The Rev. D. Lowell Chilton Pastor will be awarded The Rev. Joyce Giles Pastoral Award on October 22nd, 2025 at the Capital Area Council of Churches Fall Awards Celebration Dinner.
The Rev. D. Lowell Chilton is the pastor of First Lutheran Church, Albany, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Loudonville, and one of the chaplains of the Albany Maritime Ministry, offering hospitality, spiritual care, and shore leave transportation for seafarers on cargo ships visiting the Capital Region. He is also Secretary of the Upstate NY Synod of the ELCA and serves on the boards of the North American Maritime Ministry Association and Select Learning, an ELCA-affiliated education organization. Previously, Lowell served churches in New Berlin, PA, and Anchorage, AK, and earned a Master of Divinity from Seattle University with Lutheran studies at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He lives in Albany with his partner, the Rev. Kate Drefke (who is also a chaplain with the Albany Maritime Ministry), their two cats, and many board games and books.
Looking to love your neighbor? The seafarers served by the Maritime Ministry face numerous challenges, including extended separation from their homes and families, grueling and often isolating work, threats of piracy and dangerous weather, and, occasionally, human rights violations. We seek to offer relief by addressing their spiritual, family, and practical needs, including providing ground transportation for crew shopping and errands and greeting them aboard their ship when they cannot come ashore. We also seek to advocate for their rights and collaborate with other agencies worldwide.
Learn more about the Fall Dinner
