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+