DEO on STX #26

DEO+ on STX #26
Saturday in Easter week
10 April 2010

We’re leaving on “a Jet Plane!”I write this on Delta # 4362 non-stop to Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport, departing from Saint Croix on Wednesday in Easter Week. “We’re leaving on a jet plane,” were the words sung by the folk song of the sixties; I can’t remember the singers! A beautiful flight in clear skies; we even got bumped-up-graded to first class! It was the best flight yet from STX .

Wally and Phoebe collect us at Marta Station
We took the North bound “red-line” on MARTA to North Springs near Dunwoody;
Wally and Phoebe picked us up in our Black Ford 500; by the time we stopped at The Varsity in Gwinnett for a greasy supper and drove “home” to Clarkesville it was after 10pm when we arrived. A long day, but happy arrival; precious Phoebe went to sleep in her child-seat; and we followed nodding our heads; Wally drove all the way back to Habersham County.

Easter and Holy Week
Maundy Thursday evening our service at St. Peter’s was a traditional John Gospel reading followed by the Homily, then the Rite of Foot Washing; Deacon Gumbs washed my feet then I in turn did hers; then the Senior and Junior Wardens; then I washed most of the acolytes’ feet; we celebrated the sacred meal of the Holy Communion with grandeur and sacred remembrance of The Passover and first Eucharist at the Last Supper; we stripped the altar and the guild draped the Holy Table with a Black shroud; the pulpit in Black and covered the Cross!

Last minute packing and clean-up
We spent two days thinking through and packing up for our return to North Georgia. Both of us returned with a full load, most of the stuff and clothes we brought we will leave behind in Clarkesville. We rushed around on the morning of our departure, changing sheets, sweeping and mopping; writing notes of welcome to our “guests.”

Mark and Vicki
Our good friends living next to the Condo are responsible for the introduction with owners for our unit #433; Babs and Vicki were friends on “the Green Team” and Mark got into the mix when we socialized together when we lived in units #130 & #113, before our move into the two bed room across the golf driving range. Our neighbors are dear friends; we trade and barrow eggs, bread, milk and other forgotten stuff! We drink morning coffee together either place or ours, usually on the ocean-side patio; afternoon beer or rum and cokes come naturally. The barkers are from Ohio, retired grocery-gourmet merchants. Younger than we, that’s not always so in the short-term Condos filled with “retiree-snow-birds” from cold weather somewhere else, who are down in the Islands for the winter season.

Babs is READY for “roots”She has held in there with patience, even though sometimes not really comfortable year round on STX! Babs needs her “roots” and has become tired of the “on-vacation-all-the-time” atmosphere. After we return on April 28th, she will return to Clarkesville in mid-May thru mid-June. We are enjoying making our new Habersham County residence into a comfortable nest.

It’s good to be back “home”We have returned to Spring flowers and green grass; blossoms in full bloom; dogwoods are in white or pink flowers, red-bud trees are purple, and the jonquils are still in yellow smiles and nodding heads of greetings in the shade under the tall oaks.

We continue unpacking
Our stuff is almost all here @ 125 Betty Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523; we have ONE MORE trip to Cumming for a final haul of things stored in a Rental Unit; then everything will be here under ONE roof. We still need to get numerous pictures hung; books up on shelves; boxes unpacked; clothes sorted; and “stuff” reduced and thinned out. We plan having a gigantic “yard sale” in July, sell all our excess. On Friday, I hauled nine cartons of books to SPCK, Sewanee! It was a long day round trip to “the mountain.”

New Furniture delivered
On Friday, April 9th part of a purchase of “new furniture” is delivered. More later!

Secretary is LATE for work
The Church Secretary was “off” for the holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday; she failed to show on Tuesday afternoon until 4pm! I may need “adjust” her schedule or request her do another ministry! She has a pattern for many “excuses” and lateness for work hours, even though her basic skills and performance has been over the top; her erratic hours are “unacceptable”! In three weeks we need a change of attitude or new office hours. Interim work is often “clean-up” and reorganize the systems. More later!

Music on Easter Day
On the Day of the Resurrection our music was “half dead.” Our organist discovered on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday that the organ was “stuck” on certain notes! He played or attempted to do the best he could under the limitations of his abilities and piano conditions; the music was under expected standards  We tried to sing “Welcome Happy Morning” to “another” tune!
Our exit procession went sloppy as we “tried” to sing “Hail thee Festival Day” with a choir incapable of this complicated tune and varied verses! We need remember that small Churches need not attempt to sound like Cathedral worship! It was a disappointing morning 
On the other hand our attendance was larger than last year and numbers of communions received were double 2009!  The youth choir did a snappy side swaying number and the teen steel pan band played a lovely setting of “Holy, holy, Holy.”

Monday after Easter ECW “food sale”All over STX the women’s groups at various churches sell take-out food on the day after Easter. Saint Peter’s ECW served numerous meals from 11am to 4pm;
Mostly local dishes. I enjoyed a wonderful dish of Roasted Pork and dirty rice.
Our women raised money for college scholarships to our local church kids.

Morning swim and sunrise
It’s 5:30 to 6am daily; the morning swim is stimulating; water about 80 degrees;
Air temp cooler about 74 f! When the night breezes are blowing the skin feels the transition when emerging from the water. Great wake-up discipline.

The Galleon on our last night
On Tuesday evening after cocktails with Mark & Vicki, we splurged for a “High End” fine-dinning meal @ The Galleon Restaurant; super local lobster and fresh caught fish; table prepared Cesar Salad; these were our favorites. Delicious crème Brule topped off the evening. Beautiful view over the sail boats at dock in the East End Marina. Great spot. It was an Expensive Meal. We felt the extravagance of money spent was worth the celebration!

Fred and Julie and Spurgeon
During our three weeks “off Island” two clerics from the Diocese of Atlanta will “supply” at Saint Peter’s in my absence. Fred (and Julie) Northup will officiate on
April 11th and April 18th; Spurgeon (and Judy) Hays take the Sunday service on April 25th; both couples will stay in the Church rented Condo during our time away. Both guys are serious golf nuts, and snorkel. Fred and Julie, Spurgeon and Judy will “explore” Saint Croix and discover her varied beaches. We pray they will be careful of the extreme sun in the tropics.

Bob and Charlotte Dendtler
Our friends and clergy support group, sponsors for STX assignment will host and welcome Fred and Julie, Spurgeon and Judy. These folks know how to make things happen, help folks relax, feel good and secure, welcome and comfortable. They will meet the clerics at the airport upon arrival and show them the roads and “where” the Church is located, gate codes for The Reef and general lay of the Island.

Disconnected Ham Radio
On this three week escape I leave my “hand-held” 2 meter transceiver on STX;
I am taking a break from daily broadcast and said “Adios” to the Virgin Island Weather Net; lots of warm good-byes; for added convenience, I decided NOT to carry the HT with me. I have not researched the new frequencies and codes for Habersham County, Phoenix and Jacksonville. I disconnected the G5RV antennae.

We are returning to “new” and “old” roots.
We are back to Clarkesville for a few days of readjustment; then fly to Phoenix attend Nation Episcopal Chaplains Conference to the Diocese retirees. We will see long time friends from previous Dioceses who also do this ministry. Lastly we drive to Jacksonville, Florida for our 50th Class Reunion of Terry Parker High School. More later!

Come See Us Mon!
La Paz y Buen Camino!
DEO+