Funeral of The Very Reverend Canon Dr. Sandye A. Wilson Nobody prepares for a sudden death. On April 15th, the Cathedral Church of All Saints lost its Dean and Rector, the Diocese lost its Canon to the Ordinary for Pastoral Care and Formation —a pastor, a friend, a confidant, an encourager, and a forerunner of a message of radical love. Although Dean Wilson's time was short, her character was contagious; everybody knew her and respected her dearly. It was a testament to the dedication to serving God and His people with unwavering faith, compassion, and wisdom. Her pastoral heart, scholarly mind, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. On June 20th, scores were gathered from around the Diocese and wider Episcopal Church, which included the Canon for African Descent Ministries, the Reverend Canon Ronald Byrd Sr, Past President of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Canon Annette Buchanan, and the Right Reverend John Harmon, Bishop of Arkansas. The service featured a variety of talents combined and individualized, along with the sharing of fond memories. The Diocesan Choir provided soul-stirring renditions, accompanied by Mr. Howard Jones on the organ and Rev. Dr. Jeremy Francis directing. Canon Annette Buchanan read the Eulogy, The Right Reverend John Harmon, Bishop of Arkansas, preached, and The Right Reverend Rafael Morales Maldonado, Bishop Provisional of the Virgin Islands, presided. Canon Buchanan told the gathering how determined Dean Wilson was to return to these islands despite being advised not to as she continued her treatment. It is concluded she knew why, Bishop Harmon suggested Sandye came back to a place where she first felt a called to ordained ministry and served and ended such ministry in the very place. While Bishop Morales encouraged the Diocese to keep the vision alive and to serve for Jesus Christ as Sandye would want us to do. Although Dean Sandye has gone on to the presence of God, in this time of grief, we find comfort in knowing that she now rests in the eternal peace of our Lord and Savior. We ask for your continued prayers for her family, friends, and all whose lives were blessed by her ministry. "Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your master." - Matthew 25:23 YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/Q3sTcZHsEFs?feature=share Electronic Booklet:https://www.flipsnack.com/heatherpd/flipbook-the-very-rev-canon-dr-sandye-wilson-1.html  Bishop Provisional Pastoral Visit to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1st Ave, Sugar Estate. The Friendly Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, was visited by Bishop Provisional, the Right Reverend Rafael Morales Maldonado. Bishop Morales was pleased to be among the faithful gathered on Sunday, June 21, 2025. During the morning celebration, those gathered in person and via Facebook were able to sing a song in both Spanish and English. This was a creative means of welcome and inclusion since the Bishop’s first language is Spanish. Bishop Morales encouraged the people to continue serving and loving as Jesus Christ mandated. Furthermore, the Bishop believes that his visits will help to define and spread an ethos of love and togetherness across the diocese. The Rector of the parish is the Reverend Lenroy Cabey.  St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Patronal Festival-55Th Anniversary
In unity, members of St. Croix Deanery joined members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Castle Coakley for their feast of title celebratory activities. The theme for 2025 was: “St. Peter Church keeping Christ alive in 2025!” The time of celebration concluded with the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, 29th June 2025. The service was filled with jubilant singing as the St. Croix Deanery Choir, under the leadership of Mrs. Monica Jacobs, led the worship experience. Rev. Dr. Jeremy Francis played the organ. The Priest in Charge, the Rev. Fr. Alric Francis Sr., was the celebrant, while the Rev. Amonteen Doward and Cleverton Beckford concelebrated, and the Rev. Deacon Trevaughn Todman preached. Rev. Todman encouraged the saints to continue praying, encouraging one another, rebuking sin, and convincing each other, all while maintaining love for Christ and for one another. The church becomes more substantial and impactful only when we are united for the common good. A Luncheon followed the service to honor three of their members: Lucy Carty, Margary Vanterpool, and Shirley Smith at Teddy’s. All three women have offered their lives to God as they serve in the church and the wider community. They have fought the good fight but have not finished the race. The continue to inspire other persons to serve and not allow life’s challenges to disrupt their purposes. The Seminary of our Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico, San Pedro and San Pablo, will be offering an immersion course in June for those who want to learn Spanish. The promotion is attached. Registration ends in May 31st. For more information, send an email to [email protected].  St. Michael’s, Wall & St. James, Bradley Beach, NJ, Ship a 40-Foot Container with Church, Relief, and Medical Supplies to Liberia Wall Township, NJ – February 12, 2025  On December 14, parishioners and volunteers gathered at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Wall Township, New Jersey, to load a 40-foot freight container—the eleventh shipment—with church materials, vestments, theological books, textbooks, school supplies, medical equipment, and relief supplies. Destined for Liberia, West Africa, the container departed from the Port of New York on December 20th and is scheduled to arrive at the Freeport of Monrovia on late February 17, 2025. Canon & Mrs. Yarsiah are currently in Monrovia, Liberia, to help with the distribution of the donations. This shipment, the first to originate from New Jersey, is part of the Global Outreach Ministry to Liberia, an extended mission of the affiliated parishes of St. Michael’s, Wall Township, and St. James, Bradley Beach, Diocese of New Jersey. As with previous efforts, the shipment will support churches and clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia, as well as other denominations, schools, clinics, orphanages, and institutions, including the Liberian Group of 77, a government institution that assists the physically challenged. The total value of the donations is estimated at $24,000 US Dollars, with shipping costs amounting to $6,221, excluding clearance and transportation costs in Liberia. The Diocese of Arkansas, through the Christopher and Caroline Keller Fund for Mission provided a grant of $4,200 to assist with trucking, shipping, clearing and other expenses. The Global Outreach Ministry is deeply grateful to Bishop John Harmon and the Diocese of Arkansas. According to The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah, Priest-In-Charge at St. Michael’s and St. James, “In an effort to give back, my wife Ophelia and I initiated this ministry in 2006, engaging churches, institutions, and friends from the Diocese of South Carolina and beyond to contribute materials and supplies. This effort, known as the Global Outreach Ministry to Liberia, aims to assist churches, schools, women, children, orphans, and the needy.” The Rt. Rev. Sally J. French, Bishop of New Jersey, has emphasized the importance of this ministry, describing it as a vital effort in strengthening and empowering the Church and people of Liberia. Bishop French donated $2,000 from her discretionary funds to help defray shipping expenses. The Global Outreach Ministry is sincerely grateful to Bishop French for her unweaving support. The contents of the container include, but not limited to:
Church materials were donated by the Diocese of New Jersey and other parishes. The Medical Equipment Ministry of St. James Memorial Episcopal Church in Eatontown, NJ, partnered with St. Michael’s and St. James to provide medical equipment and supplies. The dry food items, rice, beans and oil came from Christ Church, Shrewsbury, NJ. Additional contributions came from several local parishes, clergy, and friends. The Global Outreach Ministry extends gratitude to Fr. Austin Murry and parishioners of St. James Memorial Church, Eatontown, New Jersey. The Global Outreach Ministry to Liberia remains committed to this vital work of empowerment. Our Ministry accepts donations from churches in transition to close or have closed, and are looking for a place to donate their church materials/ornaments. Parishes and dioceses within The Episcopal Church Parishes and dioceses within The Episcopal Church (TEC) are encouraged to donate church materials, ornaments, etc as listed below, for future shipments. Donations can be sent to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2015 Allenwood Road, Wall, NJ 07719. Large pickups within a 100-mile radius can be arranged. For inquiries, email Cn. James Yarsiah at [email protected] or call 843-810-3500. St. Michael’s can also be reached at [email protected] or 732-681-1863. A detailed list is available at www.saintmichaelswall.com and www.saintjamesbb.com, Global Outreach Ministry to Liberia. Founded in 2006 by The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah and Mrs. Ophelia NG Yarsiah at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, the Global Outreach Ministry to Liberia is a mission-focused initiative under the affiliated parishes of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Wall Township, and St. James Episcopal Church, Bradley Beach, NJ. The ministry aims to provide material and humanitarian assistance to rebuild and empower the Episcopal Church of Liberia, its institutions, and underserved communities. Since its inception, the ministry has shipped ten containers to Liberia, benefiting over 12,000 individuals, churches, schools, and other institutions. This charitable endeavor is a testament to God’s love and the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “For the love of Christ urges us on …” 2 Cor. 5:14a. For more information about this initiative or to learn how to contribute, please contact The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah using the contact details provided above. To see a list of all the items shipped, download the attached press release >  Break The Silence Sunday is an effort to open up a conversation within the church about rape and sexual assault. Within the context of our faith communities we hope to
(1) acknowledge the reality of rape and sexual violence in our world; (2) support survivors by creating a place where they can tell their stories, feel loved and supported, and find encouragement on their healing journey; (3) commit ourselves to the work of changing the world, creating a future where rape is a memory. Why does this matter? The most conservative estimates from the U.S. Department of Justice tell us that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 33 men will be victims of rape in their lifetimes. Let that sink in – twenty five percent of the women and three percent of the men you know! What those statistics don’t tell us though is how many rapes go unreported because of a victim’s fear, sense of shame, and overwhelming societal pressures. How many people aren’t able to talk about what has happened to them, don’t have a safe place to tell their story, don’t have someone they can trust to tell their story to? This is a very small world, especially in the Episcopal Church. Recently Dr. Barbara Wheeler, a member of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Beach Haven, NJ, went to Germany to attend a conference and to lecture at a University. While she was there, she visited a long-time friend, Doug Keith, who is the Director of Music at the Anglican/Episcopal Church of Christ the King in Frankfurt, Germany. While she was there, Dr. Wheeler was invited to attend and do one of the readings at the Evensong that the parish choir was doing at the Abbey of St. Hildegard, just outside the wine village of Rüdesheim. Dr. Keith’s father, Nate, did the other reading. The choir, thanks to its close relationship to the abbey and its community of Benedictine nuns,usually sings Evensong there once a year This was also the first service led by Markus Dünzkofer, the parish’s new priest-in-charge.  In an interview in 1969, author James Baldwin said, “I don’t don't know what most white people in this country feel, I can only conclude what they feel from the state of their institutions. I don’t know if white Christians hate Negroes or not, but I know we have a Christian church which is white and a Christian church which is black. I know, as Malcolm X once put it, the most segregated hour in American life is high noon on Sunday. … I don’t know whether the labor unions and their bosses really hate me. But I know I’m not in their unions. I don’t know if the real estate lobby has anything against black people, but I know the real estate lobby is keeping me in the ghetto. I don’t know if the board of education hates black people, but I know the textbooks they give my children to read, and the schools that we have to go to.” In the 55 years since Baldwin made that statement, much has changed but much has not. Racism and the advantages it gives some and the disadvantages it gives others still exist. One reason institutional racism has been able to live on unabated is because the action of race and racism is kept hidden and denied. But the Anti-Racism Commission (ARC) of the Diocese of New Jersey has been providing anti-racism training for about two decades to help bring racism into the open so that it can be recognized and dismantled. The need for training has not diminished over the years. The Anti-Racism Training curriculum builds awareness of racism in education, religion, government, justice, real estate, finance, news media, and, in fact, almost all American systems and institutions. This Spring and Fall, ARC is offering several training options. The Spring and Fall online training consist of five consecutive Friday-evening two-hour Zoom classes that feature conversations about personal experiences with racism. A follow-up online sixth class is held about a month later. In between the Friday meetings, participants complete self-study material that consists of recorded lectures, videos, and articles. An in-person training will be held in Trenton on two consecutive Saturdays with some homework material in between. Comprender El Racismo Para Las Comunidades Hispanas will be taught online on two consecutive Saturdays entirely in Spanish and with content that is culturally relevant for Hispanic communities. The fee for the online courses is $100 per person. The fee for the in-person training is $150 per person (includes continental breakfast and lunch both days). Financial aid is available, if needed. (If you are a Deputy to the General Convention, use code GC2024 when you register to get a discounted fee to the Spring online, the in-person and the Spanish online courses that is subsidized by The Episcopal Church’s Office for Racial Reconciliation.) Everyone who has attended all classes session and completed all the self-study material will receive a Certificate of Completion. Missed online classes can be made up in a subsequent session to receive a Certificate. Register for Anti-Racism Training
In addition to the Anti-Racism Training, ARC also conducts two-hour anti-racism workshops for parishes in transition, makes presentations at convocation meetings, Vestry retreats, and other group meetings; and holds conferences and other events to build a knowledgeable and empowered group of anti-racists.
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Canon Karen Moore, co-chair of the Anti-Racism Commission.  The Diocese of the Virgin Islands is to be a strong body for Christ, working together to share their gifts as they try to rebuild a community of love. The reminder came from The Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales Maldonado, Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico and Advisor Bishop for the Diocese of the Virgin Islands. He was speaking during the 66th annual convention of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, held July 13-15, 2023 on the island of St. Croix in the USVI, under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’.
According to Bishop Morales, the time is now to rebuild diocesan spirit and to pray for the Holy Spirit for personal and church renewal so that the Episcopal Church could be disciples of Jesus in the Virgin Islands. He noted that the convention theme is descriptive of the Church which, unlike a closed club, is to be open to everyone, so that persons can join together to share their gifts, accepting and loving people as they are. He suggested that change must begin with everyone asking, “What will I do to make change and make things better?” As Advisor Bishop, he promised to travel to the diocese monthly and to visit each of the three deaneries. He reminded lay and clergy delegates that being a diocesan community is a necessary preparatory step to calling a diocesan bishop and that building such a community is their co-responsibility. He said it is time to proclaim that old things are over and the diocese is at a place of new beginnings as, together, they become witnesses of reconciliation. The Diocese of the Virgin Islands, the smallest in the Episcopal Church, is made up of congregations in the British and US Virgin Islands. Its previous diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs, retired in May 2021. A delegation from the Deanery of the British Islands has returned home after representing the Diocese of the Virgin Islands at EYE 2023 and at "It's All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement", both of which took place in Baltimore, Maryland in July of 2023. The group included Clevanna Forbes and Timothy Malone, who served as young adult volunteer staff, chaperones Sybil Hodge and Trevor Bridgewater, and delegates from the three congregations in the Deanery. They were Palesa Caesar and Te'coy Harrigan from St. George's, Sydni Georges, Rahian Richards, and Shaheen Samuel from St. Paul's, both of which are on Tortola, and Karla Flax from St. Mary's on Virgin Gorda. The young people, who were very excited to interact with their peers from throughout the Episcopal Church, presented plaques to Canons Ron Byrd, Myra Garnes, and Stephanie Spellers in appreciation for their assistance (through the Office of African Descent Ministries) in helping them to make the trip. The first two photos show them about to leave the BVI, the third is the logo from their shirts, the next three show them at EYE, and the last is Canon Garnes with her plaque. |
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