DEO+ on STX #17
12 November 2009
UTO in Gathering
Growing up I recall the big-push for the UTO-in-gathering of the “Blue Boxes and Blue envelopes.” My Mom had a can-kitty-savings-spot for loose change and “left-over” grocery money. She saved for UTO. The Bishop of Alaska, historically received two UTO grants that paid for the Diocesan airplane, named appropriately, “The Blue Box.” When serving in Mobile, Alabama I observed UTO was not just “a woman’s thing,” but became a family event. At St. Luke’s, the Rector, Father Coleman Inge, once served in Alaska under Bishop William Gordon, taught the importance of the UTO as a source for mission. Though traditionally UTO is the in-gathering for the “Women of the Church” personal offering, the money really comes from the family earnings! This is a lesson in the missionary Diocese of the Virgin Islands. El Iglesia de San Francisco (the Hispanic congregation) has received a UTO grant to purchase a Church Van. The roof on the parish hall of Saint Peter’s was paid for from a UTO grant. It is important to see the UTO dollars at work on the local level. Blue envelopes have come in abundantly here at St. Peter’s! PTL.
More wind screen NAMES from autos, taxi, and trucks
Cohiba [also name of local bar/restaurant in former Gas Station], Street King,
Coocorache, Smile For Me Now, Delicious Diva, Laugh Now Cry Later, RTTINT’L, Remember The Times, Look What I’ve Got, Things Change, Reef Shark, Monte Christo, Who U Rollin With, The Silent Two, Joy Ride, Creep Up, Charger, Lest Friend, By She I’m Me, Fr. Fried, Know Thy Self
The Bare Foot Preacher
The Manager of the Pickled Greek Restaurant NEVER wears shoes! He is very Greek. I am not sure his credentials, but he does weddings on the beach. One of the local “ministers,” he officiates for “destination weddings”; the bare foot preacher blows a conch shell and “blesses” the union. Most of these weddings are beach side; many of the couples are bare foot in the sand-surf. The Pickled Greek is actually a fine spot to eat with excellent Greek cuisine. Ozo shots limber one up or down.
New ADVENT Brass Wreath with liquid candles
Our NEW Advent Brass Wreath has arrived! The five candles are the traditional colors: purple, pink and large white Christ candle. All are the liquid burning wax.
No drip. Happy Altar guild!
Attended Funeral at All Saints Cathedral on STT
On Friday, October 23rd, I flew over to St. Thomas for the funeral Mass of the spouse of the Senior Warden of All Saint Cathedral. We had become friends thru my consultation with the Vestry of the Cathedral. The Interim Dean invited me to vest and participate in the liturgy. The Cathedral was packed with folks. The music was very meaningful; a great sermon preached by a Priest from Maryland, the Brother of the deceased. Following the service I enjoyed some quality time of dialog with Bishop Gumbs. My Return flight on the Sea Plane was on time. It was a fine day for extended Diocesan ministry and presence.
HAM Radio Brunch on St. Johns @ The Donkey Dinner
The first Saturday each month, Ham Radio operators gather on Saint Croix and Saint Johns for breakfast-brunch-lunch. On STX we gather at the East End Bar and Grill; on STJ the place of meeting is The Donkey Dinner. On Saturday, I flew over to STJ and surprised the guys and gals I had been speaking with each morning during the seven months here using the 2-meter Ham radio frequency on the Island-weather-net; of the 15 Hams I talk with each morning, I had previously met only ONE! It was a fun surprise for us all. It was an expensive LUNCH and travel on the Sea Plane and Ferry; but worth the time, money and effort. These are my DAILY non-religious-prayer-partners. We meet/talk at 6:40am daily. It’s a fun group. They are highly educated, techno-radio-experts. These women and men are classic Amateur Radio “HAMS.”
Police road blocks
Periodically the local police set up “road-blocks’ usually after dark to check for seat belts violations and out-of-date inspection stickers; they are also checking for DWI violations and non-licensed drivers. On Saint Croix, I know friends who have maintained their Home State Drivers License, even though the rule-law is to obtain the local D/L after 90 days of residence. For most of us on “temporary duty assignments,” keep our State-side D/L’s as we are coming or going every 90 days in one direction or another.
Local Fruits and Veggies
Football size AVOCADOS! Fist size STAR FRUIT; Pint size DRAGON FRUIT; tiny golf ball size limes; SEA GRAPE “cherries”; small local BABANNAS & BREAD FRUIT. All these are brought to us at Church by parishioners who share their
home grown fruit with us. We enjoy lots of guacamole, fruit salads and fresh fruit on our cereals.
New private “Home” Communion set
St. Peter’s has not had a presentable “Home Communion” kit to deliver the Blessed Sacrament to sick and shut-ins; what was located back in the dusty cabinet of the sacristy has been unacceptable and was not dignified! Three conditions previously existed: 1) Either, the Holy Communion was NOT regularly taken out to the sick and shut-ins, 2) The clergy had their own “nice” set for Home Communion; or 3) NO-one seemed to care about the appearance of the Home Communion set! Upon consultation with the Altar guild and the coordinator of home visits we have ordered a light weight private Holy Communion home kit. Simple sturdy canvas purse/bag, small pottery chalice and patten; plastic bread box, the small wine bottle; lines and pocket for liturgy papers. Direct from Steam Boat springs, Colorado.
Church Directory
When I arrived at Saint Peters an early discovery was there was No List of people; nor a printed Directory of membership. I had no information as to “who” the folks were, where they lived or telephone numbers. We have collected the information beginning with the list of contributors of record from the treasurer and form information solicited in Sunday service attendance. We finally have a printed directory of membership. Of course, similar to the telephone directory, the day published it’s “out of date.” It is a constant revision of home phones, cell numbers, business contacts and e-mail addresses. Here on STX ones physical address usually is NOT the Mailing address. Most folks have a Post Office Box
Number, if not at a sub-station or branch Post Office at a neighborhood postal site. More administrative progress made!
Singsperation
Think many choirs singing their best numbers. It’s an afternoon, usually ecumenical, with choirs or groups that sing and sometimes the assembled church groups sing along. The host Church is packed with choirs and relatives of the singers. At St. Peter’s, the Senior choir, Youth choir, ECW, ECM, ECY, and Mixed choir will all sing when we host “a Singsperation.” Our NEXT Singsperation will be on Nov. 29th, sponsored by the ECM, inviting Men’s Choirs and Male Singing Groups to perform. Another form similar but more thematic is the Harvest Cantata. Holy Cross Episcopal Church has invited all the deanery choirs and groups to present a song/poem or biblical reading on the Sunday Next before Thanksgiving (Nov. 15th).
QUADRILLE Dancing
The Saint Croix Heritage Dancers have been organized for over 28 years, preserving the multi-cultural history of Island life and its people. The St. Croix Heritage Dancers have preformed the French and German Quadrille since 1981.
A large number of St. Croix Heritage Dancers are members of St. Peter’s; the Cultural Dancers practice at St. Peter’s parish Hall. Quadrille dancing is similar to Square Dancing but more directly related to the French and German origins. The dances have multi-cultural and multi-Island diversity. Colorful madras shirts, skirts, dresses, and head pieces reflect the Caribbean themes. The dances are very formal, lively and “quick-step.” Verbal commands direct the dance patterns.
Church records now up to date
Thanks to a dedicated vestry person, the church records are now in order and brought up-to-date. The Church Register had been neglected for years. The Index was non-existent. Another Interim Task checked off and basic Church administration accomplished! We shall see IF the discipline continues. At least I will leave with records in order.
Where do you guys live anyway/anywhere?
See: Reefvillas.org
Here one can view our Condo complex and get an ariel view; check out the pool!
It’s our condo association web-site.
Come See Us Mon!
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DWIGHT OGIER+
