Suddenly, Last Summer

I have posted some shots of our visit to the Kennedy Space center at Cape Canaveral.

Over the water you can faintly see the storied launch pads 39b (on the left) and 39a.

Note the chain link fence and the sign in the middle distance: I provide a close up of that sign with the next picture.

Suddenly, Last Summer part 2

Here is a close up of that sign by the water.

This just seemed like such a Florida thing…

Suddenly, Last Summer part 3

In the distance you can see the vehicle assembly building (VAB in NASA lingo).

This where the rockets are put together. It is hard to appreciate how massive this building is without getting close (believe it or not, it is far distant here).

According to Wikipedia, it is the eighth largest building in the world by area: 129,428,000 cu ft

The buses take you right past this gargantuan structure, and you barely take it all in.

Suddenly, Last summer part 4

The family unit at NASA. Above their heads is a mighty Saturn V rocket,

the launch vehicle that sent our astronauts to the moon.

Suddenly, Last summer part 5

Here I am (the rector) trying my hand at a selfie—

With a spectacular lack of success, obviously.

My son looks on patiently…

The Bishop is in the house

After Easter, Bishop Hendy came for his annual Episcopal Visitation.

Here you can see him after the service, comfortably ensconced in a group of hungry parishioners as we tuck into wonderful lunch provided by many willing hands.

The day before, we also hosted a number of visiting clergy as we held a regional clericus for Western New York.Below, I have included a few shots from the day’s festivities.

Clericus

Diocesan clergy periodically join together in gatherings called a clericus. Since most of the dicoese is in New England, this typically means a long drive for those of us residing out in western New York. This year, we were blessed with the opportunity to host one of these meeting for us far flung clergy, and the bishop and other diocesan officials, graciously made the trip out to Webster.

Here you get a glimpse of us deep in deliberations (I trust).

You will notice in these pictures that many clergy are wearing wearing a cassock. This ancient garment for the clergy is sort of the unofficial uniform for these occasions.

Clericus 2

Of course, clericus is not all work and earnest discussion.

It wouldn’t be an Anglican event without snacks.

Clericus 3

Here we are posing for the inevitable group shot at the end of a service.

Our rector is on the far left. To his left (and in front) is Fr. Ed Ihde, our area dean and former priest in charge. And in the middle is the Bishop (you can just barely see the red of his chimere).

Welcome Happy Morning

As in the ancient church, we celebrated a baptism as a part of our Easter liturgy this year.

In this picture you can see the catechumen and sponsors in the back of the church (where the baptismal font is located)

Easter 2

Here is our Baptism font.

It’s hard to get a sense of scale from a picture like this, but it is quite impressive in person. The font is made of marble and is quite tall and very heavy You cannot budge it an inch which makes me wonder how they got it into the church building in the first place.

When we’re using for a baptism, the top slides open using that brass handle you see.

The Long Good Friday

Here is the altar before the Good Friday liturgy.

This is a very solemn time in our church year, for this is the night we remember Christ’s crucifixion.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6)

Below I have included a couple of different shots to show you what was happening.

Good Friday 2

Looking over the shoulder of some of the congregation during the Good Friday Liturgy

This is one of only two days in the church year when the liturgical color is black (All Souls’ Day is the other one).

In the far right side of the picture, you can just barely make out the webcam we use to stream our services

Good Friday 3

Processing in at the start of he service

Here the priest is seen bearing the reserved sacrament. We bring it back from the altar of repose at the start of this service.

in the night in which he was betrayed…

At the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy,

the altar stands stripped and desolate

Note the black veil on the cross and that the tabernacle is open and empty: the revered sacrament has been removed to an altar of repose

The quiet before the storm

Here is our alter vested in white before the Maundy Thursday service.

This is a very moving service in which the altar and sanctuary are stripped of all their ornaments, and the priest scrubs the altar, symbolizing the act of preparing Christ’s body for burial. Note the white fabric on the cross: this will be replaced by black at the end of the service.

Ashes to Ashes

A quiet, reverential moment: here is our altar after the Ash Wednesday service. Lent returns and we contemplate our sin, our mortality, our need of God.

Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return

Synod and things

At the end of October, our diocese gathered for its annual synod. The rigors of travel do not get any easier over the years, but it is wonderful to get a chance to see all our friends from around the diocese. May the Lord bless His church and guide us in His ways.

Please pray for our parish, our diocese (the Diocese of the Northeast), the Anglican Church in America, and Christ’s whole universal church. We face great challenges in our world today, but His grace will be ever with us. Let us be about His business.

Here you see Bishop Webb in a light hearted moment while preparing for the installation ceremony (pictured below)

Another bishop takes the reigns

At Synod this year, Alexander Henderson Webb was installed and enthroned as the bishop ordinary of the Diocese of the Northeast.

You can see the new bishop in the middle of the group standing before the altar rail. Seated before them is the outgoing bishop: Brian Marsh. Standing to the right of Bishop Webb is our new Archdeacon, The Ven. Merrill Perkins

Pictured here is the Investiture when the new bishop is given staff, ring, and mitre.

The service took place at Trinity Anglican Church in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Start of a new Ministry

This was taken during the recessional at the end of the installation and enthronement service. This many clergy make for a long processional and recessional...

In the foreground, at the right of the picture, you can see our area dean, The Very Rev. Edward Ihde.

Back a ways, and to the left, is our rector, clutching a yellow folder.

[Rector’s note: if you look closely, you will see that i am staring upward. I imagine I was looking at the large gallery they have at the back of the church where the musicians were ensconced. The music was lovely: in addition to the organist, they had soloists and a trumpeter.]

Blacktop Jungle

After almost 30 years of faithful service, our parking lot finally got a much needed facelift

Thanks be to God for the opportunity to get this long awaited maintenance done. Our lot has not only been completely resurfaced (and repainted), but we also took care of some drainage issues.

We were also blessed with a spate of mild weather in October so we were able to to get this job done before the winter season.

schooldays

Our newly renovated Sunday school room.

Many thanks to all who worked to revitalize this space. We had a special service to bless this space and rededicate it to the Lord’s use. One of the prayers contains the beautiful line asking God to:

Fill those who shall frequent it with a spirit of love towards Thee, and towards all men. Within these walls make all thoughts and words to be only those of love and kindness,

Schooldays Part II

Another view of the renovated Sunday school room that shows this inviting little corner.

You can see some student art work, and some cubbyholes with an array of games and toys educational tools

May the little hands that use these be blessed and grow to know and love our Lord ever more deeply.

Summer hiatus I

St. Paul’s Anglican Church: our son’s parish and our home away from home in central Florida.

Looking at all these sun-drenched palms is bound to inspire some wistful regret as our skies darken and the snows blow in.

Summer Hiatus II

Family grouping in front of the altar at St. Paul’s

They have a lovely, spacious sanctuary, and (very important in Florida) they enjoy reliable air conditioning (our rector works very hard on not coveting this during our visit).

Summer Hiatus III

Our rector caught in a moment of levity outside St. Paul’s

Maybe it’s the heat…

Summer Hiatus IV

The rector’s family enjoy a quiet moment

This is one of our favorite spots in Melbourne (besides the beach of course).

Happy anniversary

In June we celebrated 45 years of worshiping at our Bay Rd location.

To mark the occasion, we held service outside under a large tent. After the service we converted the tent to a dining room and enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch with lots of games for the young and energetic.

In this shot you are looking over the left hand side of the congregation: you can dimly see the altar and altar party in the front.

More anniversary

Let us go forth in the name of Christ!

Here is the start of the recessional at the end of the service.

This image gives you some idea of the height of the tent .

anniversary again again

Coming out of the rear of the tent at the end of the recessional.

Shortly after this shot was taken, the tranquility of a Sunday morning was broken with a mad flurry of activity:

tables were set out, a buffet was organized, and hungry parishioners converted our sanctuary to a dining room in record time.

It was a fine day

One last shot of our anniversary celebration.

Our rector succumbs to a moment of exuberance before the service.

Sign of the Times

Our street sign got an upgrade: the lovely white cross on top.

Hopefully this symbol of our hope in Christ will catch the eye of a passing motorist or two.

Welcome happy morning

Communion on Easter Morning

Alleluia, Alleluia The Lord is Risen!

The lord is risen indeed! Alleluia, Alleluia

Ashes to Ashes

A quiet, reverential moment: here is our altar after the Ash Wednesday service. Lent returns and we contemplate our sin, our mortality, our need of God.

Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return

Operation Christmas Child

This is a wonderful ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that reaches many with the light of Christ and a bit of holiday joy.

Here is a completed shoe box at the end of our annual drive (see below for a picture of our kickoff).

Our boxes went to South Africa and Columbia

Many Hands

Some volunteers pack shoe boxes on the final weekend of our drive.

Thank you to everyone who helped out or donated

Synod

This year, synod was hosted by the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Charlestown, New Hampshire.

This picture was taken at the end of the Synod Mass.

It’s a bit like a wedding; whatever clergy are standing about at the end get herded into a photo op.

Synod, Synod

The less glamorous side of a Synod.

Fr. Tom struggles with some technology problems in a wayside diner

More Synod

A meeting of ecclesiastical minds. Here our outgoing bishop, Brian Marsh (with mitre and crozier), speaks with Hendy Webb, our incoming bishop.

You can also see canon Monroe behind Bishop Marsh and Dean Perkins behind Bishop Webb

Autumn splendor

This tree is next to our parking lot, and it looked particularly fine of one sunny, autumn Sunday.

This shows you the sort of beautiful fall weather we are blessed with in our area.

It Begins

Here is our rector and Alison his wife at the kickoff for Operation Christmas Child.

This is a fantastic ministry run by Samaritan’s Purse.

Over the next weeks we will be collecting gifts to pack in these boxes which will be sent to children around the world. Through this ministry children who would otherwise not get any Christmas presents, will receive a wonderful box of surprises for Christmas. And the best part is that we aren’t just giving material possessions, for these gifts come as part of a larger program of evangelism that shines the light of Christ into every corner of the globe.

Lawn Care

To celebrate our annual fall picnic, we held our service outside on our beautiful lawn.

Here is the tent set up for worship (before we later transformed our church into a dining room so we could dig into all the wonderful food people brought)

God blessed us with beautiful late summer/ early fall weather, and I think our neighbors enjoyed seeing us worship.

Lawn Care

Some of us are here taking care of a few last minute details

before the service starts.

Lawn Care

Here’s a shot of us as we were eating.

The young and enthusiastic among us also enjoyed various sports and games..

On the links

We went out one night for a spirited match of miniature golf. We played at Parkside Whispering Pines which claims to be “The Oldest Mini-Golf Course in the USA.” It was a muggy July evening, but up near the lake, we had refreshing cool breezes, and we enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship. Here is a rare quiet moment on the course: I am pleased to say that there were a number of ardent golfers on the course when we were there. It is somehow comforting to think people still have time for simple pleasures like miniature golf.

On the links

Here we are gathering after the rigors of our match.

I’m not at liberty to say who won, but a good time was had by all.

Border Patrol

On Rogation Sunday, there is a very old tradition in the English church of “beating the bounds” of the parish by processing around the boundary lines. When parishes were districts and not just a building, this could help people remember their boundaries, and it also helps us to be thankful for all that God has given us.

Here is the rector walking the boundary of our property with the youngest parishioner.

Lord of the Harvest

On Rogation Sunday we take time to thank God for His merciful provision and pray to Him that our labors may be fruitful and that our harvests may be abundant.

We also take the time to ask God to bless our grounds. Fortunately, we had nice weather this year, Hear are some us out in the grounds after our rather abbreviated procession

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord

Here is the start of our Rogation Day procession as we head out the front of the church at the end of the service. We are praying the Litany at this point.

Gift Registry

Our parish enthusiastically participates in Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child program.

This program blesses many by sharing the love of Christ through proclaiming his gospel and giving Christmas presents to those who cannot afford them.

A family in the Dominican Republic wrote to me, thanking us for the gifts, and sending me these photos to share with you.

This young man is modelling some of the swag we sent in our gift box.

[If you scroll down the page far enough you will see some pictures of us packing gift boxes in a previous year.]

Gift Registry

This is what our gift looks like

Once it has been unpacked and laid out in its new home in the Dominican Republic.

Confirmation

The bishop and our clergy with the confirmands

We give thanks for those who have committed themselves to Christ and untied to His church.

May the Lord bless and guide those who were confirmed that they may deepen in the knowledge and love of the Lord, and that they would ever dwell in Him and He in them

Ordination

It takes a village church to make a priest

Bishop Webb, Fr. Ihde, and Fr. Stone lay their hands on David Coir as he is blessed and set apart for the office of priest.

Ordination

After his ordination,our newly made priest, Fr. Coir,

Performs his first duty: getting the snacks served!

Ordination

The Altar party gathers for prayer before the service

Sustainability part I

Holy Cross becomes a proud supporter of the International Anglican Fellowship

The Very Reverend Edward H. Ihde presents our rector, Fr. Tom Stone, with a plaque recognizing our parish as a sustaining member of the IAF. In addition to serving as our area dean, Fr. Ihde is the Executive Director of the International Anglican Fellowship, a ministry that helps Anglicans throughout the world.

Sustainability Part II

Fr. Stone just realized the full gravity of the situation

Wait—we have to give them money now?

Going to the Wall

Repairing and repainting the front wall

That’s our alter buried under all the scaffolding, sheeting, and drop cloths

Going to the wall again

Closeup of Bill applying some final touches

The Water damage started right there at the edge of the ceiling

They Do

Teaghan and our Deacon, David, getting married

The service was heldp at St. David’s, DeWitt NY

(many thanks for their gracious hospitality)

It’s a Marriage now

Fr. Stone with Teaghan and David after the ceremony

(and their smiles still look great even after enduring a barrage of photographs)

Wedded Bliss

Alison and Fr. Stone at the scene of the recent nuptials

When its time to relax….

Here’s an even better picture of Alison while we were down in Florida visiting our son.

Vacation agrees with her—I guess we’ll have to go again.

Self-Portrait

The rector and wife at a favorite spot while in Florida on Vacation.

Yes—we committed the offense of giving the world another selfie—

perhaps the bishop can give me some kind of dispensation.

Bright idea

How many Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb….

Our recent field day and men’s lunch. Here some of the men of the parish are shedding light on the sacristy

Over the Wall

The completed mural in our Sunday School room

Tea and Sympathy

Some of our St. Martha’s Guild members enjoying a lovely tea

Good food, delightful conversation: that’s the way to do meetings.

Oh to be in Rochester now that spring is here

I think our region often does not get credit for all its good weather

Here is a beautiful spring day in late April:

The grass is green, the sky is blue, and our nectarine tree shows off its blossoms

But it was not to last…

Oh to be in Rochester now that spring is here (part II)

The other side of spring in Western New York:

This is the same scene two days later.

Our once proud tree now shivering under its burden of snow

Cake Walk

Some Covid safe refreshments on Easter.

It was so nice catching up with our friends who could return to church because of the inoculations.

Meet and Greet

Social distancing does not mean we cannot be friendly

Alison, the rector’s wife, ready to greet visitors on Easter morning.

He is risen

The altar on Easter morning as we greet His triumph over the grave.

The darkness is over and now we dwell in the light. The paschal candle is lit for 40 days (until the feast of the Ascension) representing Christ’s presence with his disciples until he ascended to His father in heaven.

A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me

~John 16:16

The Altar of repose. We remove the consecrated sacrament to represent Christ being taken from his disciples. Sometimes a vigil is kept. This can be an incredible experience of prayer, meditation, and spiritual growth.

So, could you not watch with me one hour? ~ Matthew 26:40

on the night in which he was betrayed…

After the Maundy Thursday service and the stripping of the altar

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. ~John 13:34

Going to the wall

Work in progress:

The new mural in our Sunday school room.

The Theme is the days of creation

Oh Come all Ye Faithful

Our new nativity scene.

This is facing Bay Road which gets a fair amount of traffic.

With our newly painted and illuminated cross, this will scene will hopefully remind passersby that there is a reason for hope, even when things look their darkest.

I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.~ Isaiah 49:6

Give Church a Cookie…

Here are some of the delicious cookies on sale now at our annual cookie sale

Thank you St. Martha’s Guild for your hard work and devotion—-

and all the delightful baked goods

Put on a happy face

Work continues on the front of the church. This shot shows you our now vibrant gold cross and the newly cleaned, brisk white facade

Best Face Forward

We are sprucing up the front of the church a bit. We are painting the cross and installing a new light above it. With the new light shining on it, we hope this cross (and our church building) will serve as a beacon of hope to many in these dark days.

Sign and drive

Our new sign:

The old one gave in to age, decay, and the salt from the snowplow.

Look for us when you are heading down Bay Rd.

Sign and Cosign

A few of us braved the virus to join in the blessing of our new sign

Don’t be a stranger

Travel during Covid 19 has become a strange ordeal.

Fr. Stone and Alison enjoy the sights at Skaneateles this summer.

Breath of Fresh Air

On the Second Sunday after Trinity (June 21) we celebrated our return to holding services in person by conducting our service outside.

We had lovely weather, and the organ music came through the front door very nicely. Some of our neighbors even stopped to watch for a bit.

Going out on a limb

Practicing social distancing, Wendy gets some work done in our garden. She told me she was smiling behind her mask.

Veni Creator Spiritus

Our altar flowers for Pentecost. The reds, yellows, and orange are meant to represent the descent of the Holy Spirit on this day and they also reflect the liturgical color for this feast.

Alison particularly liked the birds of paradise.

On a clear day….

Caught up in the general air of celebration, the family and I headed out to chimney bluffs over the Memorial Day weekend.

It was exciting (and a little frightening) to see so many people out and about. The weather was perfect, and I don’t recall ever see lake Ontario look so clear. If it weren’t for the trees, you might almost think this picture was taken off the coast of Florida.

Ashes to Ashes

A quiet, reverential moment: here is our altar after the Ash Wednesday service. Lent returns and we contemplate our sin, our mortality, our need of God.

Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return

Wax Works

Here are some candles waiting to be blessed during our Candlemas service. This is a traditional name for what our prayer book terms The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. May the light of Christ fill our hearts

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.~John 1:5

Sign of the time

Here is a shot of our sign for our Christmas services taken wile here is still snow on the ground. Please join us if you can. we have a delightful lessons and carols service at 3:00and Holy Communion at 4:30. At least you don’t have to worry about driving in bad weather as it is supposed to warm up for Christmas.

Sign and Drive

Another shot of the sign showing more of the surroundings and our beautiful church front. This is what you would see driving down Bay rd.

Meat and Greet

Sharing some good food and heavy conversation at our annual meeting.

The Gang’s All Here

The women who made the cookie sale happen.. Thank you St. Martha’s Guild for contributing to the parish, enriching the community, and giving us yummy baked goods.

Cookies Crumble

Some of the cookies featured at the St. Martha’s cookie sale.

Cookies Crumble Again

As an old gamer, I had to show these cookies: they are the shapes from Tetris if you remember that game.

Sidewalk Art

Here’s our new sidewalk. It held up even with all our rain today—no flooding. Great job everybody, and thank you all for your help.

Fire Sale

Since we are neighbors with a fire station (and our parish has supported the Fire District), our rector and his wife visited the West Webster Fire District open house. We had a great time, and it was nice to meet the men and women who so gallantly serve our community. Here Fr. Stone imagines what his life would have been like if he had grown up to be a fireman instead.

Fire Sale Part II

Alison tries her hand at the same rig.

Sidewalk prophets

Our senior warden gets up close and personal with the concrete.

Where the sidewalk ends

Another view of the work being done.

Where the sidewalk ends

Repairing our old and sagging sidewalk. This way you won’t have to tread through a soggy mess to get to our door.

Show Biz

Hanging out on the edge of the shoot. Those young actors must have been tired of smiling by the time the day was done.

Show Biz

The grounds of Holy Cross recently had a (very small) part in a John Hancock Life Insurance commercial. During a passing thunderstorm, everyone was forced to take shelter inside the church. In the commercial, a couple is getting married here, and in this picture, you can see the cast and crew waiting out the storm: we decided to pose like a real wedding picture (if you look hard, yo ucan just barely see father Stone behind the bride’s head).

The final frontier

We finally made it to the Kennedy Space Center. Here Father Stone and son get the feel of a Gemini capsule.

More Vacation

Alison in a quiet moment at the hotel.

vacation

Sunrise on the beach

Vacation

The rector’s family went to Florida this summer to visit family. Here is the view from our hotel window

Installation ceremony

Homemade strawberry shortcakes at the reception

Installation ceremony

Fr. Stone prays for himself and us as he begins his new ministry among us.

Installation ceremony

The bishop installing Fr. Stone as rector.

Installation ceremony

Our Senior Warden, Gerald Quenell, giving the keys of the parish to our new rector