DEO+ on STX #23

DEO+ on STX # 23: GROUNG HOG DAY!
2 February 2010
[The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Temple]

Also Known As: Ground Hog Day!
Today is the feast of The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple; but many places (expect St. Croix where there are no Ground Hogs!) it’s Ground Hog Day.
Here it makes no sense since it’s summer all year round. In the Virgin Islands there is No Winter to come to an end. No cold winter nor spring; no shadow to be “seen” by a non existent Ground Hog-rodent! Maybe we ought to have Mongouse Day!

Mild weather again, finally.
Winds have returned; prevailing breezes keep the temps mild; evening and night squalls cool off the nights; usually bright sunny days; not as hot as mid-summer!
It’s about 73 degrees at night with a climb to 84 degrees by mid-day, then a high near 86 at extreme heat mid-afternoon. When the wind are blowing at night the wind-chill factor is about 63 degrees!

Bible Queen Show
The ECW put on a lively show with vivid costumes of female Biblical figures: Queens of the Bible. The Bible Queen Show was both educational and humorous.
The attendance numbered in the hundreds. All a fund raiser for the 40th Anniversary celebration of Saint Peter’s in June. It was a great day for all, especially the “Queens.” Fun and festive; challenging and informative. Here are the Biblical characters portrayed: Candice, Druicilla, Nehusta, Nitocrus, Azubah, Bernice, Maacha, Althliah, Vashti, Heaven-Mary, Esther, Sheba, Jezebel, and Herodias. At the conclusion of “the show,” a male member of the choir sung "What a Wonderful World," a attribute to “the Queens,” and each received a rose and trophy. Our Deacon, Delores Gumbs directed and managed the production. Super Sunday afternoon!

Au Natural
There are No Nude Beaches on Saint Croix; at least none are designated; the deserted and obscure distant beaches will have some folks walk or sun bath au natural, but the local folks are very modest; it’s the tourists, usually from Europe that drop the tops and pants! When cruise ships are in, there are topless females seen on beaches near Fredericksted. On our end of Saint Croix, the North-East part of the Island, Issacs and Jacks beaches are desolate and isolated. The area is difficult to get to, long walks over barren trails to reach, but once there one usually is alone for miles of sight. Say no more! There is something about the freedom of no shoes and even removing the flip-flops when home; relaxing and sleeping in the barest acceptable cover-up is most comfortable. Walking along free in the breeze is invigorating. The ocean is au natural! The sea is calming. Just to be free and alone by the sea is intoxicating!

Lots more “Sea Glass”strong>
My tray of “found treasures” is becoming more impressive. My walks along the ocean shore have yielded lots of Sea Glass found just above the shore surf line. Sand-polished bits of glass have a luster of worn opaque smooth stones with ground down smooth edges in some recognized pieces from broken bottles. It’s been a treasure hunt. Green, white, yellow, brown, blue and red hues usually in triangle shaped pieces.

We have contracts on our Houses
The real estate market in Atlanta is flat. We placed our home in Cumming on the market for sale after fourteen years living in Forsyth County. We have a “contract” for sale and have another “contract” for purchase in Clarkesville, Habersham County. More later.

Babs is on the Mainland
Returning “home” she waits my arrival to begin packing-rolling-moving-sorting-pare down of our stuff. I plan return to Saint Croix probably on the 27th or 28th.
Back on Island, I then move from unit #113 to #433. Fruit basket up-set! Back in the Diocese of Atlanta, I return “home” on Monday, February 8th for about three weeks. More later.

Condo #113
We have already enjoyed the change in moving into a different unit at The Reef.
The prevailing breezes come from the South and North, North East and the Unit #113 is higher on the ridge whereby we receive more winds and greater cross breezes! Our view is “smaller” and less dramatic for the Ocean horizon and wide scope but the high elevation reveals a clearer view; we see on a clear day a definition of St. John’s and Virgin Gorda on the northern edge of the horizon. We will be here until
first week in March.

Epiphany Bible study and the Manifestation
Continuing the pattern of Wednesday evening Bible Study we are following Biblical passages revealing The Manifestation and miracles of the revealed Jesus.
We begin with a few simple, use the Family Prayers from the BCOP for the Close of the Day and Early Evening; follow “the African Bible Study method.” I hope those attending will continue meeting after my departure!

A New Vestry
Four newly elected Vestry persons were “installed” and commissioned on Sunday, January 31st. Three are New, one re-elected for another three years.

Sermon reflections of Interim Ministry past conditions
Lately, I have used illustrations from previous Interim ministry assignments and Church situations/conditions from other Churches I have served. This has been a good way to combine various personalities and merger “issues” previously faced that may be adaptable and applicable at St. Peter’s. At least it’s been a good reflection for me!

Onward Christian Soldiers
St. Paul’s in Fredericsted celebrated it’s Patronal Feast on January 25th; I attended the Late Mass; we exited walking around the town behind a brass band playing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The parade event reminded me of my years on “the Mountain” at The University of the South, when during the Sewanee Military Academy days the cadets marched to Church behind a band playing the same hymn on Sunday morning.

Tire Swings and Picnic Benches
Recalling the “fun” from our childhood, we have hung two tire swings from a large shade tree on the property. Robert Chrismon (retired Fire Chief from Lexington, KY) assisted me in building a family picnic table; our NEXT project in this family fun-play-gathering-space-under-the-tree is a circular bench sounding the base of the big tree. Soon to come!


Come See Us Mon!

La Paz y Buen Camino!
DEO+