Joyful Celebrations Made in Vermont Episcopal Style

The Book of Common Prayer is truly a remarkable book.  In our church, you can easily see the spines broken at the well-worn Holy Eucharist sections.  Yet some of the most moving services for worship are rarely accessed simply because the need is so rare.  In this issue, each of the featured churches presented a unique opportunity to share one of these special moments of worship. St. Michael’s Church in Brattleboro celebrated the consecration of their new chapel.  St. John’s in Randolph celebrated a New Season of Ministry with an unusual twist.  And St. Barnabas Church in Norwich enjoyed the distinction of hosting an ordination of a priest. While the Book of Common Prayer offers a template for any kind of worship service, it is through the Spirit within a parish that makes each special occasion unique and beautiful.

St. Michael's Church, Brattleboro

St. Michael’s Church in Brattleboro, not surprisingly, has a penchant for consecrating new additions on Michaelmas, including its first gift the baptismal font as well as this most recent addition of the new chapel—The Chapel of Mary Magdalene the First Apostle.  The church itself was built in 1857 on a site several miles south of its current location. One hundred years later, the church was picked up off its foundations and moved to the corner of Putney and Bradley. It took three days to make the move, effectively cutting off all Route 5 traffic.  This was no small inconvenience in those days before the interstate! A visitor to Brattleboro may wonder at the move considering the prime location it had in town (where Keybank now stands).  But it was precisely for that reason that the move was made. The parish in Brattleboro evolved out of the community at Christ Church in Guilford. With the advent of the railway to Brattleboro in the mid 1850’s, most of the congregation migrated to the larger town and abandoned Christ Church—the oldest Episcopal church building in Vermont. (You may recall from an earlier issue that St. James, Arlington is in fact the oldest Episcopal parish in Vermont, but their church was not built until 1829, some twelve years after Christ Church.) The Webb family wanted to buy the building to move it to Shelburne to add to their museum.  But the people of Guilford mounted an effort to preserve the building and the sale fell through.  

images at St. Michael's in Brattleboro

Today, Christ Church is owned and maintained by the Christ Church Guilford Society and is used primarily for concerts and civic events.  Since the church was never deconsecrated, it is still used on occasion for Episcopal services like weddings and civil unions. Meanwhile, back in Brattleboro, with the no-sale of Christ Church and realizing the commercial value of the property upon which St. Michael’s sat, in 1953 the congregation voted to sell the land under St. Michael’s and move the church. The proceeds from that sale paid for the move and allowed for the educational part of the building to be added in 1962.

The consecration of the Chapel of Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle

2011 began a new chapter in the life of St. Michael’s parish.  Having completed a discernment process, they called the Rev. Mary Lindquist as their rector. As often happens with transitions of this nature, the parish was infused with new energy and vivacity. The buildings needed significant renovations including making it accessible with ramps and an elevator, new restroom facilities, changes in the chancel and sanctuary, among other needs. But one of the great gifts of this renovation project was the addition of the Chapel of Mary Magdalene the First Apostle. The chapel was made possible by a special gift in order to provide St. Michael’s with a space for contemplative prayer. They offer a Contemplative Worship service on Thursday early evenings and a centering prayer practice on Saturday mornings.  The Saturday Centering Prayer program offers training for newcomers to the practice. The space in the chapel, while small in area, is bright and open and simple in its furnishings. The entire outer wall is of glass to allow for natural lighting and a connection to the world outside. There is a lovely oval shaped altar simply constructed of shimmering pale wood. Votive candles are strategically placed about the room in effort to aid in the meditative atmosphere. During the celebratory consecration service (on Michaelmas weekend), the new chapel was made Holy by the Bishop and by every member of the congregation. As the congregation processed out of the church and around to the chapel entrance, the choir maintained a chant to inspire deep reverence and contemplation.  Each congregant received a taper and was encouraged to light it and say a prayer and add that prayer to all the others.  When all the prayers and candles were lit, the chapel was aglow with the golden beauty of Spiritual grace.  The service for the consecration of a chapel in the prayer book denotes a procession to the dedicated space, but it is only in the enacting that the true Spirit breathes its blessings into the endeavor.

St. John's Church, Randolph, VT

Such is the case with the next two special services in this essay.  St. John’s in Randolph has just completed a discernment process and call for new clergy. Most of the time, these Celebration of New Ministry services are to install a new priest or celebrate a new program.  In the case of St. John’s, there is a slight twist to this. You see, the people of St. John’s have called Deacon Susan Taylor to serve the parish.  Susan is fresh and new having just graduated from the Episcopal Divinity School with a Master’s of Divinity in May.  Eight days after her graduation, she was ordained as a transitional deacon (transitioning into the priesthood). Her zest for combining her artistic talents with spirituality attracted the attention of the parish in Randolph.  They recognized that Susan’s creativity combined with her firmly grounded relationship with Christ offers the parish an inspired outlook for their future together.  With the Celebration of a New Ministry service, the congregation and the deacon have demonstrated that they will see this transition out together.  In December, Susan will be ordained a priest and St. John’s will have a new rector.

images at St. John's, Randolph

The community at St. John’s has strong connections with the greater Randolph community.  For the past two years, the Diocese of Vermont has held its Ministry Expo in the spring at St. John’s in Randolph because of the good relationship they have with their neighbors.  Certainly, there is not enough room at St. John’s itself for all the workshops and number of participants.  But because they have solid community ties, they are able to add venues from both Bethany Church and Dubois and King.  St. John’s also participates in the Randolph Ecumenical Emergency Council on Housing.  REECH was the special recipient of the offering taken during the New Season of Ministry service in September. As the name suggests, REECH addresses emergency shelter issues in the area, but the organization is also connected with the Randolph Area Food Shelf.  As part of an ecumenical relief effort, REECH and RAFS are both outreach endeavors to which St. John’s has ties.

St. Barnabas Church, Norwich, VT

St. Barnabas Church in Norwich recently hosted another kind of special celebratory worship service when Todd McKee was ordained as a priest. One typically thinks of a cathedral or large church as the venue for such a service.  

the reception of Rev. Todd McKee's ordination

But a small church like St. Barnabas brings a rich flavor to the service that can only come through an intimate relationship with the candidate.  St. Barnabas received Todd’s service during his time as a transitional deacon and both parties benefited from the relationship, which is evidence by the choice of St. Barnabas as the venue for the ordination. The ordination of a priest is one of the more spiritually all-inclusive services in the Book of Common Prayer. It is the gathered people that wills the individual to be ordained, and the gathered people who accept the responsibility of upholding the ordinand in his ministry. It’s a powerful moment.  Equally powerful is the moment when the ordinand accepts the roles and responsibilities of a priest.  In a small, local church, this is particularly poignant because these are the people, these hardworking ordinary folk who struggle with day-to-day reconciliation with God, with whom the new priest will minister.

images at St. Barnabas, Norwich

And St. Barnabas is that kind of small, local church that struggles to survive, yet hungers for a deeper relationship with Christ.  Yet this small congregation presses on regardless of its struggles—whatever they might be.  The mindset is not unexpected—that they shall not be defeated by challenges and difficulties.  As long as there is a congregation, they will continue in God’s work for them.  It’s very admirable.  And the results are apparent.  They have a small solar array in their backyard that has not only cut their energy costs, but expresses their understanding that good stewardship and care of God’s creation means using resources appropriately as with renewable energy sources. They have a community garden planted beneath that solar garden that provides locally grown produce for the church and the community food shelf.  They reach out to others in the way that they can, and the struggles of life do not impede their progress.  Spirituality and its myriad expressions are also important in their work as God’s children. In exploring other ways of meditating and being in relationship with God, the congregation at St. Barnabas discovered the significance of the labyrinth. So they built one in the side yard of the church. Anyone can visit at any time to walk the labyrinth and benefit from its meditative and restorative powers.

A book like our church’s prayer book is a wonder of structured worship.  But the true marvel comes in the style of implementing each service. Each congregation offers its own interpretation and gives its own color and flavor to the event.  And in the Diocese of Vermont, these special kinds of services have a wealth of spiritual truth!

When Tension Fulfills Abundance

St. Paul's Church, White River Junction

A mere fifteen miles separate St. Paul’s Church in White River Junction and St. James’ Church in Woodstock.  Yet two churches in the same diocese could scarcely appear more different.  St. James’ Church is old and was designed to engender a sense of timeless tradition while St. Paul’s has a modernity that belies its fifty years.  

St. James' Church, Woodstock

St. James enjoys an affluent community while St. Paul’s situation is decidedly more working class. But appearances, as we all know, can be deceiving.  For these two parishes have a lot more in common than appears at first glance. Both are embarking upon a period of significant change and transition that both exemplifies the stirring of the Holy Spirit and requires a deep faith and trust in that same Holy Spirit.

St. Paul’s Church was built in the mid-20^th century and is characterized by utilitarian architecture and sleek, spacious style.  It’s not the prettiest church in the diocese, but it certainly has its charm.  The sanctuary is almost “in the round” with pews on three sides of the altar.  This has the pleasing effect of making even the furthest away pews feel intimately involved in the worship. While there is a direct outside entrance to the sanctuary, most people will enter from the parking lot which brings them first through the parish hall. As you may imagine, meeting and greeting one’s fellow parishioners before worship must also contribute to an intimacy amongst the congregation. This degree of feeling comfortable with one another implies an informality in worship. Until recently, worship at St. Paul’s, while maintaining due reverence, was indeed informal.  This is a congregation willing to try new styles of liturgy and music.  Worship was enriched and accompanied by a rock band comprised of youths from the congregation (called “the Pinks of St. Paul’s”). However, the kids grew up and many have gone away to college forcing them to disband.  That combined with the discernment process they are working through in search of a new priest has directed the congregation towards a return to the prayer book and introducing meditative silence into their worship.

images at St. Paul's, WRJ

As a testament to the diversity of its worship style, the congregation at St. Paul’s opens itself to a variety of faith traditions. While remaining assuredly Episcopalian, they are willing and able to witness the value of other belief practices.  Part of the St. Paul’s campus includes the parish house which shares its space with the Mindfulness Practice Center. The center was created through the nearby monastery attributed to Thich Naht Hahn for the development of mindful prayer, or centering prayer.  A mindful prayer group meets each Tuesday at the center. Over the fireplace in the parlor is a quotation attributed to Thich Naht Hahn: “There is no way to happiness; happiness IS the way.” 

St. Paul’s also hosts other groups and organizations, including a fellow who teaches drumming, a local theater group and more.  St. Paul’s is committed to community outreach. Because of this commitment, St. Paul’s along with clergy from St. James’ in Woodstock purchased the old farmhouse next to St. Paul’s and converted it into what is today The Haven, a community center that offers shelter, food, clothing, case management, academic support, educational support and learning opportunities for adults.  From its earliest days, The Haven has been an ecumenical outreach involving congregations from the Methodist, Congregational and Catholic churches as well as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Besides its involvement with the Haven, St. Paul’s tries to keep actively involved with other upper valley interfaith outreach projects and programs.  They take keen interest in “aging with dignity” issues, transportations issues, and “title loans” regulation. The congregation at St. Paul’s takes very seriously their baptismal covenant vow “to respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of that is manifested in the hospice choir that is part of their pastoral care ministry and in their quick response to emergencies.  The latter was so vividly witnessed in their reaction to the effects of Tropical Storm Irene two years ago when they set up a supply line for those in need.  This response to Irene has evolved and led to renovating the Hartford Church with hopes of converting it into a possible hostel. While many of St. Paul’s activities and ministries are well-honed and self-reliant, it is easy to see that in spite of this interim period (or maybe because of it) this church has a vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit.

images at St. James, Woodstock

And so does St. James’ Church in Woodstock. But as suggested earlier, the Spirit at St. James feel’s quite a bit different than that in White River Junction. There is a certain kind of tension felt in both Woodstock and St. James that arises from the dichotomy between absentee landowners and those who are permanent residents; between those who own multiple properties and those who own one or no property. This tension increases when trying to build a community that includes a demographic of people who don’t have a strong affiliation or vested interest in that community juxtaposed with a cross-section of people who yearn for a sense of belonging to that same community yet feel excluded. Thus, the energy at St. James has historically always had a searching or seeking quality about it.  Because of the assumed affluence of the congregation, there lies a danger of succumbing to “preciousness” derived from individual gifts, restricted or otherwise. That is, material things, ways and methods, and traditions risk becoming too precious and priceless because of their origins as a gift from an individual to allow for change or even elimination of said precious device. But St. James is taking steps to avoid that particular trap.  For the first time in ninety years, St. James is embarking on a capital campaign to raise funds for major building and renovation projects. The anonymity in giving along with the universality in a capital campaign offers an added benefit of providing a vehicle for community—everyone is in this together and no gift is more important than another. The funds raised in the campaign will pay for improving the drainage around the church, building and accessibility ramp, restoring the sanctuary window, and modernizing the heating system with hopes of converting to a biomass fuel burner.  In fact, if all goes to plan, the new biomass heating system may be an instrument toward greater community connection as St. James hopes to partner with the town to use locally grown wood. There is a model in the parish hall that shows the external changes that are planned for the property, including the new ramp, the sheds for the new heating system and woodsheds and the leveled courtyard between the church and the rectory that may in time contain a community garden complete with composting.

model of future St. James

Since the arrival of St. James new rector, Rev. Norman MacLeod, the congregation has revved up its zeal for environmental care and earth stewardship. The new heating system will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the parish as well as create a partnership with renewable energy groups. Having a community garden will also contribute to that goal but providing more local food rather than relying solely upon imported foods. St. James is developing a rapport with the Roosevelt-Billings National Park and is hoping to work with the park for future earth stewardship projects. In June of 2014, St. James will be hosting a four-day weekend Earth Centered Liturgy Festival. There will be a number of worship opportunities celebrating God’s gift of creation and our responsibilities and stewards appointed by God to care for this gift.  Workshops will guide and instruct participants not only in what stewardship of creation means, but in how to be good stewards. Because this festival will coincide with the work being done by the capital campaign, many of the events will necessarily take place in partnering locations including potentially the national park and sites in New Hampshire. For instance, plans are in the making for a kayaking evensong on the Connecticut River. The festival is still in the ideas and planning stage, but will soon be moving forward to implementing the event.  Keep tuned to both St. James and the Diocesan websites as things develop.  And mark your calendars now for the 26-29^th of June so that you won’t miss this innovative festival!

Clearly, God is an integral part of both St. Paul’s, White River Junction and St. James, Woodstock.  Yet God’s spirit and energy in each parish takes on an entirely different hue and cast. These two parishes contribute to the overall color of the tapestry that is the Diocese of Vermont. It is not only that which we perceive as “good and light” that speaks of our relationship with the Holy Spirit, but the tension, strife and conflicts which complete our abundance.  The response St. Paul’s takes to emergency and outreach issues and the way St James searches for a more deeply connected relationship with one another, their community and God both color our diocesan tapestry with all the richness of jewel tones.