THE ANCHOR NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2017 & JANUARY 2018
ST BARTHOLOMEW’S ANGLICAN CHURCH ST BARTS, FWI
The Annual Parish Letter - what a 12 months! Dear Friends It has been a very memorable year for lots of reasons. It was the first year for the congregation to come to the island and see the results of the refurbishment of the Church following the successful 1855 Appeal; it was our first year (in recent times) where we relied solely upon priests-in-residence and our lay ministry to preach and conduct all our Sunday and other services; and it was our first time (again in recent times) when the island was hit by the heavy assault of a major hurricane. On all of these fronts I am happy to report only positive follow-ups! A 'New' Church! I am sure there was some trepidation when our congregation was told that we were going to refurbish the Church. Would the building, which they knew and loved, be changed or altered and not have the same wonderful timeless feel. Well the response from everyone was that the refurbishment has not only enhanced what we already had, but has taken us a step forward. It was also very timely - not only did we take the opportunity to catch the termites 'mid-bite' under the pews and on the side pillars, but I am certain that the new roof and bell tower shingles (not one of which
was lost during Irma) meant that the church did not suffer the same amount of damage that happened during Louis some 20 years ago when the tin roof came off and the rain came in. (More about Irma later!) Also, it was clear to see the delight on the faces of the returning worshippers as they realised that the overall feel of the church had not changed with many exclaiming surprise that the more comfortable, smart-looking pews were actually the 'old' ones which had been carefully renovated, extended and cushioned. Likewise, the new and improved sound system was well received, with the services and sermons now fully audible for those at the back, as well as those seating in front seats usually fewer! Our Bishop helps us celebrate It was a fitting occasion to have the Right Revd Errol Brooks celebrate with us in February when he rededicated our Church with the pomp and ceremony which the
2018 Parish Funding Please consider making a contribution towards our usual annual expenses of running the Church, which we expect will be higher in 2018 than in previous years given the extra burden following Hurricane Irma There are three ways to do this: 1. Send a check to the Friends (see address below) 2. Online via the Church website (see below) 3. Directly to the Church (please contact Philip for details) Methods 1 and 2 are donations to our US 501(3)c, which are tax deductible for US citizens. Friends of St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Chairman: Bill Barrett; Secretary: Ann Green Address: 106 West River Road, Rumson, NJ 07760 USA Email: anncwgreen@gmaill.com Tel: 1 732 741 1500 Editor & Parish Administrator: Philip Trangmar (Tel 0690 54 17 99) Email: info.stbartholomews@gmail.com Church Website: www.stbartholomewsanglicanchuch.com
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The Church's Annual Report (cont'd)
building rightly deserved. He was joined by our new Priest-in-Charge the Revd Terrence Rawlins, who looks after the two churches on St Martin, for the confirmation of Charles Romney; and the congregation enjoyed drinks in the garden afterwards. We also used this occasion to announce that the church gardens would be undergoing a complete upgrade and transformation and would be be named after Brook Lacour in recognition of the tremendous time and effort which Brook dedicated to the church here on St Barts. It was a particularly emotional part of the day, with the President of the Friends, Bill Barret, making a moving tribute to Brook, who was there with Roger (just a few weeks before his passing), along with other members of her family; and many more of her friends from the Church and local community - who all raised a glass in thanks to Brook. Our Continuing Ministry As was announced this time last year, with the Revd Charlie Vere Nichol standing down after 14 years of service, we chose to continue and extend the visiting priests programme with oversight provided by Father Rawlins on St Martin. This programme has been in place for over 20 years, with the stalwart help for many years of Bishop Ted and Sarah Eastman. This continued throughout the year and we had plenty of returning regulars as well as some new faces join us - and we thank all of the clergy for their special ministry. We created a slot each Thursday afternoon called 'Open Church' when our priest-in-residence is available with any prior appointment to talk, pray or just chat with members of our congregation. If you would like to
see who was visiting when you were not on the island, you can check out their sermons by going to our web site or searching for the church on iTunes podcasts! We had approximately 3,000 attend our services through the year, and we had 10 marriages or renewals of vow ceremonies, as well as the privilege of baptising 12 children to welcome them into the Christian family. Facing the unknown Many of us have been in the islands or elsewhere when we have had the 'threat' of a hurricane; and many, like me, who chose to live in the Caribbean have been here when past ones have come close or small ones have hit St Barts in the last 20 years. Having said that nothing could have prepared us for the wrath that Irma brought with it on that day in early September. I will not go into any details of the terror felt during the storm, but rather focus on the amazing recovery which the island has seen. The island had three great resources at its disposal: the government, the people and the island itself. The combination of these three is what helped achieved an almost 'miraculous' speed of recovery. First the island government and services did an incredible job getting aid to the people, right from the start. Food and water supplies were delivered to all areas before shops were able to open. Then somehow the internet was made available in certain spots so people could make contact with the outside world and tell them we were safe. The electricity and water utilities worked night and day (literally) to get supplies not only in Gustavia
but also outlying areas within a few weeks. And people who needed emergency repairs or accommodation could find help through the CollectivitĂŠ. The Church made the Vicarage available to two young men who otherwise would have been sleeping rough. Second, was the spirit of the local community - where from the very next day they devoted their time to helping clear the roads and helping each other to prepare for what we could scarcely believe could be another one - Jose! As you know, we were all thankful when it headed North. Thirdly, the island flora was dealt a severe blow as Irma bought a deluge of salt rain which 'burnt' the hillsides brown, as well as devastating winds which chopped trees in half and left no traces of green anywhere. As we escaped the near-miss of Maria just two weeks later, which sadly so badly hit Dominica and Puerto Rico, we had its fresh rain and within days we saw the green shoots of recovery on the hills and now barely three months later our hills are once again green and welcoming - such a joy to see. Of course, the beaches, beachside villas and hotels, and many houses were severely damaged - and we hope that the resources will be found to restore these to their former status.
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(Additional details of how Irma affected the Church and island can be found in the last edition of the Anchor - do let us know if you did not receive a copy. It is also available via our website). Of course, faith and time can help heal the mental scars from that night and it is also time, resources and energy which will help bring the island back. We were pleased to be able to help our Diocese with fund raising for our sister islands, as well as pointing people in the direction of the local Rotary Club with their project to restore the public gardens in Gustavia. Looking Forward Having been fortunate to survive relatively unscathed compared with some, we can now look to our other projects to continue our commitment to be the guardians of the Church, the gardens and other buildings. As I mentioned earlier thanks to several significant donations from people who wished to acknowledge Brook's role at the Church, we are able employ a garden designer to transform our Garden into a spiritual oasis. This has been postponed due to Irma and is now scheduled to start after Easter 2018. Likewise, we now have an established program of visiting clergy and we wanted to be able to make their stay as comfortable as possible. The vicarage accommodation is a bit cramped and so we have decided to extend one bedroom and the outside terrace, as well as give the vicarage a new roof. This will be funded from the remaining monies put aside for the vicarage from the 1855 Appeal, plus as we have gone
beyond our original plans, some generous donations received through the Friends for this specific purpose. At the same time, we wanted to acknowledge the significant role Bishop Ted and Sarah Eastman played in the life of our Church and particularly the visiting clergy programme. The refurbished vicarage will therefore be known as The Eastman House. A note from Sarah is to be found to the right. Thanks to all I cannot finish my year summary without acknowledging the support which I receive from so many. Firstly, our Bishop and Father Rawlins who have encouraged me in my role as lay reader and parish administrator. Then my fellow vestry members who help with all the important decision-making processes at the Church. Then we have our marvelous music team, led by Ombeline Collin, who make each service a musical as well as a spiritual event. And I would especially like to thank the Friends, without whom we would not be in a position to offer our unique ministry, music and outreach; as well as needing their support to keep the buildings in a such a good state of repair. Lastly, I wish to thank you the congregation, who offer me so much support and make my job so rewarding. At this festive season, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I hope you will be able to come down and see the island's recovery in 2018. With many blessing to you all Philip PS Save the Date: We will be having a Special Service on Sunday 11th February followed by drinks in the garden to recognise the recovery and good news post-Irma. More details in the February Anchor.
The Eastman House Following the decision to name the Vicarage after Bishop Ted and Sarah Eastman, we received the following letter from Sarah: Dear Friends and Members of St Bartholomew's Church Ted was moved to tears by the honor you showed him in naming the vicarage Eastman House. And I must admit to shedding a few as well. Thank you all so much. Ted and I spent many happy years in that little home-awayfrom-home while serving St. Bartholomew’s Church. And as some of you know there were many changes during that time. Each time was an improvement on what was such a very special place. And I am sure this time will be no exception. Seeing it finished would be the icing on the cake but the chances of our being on island are very slim. Our traveling days are pretty much over. It is very difficult for Ted to get around. However, there is always hope and a slim chance so we will take it a step at a time! And if not in person there are always photos. We send our love and prayers knowing that our beloved church with all the wonderful people who attend and support it is in good hands. In Christ’s Name, Sarah Eastman
DECEMBER 2017
The Anchor
Back Page Spirituality - A Very English Poet Her brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, is a famous artist who helped establish the PreRaphaelite movement in painting. The depiction of his equally famous sister is to the left. In the Church of England, her contribution to religious poetry has been officially recognised by her having a Feast Day in her name each year on 27th April. Perhaps Christina Rossetti's best known work is a poem entitled Remember. It was very movingly read by the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales at her funeral in 1996.
Christina Rossetti is maybe not the best known of England's Victorian poets, but many will have heard (or sung) her poems! She was born in 1830 and lived for 64 years. During that time she wrote the words to 'In The Bleak Midwinter', set to music by Gustav Holst to become a well-loved Christmas carol. She was a devote Anglican and many of her works have religious themes. She wrote a series of poems on Advent and one of her better known is on the subject of Christmas, which has recently been set to music. Love Came Down at Christmas:
Remember
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign.
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you plann'd: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.
Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine; Worship we our Jesus, But wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token, Love be yours and love be mine, Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.
BestSeller Book Club Monday, 15th January Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger The well-loved coming of age classic. It's not just a book for teenagers, and well worth a re-read!
Monday, 12th February Shadow of Lions by Christopher Swan A literary thriller by this debut novelist. The author will be present at the book club meeting!
Monday, 29th January Autumn by Zadie Smith A story about aging and time and love. The first of a seasonal quartet exploring who are we and what are we made of.
Monday, 26th February When Breath becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi A doctor's memoir about battling metastatic lung cancer which was published posthumously.
Dates and books for March and April 2018 will be announced at the beginning of February. Any book suggestions welcome!
Images: Taken by Philip Trangmar and many others. All are copyrighted. Published by: Le Société d’Eglise Anglicane,Gustavia, St Barth 97133
People Bishop: The Rt Revd Errol Brooks, Bishop of the NE Caribbean & Aruba Priest-in-Charge: The Revd Terrence Rawlins, St Martin Tel: +1 721 553 8199 Email: angsxm@yahoo.com Parish Administrator & Lay Reader: Philip Trangmar Tel: 0690 54 17 99 Email: info.stbartholomews@gmail.com Church Wardens: Marjorie Romney, Trinette Wellesley-Wesley and Dr Richard Lester Vestry: The Wardens, Clarion Romney, Dawn Drouant, Lloyd Younger, Nancy Swann, Alex Harbord and Philip Trangmar Music Director: Ombeline Collin