union in Washington, DC. His orchestral debut at eighteen with the Little Orchestra Society in New York’s Carnegie Hall began an already auspicious career. He has performed in the musical centers of the US as well as on most of the continents and in many countries. Now retired from his position as Professor of Piano at Brooklyn College’s Conservatory of Music, Mr. Anievas continues to work on increasing a deeper musical understanding of classical works played by today’s younger artists and to foster the interest of students and listeners in the great classical repertoire. He first appeared at the Newport Music Festival in the 1970’s at the invitation of Mark P. Malkovich Sr., and has been a regular performer over the years. He will appear again this summer playing works of Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff and Chopin.

This special concert is being hosted as a benefit to establish an endowment for the repair, maintenance, and preservation of the 79-year-old Chapel of the Sea within Seamen’s Church Institute’s historic building on Newport’s waterfront. Designed, painted, and constructed by muralist and portrait artist Durr Freedly, the Chapel of the Sea was a gift from Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster in memory of her mother. The frescoed walls depict twenty-six saints and two archangels of Christian legend and history who have long been associated with the sea. The altar is an intricately carved and embellished sailcloth held by nautical knots. The tile design of the floor suggests the bottom of the seabed with shells and seaweed made from crushed shells and coral; a compass of Values is built into the floor’s center. A cornice around the ceiling bears the verse from Psalm 107, beginning “They that go down to the sea in ships…..” The Chapel of the Sea is available for small weddings, baptisms, memorial services, or quiet contemplation and respite.

Seamen’s Church Institute of Newport is a non-profit organization founded in 1919 as a place of solace, support, and assistance to “men and women of the sea” as well as individuals and families in need from the community. The building is on the Historic Register and is the only structure on Newport waterfront that is still serving its original purpose. Seamen’s is open to the public 365 days a year, offering a variety of programs and services to boaters, visitors, and local residents. In addition to community meals during the holidays, Seamen’s manages a weekly Soup to the Docks program to bring hot meals to the working docks and fishermen in Newport harbor and in Galilee.  Proceeds from the Aloha Café and Crow’s Nest lodging rooms help to support the mission and sustainability of the organization.

As part of Newport’s annual Winter Festival 2013, Seamen’s Church Institute will host a free community concert on Sunday evening, February 17, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Newport Marriott hotel, 25 America’s Cup Avenue. The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert Franzblau, will present “Sacred & Profane” , a series of orchestral selections for symphonic band , in the hotel Atrium. Conductor Franzblau has chosen pieces by Rimsky-Korsakov, Carl Orff, and other composers for an evening of beautiful music.

The concert is free and open to the public, although donations to benefit the continued mission and work of Seamen’s Church Institute will be graciously accepted and appreciated at the door.

This is the 9th performance by the RIWE to benefit Seamen’s and the concert has been made possible through the generous sponsorship provided to Seamen’s by BankNewport and OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc. OceanPoint Financial Partners is the Mutual Holding Company of BankNewport, an FDIC-insured savings bank, founded in 1819, and currently holding $1.1 billion in assets; OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a full-service agency tracing its roots back to 1863, provides a broad range of property casualty insurance products. Both are headquartered in Middletown and are proud to serve the financial and insurance needs of customers from banking and insurance offices located throughout Rhode Island.

Seamen’s Church Institute also acknowledges, with appreciation, the generous support from the Newport Marriott Hotel to make their acoustically ideal venue in the Atrium available for this annual program. The RI State Council on the Arts (RISCA) provides partial support for the RI Wind Ensemble’s 2013 concert season.

Poster.WinterConcert2013_REV2

The 2nd “Rachmaninoff The Docks” concert by internationally known pianist Agustin Anievas has been scheduled for Sunday, March 17th, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Chapel, St. George’s School on Purgatory Road in Middletown. This unique and amazing space provides a beautiful environment for selections by Rachmaninoff and other composers; Carol Anievas will accompany her husband on a second piano for part of the program.

This concert will require reservations at $35 per person, in advance or at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Seamen’s, 18 Market Square, Newport, or by calling 401-847-4260, or by email to SeamensNewport@gmail.com.  Proceeds will be designated for the restoration and preservation of the historic Chapel of the Sea at Seamen’s Church Institute.

You’re invited to our Holiday Open House & Christmas Glow – Saturday, December 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  Tour our National Historic Building, hear our history, enjoy a break from the Holiday hustle and bustle, and join us for a complimentary cider and hot chocolate.

Seamen’s will also host our Annual Christmas Morning Breakfast Buffet on Christmas Day from 9:00 to 11:00 am and the Annual Holiday Breakfast Buffet on Friday, December 28, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. All are Welcome!

It’s Tuesday, and as this is being posted, volunteers are busy peeling potatoes and veggies as part of the preparations for our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 22.

Open to the community, at no charge, we are expecting 300 guests for turkey, with all the fixin’s, followed by pie and other baked goodies. Dinner will be served from 12:00 to 2:00 and no reservations are necessary!

Thanks to many of our active Board members, volunteers, and lots of donations of food and financial donations, this dinner allows us to recognize our blessings of generous support from our local community.

Once again, the amazing students and faculty at Cluny School of Newport donated very full food baskets, complete with turkeys, for 12 local families (totaling 51 people) and distributed by Seamen’s. Another blessing of the season!

Once again, Seamen’s will be hosting our annual community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 22nd, from 12:00 to 2:00. And, everyone is welcome!

People have been calling and email us to see how they can help. So here’s how:

• We already have enough volunteers to help on that day, but you are welcome to join us as a smiling face around the table.
• We DESPERATELY need turkeys!  Cooked, sliced, and brought to SCI on Wednesday, Nov.21 (preferred) or Thursday, Thanksgiving morning (before 10:00 am). We are looking for a total of twenty (20) 15+ turkeys.
• We also need some home based pies and desserts. If you would like to bake something, we ask that you coordinate your offering with Sheila McCurdy at sheilamccurdy@mac.com to let her know what you will be bringing and how much. While we were grateful to receive many desserts last year, we had more than we could use and/or distribute at the end of the day.
• Of course, there is also the option of a monetary donation. The more we can raise to off-set the cost of this holiday meal, the more of our funds can be used to continue our mission of providing assistance and support to men & women of the sea, and individuals & families in the Newport community. Donations can be made to Seamen’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, Newport, RI 02840

Seamen’s has much to be thankful for again this year, not the least of which is an amazing amount of support from our Board, staff, donors, Friends of SCI, and the community at large. We wish you all a very happy and safe holiday!

The 93rd Annual Meeting of Seamen’s Church Institute is scheduled for Friday, November 16th, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. The meeting is open to all donors, Friends of SCI, and the General Public.

6:00 to 7:00 pm – Business meeting

7:00 to 7:30 pm – Program

7:30 to 8:30 pm – Reception

Our Program: “Adrift No More”

Paul Hoffman, SCI Guide & Night Manager, shares his personal story of how Seamen’s has made a difference in his life and there will be other examples of the impact our unique organization has had in our community.

RSVPs are appreciated, but not necessary, at seamensnewport@gmail.com or 401-847-4260

Seamen’s Church Institute is pleased to announce the award of two $1,000 scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year to two local students pursuing maritime careers.

“The Leonard W. Hayward Maritime Memorial Scholarship was established through the Seamen’s Church Institute to support students of all ages who are preparing for employment in the maritime occupations,” explains Seamen’s Board member and Scholarship Chairman George Crowninshield. “This year we had a record number of exceptional applications from Aquidneck Island students interested pursuing a variety of careers related to marine technologies. The Scholarship Committee struggled with selecting only one recipient this year especially since there were two final candidates who exhibited academic excellence, community service, and completed an outstanding interview. We’re very pleased the Board of Directors approved our Committee’s request to increase our funds this year so we can provide each of these young students a $1,000 scholarship,” Crowninshield said. Other members of the 2012 Scholarship Committee were David Grant, Mary Beth Pike and Robert J. Healey.

Photo (L to R) George Crowninshield, Board member & Scholarship Committee Chair, Sofia Kaczor, mother of recipient, Camille Bobiak, Scholarship Recipient, Dick Thursby, Board Vice President.

Camille Bobiak graduated with high honors and several awards from Middletown High School in June. Her extracurricular activities included Varsity sports in swimming, cross-country and softball, and she participated in the math team, science club, marching band, and numerous other pursuits. Camille has already begun her studies in the Ocean Engineering program at the Florida Institute of Technology.  “Since the second grade, I have known that math was my passion. Numbers, equations, and problem solving have always made sense in my brain. I’m excited to pursue my dream of a college education in the ocean engineering program, with a math minor, and even more excited to be named a recipient of this Maritime Scholarship,” said Bobiak.

Photo (L to R) George Crowninshield, Michael Russell, Scholarship Recipient, and David C. Brown, Board President

Michael Russell, a resident of Newport, is beginning his second year in the Boat Building & Restoration Certificate program at the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS).  “My first influence for the marine trades came from a boat construction class in my freshman year of high school. IYRS has already increased my knowledge of marine construction but has confirmed my commitment to making the maritime industry my long-term career,” explained Russell.

Financial support for the Leonard W. Hayward Memorial Scholarship is provided by the Seamen’s Church Institute to honor “Bill” Hayward, a World War II sailor who served in both the Atlantic and Pacific operations. He was a self-taught engineering genius who became vice-president of Newport Hospital and a volunteer consultant to many charitable organizations, including the Seamen’s Church Institute. “Bill served as President of the Institute from 1994 to 1997,” explained David Brown, Board President of Seamen’s. “Under his leadership, the Institute developed its safe haven mission, an internship in yacht restoration, and simply a better exposure within the marine environment on the Newport waterfront. In 1998, the Institute established a Scholarship in his name as recognition of his leadership to our community,” Brown said.

For more information about the services of Seamen’s Church Institute of Newport, or its Maritime Memorial Scholarship program, call 401-847-4260 or email to SeamensNewport@gmail.com.

On Saturday, September 29, from 4:30 to 8:00 pm, Seamen’s is pleased to host our second “Tales, Treats, & Tunes” program. Friends, donors, and the public are cordially invited to attend any or all parts of the three-part program. Our historic facility is now fully handicap accessible at the Bowen’s Wharf entrance.

At 4:30, Ben & Danielle Zartman will present their family’s personal story – “All at Sea: A Growing Family, A Small Boat, A Big Dream” - with slides and commentary in the Henry H. Anderson Jr. Library on the second floor. Hear their amazing adventure over the last three years, sailing on their 31-ft. sailboat from California to Newport with their three daughters, Antigone (8), Emily (5), and Damaris (3). There is no charge for this presentation.