The Carillon Caroline Episcopal Church, Setauket, NY - Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket
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May/June/July 2022
Caroline Episcopal Church, Setauket, NY Volume 1, Issue 3
The Carillon
A MESSAGE FROM MOTHER COOPER
In his book The Way of Love, Bishop Michael Curry tells a story
from another book, Tuesdays with Maury. It is a parable in which
the author’s mentor, Maury, who is dying of ALS, tells him on one of
their weekly get-togethers.
“There once was a wave bobbing along in the ocean having a
grand old time, … till one day he noticed what was happening to the
other waves in front of him. They were crashing against the shore.
‘My God, this is terrible,’ the wave said, ‘Look what’s going to happen
to me.’ Then another wave came along and said, ‘why do you look so
sad?’ The first wave replied ‘you don’t understand, we’re all going to
crash. All of us waves are going to be nothing.’ But the other wave
responded, ‘No, you don’t understand! You’re not a wave, you’re part
of the ocean’.”
Often, interim times are for us moments in which we, like the
wave in our story, see the shore getting close. “We’re going to crash,”
we may think, “and 300 years of history will come to an end here
with us!” But in the meantime, when our focus returns to day to day
life, we reconnect with what it means to be part of the ocean. Our
building and grounds are tended. Offices are re-organized. Children
are taught Christian ways. New leaders emerge from our ranks. The
sick are visited and held in prayer, and above all, we gather together
and connect with God. In other words, our life in Christ goes on.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Sixteen months ago, when I arrived, it had been more than a
year since I had been in a church with other folks. All our services in
Ossining, NY, had been Morning Prayer, pre-recorded by the Friday Farewell Mother Cooper .... 2
before our Sunday service. So, the first time I preached here (on Ash Laetare Sunday .................. 3
Wednesday), while wearing a mask, I thought “OMG, I’m going to A Holy Week Journey ....... 4
swallow this thing!” But time passed, you were kind, and slowly I Easter Egg Hunt ................ 5
learned to breathe again, even with a mask.
Vestry Highlights .............. 6
And now I think that my learning to breathe is a bit of a meta-
Committee Highlights ...... 6
phor for our time together; for we met, were startled by our differ-
ences, and then eventually began to breathe together. Why? Well, Kalina Mrmevska .............. 7
for my part, it was because I realized that I was not a single wave, nor Camp DeWolfe’s History .. 7
were you. We were not separate, but together we are part of an Calendar (Upcoming) ....... 8
ocean, God’s church. The Tricentennial Tree ..... 10
And now I am leaving and I will miss you. But just as I will now What is the Holy Spirit ..... 10
begin my next chapter, so will you. God has known all along who will
Climbing Jacob’s Ladder .. 12
come here next to lead you and pretty soon we all shall know too.
And I will pray for that person as I will pray for you. Thank you for Diocesan News .................. 13
your kindness and remember… you and Caroline Church are more The Bulletin Board ........... 14
than passing waves… you are a part of the ocean.
Faithfully, Cooper+
FAREWELL TO MOTHER COOPER
PARISHIONERS OF CAROLINE CHURCH
On June 26th, 2022, the parishioners of Almost immediately upon her arrival, Mother
Caroline Church will say farewell to Reverend J. Cooper captivated the Caroline congregation with
Cooper Conway. Mother Cooper came to Caroline her unassuming leadership style. While she has
in February 2021 as interim priest-in-charge after only been at Caroline Church fifteen short months,
our beloved rector, Canon Richard Visconti, her indelible influence has broadened our worship
announced his retirement. As an interim, Mother style by introducing new practices that will
Cooper was responsible for guiding the hopefully continue long after she leaves.
congregation and preparing the way for new
Who can forget last spring’s tea at the rectory, the
leadership, a process that would take
celebration of Gaudete and Laetare Sunday with
approximately fifteen months. The congregation
trumpets, cellists and poetry, her turning the altar
was anxious to meet the ebullient Mother Cooper.
to face congregation during Advent and Lent, the
With her iconic grey mane, Mother Cooper was a
interview with St Nicholas, Taizé music, the hybrid
mix of contemporary episcopal grace & a dash of
Christmas Eve mass due to her contracting
1960’s counterculture. Would Mother Cooper be a
COVID-19 during Christmas week, the foot wash-
good fit for our congregation? We would soon find
ing on Maundy Thursday and her singing of the
out.
Great Litany during Advent and Easter? With a
The role of an interim priest is to work with the self-effacing presence she was a change agent,
vestry to provide stability and leadership until a paving the way for a new priest who would no
permanent replacement can be found. An interim doubt have unique ideas and a style of his or her
should provide a loving, calming presence to a own.
congregation that may be uncertain and anxious
So, now it is time to say goodbye, farewell, adieu,
about its future. An interim priest seeks to prepare
vaya con Dios. Thank you for your guidance, your
the way for new leadership and to help separate
patience, and your love.
the congregation from its previous leadership as it
begins the contemplative practice of searching for “When someone is in your life for a reason, it is
a new spiritual leader. Mother Cooper was all usually to meet a need you expressed outwardly
that and more. or inwardly. They have come to assist you
through a difficulty; to provide you with
Before coming to Caroline, Mother Cooper and her
guidance and support; to aid you physically,
husband Peter Madison split their time between
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like
their condo in Jersey City and their summer home
a godsend, and they are. They are there for the
in the Adirondacks. A native New Yorker, Mother
reason you need them to be there. Then,
Cooper attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart
without any wrongdoing on your part or at an
in New York City and graduated from Webster
inconvenient time, this person will say or do
College in Missouri with a BA in acting. Mother
something to bring the relationship to an end.
Cooper studied at the Culinary Institute of
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk
America before being called to ministry at age 49.
away. Sometimes they act up or out and force
In 1995, she entered the General Theological
you to take a stand. What we must realize is
Seminary, the oldest continuing operating
that our need has been met, and their work is
seminary in the Anglican Communion and the first
done. The prayer you sent up has been
seminary founded by the Episcopal Church. She
answered and it is now time to move on.”
was ordained in 1998 in the Episcopal diocese of
~ Denise Forney, Talent Director at Anthem, Inc.
Newark, N.J. and has served the people of
Newark, N.J., and New York for twenty-four years. Thank you, Mother Cooper.
We will never forget you.
2
LAETARE SUNDAY - 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT
On March 27th, Caroline Church celebrated Laetare
Sunday (Mothering Sunday). Laetare Sunday, the
fourth Sunday of Lent, is celebrated by most Roman
Catholic and Anglican churches, and by some
Protestant denominations, particularly those
with Latin liturgical traditions such as Lutherans.
Laetare means “rejoice” – in the Latin text. On
Laetare Sunday (as with the Gaudete Sunday, third
Sunday of Advent) the Church expresses hope and joy
in the middle of Lenten fasts and penances. In place
of a bare altar and purple vestments, pink flowers
decorate the altar and pink vestments are worn by the
priest.
At Caroline, Laetare Sunday was celebrated at the
9:30 am service and included poetry and classical
music. Four poems were read, followed by a music
selection, each in a minor key to provide the
congregation time to reflect on the soulful message of
each poem. The selections were:
Learning to Breathe Underwater
by Carol Bialock, RSCJ; read by Angela Sacco
Gymnopedie, No. 1 by Erik Satie
Carol Huston, organ and Benjamin Tsai, Cello
Ash Wednesday
by T.S. Eliot; read by Bruce Lockerbie
Aria from Suite Antique by John Rutter
Carole Huston, organ
The Place Where We Are Right
by Yehuda Amachai; read by Peter Madison
Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone
Carole Huston, organ and Benjamin Tsai, cello
Inscription on a French Wayside Cross
by Anonymous; read by Ginny Apmann
Devil’s Trill Sonata (1st mvmt) by Giuseppe Tartini
Benjamin Tsai, cello
Thank you to our readers and musicians for making
this fourth Sunday in Lent so special. It was truly a
time for meditating on the sacrifice that Jesus Christ
made for all humanity.
Photos courtesy of Gillian Winters
3
A JOURNEY THROUGH HOLY WEEK
BY ANGELA SACCO
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed! At the end of the service, the lights were slowly
dimmed until the congregants sat in total
On Sunday, April 17th, 2022, we celebrated the darkness. It was quiet. It was still. It was
resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. dramatic. We sat in total darkness knowing that
As a member of the choir, I was singing at both the next day Christ would be crucified on a cross
the 8:00 am and 10:00 am services. As I entered for our sins.
the narthex in the early morning, I paused to take
in the stillness of the empty church. The familiar April 15th, Good Friday. The most solemn day
scent of candle wax wafted through the air, and I of the Christian calendar. The foundation of our
took a deep breath, letting the scent fill me. This faith was set as Christ carried His cross along the
Easter was special to me. It was the first time that Via Dolorosa to Golgotha. No music. Bare altar.
I attended services each day of Holy Week and I John’s Passion was read and again we listened to
was surprised at how personal each day turned the story of Christ’s death. Mother Cooper talked
out to be. I became an extra in Jesus’ story, about the apostles thinking that Jesus is really
experiencing each moment as He would, while gone. What would it be like without a world with
anticipating what the next fateful day would Jesus? It is a day for meditation and
reveal. introspection.
April 10th, Palm Sunday. What better way to April 16th, Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil at
begin Holy Week then with the story of Jesus 7 p.m. We entered the church in silence, our
entering Jerusalem on a colt, adored by crowds as candles casting long shadows on each other.
they lay palms at His feet? I could hear Mother Cooper sang the Exultet. The chant is
“Hosannas” sung as Jesus fulfilled the ancient ancient, and calming. Then, with little warning,
prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. At the lights are turned on, candles are lit on the
Caroline, the congregation, including our Sunday altar on and the congregation rings bells! Christ is
school students, met on the slype for the blessing risen! Glory, to God in the Highest!
of the palms and sang All Glory God and Honor as
we proceeded to the front of the church. The April 17th, Easter Sunday. Trumpets blare.
church was empty except for the altar which was The choir enters singing “Hallelujah! Christ is
draped in red – the color of Palm Sunday, Risen!” The altar is returned to its eastward facing
signifying Christ’s blood. Luke’s Passion was read, position and decorated with pink and white
and we listened to the familiar story of Jesus flowers. Candles are lit and the plain pottery cup
celebrating the Passover with his disciples, his is replaced by a silver chalice. Mother Cooper
arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, his trials with preached on Mary Magdalene discovering Christ’s
Pontius Pilate and Herod, his crucifixion by Rome empty tomb and not understanding why his body
and ultimately, his resurrection. was gone. Mary did not yet understand the prom-
ise of scripture that Jesus would be resurrected.
April 14th, Maundy Thursday. My favorite We prayed for the people. We prayed for those
service in the episcopal liturgy. Mother Cooper who are sick and for those who are suffering. We
reenacted Jesus washing the feet of the apostles. prayed for the people of Ukraine. During
As she washed and dried the feet of four communion, the common cup was offered again
parishioners, I was struck by how oddly intimate a after a long hiatus due to COVID. Our blessed
simple foot washing ceremony could be. It was congregation is together celebrating the joy of
uncomfortable for me to see the leader of our Christ’s resurrection!
church humbling herself, but that is Christ’s
message, isn’t it? Peter, who said to him, “Lord, This Easter season I experienced, in one short
are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, week, the joy and sorrow of Jesus’ life. It was an
“You do not know what I am doing, but later you intimate journey – full of personal reflection,
will understand. Peter said to him, ‘You will never meditation, and prayer. I hope to take this journey
wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash every Holy Week for in my travels I became closer
you, you have no share with me.” to God. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
4
EASTER EGG HUNT & HAT CONTEST
BY VIRGINIA CASH
Caroline’s annual Easter egg hunt & hat contest
held on April 16th was a tremendous success!
Over 85 adults and children attended the event.
1,300+ eggs (including a rare golden egg) were
hidden throughout the church grounds. Children
and adults used their best detective skills to find
each egg.
The rare golden egg was found by Derek and
Connie Hampson’s great grandsons –
four-year-old twins, Charles, and Theodore.
For their efforts, the twins won an Easter basket
overflowing with chocolates and toys. The
children happily shared the prize, and walked
away with the basket held aloft between them.
A big thank you to our sixth-grade class and
supervisors, Stacey Spata and Duy Nguyen
who patiently and lovingly filled each egg with
assorted candy, stickers and mini bouncing
balls.
Our Easter Bonnet contest was won by
kindergartener, Giovanna Sabatino for her
creative and inspiring hat design. Giovanna
also won an Easter basket filled with chocolate
and toys and led the children in the Easter
parade.
Our vestry was well represented by
Nick Amato (Jr. Warden), Bruce Cash
(Treasurer) and Jackie Hull (c0-chairperson
of the membership committee). Gabriele
Burner, a community member, blessed us
with her face-painting skills, Nick and Serena
Spata staffed the food tables and Chris and
Kristy Marksberry supervised the bubble
making, chalk, stencils, jump-rope and hula
hoop activities.
Thank you to all who helped make this event a
success and mark your calendars for next year’s
big day, on April 8th, 2023!
Faithfully,
Virginia Cash, Church School Director
Photos courtesy of Virginia Cash & Jackie Hull
5
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
Rector Search MEMBERSHIP & MARKETING
The Vestry is delighted to report that the Office of Parents’ Coffee Hour on April 3rd was a
Transition Ministry Conference resulted in four success! We enjoyed hosting & meeting all of
candidates submitting their materials to Caroline the Sunday School parents. It was lovely of
Church. The discernment process has been in Mother Cooper to share the rectory with us for
motion since the beginning of May and many hours coffee hour after church.
of work still lie ahead. On behalf of the Vestry,
We continue to enjoy our membership in the
I ask for your continued prayers and support as we
Three Village Chamber of Commerce.
all continue on this searching journey.
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 16th was
~ Barbara Russell, Sr. Warden
advertised on their website and newsletter
Sign-Up to Host Coffee Hour! which reaches all of the Three Village
Coffee Hour is back, and we need hosts! If you community. As a result we saw several smiling
would like to sign up to host on a Sunday, please new faces at our event.
contact the office at office@carolinechurch.net. We continue our collaboration with the 300th
Into The Twentieth Century Anniversary Committee for advertising this
monumental event.
The Historic and Cultural Artifacts Commission is
opening the third exhibit in the series, "Caroline We have been working on signage for Caroline
History." This exhibit is titled, "Into the Episcopal Church to make sure our community
Twentieth Century" and will debut in the History is aware of our treasure (both the building and
Center on May 29th, 2022. Artifacts and the people). We will be replacing/refinishing
memorabilia from noted parishioners are on Episcopal Church signs with the help of the
display and historic events are chronicled. Join us National Church. We will be painting the posts
in celebrating during coffee hour on May 29th. of our beautiful red signs on the Village Green
and along the fence. Landscaping / flowers will
enhance the beauty of these signs.
~Jackie Hull, Membership Committee Leader
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
After almost twenty years, the parish office
received new office furniture, with the
invaluable guidance of vestry member
Sue Rydzeski. Quotes are being received for
the Rookery and Rectory renovations.
WORSHIP & CHOIR
The Caroline Choir is looking for
vocalists. If you are interested in joining
please contact Kalina Mrmveska at
kalinamrmveska@yahoo.com.
Rehearsals are on Sunday's prior to 9:30 a.m.
service and one evening during the week.
6
SPOTLIGHT: KALINA MRMEVSKA
Meet our organist and choir
director Kalina Mrmevska!
A native of North Macedonia,
Kalina has been hailed as an
award winning “artist with a
clear vivid wisdom.”
Kalina Mrmevska made her
debut at the age of nine,
winning first prizes in
Photo and caption courtesy of Jennifer Bettsworth,
Macedonian and Yugoslavian competitions. At NYS Park & Recreation, Historic Services Division
eighteen, she represented Macedonia at the Euro-
pean Broadcasting Union’s Eurovision contest for CAMP DEWOLFE’S
young musicians, performing at Warsaw
Philharmonic Hall in Poland. Kalina completed
75TH ANNIVERSARY
her Doctoral of Musical Arts in piano performance Many of you saw the announcement of Camp
at Stony Brook University, under the mentorship DeWolfe’s 75th anniversary and some of you spent
of renowned pianist Gilbert Kalish. time there as a camper, or at a retreat, or possibly
Mrmevska has performed as a recitalist, chamber one of the workdays when volunteers would
musician and orchestra soloist around the globe. spruce up the place. The story of the present
Her recent engagements have included solo and Benson House building overlooking Long Island
chamber music recitals in the United States and Sound has a history prior to Camp DeWolfe.
Spain, and a European tour (Germany, Hungary, Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Austria, and Macedonia) of the piano-cello due on May 4, 2018, the Wading River Radio Station is
Art Vanguard which she co-founded. significant in military history for its covert use as
an FBI radio transmission station between 1942
As a humanitarian activist, Kalina was chosen to and 1945.
be the first Child Consul for the First Children’s
Embassy in the World-Megjashi in the Republic of In 1941, the FBI took steps to establish a secret
North Macedonia. A nongovernmental radio station on Long Island in Suffolk County.
organization instrumental in rescuing thousands A tale of intrigue and double agents, the radio
of children put at risk by the Balkan wars. operators impersonated German agents to collect
valuable information regarding the advancement
Kalina is an active teaching artist and educator.
of the U.S. in atomic research. The station was
At Stony Brook University, she coached individual
involved in the Operation “Bodyguard” which used
piano students and the undergraduate chamber
counterintelligence to confuse and mislead the
music ensembles. She taught undergraduate
Nazi government about the Allied invasion of
courses in the history of music and theory as an
Europe. The radio station also participated in
adjunct faculty and was the assistant to the
“Bluebird,” a deceptive operation to convince the
Director of the Children and Adult programs at
Japanese that American forces planned to invade
the Community Music Program.
Formosa and the south coast of China.
At Caroline Church, Kalina is instrumental in
selecting hymns & anthems in the Episcopal After the transmission station was closed, the
tradition and has performed during Gaudete Episcopal Diocese of Long Island purchased the
Sunday, and Christmas Eve mass along with other property where it is now Camp DeWolfe, a retreat
solo performers from Stony Brook University. center and summer camp. The property is listed
at the national level of significance.
7
SUNDAY
UPCOMING MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRIDAY SATURDAY
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Easter VI 5:00pm 12:00pm 9:30am
Instructed Healing Service Caregiver
Rogation Sunday Holy Eucharist Support
1:00pm Bible
8:00am (Rite II) (Students)
< MAY >
Study via Zoom 5:00pm
9:30am (Rite II) Holy Eucharist
(live-stream)
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
Easter VII 12:00pm 5:00pm
Healing Service Holy Eucharist
8:00am (Rite II)
9:30am (Rite II) 1:00pm Bible
(live-stream) Study via Zoom
“Into The 20th
Century” Coffee Hour
JUNE >
at the History Center
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Pentecost 12:00pm 8:30am
Healing Service Brotherhood of
(with special Preservation St. Andrew
Hall Style Music) 1:00pm Bible
Study via Zoom 9:30am
8:00am (Rite II) Caregiver
Baptisms of Support
Raelyn & Kailo Aamri
5:00pm
9:30am (Rite II) Holy Eucharist
First Holy Communion
(live-stream)
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
1st Sunday 5:30pm Time TBD 12:00pm
after Pentecost DAR Potluck Quartet Healing Service
Salonnières
7:00pm 1:00pm Bible
8:00am (Rite II) chamber music
Vestry Study via Zoom
performance
9:30am (Rite II) Meeting
Baptisms of Johanna
Farmer & Adam Austin Jr.
(live-stream)
Teachers’ Appreciation
Day Coffee Hour
11:30am-12:30pm
Setauket Presbyterian
Church fellowship picnic
8
SUNDAY
EVENTS
MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRIDAY SATURDAY
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2nd Sunday 7:00pm 12:00pm 5:00pm
after Pentecost Grief Support Healing Service Holy Eucharist
Group
1:00pm Bible
Juneteenth
Study via Zoom
(with guest speaker,
Canon Claire Woodley)
8:00am (Rite II)
9:30am (Rite II)
(live-stream)
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3rd Sunday 12:00pm 5:00pm
after Pentecost Healing Service Holy Eucharist
1:00pm Bible
8:00am (Rite II)
Study via Zoom
9:30am (Rite II)
JULY >
(live-stream)
2022 Town Hall
Mother Cooper’s
Farewell Brunch
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4th Sunday 12:00pm 8:30am
after Pentecost Healing Service Brotherhood of
St. Andrew
1:00pm Bible
8:00am (Rite II)
Study via Zoom 9:30am
9:30am (Rite II)
Caregiver Support
(live-stream)
5:00pm
Holy Eucharist
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
5th Sunday 12:00pm 5:00pm
after Pentecost Healing Service Holy Eucharist
1:00pm Bible
8:00am (Rite II)
Study via Zoom
9:30am (Rite II)
(live-stream)
17 **The events for the following July dates are TBD**
6th Sunday
after Pentecost
8:00am (Rite II)
9:30am (Rite II)
(live-stream)
9
THE TRICENTENNIAL TREE
BY CATHY MINUSE
The Tricentennial Tree was planted in December
2021 in the Frank Melville Park next to the church.
In 2023, we will dedicate the tree which was
donated by the church for planting in the Park to
commemorate this milestone in our history.
The Park is connected to Caroline by more than
geographic proximity.
The Melville family has a longstanding connection
to Caroline, underwriting the mid-twentieth
century restoration of the church in memory of
Frank Melville. His son, Ward Melville, was a
member of the vestry at Caroline and his legacy
lives on at the church, as it does throughout the
Three Villages. In addition, when the church was
organized in 1723, services were held in a barn
building along the creek that ran north from the
Setauket mill dam. The remains of that barn were
moved and are still standing along the west side of
the horseshoe path in the Park.
The tree is a sugar maple (Acer saccharum) which
is native to eastern Canada and the eastern United
States. It is the state tree of New York. A long lived
tree (coincidentally, about 300 years), it grows up
to 75 feet high and 50 feet wide and is known for
vivid leaves in the fall and for maple syrup. The
wood is hard and strong and used for furniture,
flooring, musical instruments, and baseball bats.
The hole for the tree was dug and prepared prior to
the planting under the supervision of Tim Smith,
grandson of the Marco C. Smith for whom our
church school, meeting, and office building is
named. Alexander Smith (great-grandson of Marco
C. Smith) and crew from Old Field Landscaping
planted the tree, which had been selected by Park
Trustee Haig Seferian. Park Trustee Robert Reuter
was also present for the planting. The tree is
protected from deer damage with a wire cage
around the trunk and the tree is staked to keep it
straight until it is established.
The Tricentennial Tree is located near the path to
the Red Barn (Hap’s Barn). It will become a
significant presence in the Park and a testament to Photo submitted by Cathy Minuse
Caroline Church’s presence in the community.
10WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT STIRRING IN YOU?
BY GINNY APMANN
I wanted to share the meditation in Forward Day It is time for us to re-build our lives here at
By Day from April 5, 2022. It was written by a Caroline. We are winding down from our “search”
young man who is a lay minister, serving as for a new rector, someone new, with new ideas to
Director of Youth Ministries. He works at an challenge us and rebuild our congregation. We will
Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi. And he be saying farewell to Mother Cooper Conway and
disclosed he is half Japanese and half African wishing her God speed in her retirement. We have
American. The meditation is taken from 1 been blessed by her presence as our Interim
Corinthians 14:26, “What should be done, then my Priest.
friends? When you come together, each one has a
So why did I share this meditation with you? It
hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an inter-
speaks to some new ideas and things that some of
pretation. Let all things be done for building up.”
you have never heard of - tongues, prophetic
Patrick writes, “The image of worship that Paul words, maybe thinking about the third person of
describes has not been my experience in most the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Yes, these things do
Episcopal churches. On Sunday morning, I enter a happen in some Episcopal churches and other
sanctuary that is mostly silent. A grand organ faith traditions and they have happened at certain
prelude opens worship, and the clergy and times over the years at Caroline Church.
acolytes process with precise liturgical
I am writing to say that we need to be open to the
movements. I hear from one person a sermon that
challenges of the “new” in the days ahead. We
invites self-reflection.
often cannot expect things to remain the same,
Before I became a part of the Episcopal tradition, I time moves so fast these days. Change is good, and
attended churches where people spoke in tongues I offer my witness to the changes in my life over
alongside the lessons from the lectern and the the years as I have grown in my spiritual life. As
choir’s hymns. There were prophets in the pews - Patrick says, “What could the people sitting next
and revelations by regular folks. to me in the pew offer that would build up the
kingdom of God.” Each of us is needed to build up
Sometimes I miss the days when I did not know
the body of Christ, especially the people in the
what to expect. Some Sundays, I wonder what God
pews - admittedly us laity forget that we are
and the Holy Spirit might be stirring up. What
equally as needed as the, “apostles, prophets,
revelations and prophecies lie in wait in the people
evangelists, pastors, teachers. We help equip the
sitting next to me? What could they offer that
saints for the work of ministry, for the building up
would further the building up of the kingdom of
of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12). “What is
God? Moving Forward: What is the Holy Spirit
the Holy Spirit stirring up in you?”
stirring in you?”
Stop and ask me to share my story with you, I
“Let all things be done for building up.” Yes, it has
would love to share what our Lord has been doing
been a challenging few years here at Caroline
in my life.
Church. Our rector, Canon Richard Visconti has
retired and moved on with his life. We have been In His service,
cocooned in our homes by the world-wide Ginny Apmann
pandemic of COVID-19, but we are beginning to
emerge from our cocoons, some into a new and
different world faced by “new” challenges.
11ARE YOU CLIMBING JACOB’S LADDER?
A SERMON BY MOTHER COOPER
As Jacob with travel was weary one day; “Rabbi,” he says; “you are the son of God!
at night on a stone for a pillow he lay; You are the king of Israel!”
he saw in a vision a ladder so high;
Now, it is important to note that at that time, “son
that its foot was on earth and its top in the sky.
of God,” was term which indicated that a person
“Alleluia to Jesus who died on the tree had a close relationship to God (not that Jesus was
and has raised up a ladder of mercy for me. the second person of the Trinity). And “the king of
and has raised up a ladder of mercy for me.” Israel,” was a political term which referred to a
person / a leader who would bring Israel out of
Today in John’s gospel, we meet, for the first time,
their state of subjugation to other nations, and
the apostle named Nathaniel. And what do we
back to their historic height of strength under
learn about this man? Well first we realize he is a
King David.
friend of Philip’s (Philip being one of the first
three disciples to be called by Jesus, along with “Alleluia to Jesus who died on the tree;
Peter and Andrew), because Philip brings and has raised up a ladder of mercy for me”
Nathaniel to Jesus.
And with this moment of astounded recognition
We then learn that Nathaniel has a bit of an edge, hanging in the air— Jesus says, “do you believe
for when Philip declares to him, “we have found because I told you that I saw you under the fig
the Messiah…Jesus, the son of Joseph from tree? You will see heaven open and the angels of
Nazareth.” Nathaniel does not respond with God ascending and descending upon the Son of
excitement, but rather exclaims, “Nazareth…can Man.”
anything good come from there?” You see being
Now, the term “Son of Man” would certainly
from Canaan himself, Nathaniel knows the
indicate a human nature, but for those who were
neighboring town Nazareth and he is not
well-versed in the scripture writings of Jesus’ time,
impressed!
it would also bring up an image from the book of
Further, we know from Jesus’ words, when he sees David where we are told “one like the son of Man”
Nathaniel that Jesus perceives him as a) “a true enters an apocalyptic vision and is placed before
Israelite” b) “who has no guile.” So as a result of God and given “authority, glory, and sovereign
this initial meeting, we learn that Nathaniel is part power.”
of a network local to Jesus, that he has a bit of an
So Jesus claims those things which Nathaniel has
edge, that he is true to his country, and that he
perceived and he does him one better, by saying,
speaks his mind. So basically, Nathaniel is “good
“you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
timber” for discipleship, albeit a bit rough around
ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
the edges. And so, the conversation begins.
In other words, Nathaniel’s on the right track but
Jesus (as I mentioned) hails Nathaniel. “Here
he doesn’t get the half of it. John is letting us
comes an honest man, a true son of Israel.” But
know—Jesus is more than close to God, Jesus is
Nathaniel (not wishing to be too familiar)
more than a political figure. Jesus is Jacob’s
responds, “where did you get to know me?” Not
ladder, the inheritance of God’s people, the bridge
exactly the most auspicious start. But Jesus,
between God and humanity.
unruffled, replies simply, “I saw you under the fig
tree before Philip called you.” And with that sim- You remember Jacob, don’t you? Isaac’s second
ple yet mysterious statement, (as Jan Rippentroff son, the one who cheated his brother Esau of his
describes it) “something snaps into focus for birthright and then fled the tribe he was to rule for
Nathaniel,” who immediately identifies two things fear of Esau’s wrath? Remember the first night
about Jesus which he had not seen before. when he escaped that fate?
Sermon continues on page 13
12SERMON CONTINUED... DIOCESAN NEWS
ARE YOU CLIMBING JACOB’S LADDER? THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRIES OF LONG ISLAND
That night, he had a dream and that dream there Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
was a ladder to heaven with angels ascending and
In my Easter homily, I reflected on the story of
descending from earth to heaven and heaven to
Jesus walking with His disciples on the road to
earth. And then upon waking, Jacob “exclaimed
Emmaus shortly after His resurrection. Christ
in terror,” that “this is none other than the house
walked alongside His disciples as they grieved.
of God. This is the gate of heaven.” Jacob’s
Even as their faith was weak and their spirits
ladder, the inheritance of God’s people, the bridge
broken, He walked with them. As we seek to
between God and humanity.
emerge from this period of isolation, loss, and
And as we continue our journey through The Path, injustice, we too may feel broken. But we can
we see again how the Hebrew Scripture and our learn much from the disciples in this story: they
New Testament are intertwined…deeply related. recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread.
We see how our familiar stories have blossomed
We are called to be an Easter people. Across our
from the leaves and green twigs of God’s first
diocese, you and your fellow parishioners are
approach to our forebearers, the Hebrew people.
indeed walking with Christ, breaking bread with
So, this week, let’s remember the mystery of how the broken, and strengthening your love for God
God speaks: in nature, in scripture, in visions. and God’s children in service to each other. This
Let’s not be like Nathaniel who judged a book by past year, the ministries supported by Episcopal
its cover. But if by chance we do…let us rest Ministries of Long Island have recorded upwards
assured that God (our triune friend) will make his of 30 thousand volunteer hours and have
presence felt and if we are lucky, we like Nathaniel distributed over 80 thousand meals. Even in this
will wake up and follow him. Amen. uncertain time, you have been a church that feeds
the hungry, clothes the naked, and shelters the
unhoused. Thank you.
Still, the challenge of uplifting the inherit dignity
of each person across Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau,
and Suffolk and protecting our shared, sacred
earth is far too great to bear alone. Episcopal
Ministries of Long Island gives us the opportunity
to share knowledge and resources so that we can
effectively respond to the injustices that surround
us. The Episcopal Ministries Annual Appeal
is our yearly call to invest in the life-giving work of
those leading ministries from the Brooklyn Bridge
to Montauk Point. We have set a diocesan
goal to raise $100,000 by June 19, 2022. If
you have the financial means to ensure that these
ministries grow and flourish, I ask you to give
generously to the Episcopal Ministries Annual
Appeal. Your investment brings the love of Christ
beyond the walls of your own church and helps us
be the Easter people Christ calls us to be.
Blessings,
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island
The Ladders to Heaven at Bath Abbey
13THE BULLETIN BOARD
First Holy
Communion Quartet Salonnières
is scheduled for Sunday, will be performing
June 5th, 9:30am chamber music
for us on June 16th!
Acclaimed for their spirited, engaging
Join us for and highly original performances,
New York City-based Quartet
Pentecost Sunday Salonnières is devoted to performance
June 5th, featuring practices of the baroque through
special Preservation Hall contemporary time periods.
Style Music! (see photo below)
You’re
invited to
Mother
Cooper’s
Farewell
Brunch
Sunday,
June 26th
after 9:30am
service
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