THE ANCHOR NEWSLETTER
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
ST BARTHOLOMEW’S ANGLICAN CHURCH ST BARTS, FWI
ANCHOR’S AWEIGH! Welcome to the January & February 2016 edition of The Anchor – our parish bulletin to help keep you anchored to St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church. We hope you enjoy reading it, whether you are on St Barts or elsewhere in the world! Our 1885 Appeal to refurbish the Church and Vicarage was successfully launched in February 2015 – and we have managed to raise our target €430,000. The fund is still open for donations and you can read an update about the Appeal on page 3. The Anchor also contains details of all that is happening in early 2016, our ongoing feature on other churches with the name St Bartholomew’s, as well as details of new visiting priests. Events coming up include a piano recital by an island friend, Marianne Kilday Wyman (see page 2), a workshop led by Dean Alan Jones (see page 4), as well as Scrabble & Croquet, and, of course, our Book Club when we share a convivial glass and a, not too erudite, discussion on the chosen book. All this is in addition to our regular Church groups and services! We like to offer our island community, residents (full and part-time) and visitors alike, a number of different opportunities to spend spiritual time with us, as well as other fun events. If our readers have any suggestions of what they would like to do, see or hear at their church – please drop us a line! Do contact us if you would like to receive The Anchor each month by email: info.stbartholomews@gmail.com
Parish Letter
Weekly Groups & Services
There is always wonderful sense of community when we welcome back familiar friends at this time of year. It is enjoyable to renew old acquaintances, and it never seems like 12 months since we were last together.
Sunday Eucharist 9 – 10am Sundays A contemporary service, filled with music and prayer
Taizé Service 7 – 7.30pm Tuesdays
And it is also very special to see many new faces in our Church. It is a testament to the spiritualty of St Bartholomew’s, built up over the past 15+ years, that we continue to have such a flourishing congregation. Sadly this is not always the case in churches across the globe.
Contemplative music and candles in the Church
Spirituality Group 10 – 11am Wednesdays A topical discussion group – all newcomers welcome
I think it is largely due to what we have on offer at our small island church – that is, an always-open door (both spiritually and literally), welcoming, valuing and respecting tradition, as well as our differences. We also place great importance on joy in our Church; and this is perhaps best exemplified by our Music Ministry. We were so fortunate to have had Charles Darden & Shirley Dern play for us – and they are much missed (it will be 3 years this February since Charles’ untimely passing). Now we continue to be blessed by our current musical talent – Ombeline and Michael, and not forgetting Lloyd! Please do take the time after the service to thank them for all their hard work, as well as the joy that they bring to each and every one of us.
Meditation Group 7 – 8pm Thursdays A bilingual group, with a focus on tranquil reflection
Morning Prayer 9 – 9.30am Fridays An informal prayer service, held in the Church Centre Editor & Parish Administrator: Philip Trangmar Phone: 0690 54 17 99 Email: info.stbartholomews@gmail.com Website: www.stbartholomewsanglicanchurch.com
Inside this issue Page 2 – A History of St Bart’s: about a church not the island! Page 2 – Forthcoming Events: in January and February 2016 Page 3 – Clergy Corner: new visiting priests Page 3 – The 1855 Fund: an update on our Appeal Page 4 – Back Page Spirituality: Your God Is Too Small
1 2 3
2
Forthcoming Events Monday, 25th January 6pm – Piano Recital Marianne Kilday Wyman, a regular island visitor, will perform a free classical concert in the Church, with refreshments served afterwards.
Saturday, 30th January 4pm – Games in the Garden Back by popular demand, we will be holding a Croquet and Scrabble tournament. All levels are welcome and drinks will be served to aid play!
Sunday, 7th February 9am – Celebration Mass Our Sunday Service with the Very Revd Alan Jones celebrating and La Chorale singing, followed by drinks and canapés served in the garden.
A History of St Bart’s – a church not our island! St Bartholomew’s Church, on the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street in New York City, has a very interesting greeting: “Welcome to St Bart’s – the church not the island”! The Early Years St Bart’s Church in New York began its life as part of the Evangelical movement in the Episcopal Church in the early 1830’s worshiping at Lafayette Street in the East Village. At first growth was slow, but by 1872 (17 years after our own Church was built), the parish was prosperous enough to build the first St Bart’s church at the corner of Madison Avenue and 44th Street. Interestingly, it was designed by the same architect as St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral on 5th Ave, as well as an entrance created by Stanford White.
Wednesday, 10th Feb 12.15pm – The Ash Wednesday Service The Imposition of the Ashes marks the start of the Lenten journey. The service lasts 30 minutes.
Bestseller Book Club Monday, 1st February Dead Wake by Erik Larsson The true story of the sinking of the Lusitania during World War One, and how it affected the United States. Monday, 8th February The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Written from 5 different perspectives, a missionary and his family go to Africa with surprising consequences. Monday, 22nd February Zone of Interest by Marin Amis Set in Germany in the 1940s, it crafts together the horror of those times with black humour and romance. The dates and books for March and April 2016 will be announced at the beginning of February. Any book suggestions welcome!
The 1960s Well into the 1960s, St. Bart’s had one of the largest congregations in the Episcopal Church across the whole of New York City. As its neighbourhood changed from primarily residential to corporate and commercial, the parish increasingly reached out among the local community and non-church members. Their music ministry included public concerts, and St Bartholomew’s took the lead in Midtown by beginning a substantial ministry to the poor in the surrounding area.
Monday, 8th to Friday, 12th February at 10am A Retreat in Daily Life Dean Alan Jones will lead a daily retreat/workshop over five mornings on the subject – Your God Is Too Small (see page 4)
The current St Bart’s on Park Ave in Midtown
Litigation Sadly, the history of St Bart’s then becomes better know for litigious rather than religious reasons! The old Madison Ave St Bart’s
Immigration The first Rector, David H. Green, encouraged the parish to become a major force for social welfare in the city. During the immigration of the late 19th century, St. Bart’s church ministered to large numbers of new arrivals, whom were living in cramped accommodation and poverty in the tenements of East Village. A New Church However, over time serious structural problems developed in the Madison Ave building, so the parish commissioned a new church to be built on Park Avenue between 50th and 51st streets, St. Bart's current home. In 1918, the parish moved into the new building, which was built in a Romanesque style and they took with them the Stanford White entrance! The interior was décorated with mosaics in the Byzantine style, which are still in place today. Young Professionals In the 1920s, as the neighbourhood changed, immigration slowed and tenements gave way to apartment houses and offices. During Rector Robert Norwood’s tenure (1925–32), a poet and dynamic preacher, large crowds came to the church week after week as he ministered to the growing number of young professionals arriving in the city.
In 1981 a real estate developer offered a plan to build an office tower on the site of the adjacent community house, ensuring a financial endowment for the church's mission and maintenance. Conflict developed within the parish, and between the church and the city, over the designated landmark status of the building, as well as ‘air rights’. In the ensuing years of battle, St Bart’s became synonymous with the issues between a religious community and the historic preservation movement; and with various legal and constitutional questions. The case tortuously worked its way, over eleven years, to the Supreme Court! Unfortunately, the congregation paid a heavy price for this court battle, and more than half the membership left and the financial problems deepened. (cont’d overleaf)
The magnificent Byzantine Interior of St Bart’s
4 1 2 3 5
3
Clergy Corner – getting to know our new visitors We are very fortunate to have an interesting group of clergy willing to help minister our congregation. During Father Charlie’s 12-month sabbatical, we will have a number of new visiting priests. In January and February these include: The Revd Tom Synan from Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, MA, is actually not new to St Barts, as he has visited on several occasions with his friend Canon Steve Huber (who is unable to join us this year, as he is leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land). However, this will be Father Tom’s first time of celebrating with us.
Yellow Labrador, Lucy. His duties now include ministering in the midst of five college and university campuses, including Smith College and the University of Massachusetts. The Revd Alison Turner comes to us from the United States, although she was originally ordained in England.
Revd Alison was the Priest Vicar at Exeter Cathedral, a magnificent gothic building which was built in 1400, whilst also the headmistress for nine years at Exeter Junior School, one of the leading independent prep schools in SouthWest England. After time spent working as bank loan officer and as an attorney, he was called to the church. Father Tom was Associate Rector at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City for 13 years, where he oversaw their outreach program, worship life, and pastoral care. He was then called to be the Rector at Amherst, where he enjoys the more relaxed surroundings with his
A History of St Bart’s NYC
(cont’d)
An Island Connection During this difficult period the Rector was the Revd Tom Bowers. Interestingly, Father Tom also used to visit our island and was an integral part of the visiting clergy programme, celebrating mass at our Church for many years. Moving Forward In 1994 the church engaged a new Rector, and made a commitment to growing St Bartholomew’s congregation, and in restoring and preserving its landmark buildings. The new Rector was the Revd William ‘Billy’ Tully, and he led the church’s resurgence over the next 18 years. He was followed by the Rev ‘Buddy’ Stallings who has recently retired as Rector. Buddy Stallings is a wellknown figure in New York, and had a large, regular following for his services held at St Bart’s. A Vibrant Parish Since the late 1990’s, the church has focussed on offering a wide, nondiscriminatory worship; and attendance has increased and allowed St Bart’s to become, once again, a vibrant and growing parish.
Her husband, the Revd Canon Carl Turner, was recently appointed Rector at St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 5th Avenue, NY, so she has now made New York her home. Revd Alison is also a dog lover and enjoys walking her Cairn Terrier, Bertie, daily in Central Park. Please join us in making sure our visiting clergy feel at home during their stay on the island. Community Outreach St Bart’s New York not only uses the church for its sacred function and mission, but also offers the local community a wide range of art and cultural programmes, such as theatre and concerts. A fine example is the St Bart’s Players, a community theatre group founded in 1927, which includes David Salyers as one of its members, who has been a guest pianist in our own Church from time to time. St Bart’s soup kitchen serves over 50,000 meals a year to the needy, and its food bank provides the ingredients for many more. The women’s shelter is a rare commodity in an otherwise corporate district, as are its fine public gardens and a top class café/restaurant.
The 1855 Appeal It is 12 months since we launched the 1855 Appeal to raise €430,000 to fund the largest refurbishment of our Church since it was built over 160 years ago. It is a real testament to the affection & support for the Church that we have managed to reach our target. A big thank you to all our contributors. We are keeping the Fund open so you may still donate, if you have not done so already – these additional funds will be used to cover any cost over-runs and to continue to keep the buildings in good condition in the future. As you may recall, the refurbishment will include a new shingle roof; repairing and repainting the inside walls and celling; repairing and replacing the woodwork in the front sanctuary and floor; updating the electrics; and adding a new sound amplification and recording system. The Vestry has given a lot of thought regarding the pews. Having spent much time looking at possible replacements, and also listening to the views of many of our congregation, it was finally decided that we would keep the original pews. However, improvements will be made so that the seat will be deeper and more comfortable, with the addition of new matching cushions. On the exterior, we will be repairing the shutters and the stone work, as well as re-laying the paths around the church. We have also decided to give the garden a much needed uplift, as many areas have become bare and in need of re-planting. If you would like to help support this initiative, do please contact Philip Trangmar. The Vicarage is also being upgraded and, with the help of a number of our parishioners, we have come up with some minor changes that will improve the space for our visiting priests. These include extending the outside terrace and a small extension to the main bedroom (see the plan below). We will also be adding shingles to the roof, in keeping with our other two church buildings.
A Warm Welcome So now you know you will get a warm welcome – both on St Barts, the island and at St Bart’s Church in Manhattan! The works are scheduled to start in July and during the Summer we will have our Sunday Service in the Church Centre. We will be in need of accommodation for our visiting priests in July and August, while the vicarage is being refurbished. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please speak with Philip.
Jan/Feb 2016
The Anchor
Back Page Spirituality – Your God Is Too Small Join us for a 5-day morning retreat at St Bartholomew’s in February Introduction In February, for the start of Lent, we are very fortunate to have the Very Reverend Dr Alan Jones leading a ‘Retreat in Daily Life’. This will take the form of a retreat/workshop looking at and discussing the statement: Your God Is Too Small. As the Dean puts it himself, perhaps this retreat may be a way of “igniting the adventure of becoming human.” Dates and timing The retreat will start on Monday 8th February through to Friday 12th, from 10am to 12noon. It is hoped that retreatants might then find some time, later in the day, to reflect in their own quiet space on what they have heard during the morning session. You are encouraged to join us for the full 5 days; but if you are only able to come for one or two sessions that is fine also. Please let us know in advance if you think you might be interested, so that we can manage numbers.
The Dean may help us answer the question: “How big is our God?”
Background The title of the retreat is taken from a book written by J.B. Phillips over 60 years ago. The book has stood the test of time, such that it is still as relevant today (perhaps even more so!) as when it was first written. It is not necessary to have read the book to join the retreat, nor to bring it along. All that is required is an open and flexible mind! Stale thinking The Dean writes: “There’s a lot of stale thinking about religion. I don’t blame us. The trouble is, there’s something very comforting about this staleness. It closes us off from the new and the unknown and we easily get used to the smell – and this goes just as much for unbelievers and believers. I think the staleness is the by-product of a smallness of mind, even a meanness of spirit, which we embrace to shield us from what seems to be a dangerous kind of knowledge – not the knowledge of ‘stuff’ but the kind of knowledge that demands transformation and change; the kind of knowledge that not only answers our questions but questions our answers. But we live in a culture that prefers unthinking certainties to the struggle and promise of ever-deepening mystery. What we fail to understand is that the very thing we fear is a kind of holy restlessness. Isaac Bashevis Singer points out that ‘Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of nonknowledge’.” God’s personalities The retreat will go through the many possible personalities of God listed in the book, such as the Resident Policeman; the Parental Hangover; the Grand Old Man; Meek-and-Mild; Absolute Perfection; and the Heavenly Bosom; as well as many more! As the Dean states, “When I was 21, growing up in England and reading the book for the first time, I thought it contained unreal gods ... They are still around and we could, given our own times and culture, add to this list!” Dean Alan is also likely to draw on other literary masterpieces, such as Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables: “It is suggested that the two gods of two different Christianities can be seen clearly in Les Miz – there is Jean Val Jean’s compassionate lover and then there’s Javert’s avenging judge.” Without doubt, Father Alan will lead the group down an intriguing path from which to start our spiritual journey for Lent.
Donations: We are an entirely self-funded church and dependent on your generosity and regular giving. Do please talk to one of the Church’s leadership about how to most effectively support the Church or make a donation to the 1885 Appeal. Donations to our US Non-profit are tax deductible for US tax payers.
Images and thanks: Thanks to Mandie Vere Nicoll, Philip Trangmar, and others for the use of their photographs. All are copyrighted. Also thanks to the St Bart’s Church, NYC web site for their useful history on the church and their photos (www.stbarts.org).
Published by: L’Association d’Eglise Anglicane, Gustavia, St Barth 97133, FWI
US Non-profit 501(c)(3): The Friends of St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Chairman: Bill Barrett Secretary: Ann Green Address: P.O. Box 6199, Fair Haven, New Jersey 07704, United States Tel: (from the US) 1-732-741-1500 Email: anncwgreen@aol.com
SBH Prayer Chain St Bartholomew’s has a prayer chain to offer the support of prayer for those in need. If you think this may be helpful for you or someone you know; or if you wish to join our prayer chain and include such people in your own prayers, please send an email to this address: prayer.stbartholomews@gmail.com
AA Group Meetings Open Meetings in English are held every Tuesday and Friday at 6pm in the Church Centre. Meetings at other times can also be arranged. Please telephone ahead to make sure a meeting will be taking place. For more information call: 0690 65 61 22 or 0690 54 17 99.
Bishop: The Rt Revd Errol Brooks, Bishop of the N.E. Caribbean & Aruba Vicar: The Revd Charlie Vere Nicoll Parish Administrator: Philip Trangmar Tel: 0690 54 17 99 info.stbartholomews@gmail.com Parish Office: Mondays, Wednesday & Fridays 9am to 12noon Church Wardens: Marjorie Romney, Trinette Wellesley-Wesley and Rachel Barrett-Trangmar Vestry: The Wardens, Clarion Romney, Dawn Drouant, Lloyd Younger, Nancy Swann, Dr Richard Lester and Philip Trangmar Treasurer: Alex Harbord Music Director: Ombeline Collin