DEO+ on STX #7
25 May 2009
Memorial Day
Our first visitors from “the main-land”
The Yoho’s flew down on Friday, May 15th to celebrate Jim’s Birthday and Denise’ graduation from college! We spent a packed three days together, doing most of the Island high spots. After attending Mass and a wonderful Sunday lunch at Cheeseburgers’, they departed late Sunday afternoon. It’s a long haul from Cumming/Atlanta for a weekend on St. Croix! The Yoho’s stayed at the Divi Resort and Casino; we hit beaches, eat great food, worship together at St. Peter’s and sat out on the deck watching the ocean scene. It took us all Monday to recover/rest/recuperate! If you decide to visit we suggest a longer stay! Minimum one week.
St. Peter’s border wall grows higher & longer
The Men of the Church continue to labor on Saturday mornings constructing the perimeter wall/fence along the street defining the Church property and creation of a secure border. It’s about one third done!
We know “where” we will be living in January & February 2010
Our current address on The Reef is Condo #130, leased thru December 31st.
We have found another Condo (#113) for occupancy in January & February, 2010. We will live right behind and next to the Dendtler’s. Watch out friends in the neighborhood! Actually we will be closer to many close “Reef” comrades.
The local Fire Department
I have identified myself to/with the local Fire Department, meeting the Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief of Operations; I have called on the local Fire sub-station near our Condo. The Corporal in charge was friendly, but I am not sure he/they know what to do with a Georgia Fire Chaplain! Building relationships is first before any real ministry occurs. We shall see if this community ministry-volunteerism goes anywhere. I am not sure I have the time and energy to develop a working relationship since they use a four day work shift system: They work A, B, C, & D shifts. Work 24 hours, then three days off! At the local station the firefighters do not know the other preceding or next shift personnel.
Virgin Island Nation Guard
The VI Guard is a large commitment for local folks; my Senior Warden is a Lt Col. And commands a medical unit in the VI National Guard. Fortunately none have been deployed to a War Zone! Thanks be to God!
Memorial Day
I love a parade; nothing on St. Croix for the Vets; we did say special prayers at St. Peter’s, sing patriotic hymns and display the American Flag held by a Legionnaire! I BBQ pork ribs and made collard greens; cooked hamburgers and potato salad, eating on the ocean deck/patio with friends from Colorado and Kentucky. Great fun and relaxing day; I was a guest at the St. Croix Yacht Club for lunch with the leader of the St. Croix Ham radio club following an introduction
to and orientation for the Club Ham Radio station. I have been invited to use the Club Station issued keys and brought into NP2VI as a full member. More later!
Diocese of the Virgin Islands Cycle of Prayer
I have been writing the first Cycle of Prayer for the Diocese of the Virgin Islands;
It will be based on a thirty day cycle. When its up and posted on the Diocesan web-site, we will notify.
School is winding down
College students have returned home from the States and local schools
Our away and local College Students are returning form various institutions of higher learning, mainly along the east coast of the US mainland; a few attend The University of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix or to a Nursing School on St. Thomas. Our senior acolyte is home from football scholarship at St. Augustine’s,
Raleigh, NC; it’s hard to believe I was once on the Board of Visitors for St. Aug’s!
We lived in Raleigh, and I served St. Aug’s before our senior acolyte was born!
“Youth Summer Camp”: dates 20th-August 7th
The St. Croix Deanery Youth Camp is gearing up for registrations. The Day Camp is more similar to what we think of as a Summer Bible School. Anybody want to come down and work with the youth/teens?
Birds and animals
For a while we thought there were no Sea Gulls on St. Croix. Our first sighting of Sea Gulls was yesterday as Babs and I took our daily walk beside the sea. We have not seen any Sea Gulls until today! Maybe it’s the weather patterns?
“Boots the cat” continues to “beg” with a meow of greeting at our back door patio and sometimes on the ocean-side deck. He’s got me under his “meow control.” Of course we are not the only residents that feed “Bootsie.” He has become acquainted enough and trusting to allow me to pet and scratch his back.
Our bird-feeder is a popular spot with doves, yellow birds with long black beaks, and tiny brown wrens arriving as I read the Daily Office; we pray and fee together as I drink my morning coffee.
It’s getting hot and still
As the Ocean warms, the East to West winds diminish growing more gentle;
As the temperatures rise; the Sun is moving toward the North West;
We notice the stillness setting in; we pray literally for rain and breezes.
Sunday after Ascension Day
Today the numbers in attendance were 151; the Steel Pan Orchestra played,
Youth read the lessons and a Veteran in American Legion uniform read The Prayers of the People. At the offertory and presentation, we sang the patriotic hymn #717, “My country, ‘tis of thee,” as a member of the Church, a Vietnam Vet, carried out the American Flag then posted in stand. The Sergeant looked sharp in the American Legion uniform, vest and hat. It was a meaningful moment.
Following the service we hosted a reception for Father Wilfred Daniels who will step down as rector of St. John’s Church on June 1st after nine years on the Island. Fr. Daniels returns to his home on St. Kitts., after attending CREDO in Orlando and General Convention in Anaheim. We presented a plague of thanksgiving and a modest “purse” of contributions from the membership.
Our organist/choir Director has been away for a couple of weeks. The supply organist has done quite well; she comes from the Holiness Church, where she plays most Sundays. We are singing more from the LEVAS II song book.
Wednesday evening book study:
“Questions Along the Way,” comes to a conclusion on May 27th; we have used the BOCP, section on Catechism and the light book “Questions” (same title as course); attendance has averaged 24 persons. A few teenagers and older children sit in; we meet 7:30 until 8:30pm. We sing a few contemporary “Gospel Hymns,” read the evening Family Prayers, 45 minutes or so of the “Questions,” then end with a few hymns and prayers. I have ordered books from Episcopal Book-Stores, all of which have “sold-out” almost as fast as the book titles are put out!
Come see us Mon!
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DEO+
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
DEO on STX #6
DEO+ on STX #6
15 May 2009
Where exactly do you guys live, anyway?
Saint Croix is at Longitude 17 degrees 45 minutes North and Latitude 64 degrees, 36 minutes West. See map or think Puerto Rico, and turn left!
We live on the East end North side; on the Teague Bay shore at The Reef.
The Island was originally divided up into four quarters; now eight quarters.
The historic plots, plantations and estates reflect early history. These
“Estates” provide address and location. We live in the historic Teague Estate on
the Bay, with Buck Island just off shore. Our international grid square is: FK77pr
STX-TRIATHLON
On May 10th, Saint Croix hosted the 21st annual world class triathlon with 850+ athletes who swam, cycled, and ran a total 70.3 miles. The swim began at 6:30am! All major roads were blocked off. I left our Condo at 4:30am, arriving 5am at the race central start/finish location at “the old fort” on the harbor in Christiansted. Ham radio operators “worked” the security of the race along with the police, fire-fighters and EMS. The VI National Guard helped with crowd control at the central staging area. I worked the base station for radio control hearing reports of crashes, injuries, and road traffic conditions. Twenty-eight finishers won an eligible rating for the world class Hawaiian Triathlon. A local 16 year old won the “sprint race” (half distance). The athletes came from all over the world; in the central staging area the languages sounded like the UN. The oldest participant was 80 years old! I got home at 3pm. It was a L-O-N-G day serving as community volunteer and ministerial presence. If we are here next year, using the model of Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of Atlanta, I will stand at the corner near the Church location and “bless” those who desire with Holy Water and stay connected on the radio working a medical staging area two blocks from St. Peter’s. We shifted the Mass one hour to 7:30am; 90 folks came.
Black & White Ball
On Friday evening, May 8th was a gala “formal attire” event with live local band playing Island music with a beat! The dinner dance, in “black & white,” honored wives, girl-friends and Mothers. The delicious local food, dancing fun and cultural demonstration of “Quadrille dancing,” kind of like Appalachian Square dancing in Island dress: patterned shirts on men matched the skirts and head coverings on the women. The caller shouted out the steps. Babs and I tried and now need work on the shuffle-two-step-bounce to the Caribbean beat. A new step! Sunday morning two folks complemented us by saying we looked Cruzan!
Mother’s Day is a big deal and special at St. Peter’s!
We honored a mature Mom as, “Mother of the Year.” The vestry selected the honoree. Flowers and a special plaque were presented to “the Mother of the Year,” during the liturgy. Following the service the Men of the Church served a tasty Island brunch/reception for the congregation. We had 225 in attendance.
Funeral in April
There was a shooting; probably drug or gang related; a 32 year old single male was shot 18 times; the deceased’s mother was a member of St. Peter’s; she had been buried from the Church a few years back; the victim lived in the neighborhood; He had been baptized at St. Peter’s; so we (I) did the funeral!
The service was conducted ten days after the death; Saturday at 10am; the viewing was the night before at the funeral home. As I arrived at the Church @ 9am the parking lot was full of cars and large trucks; the deceased had served as a driver for a local trucking company. The Casket arrived at 9:15am; the deceased was dressed in a business suit and wore white gloves; his long neatly trimmed dreadlocks draped over the pillow; the casket was opened for viewing by mourners in the parish hall; at 10:55am sharp the funeral director dressed in a linen white suit with white shoes closed the casket despite much emotional outburst by mourners both male and female; I thought one man was going to get into the casket with the deceased! The Requiem Mass had festive singing. Very few received the Holy Communion despite the fact that the Church was packed. Numerous plain clothes police attended. As the casket was carried from the Church, the truck air horns began to sound; and the drivers sounded the air horns during the long funeral procession as police blocked the intersections on the route to Kings Hill Cemetery. The drivers again sounded the air horns as the casket was carried to the grave. Following the final prayers and casting dirt upon the grave/casket; the large dump trucks with load beds lifted as a salute began to toot their air horns again! By-sanders were singing and standing under umbrellas in the hot sun, some were drinking beer; a vendor sold sandwiches and refreshments in the grave yard. It was a big party of departure; it was not unlike a New England “wake”. The pallbearers wore white gloves.
As the casket was lowered into the grave they tied the white gloves to the casket handles. Many plain clothed detectives mingled thru-out the crowd clearly protecting and watching for a drug or gang retribution crime.
Travel to the other Islands by Seaplane or Sea Ferry.
In order to get over to St. Thomas one need take the Seaplane or Sea Ferry. The small plane seats 17 persons; they ask your weight and assign seats based on the balance. 50 pounds of luggage max. Flights leave each hour; a quick 20 minute ride at 3,000 feet for $80 one way. The Sea Ferry leaves at 7am and returns at 7pm; it takes 90 minutes; costs $50. Take all one can carry aboard!
If there are high winds, the small ferry is a rough ride crossing to St. Thomas; it’s a smoother return crossing to St. Croix. The prevailing winds are from the East-North East.
Thursday, May 7th I flew to St. Thomas, met with All Saints Cathedral, Vestry. I was invited as the Bishop’s representative, consulted and identified “interim ministry task,” scope, authority, and contract review process. Returned next day.
Protestant Cay
The tiny Island is a short 90 second ride sea taxi from historic Fort Christiansted. $8 round trip. The “key” /Island was the burial ground for Protestants when the Catholics were in political control. Today the historic cemetery has nor markers nor discernable evidence of a burial ground. A large hotel has been built around or next to the hallowed ground. In Christiansted, up the hill next to St. John’s (“Anglican”) Episcopal Church the grave yard stretches a block deep; large tombs above ground; similar to New Orleans or Charleston; there is a tiny Jewish corner. Just as in the New Testament, “Home-less” sleep and live in the tombs!
Shopping at the Farmer’s Market.
On Saturday morning local farmers bring their produce to markets centrally located around the Island. Last week, we purchased “green mango” pealed it and boiled, tasted like mashed potatoes! The finest fresh lamb chops I have ever eaten! Next week we will try the goat.
Published sermons for distribution
This is my eleventh week at St. Peter’s. I have duplicated all my sermons and placed those in the back of the Church; this new for the folks. The sermons disappear, hopefully go home for further reading contemplation. Some folks share the sermons with friends. Those who miss Sunday morning Mass may listen to the service recorded and played again on 6pm radio station. So far I have NOT listened to myself! Probably ought to for criticism and review of delivery/content.
We are slowly making friends.
We live in two worlds or have two systems of organized life: 1) Church work (central Island) and 2) Residence (East end north side) for social life. We are meeting long term and year round residents; we watch the “snow-birds” depart; a few residents we have gotten to know are full time folks; most living on Island as permanent residents but maintaining legal residency back on the mainland, keeping their drivers license and voting absentee back home. We have joined the East End Social Club, a no-agenda, no dues, (small joining fee), no program, weekly gathering on Saturday evening 5pm, ocean side at the East End Bar; some remain to eat together. Friday nights the golfers gather for a “scrambler social” following a “best ball” tournament; all residents of The Reef Condo are invited, play or no play! It’s BYOB with hot finger food. We separate “Church work” and “social living life.
Come for a visit.
“Veg-out/relax”. Hang out on the beach; swim, walk on the sand, shop; snorkel or scuba; sight see; or just be Cruzan. We’ll show you around the Island. There is a Condo next to us, available for rent at $700 per week (eight days).
Just like ours, one bed-room loft, one and half bath; also premium “out-door shower,” (very private)! Great view; prevailing cross breezes; no need for A/C.
Call me @ 770-402-7719 (cell) if interested. The owner lives in Denmark.
See You Mon!
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DWIGHT OGIER+
15 May 2009
Where exactly do you guys live, anyway?
Saint Croix is at Longitude 17 degrees 45 minutes North and Latitude 64 degrees, 36 minutes West. See map or think Puerto Rico, and turn left!
We live on the East end North side; on the Teague Bay shore at The Reef.
The Island was originally divided up into four quarters; now eight quarters.
The historic plots, plantations and estates reflect early history. These
“Estates” provide address and location. We live in the historic Teague Estate on
the Bay, with Buck Island just off shore. Our international grid square is: FK77pr
STX-TRIATHLON
On May 10th, Saint Croix hosted the 21st annual world class triathlon with 850+ athletes who swam, cycled, and ran a total 70.3 miles. The swim began at 6:30am! All major roads were blocked off. I left our Condo at 4:30am, arriving 5am at the race central start/finish location at “the old fort” on the harbor in Christiansted. Ham radio operators “worked” the security of the race along with the police, fire-fighters and EMS. The VI National Guard helped with crowd control at the central staging area. I worked the base station for radio control hearing reports of crashes, injuries, and road traffic conditions. Twenty-eight finishers won an eligible rating for the world class Hawaiian Triathlon. A local 16 year old won the “sprint race” (half distance). The athletes came from all over the world; in the central staging area the languages sounded like the UN. The oldest participant was 80 years old! I got home at 3pm. It was a L-O-N-G day serving as community volunteer and ministerial presence. If we are here next year, using the model of Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of Atlanta, I will stand at the corner near the Church location and “bless” those who desire with Holy Water and stay connected on the radio working a medical staging area two blocks from St. Peter’s. We shifted the Mass one hour to 7:30am; 90 folks came.
Black & White Ball
On Friday evening, May 8th was a gala “formal attire” event with live local band playing Island music with a beat! The dinner dance, in “black & white,” honored wives, girl-friends and Mothers. The delicious local food, dancing fun and cultural demonstration of “Quadrille dancing,” kind of like Appalachian Square dancing in Island dress: patterned shirts on men matched the skirts and head coverings on the women. The caller shouted out the steps. Babs and I tried and now need work on the shuffle-two-step-bounce to the Caribbean beat. A new step! Sunday morning two folks complemented us by saying we looked Cruzan!
Mother’s Day is a big deal and special at St. Peter’s!
We honored a mature Mom as, “Mother of the Year.” The vestry selected the honoree. Flowers and a special plaque were presented to “the Mother of the Year,” during the liturgy. Following the service the Men of the Church served a tasty Island brunch/reception for the congregation. We had 225 in attendance.
Funeral in April
There was a shooting; probably drug or gang related; a 32 year old single male was shot 18 times; the deceased’s mother was a member of St. Peter’s; she had been buried from the Church a few years back; the victim lived in the neighborhood; He had been baptized at St. Peter’s; so we (I) did the funeral!
The service was conducted ten days after the death; Saturday at 10am; the viewing was the night before at the funeral home. As I arrived at the Church @ 9am the parking lot was full of cars and large trucks; the deceased had served as a driver for a local trucking company. The Casket arrived at 9:15am; the deceased was dressed in a business suit and wore white gloves; his long neatly trimmed dreadlocks draped over the pillow; the casket was opened for viewing by mourners in the parish hall; at 10:55am sharp the funeral director dressed in a linen white suit with white shoes closed the casket despite much emotional outburst by mourners both male and female; I thought one man was going to get into the casket with the deceased! The Requiem Mass had festive singing. Very few received the Holy Communion despite the fact that the Church was packed. Numerous plain clothes police attended. As the casket was carried from the Church, the truck air horns began to sound; and the drivers sounded the air horns during the long funeral procession as police blocked the intersections on the route to Kings Hill Cemetery. The drivers again sounded the air horns as the casket was carried to the grave. Following the final prayers and casting dirt upon the grave/casket; the large dump trucks with load beds lifted as a salute began to toot their air horns again! By-sanders were singing and standing under umbrellas in the hot sun, some were drinking beer; a vendor sold sandwiches and refreshments in the grave yard. It was a big party of departure; it was not unlike a New England “wake”. The pallbearers wore white gloves.
As the casket was lowered into the grave they tied the white gloves to the casket handles. Many plain clothed detectives mingled thru-out the crowd clearly protecting and watching for a drug or gang retribution crime.
Travel to the other Islands by Seaplane or Sea Ferry.
In order to get over to St. Thomas one need take the Seaplane or Sea Ferry. The small plane seats 17 persons; they ask your weight and assign seats based on the balance. 50 pounds of luggage max. Flights leave each hour; a quick 20 minute ride at 3,000 feet for $80 one way. The Sea Ferry leaves at 7am and returns at 7pm; it takes 90 minutes; costs $50. Take all one can carry aboard!
If there are high winds, the small ferry is a rough ride crossing to St. Thomas; it’s a smoother return crossing to St. Croix. The prevailing winds are from the East-North East.
Thursday, May 7th I flew to St. Thomas, met with All Saints Cathedral, Vestry. I was invited as the Bishop’s representative, consulted and identified “interim ministry task,” scope, authority, and contract review process. Returned next day.
Protestant Cay
The tiny Island is a short 90 second ride sea taxi from historic Fort Christiansted. $8 round trip. The “key” /Island was the burial ground for Protestants when the Catholics were in political control. Today the historic cemetery has nor markers nor discernable evidence of a burial ground. A large hotel has been built around or next to the hallowed ground. In Christiansted, up the hill next to St. John’s (“Anglican”) Episcopal Church the grave yard stretches a block deep; large tombs above ground; similar to New Orleans or Charleston; there is a tiny Jewish corner. Just as in the New Testament, “Home-less” sleep and live in the tombs!
Shopping at the Farmer’s Market.
On Saturday morning local farmers bring their produce to markets centrally located around the Island. Last week, we purchased “green mango” pealed it and boiled, tasted like mashed potatoes! The finest fresh lamb chops I have ever eaten! Next week we will try the goat.
Published sermons for distribution
This is my eleventh week at St. Peter’s. I have duplicated all my sermons and placed those in the back of the Church; this new for the folks. The sermons disappear, hopefully go home for further reading contemplation. Some folks share the sermons with friends. Those who miss Sunday morning Mass may listen to the service recorded and played again on 6pm radio station. So far I have NOT listened to myself! Probably ought to for criticism and review of delivery/content.
We are slowly making friends.
We live in two worlds or have two systems of organized life: 1) Church work (central Island) and 2) Residence (East end north side) for social life. We are meeting long term and year round residents; we watch the “snow-birds” depart; a few residents we have gotten to know are full time folks; most living on Island as permanent residents but maintaining legal residency back on the mainland, keeping their drivers license and voting absentee back home. We have joined the East End Social Club, a no-agenda, no dues, (small joining fee), no program, weekly gathering on Saturday evening 5pm, ocean side at the East End Bar; some remain to eat together. Friday nights the golfers gather for a “scrambler social” following a “best ball” tournament; all residents of The Reef Condo are invited, play or no play! It’s BYOB with hot finger food. We separate “Church work” and “social living life.
Come for a visit.
“Veg-out/relax”. Hang out on the beach; swim, walk on the sand, shop; snorkel or scuba; sight see; or just be Cruzan. We’ll show you around the Island. There is a Condo next to us, available for rent at $700 per week (eight days).
Just like ours, one bed-room loft, one and half bath; also premium “out-door shower,” (very private)! Great view; prevailing cross breezes; no need for A/C.
Call me @ 770-402-7719 (cell) if interested. The owner lives in Denmark.
See You Mon!
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DWIGHT OGIER+
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