2022 Memorial Day Issue

More documents

Recommendations

Info

18 Betty Holick leads Rev. Archie Palmer during the closing procession. One of 10 stained-glass windows at St. Peter’s. Above: One of the Stations of the Cross plates. Left: Joyce Anderson reads during service. LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Memorial Day 2022 A recent Bible study meeting. Congregation Feels Like Family at St. Peter’s Story by BONNIE-LYNN NADZEIKA Photos by KAREN FUCITO There was no stately pipe organ. There was no choir with embroidered matching robes. Yet that did not mean beautiful music wasn’t to be heard inside the historic walls of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Mount Arlington. On a Sunday morning in early May, the small electric organ was played by Anne Puskas, 81, who was baptized in the church. The dozen or so attending service that day—many former choir members looking forward to reestablishing the choir post-COVID—joined their voices in harmony. Each person took different vocal parts to create a homophonic sound—a single melody accompanied by harmonic parts. The resulting music was every bit as rich as a full church choir. Area residents and summer visitors have been taking Terry Beatty rings the church bells. part in services at the small stone church with its single tower since the late 19th century. In 1888, the cornerstones of two churches were laid in the Breslin Park section of Mount Arlington one month apart. Our Lady of the Lake was first, followed by what was originally known as the nondenominational Union Protestant Chapel. The churches were created to serve both the influx of summer residents and the smaller population that lived in the area year-round. Both are officially part of the Mount Arlington State and National Register of Historic Places. The Union Protestant Chapel was located near the 300-room Breslin Hotel and the magnificent summer homes of silent screen actress Lotta Crabtree and Mount Arlington’s first mayor Howard Frothingham. At a cost of $2,500, the Union Protestant Chapel’s stone building was built by Cyrus Cook on land donated by local resident Robert Dunlap. Money was raised by hosting “entertainments” and soliciting friends for donations, according to a passage in the book, “Mount Arlington: A Pictorial History: The First 100 Years.” In 1892, Dunlap paid off the remaining mortgage and the church was donated by the Breslin Park Association to the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and renamed St. Peter’s. At its peak in the 1990s, membership at St. Peter’s numbered around 100 to 125 and included all ages, said Puskas. The church has room for about 125 people. There used to be weddings (the last one was in 2013) and baptisms (the last of these was in 2019). Today, membership is hovering around 40, most of whom are well beyond child-bearing age. “We can’t seem to keep young people in the church,” Puskas said. One reason, she said, is because the church has not had a full-time priest since September 2008. Since then, the Diocese has assigned Priests in Charge or Long-Term Supply Priests. “That definitely hurts us,” Puskas said, adding that except for a few years, the day-to-day running of the church has been led by laypersons. The interior of the church features dark wainscoting, oak pews, a beefy coffered ceiling and 10 stained-glass windows. A striking brocade fabric—that’s been there for a least 50 years—hangs behind the pulpit and covers the altar. The picturesque windows were purchased in the early 1980s through donations by church members and replaced windows that were plain diamond patterned stained-glass. Many of the new windows were donated by family names familiar to longtime residents including Chabon, Lee, Decker and Wiss. The window known as “Jesus’ Birth” was given by Michael and Dina Cabot in memory of their son, William Roger Cabot, who died in a car accident. In this traditional nativity scene, a likeness of Cabot’s face has been added to portray a shepherd. One unique feature of the church decor is the Stations of the Cross, which serve to visually remind churchgoers of the stages of Jesus’ final sufferings and his death and burial. Typically, the Stations are sculpted or carved out of stone, wood or metal. At St. Peter’s, the 14 Stations of the Cross are large, round platters that have been hand-painted. The brainchild of Pat Mueller, 65, a church warden, vestry member and longtime parishioner, the clay plates were painted by children in Sunday school in the mid-2000s. Mueller, now a retired art
teacher and practicing artist, had the idea to create the Stations of the Cross with the students to teach them about Jesus. She drew the outlines, and the children carefully painted the scenes. Each platter had to be painted three times prior to the firing process. Services at the church begin with the ringing of the tower bell using a pulley system of long ropes. Led by interim pastor, the Rev. Archie Palmer, 82, with the assistance of several lay leaders, a service is a combination of readings from the Bible, hymns, a sermon and prayers leading up to Communion. Tall and thin, Palmer has only been at St. Peter’s since June 2021, but his affection for the church is evident. He refers to the congregation as “dear and dedicated.” Preferring to be called Archie, he wears a stole—a long strip of material worn by bishops, priests and deacons when officiating at the Eucharist or other sacraments. His is made of fabric featuring a variety of images of children of all races. Palmer said he had the stole made so he could kneel down to children and ask if they see themselves pictured. “It’s a way to help them understand that they are all children of God,” he said. This message is also offered to adults. While serving Communion, Palmer asks each person to say their name out loud prior to him replying, “You are a precious child of God. The body of Christ.” A number of parishioners have been longtime members, coming to the church in a variety of ways. Betty Holick, 71, was in search of a new church after moving to the area from Morristown in 1974. She found St. Peter’s in the Yellow Pages. “I walked in, and it was love at first sight. I was impressed with the people, and they have become my extended family,” she said. Terry Pine and his wife, Carrol, have been members of the church since 2008. “We were looking to join a church to get involved in the community. We attended a friend’s wedding at St. Peter’s and decided to join. We enjoy the people here,” he said. Although Puskas was baptized and spent her youth as a church member, she did not attend for 20 years, she said. Dealing with her husband’s terminal illness, she returned in 1992 and found the “something missing” she felt in her life. As a small congregation, all members are heavily involved in church activities and fundraising efforts. Seven times a year, about a half dozen members organize a rummage sale held in the parish hall—a cinder block building located just across a side street. Purchased in the 1970s, the building was once a former bar named Dawn Patrol. Membership outreach includes collecting items for North Porch, an organization formed in 1984 by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark that provides emergency aid and baby supplies to mothers and babies in need. The items collected through St. Peter’s go to the organization’s Dover location. The congregation also runs its own food pantry and supports Family Promise of Morris County, which TM “A Personal Touch to Extraordinary Service, Buying, Selling or Renting!” It’s Not Just a Home...It’s a Lifestyle serves the homeless. The most popular service every year is the Blessing of the Animals in celebration of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals. On or around October 4, the Feast Day of Saint Francis, the church welcomes anyone—whether they are members or not—to bring their pets to be blessed. To encourage children to participate, stuffed animals are also welcome. Another church activity that brings both members and non-members together is the weekly Bible study. Led by the Rev. Deacon Jeanette Hile, 72, the group meets on Thursday evenings and reviews the readings of the previous Sunday’s service. On a Thursday in May, eight women gathered around a table in the small auxiliary room off the main church. Although there are deep and serious discussions about each Bible passage, there are also lighthearted moments. A review of Acts 9:1-6 led to a conversation about miracles, with participants sharing stories ranging from childbirth to surviving a car accident. As if on cue, Holick chimed in with her miracle wish. “I wish a miracle would restore my husband’s hearing,” she said, and the room dissolved into laughter. The members of St. Peter’s Church pride themselves on being a congregation that sticks together and combines faith and laughter in all that they do. “We TM are like a little family,” said Puskas. We proudly support our veterans! It’s Not Just a Home... It’s a Lifestyle It’s Not Just a Home... It’s a Lifestyle Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 670 Main Street • Towaco, NJ 07082 Office 973.335.5700 • prominentproperties.com Each office is independently owned and operated. c.973.570.6633 Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty njlakefront@gmail.com 670 Main Street • Towaco, NJ 07082 www.luxurylakepointe.com Office 973.335.5700 • prominentproperties.com Each office is independently owned and operated. Robin Dora, REALTOR ® Sales Associate For more infromation go to: www.njlakefronthome.com Introducing “The Dora Group” For more infromation go to: www.njlakefronthome.com Brianne Lechner, Robin Dora, Diane Perretti AWARD WINNING COMBINATION OF BUSINESS STRATEGY, CREATIVITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE Rising Star 2020 • Top Producer 2020, 2021 • Top Associate Units & Volume 2021 For more information visit: www.luxurylakepointe.com Robin Dora, REALTOR ® Sales Associate c.973.570.6633 njlakefront@gmail.com www.luxurylakepointe.com Scan me! lakehopatcongnews.com 19
Page 1 and 2: INFORMING, SERVING AND CELEBRATING
Page 3 and 4: akeside CoNstruCtioN A full service
Page 5 and 6: ORTHWEST EXPLOSIVES BLASTING CONTRA
Page 7 and 8: neighboring Stanhope Borough to tac
Page 9 and 10: Summer is here. Protect your home a
Page 11 and 12: not cost more for people to book a
Page 13 and 14: gardens by the senior center. “Ra
Page 15 and 16: Wagner takes photos using her phone
Page 17: 24 HOUR SERVICE Reliable HVAC Heati
Page 21 and 22: There has never been a better time
Page 23 and 24: family friend and regular volunteer
Page 25 and 26: GEORGE G. MALANGA By the time Georg
Page 27 and 28: them regardless of language.” Thi
Page 29 and 30: Barbara Anne Dillon, O.D., P.A. Lic
Page 31 and 32: Gala 10 th anniversary Gala Celebra
Page 33 and 34: KathySellsLakeHomes.com Top Produce
Page 35 and 36: Gilissen at the women’s Olympic s
Page 37 and 38: NAPA CABBAGE SALAD WITH RAMEN NOODL
Page 39 and 40: 15 Commerce Boulevard, Suite 201
Page 41 and 42: Full line of CBD Products for Full
Page 43: 973-663-2490 • Connect with us! @

2022 Memorial Day Issue

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?