DEO+ on STX #2
St. Patrick’s Day – 17 March 2009
Today is Tuesday, March 17th; this is my second issue or journal record of a transitional ministry on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands; Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands, as Priest-in-Charge of St. Peter’s, Christiansted.
Babs arrives safely!
On Wednesday the Delta flight is non-stop from Atlanta to St. Croix. We booked Babs for a 9:30am departure, arriving at 1:30pm. But, in the rush-tension she got mixed up and sat at the WRONG gate; missed her flight! Her luggage arrived as scheduled, on time. She rebooked on American Airlines thru Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico, then onto St. Croix, arriving at 10:40pm! She was one tired puppy! It took her a full day to recover/rest. It was for me two trips to the airport to collect luggage and special passenger. All worth it, of course!
Food and beverage
Rum is cheap; Cruzan Rum is locally distilled; light, dark or varied fruit flavors. Imported beer is cheaper than US Domestic brands! After Church service on 3rd Sunday the ECM (Men’s group) put on a modest spread of brunch snacks. Flippen pancakes and Ginger beer were the new local tastes for us. Flippen cakes are highly seasoned thin pancakes with cardamom and other spices. I found them delicious; Babs was not as impressed! B has been invited to learn some local recipes with the women of the Church; they have a major cook-day for a food sale the Monday after Easter. So B will join in the kitchen crew and get into the preparations. That’s Babs! Jumps right in!
Flip flops and tee shirts
It’s casual Mon! Think summer sea shore attire. I wear dress shoes ONLY on Sunday! I wear a clerical shirt and collar only for Sunday, official meetings and mid-week services. I usually wear a sport shirt to the office; my sandal Tevas do fine! We walk each morning along the beach near 7am.
Just wait and the weather changes
Generally, it’s mild and breezy. Easy cloud cover; Light rains; bright sun; temps in the mid-seventies; rarely above eighty degrees. Our windows are always open. In the car we may or may not close the windows! Sometimes, we use the A/C in the car while traveling around the Island. Afternoon naps are a joy!
Church attendance
This congregation needs leadership and lots of TLC. Attendance is UP; as I analyze the records, we are running 20% ahead of previous recordings. Last Wednesday there were 48 folks for Lenten Bible Study and 36 persons on Friday evening for Stations of the Cross. Sunday morning we are at about 160. I am humbled and pleased the Bishop is impressed!
Ham Radio friends
I brought my Ham Radios and soon will set up my “shack”. My 2 meter hand –held hits the St. Thomas repeater. I “check-in” the local “Islands weather net” daily at 6:40am. I have made lots of radio friends, meeting a few personally. KP2B took me to lunch at the St. Croix Yacht Club. I have joined the St. Croix Ham Radio Club; dues are $1 per year! I brought down a G5RV dipole which is 102 feet of wire with a center fed cable 30 feet long. No trees. I will probably use a stealth-hidden design antennae; think flag pole next to the patio?
Episcopal Liturgy with Island flavor
St. Peter’s is a strong Anglican-Episcopalian dedicated traditional worship, rather “high Church,” with incense, but lots of LEV hymns in addition to the 1982 Hymnal. Teenagers are practicing for Easter, offering the Steel Pan music!
Sermon on Diocesan website
Returning from the Diocesan convention on March 7th, I prepared a strong Sunday sermon for 2nd Lent and preached on stewardship. Sent a copy to the Bishop who liked it! He placed the sermon the Diocesan web-site! The Diocese of the Virgin Islands’ web-site is: episcopalvi.org
St. Peter’s Sunday service broadcast on radio
Each Sunday morning the Mass is recorded via telephone connection to local radios station; then at 6pm the radio station re-broadcast the service. I have had two appointments with folks who have heard the sermon and came into for counsel, conference. It’s simple evangelism. Folks buy the radio ministry as a dedication, donation/memorial.
Meditation for Deanery
Tonight, the St. Croix Deanery met under the direction of a newly appointed Dean, Deacon Delores Gumbs (no relation to Bishop Gumbs!). I was asked to offer a meditation; I focused on St. Patrick, since it’s his day. The meeting was at St. Paul’s, Frederiksted on the West end of St. Croix. A lovely historic old Anglican Church, founded in early 1800’s.
Lenten Bible Study and Stations of the Cross
This is new for St. Peter’s. On Wednesday I lead an African Bible study method, small group meditation/exercise. Friday evening is either Stations of the Cross or The Great litany. Attendance is surprisingly good! Both meet at 7:30pm.
Home Communions to Shut-ins
Twice I have taken the Sacrament of the Holy Communion out to shut-ins, accompanied by laity who guide me and show the way. Surprisingly, this Priestly visitation has never been done here. Some of these shut-in folk listen to the Sunday radio broadcast. A couple live in a one room house on a goat farm surrounded by 150 goat and sheep. Another is blind living high up with a great view but can’t see anything. Diabetes is wide spread because of high starch diet.
New car and Gas charges
Gas is $1.75 per gallon. The Church has an old fashioned charge system. I sign and get receipt from the filling station/convenience store next to the Church. St. Peter’s purchased a new Nissan, Rogue. I am the first cleric to drive the small SUV, with four wheel drive. Nice car!
The Reef
(our Condo neighborhood-community)
We live in a modest, one bed-room, Condo; about 900 square feet. There is a common kitchen-sitting room, with upper loft bedroom. One and half bath. Patio on ocean side, and wall enclosed rear entrance patio (with outdoor shower!) We are not golf or tennis people, but The Reef has facilities, with a very nice pool and club house. Across the road is the beach and Duggans restrurant, a fine but expensive place to dine; great Sunday brunch! The nine- hole course is challenging. We are behind gated security; typical golf pro shop; a deli of convenience store, open 7am to 7pm. Expensive but close. Good food!
Stiff wind and misty rain
Don’t wait too long and the weather changes. Now the breezes flow stiffly; late we are told it will become very still. Usually we see the rain coming in from the sea. Showers don’t last long. Following a rain the temps drop with a lovely cool breeze generated overcast comfort. Today it’s about 72 degrees.
Familiar pot holes
The roads are terrible. Narrow two lane paved rural road highly patched with black tar. One memorizes the familiar pot holes on regularly traveled routes. The trick is to remember where there are at night!
Faith and Values
My perception is the people are deeply religious with well established faith and values of Anglican teaching. They love to worship, especially sing! There are however, many young un-wed Mothers with tiny babies. The general perception is no one seems to know where or who the Fathers are? Some women will tell you the man is from another Island or has died!
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
On Saturday, March 14th there was a big parade and social event with bands and heavy party atmosphere in Christiansted. People whore green everything. Beer flowed, beads were tossed, crazy floats, wild customs. Think Savannah on a small scale. We stayed away this year. On Saturday morning, instead of the parade, I wrote my sermon for Sunday! Oh, poo party. ☹
You think your groceries are expensive?
Very little food, produce or meat is raised here. Everything is shipped in. Therefore, shopping at the grocery store we experience sticker shock. Milk, ice cream, local caught fish, lamb and goat are more reasonable. I am still searching for local honey.
Gifts from the Dendtler’s
Bob Dendtler, a retired cleric from the Diocese of Atlanta was my angel of introduction. Bob is a third generation Cruzan; his grandfather was born and raised on St. Croix. Bon has a Condo here and has been coming to St. Croix for ten years or more. Bob is a scratch golfer. He introduced me to the Bishop. It’s now all history! Bob and Charlotte live in The Reef community; through their influence we met our land lady, a beautiful Jewish woman from Brooklyn, NY. Our lease is thru December. She will return January-February, 2010. The Dendlters loaned us an umbrella for the patio and a Webber grill! They have introduced us to many neighbors, some “snow-birds,” and a few permanent residents. It’s great to have Atlanta Diocese contacts close by, just up the street.
The Dendlters have been craving clergy fellowship. What a gift of God they are to us. We feel their support and guidance. Bob is a Diocesan leader of respected wisdom. The Bishop leans on Bob mightly. He has the Bishop’s ear.
New Friends
We are slowly making acquaintances and establishing friends outside the Church. People come from all over; everybody seems to have a story. Most people think of St. Croix as “paradise.” A neighbor is the retired Battalion Fire Chief from Lexington, KY. We talk the same language! Our spouses try to keep us from telling “war stories.”
Welcoming Church family
St. Peter’s is a welcoming Church family. Babs has been included immediately. Trans-culture relationships though don’t come easy. We are the outsiders. The people are proud of their history and want to share their lives and faith.
Our tiny Quarters
We have all the space we need. It’s amazing how little one can live with and exist. Our land-lady decorated our apartment with local artist renditions of painting, sculpture, wood carvings and murals. We love where we live! What a gift from God. We are experiencing a lesson in stewardship and caretaking.
A Beautiful View
We look out on the Ocean. There is a tiny island about two miles off shore; between is a defined coral reef that causes the waves to break into white caps. The sea is azure turquoise/blue/green. We see white sand beaches. Within a few yards of our patio are Coconut Palm trees. On a clear day we see on the horizon the Island of Tortolla, BVI
Signing off for now!
With this we send our warm affections in the Love of the Lord Jesus.
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DWIGHT OGIER+
March 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DEO+ on STX
(Journal of a Transitional Ministry
In the Diocese of the Virgin Islands
By The Rev. Dr. Dwight Ogier)
3/7/09 today, is my 67th birthday! I have been in the Virgin Islands since Feb. 26th. We came down Feb. 5th-10th for an interview; the call/invitation came rather rapidly! This is my first journal entry. I began writing this record/journal at the Diocesan Convention on St. Thomas, Charlotte Harbor. This record is about my ministry and impressions as a Transitional Specialist for St. Peter’s, St. Croix beginning on February 26th; my letter of agreement or “contract” is thru February, 2010. Bishop Ambrose Gumbs informs me this ministry “may” take longer than two years! We will evaluate the mutual ministry every six months.
My FIRST “blog”
When I served as Interim Rector of Nativity, Fayetteville, GA there were expectations the sermon be available on line found on the parish web- site! This was a little intimidating for me; who in the world might want to read the Sunday sermon? Who might follow the message, I had no idea! After one week it didn’t seem to matter; I down-loaded what was written; I received much response, most came from the parish. This is my first “blog.” I write for the world to see and experience; but I know this journal of my ministry on St. Croix will first appeal to friends and family! We are also on radio! The spoken word and liturgy of the Mass is broadcast over the air waves from St. Peter’s! This has great appeal to our shut-ins and home bound. Who else may be listening? Each Sunday we are recorded for the local radio station; actually a tape is made, edited for broadcast in late afternoon. I don’t know the frequency or the radio station. Not sure if the signal is streamed on line. Will find out.
First impressions of the Islands
These are tropical Islands; sea bound; coral reef protected; emerald waters; white churning surf and ever floating clouds; constantly changing weather patterns; mild temperatures; continual breezes. St. Coix was divided up into various plantations for sugar cane production; these surveyed “plantations,” now designated “neighborhoods.” I live on Teague Bay; with Buck Island in clear sight. We are on the East end of the Island on the North shore.
Driving on the Left
We drive on the left side of the road! Autos have the steering wheel on left, but some buses and taxis have steering on the right; school bus side doors are located on the left. Since I drove in England on three occasions, the driving has not been a challenge when I remember: “left shoulder on left shoulder.”
St. Peter’s purchased a new car for use by the clergy, a four wheel drive Nissan Rogue, a small SUV; the gas station next to the church has on old fashioned “charge account,” for St. Peter’s Priest. The usual and average cost per gallon of gas on St. Croix is $1.79. There is on St. Croix, a major oil refinery, Hovensa, a Venezuelan corporation importing crude oil for process.
Flora and fauna
This is a tropical “paradise.” Coconut trees, bright bouganvilla flowers of red, green, orange, yellow, pink, blue, white and purple, grow with abundance. This is an arid climate; cactus are plentiful on the south end; a rain forest on the north. At the previous Condo I stayed for the first week, a landscape worker cut a fresh coconut; we shared the milk and delicious white meat! It was so fresh!
Animals, Birds & Creatures of God
They say there are deer on the Island, but I have yet to see any. The species is very small, actually about like a large dog. I have seen sea turtles, iguana (the size of cats!), mongoose, large sea birds, pelicans, white herons, lizards of all sizes, doves, large black birds, crows, roosters and hens roam freely and one hears the morning crowing as dawn breaks the night. Goats and sheep are plentiful; a few cattle. Some hogs and pigs are raised. The Reef forbids personal pets, but there are feral cats that roam and beg; two cats show up each morning at my door; of course, I feed them!
St. Peter’s – St. Croix
The church is located in the very center of the island. A large parking space and open yard for expansion in years ahead. We have no grave yard. The church is only 25 years old; in contrast to the two historic parishes of 200 years+ We have very few Anglo families or even white faces. As the Bishop says St. Peter’s has great potential for growth and development for mission and ministry. The steel pan band has more drums than teens to play them. The organ is in terrible shape. The interior needs color and redecoration. The folks are warm and gracious, but seem to have been put down over recent years; actually held back by clergy. This will be a time of restructure and creation of basic ministry.
Music and Dance
Folks like to sing at St. Peter’s. We sing from various sources and hymnals. A lively, well practiced choir has adequate direction from a quite good organist. There is an organ fund raising project to replace the troublesome electronic organ. They are “selling” petals, stops, instruments, and swells as memorials and dedications. A teen women group does liturgical dance interpretations. The ECW and ECM sing a presentation hymn monthly. Twice per year there is a choir festival by ecumenical churches gather for a “singsperation” concert. All come to hear one another’s choir. Attendance is a packed church.
Botany Bay
The clergy assembled two days before annual convention for a retreat on the north shore of St. Thomas on a nature preserve, slowly under “controlled” development by investors in a tight gated compound. This ancient estate has historic ruins of slave quarters and sugar cane agriculture; pirates frequently used the bay for loading and distribution of booty and stolen treasures. I found some wonderful sea shells and well worn sea glass along the beach. There we experienced a raging storm with high winds that blew for days; the surf crashed in near our beach house/retreat center some 20 yards from the patio/pool! Each morning I arose before dawn and greeted “brother sun,” with the eternal sound of the waves singing praises together.
The Diocese of the Virgin Islands
This Diocese is composed of 14 congregations, on 5 islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Johns, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda, in 2 nations: US and British, V.I. Diocese of the VI is one of the smallest in TEC. The clergy number: 11 retired, 8 active, 8 deacons, 2 non-canonical (Dendtler & Ogier, both from Atlanta!). The Diocese of the Virgin Islands was created by General Convention in 1947 as a Missionary District under Puerto Rico. Also included are Water Island, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. The Diocese is part of Province II: New York, Long Island, Western NY, NJ, Newark, Haiti, and the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. The Cathedral Church of All Saints, St. Thomas is the seat of the Bishop.
Bishop Gumbs
E. Ambrose Gumbs is a local Caribbean who graduated from Virginia Seminary following serving four years in the US Navy. He is a man of vision and gentle pastoral care for clergy and laity alike. A tall man of stature, Bishop Gumbs has a warm smile and great enthusiasm for the Church. He has telephoned me at least five times since I arrived; twice at home in Cumming before our departure.
Weather
This is the tropics! So far I have experienced: bright skies, ever blowing breezes, daily rain, clear, and lovely turquoise sea waters. Winds are constant until mid-summer☹, then becoming very still with mosquitoes! The local folks don’t want to talk about hurricanes, except “the last one.” We have no air conditioning; the church is open air without screens. People complain if the temps dip below 70; then it’s too cool! It has not been over 85 degrees so far; every day mild winds and very pleasant nights; I have slept with A/C only two nights while at convention when staying at the Holiday Inn on Charlotte Harbor, St. Thomas. We have ceiling fans and screens; I see the ocean about 400 hundred yards away, with sea surf breaking over the reef.
Culture
St. Croix is Caribbean both in location and historic traditions. Folks come from all over, many islands are represented. Anglicans have been here over 300 hundred years. Many have African roots. Some come from Cuba. STX is very United States of America, a territory with a proud history, yet dependent upon the main land for supplies and financial resources.
Food and drinks
Pork, goat, fish, and rice are the staples of a starch diet; there is a high percentage of diabetes on the island. The local folks eat high starch diets. Mangos, citrus, limes, and potatoes are daily in the food selections. “Fungie,” a mixture of finely ground corn, similar to grits, is mixed with okra, garlic and onions. Salt fish is a staple at every meal; mixed with garlic, and spices. Too much of the preceding items cause me serious indigestion! Go figure. Water is safe. Vegetables are abundant. Most of the food is imported or brought into the islands, thus food is very expensive! The trick is to purchase locally grown commodities.
Babs arrives on Wednesday
My beloved, Babs is expected on March 11th! Hoo ray! More of our Condo, later.
Deanery Structure
Each deanery is led by an appointed Dean; each island composes a Deanery; a Deacon represents the Bishop as Dean, with a council of advice of the local clergy, and with two lay persons as sub deans. Much of our joint ministry in the Diocese is centered on the collaboration of joint resources of the Deanery.
Information age and communications
The local telephone system seems to come and go without warning; the same conditions exist in the electrical power grids; periodic power outages are regular; most large churches have back-up generators. Most folks and business depend upon cell phones. My mobile phone functions as clear as a bell! 770-402-7719
Diocesan website:
episcopalvi.org
From the Diocesan web-page you may discover more about the Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands and a little about St. Peter’s, St. Croix; we do not have a parish web-site, but this is an obvious goal for this time of transition!
Tourism and Cruise Ships
On St. Croix we receive ONE cruise ship per week; docking at Fredriksted, on the West end; a poor and emerging historic town; the general impression by tourists visiting St. Croix is a sad and emerging third world impression; few tourists rarely get into Christiansted unless they hire a taxi or shuttle bus into Christiansted, where the history is vibrant and shopping is varied. On St. Thomas three to four cruise ships dock daily; thousands of tourists pour off the ships and wander around the port of Charlotte Harbor spending money on jewelry, meals and drinks. Hundreds of sail boats come to the Islands, tie up or anchor, bringing an international flavor of tourists and short and long term residents. Many retirees travel and live on board their boats full time.
My “contact” numbers:
E-mail: dwightogier@bellsouth.net
Cell phone: 770-402-7719
Ham radio call sign: KP2/W4DEO
My physical address:
5130 Teague Bay (The Reef)
Christiansted, US VI 00820
With these greetings come my warm regards in the Love of the Lord.
A Paz y Buen Camino!
Dwight Ogier+
9 March 2009
(Journal of a Transitional Ministry
In the Diocese of the Virgin Islands
By The Rev. Dr. Dwight Ogier)
3/7/09 today, is my 67th birthday! I have been in the Virgin Islands since Feb. 26th. We came down Feb. 5th-10th for an interview; the call/invitation came rather rapidly! This is my first journal entry. I began writing this record/journal at the Diocesan Convention on St. Thomas, Charlotte Harbor. This record is about my ministry and impressions as a Transitional Specialist for St. Peter’s, St. Croix beginning on February 26th; my letter of agreement or “contract” is thru February, 2010. Bishop Ambrose Gumbs informs me this ministry “may” take longer than two years! We will evaluate the mutual ministry every six months.
My FIRST “blog”
When I served as Interim Rector of Nativity, Fayetteville, GA there were expectations the sermon be available on line found on the parish web- site! This was a little intimidating for me; who in the world might want to read the Sunday sermon? Who might follow the message, I had no idea! After one week it didn’t seem to matter; I down-loaded what was written; I received much response, most came from the parish. This is my first “blog.” I write for the world to see and experience; but I know this journal of my ministry on St. Croix will first appeal to friends and family! We are also on radio! The spoken word and liturgy of the Mass is broadcast over the air waves from St. Peter’s! This has great appeal to our shut-ins and home bound. Who else may be listening? Each Sunday we are recorded for the local radio station; actually a tape is made, edited for broadcast in late afternoon. I don’t know the frequency or the radio station. Not sure if the signal is streamed on line. Will find out.
First impressions of the Islands
These are tropical Islands; sea bound; coral reef protected; emerald waters; white churning surf and ever floating clouds; constantly changing weather patterns; mild temperatures; continual breezes. St. Coix was divided up into various plantations for sugar cane production; these surveyed “plantations,” now designated “neighborhoods.” I live on Teague Bay; with Buck Island in clear sight. We are on the East end of the Island on the North shore.
Driving on the Left
We drive on the left side of the road! Autos have the steering wheel on left, but some buses and taxis have steering on the right; school bus side doors are located on the left. Since I drove in England on three occasions, the driving has not been a challenge when I remember: “left shoulder on left shoulder.”
St. Peter’s purchased a new car for use by the clergy, a four wheel drive Nissan Rogue, a small SUV; the gas station next to the church has on old fashioned “charge account,” for St. Peter’s Priest. The usual and average cost per gallon of gas on St. Croix is $1.79. There is on St. Croix, a major oil refinery, Hovensa, a Venezuelan corporation importing crude oil for process.
Flora and fauna
This is a tropical “paradise.” Coconut trees, bright bouganvilla flowers of red, green, orange, yellow, pink, blue, white and purple, grow with abundance. This is an arid climate; cactus are plentiful on the south end; a rain forest on the north. At the previous Condo I stayed for the first week, a landscape worker cut a fresh coconut; we shared the milk and delicious white meat! It was so fresh!
Animals, Birds & Creatures of God
They say there are deer on the Island, but I have yet to see any. The species is very small, actually about like a large dog. I have seen sea turtles, iguana (the size of cats!), mongoose, large sea birds, pelicans, white herons, lizards of all sizes, doves, large black birds, crows, roosters and hens roam freely and one hears the morning crowing as dawn breaks the night. Goats and sheep are plentiful; a few cattle. Some hogs and pigs are raised. The Reef forbids personal pets, but there are feral cats that roam and beg; two cats show up each morning at my door; of course, I feed them!
St. Peter’s – St. Croix
The church is located in the very center of the island. A large parking space and open yard for expansion in years ahead. We have no grave yard. The church is only 25 years old; in contrast to the two historic parishes of 200 years+ We have very few Anglo families or even white faces. As the Bishop says St. Peter’s has great potential for growth and development for mission and ministry. The steel pan band has more drums than teens to play them. The organ is in terrible shape. The interior needs color and redecoration. The folks are warm and gracious, but seem to have been put down over recent years; actually held back by clergy. This will be a time of restructure and creation of basic ministry.
Music and Dance
Folks like to sing at St. Peter’s. We sing from various sources and hymnals. A lively, well practiced choir has adequate direction from a quite good organist. There is an organ fund raising project to replace the troublesome electronic organ. They are “selling” petals, stops, instruments, and swells as memorials and dedications. A teen women group does liturgical dance interpretations. The ECW and ECM sing a presentation hymn monthly. Twice per year there is a choir festival by ecumenical churches gather for a “singsperation” concert. All come to hear one another’s choir. Attendance is a packed church.
Botany Bay
The clergy assembled two days before annual convention for a retreat on the north shore of St. Thomas on a nature preserve, slowly under “controlled” development by investors in a tight gated compound. This ancient estate has historic ruins of slave quarters and sugar cane agriculture; pirates frequently used the bay for loading and distribution of booty and stolen treasures. I found some wonderful sea shells and well worn sea glass along the beach. There we experienced a raging storm with high winds that blew for days; the surf crashed in near our beach house/retreat center some 20 yards from the patio/pool! Each morning I arose before dawn and greeted “brother sun,” with the eternal sound of the waves singing praises together.
The Diocese of the Virgin Islands
This Diocese is composed of 14 congregations, on 5 islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Johns, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda, in 2 nations: US and British, V.I. Diocese of the VI is one of the smallest in TEC. The clergy number: 11 retired, 8 active, 8 deacons, 2 non-canonical (Dendtler & Ogier, both from Atlanta!). The Diocese of the Virgin Islands was created by General Convention in 1947 as a Missionary District under Puerto Rico. Also included are Water Island, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. The Diocese is part of Province II: New York, Long Island, Western NY, NJ, Newark, Haiti, and the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. The Cathedral Church of All Saints, St. Thomas is the seat of the Bishop.
Bishop Gumbs
E. Ambrose Gumbs is a local Caribbean who graduated from Virginia Seminary following serving four years in the US Navy. He is a man of vision and gentle pastoral care for clergy and laity alike. A tall man of stature, Bishop Gumbs has a warm smile and great enthusiasm for the Church. He has telephoned me at least five times since I arrived; twice at home in Cumming before our departure.
Weather
This is the tropics! So far I have experienced: bright skies, ever blowing breezes, daily rain, clear, and lovely turquoise sea waters. Winds are constant until mid-summer☹, then becoming very still with mosquitoes! The local folks don’t want to talk about hurricanes, except “the last one.” We have no air conditioning; the church is open air without screens. People complain if the temps dip below 70; then it’s too cool! It has not been over 85 degrees so far; every day mild winds and very pleasant nights; I have slept with A/C only two nights while at convention when staying at the Holiday Inn on Charlotte Harbor, St. Thomas. We have ceiling fans and screens; I see the ocean about 400 hundred yards away, with sea surf breaking over the reef.
Culture
St. Croix is Caribbean both in location and historic traditions. Folks come from all over, many islands are represented. Anglicans have been here over 300 hundred years. Many have African roots. Some come from Cuba. STX is very United States of America, a territory with a proud history, yet dependent upon the main land for supplies and financial resources.
Food and drinks
Pork, goat, fish, and rice are the staples of a starch diet; there is a high percentage of diabetes on the island. The local folks eat high starch diets. Mangos, citrus, limes, and potatoes are daily in the food selections. “Fungie,” a mixture of finely ground corn, similar to grits, is mixed with okra, garlic and onions. Salt fish is a staple at every meal; mixed with garlic, and spices. Too much of the preceding items cause me serious indigestion! Go figure. Water is safe. Vegetables are abundant. Most of the food is imported or brought into the islands, thus food is very expensive! The trick is to purchase locally grown commodities.
Babs arrives on Wednesday
My beloved, Babs is expected on March 11th! Hoo ray! More of our Condo, later.
Deanery Structure
Each deanery is led by an appointed Dean; each island composes a Deanery; a Deacon represents the Bishop as Dean, with a council of advice of the local clergy, and with two lay persons as sub deans. Much of our joint ministry in the Diocese is centered on the collaboration of joint resources of the Deanery.
Information age and communications
The local telephone system seems to come and go without warning; the same conditions exist in the electrical power grids; periodic power outages are regular; most large churches have back-up generators. Most folks and business depend upon cell phones. My mobile phone functions as clear as a bell! 770-402-7719
Diocesan website:
episcopalvi.org
From the Diocesan web-page you may discover more about the Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands and a little about St. Peter’s, St. Croix; we do not have a parish web-site, but this is an obvious goal for this time of transition!
Tourism and Cruise Ships
On St. Croix we receive ONE cruise ship per week; docking at Fredriksted, on the West end; a poor and emerging historic town; the general impression by tourists visiting St. Croix is a sad and emerging third world impression; few tourists rarely get into Christiansted unless they hire a taxi or shuttle bus into Christiansted, where the history is vibrant and shopping is varied. On St. Thomas three to four cruise ships dock daily; thousands of tourists pour off the ships and wander around the port of Charlotte Harbor spending money on jewelry, meals and drinks. Hundreds of sail boats come to the Islands, tie up or anchor, bringing an international flavor of tourists and short and long term residents. Many retirees travel and live on board their boats full time.
My “contact” numbers:
E-mail: dwightogier@bellsouth.net
Cell phone: 770-402-7719
Ham radio call sign: KP2/W4DEO
My physical address:
5130 Teague Bay (The Reef)
Christiansted, US VI 00820
With these greetings come my warm regards in the Love of the Lord.
A Paz y Buen Camino!
Dwight Ogier+
9 March 2009
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