In 2005 my son Jinx, a river mariner, died in an accident on the river. Afterward, our church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, partnered with the Seamen’s Church Institute to minister to the folks who work on the river. Founded in 1834, it is the largest, most comprehensive mariners’ service agency in North America. Through this partnership, Holy Trinity was named by SCI as a “river friendly” church.

Annually, “river friendly” churches participate in SCI’s Christmas on the River. Through Christmas on the River, SCI and Holy Trinity provide a box of Christmas goodies to each towboat belonging to barge lines headquartered here in Vicksburg as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kickapoo.

Among the goodies in the box is a hand-knit or crocheted cap and/or scarf for each crew member, crafted by people all over the world. This year we are inviting the entire community to become part of our “river friendly” ministry by joining this knitting/crocheting ministry. Our goal is 240 caps or scarves for this coming Christmas. We think it would be great to have Vicksburg-made scarves going to Vicksburg-based towboaters.

The men and women of the river do some of the hardest, most dangerous work around. Their lives can go from unrelenting monotony to a life or death crisis in one breath. They miss holidays, weddings, births and, yes, funerals, in order to make sure that you and I have our needs met. Mariners keep food on our tables, products in our stores and coal in our power plants.

If you knit or crochet and want to help us show Christ’s love for these mostly unknown men and women, please contact Holy Trinity at 601-636-0542 and join our efforts to be “river friendly.”

Petesy Smith

Coordinator, Christmas

on the River

The Church of the Holy Trinity