Union Chapel in the Grove commemorates 150 years this summer while Quinipet Camp & Retreat Center celebrates 75 years. The two entities share similar historical roots, both beginning as Methodist camps, although Union Chapel became interdenominational about a decade after its founding.
They come together on Sunday, July 17 at 10:30 AM for Camp Quinipet Sunday at Union Chapel. In keeping with our shared island location, the Rev. Elizabeth Abel — Camp Quinipet’s Pastor Liz — will preach on “Be Salt and Light.” The Cottage Trio will perform.
“At such a crucial moment in time, I am grateful we have so much to still celebrate,” Abel said. “What a testament of God’s grace and care for the people of Shelter Island.
“[Camp Quinipet and Union Chapel] are gems on the Sound, where you can not only celebrate and witness God’s creation but recognize your part and celebrate your role in the grander scheme of things.”
About the Rev. Elizabeth Abel
Quinipet Executive Director Brooke Bradley said Pastor Liz recently chaired the Camp Board and is a strong advocate for Quinipet.
Abel is an ordained elder of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and the District Superintendent for the Long Island West District of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She earned a BA in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, an MS in Social Work from Columbia University, an MDiv from Drew University School of Theology, and is working on DMin at Emory University Candler School of Theology.
Prior to this appointment, she was the pastor at Cornerstone Community Church, a Methodist Church in Norwalk. She has created new ministries and programming to support youth and leadership development at Cornerstone. These include the Timothy Project and Deborah’s Academy, which offer rites of passage programs for young men and women.
Under her leadership, the church launched a nonprofit organization, At The Corner, that provides services to youth and immigrants in the Norwalk area.
As an advocate for young people and community development, she served as a co-convener for the Norwalk Immigration Coalition, which helps to feed people who are food insecure. And, she has worked with Norwalk ACTS, a cradle-to-career partnership with a mission to dismantle racism and drive equitable outcomes for every Norwalk child.
Pastor Liz served in the US Air Force for 12 years and has worked as deputy director of the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and director of Mount Vernon’s Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program.
She lives on Long Island with her daughter Eva and her niece Georgette.
Camp Quinipet Sunday
Union Chapel Music Director Linda Betjeman and The Cottage Trio will perform. The trio is Ann Marie Chubet (violin), her husband, James (keyboards), and Jeannie Woelker (cello).
Please join us on Sunday, July 17 at 10:30 AM for our inter-denominational service. A reception, catered by STARS CAFÉ, will follow the service.
Union Chapel’s commemorative book, “All Are Welcome: 150 Years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove,” by Carrie Cooperider is available for purchase immediately after the service or any time at Finley’s Fiction.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove. To learn more about the historic chapel, visit unionchapelinthegrove.org.
