DEO+ on STX #7

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+