Union Chapel in the Grove celebrates Camp Quinipet this Sunday featuring Remy Styers, the camp’s spiritual life coordinator. Styers will speak about “Green Pastures and Not So Calm Waters;” members of the camp staff will serve as readers and perform a song or two.
Sweet Island Dulcimers, under the tutelage of Chapel Organist Linda Betjeman, will also play. This ever-changing group of Islanders specializes in the Appalachian mountain dulcimer. All are welcome to join the interdenominational service on Sunday, July 18 at 10:30 AM at historic Union Chapel.
Union Chapel and Quinipet Camp & Retreat share similar historical roots, both beginning as Methodist camps, although Union Chapel became interdenominational about a decade after its founding.
“The name ‘Quinipet’ refers to the five prominent boulders on the grounds,” says Carrie Cooprier in her upcoming book “All Are Welcome: 150 Years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove 1872 to 2022. Chiseled into the rocks are the words Courage, Honesty, Humility, Faith and Love.
These refer to five tenets Christianity cited by the Rev. Theodore C. Bobilin in his speech for the dedication of Camp Quinipet as a Methodist training center in 1947. Dr. Bobilin, who was resident minister of Union Chapel, was instrumental in getting the United Methodist Church to buy the site, which had previously been a boys camp, Union Chapel Chairman Jay Sterling said.
“The relationship between the current Camp Quinipet and Union Chapel is strictly through Dr. Boblin,” Sterling explained. “The Methodists had nothing to do with the governance of Union Chapel after 1900, and in fact, ‘abandoned’ Shelter Island in the early 1890s. Dr. Bobilin was a retired Methodist minister living on the East End and a summer gig at Union Chapel worked well for him.”
While Camp Quinipet is used by many different denominations and non-religious groups, the camp— led by Executive Director Brooke Bradley — is owned and operated by the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.
About Remy Styers
Styers, who uses the pronouns they and them, originally hails from North Carolina, but now lives in Nashville and is studying for a master’s degree in Divinity at Vanderbilt. Styers was certified for ordination in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and hopes to do a residency as a hospital chaplain. They like to hike, lay in the hammock, and cook Asian food.
When asked about the lessons learned during the pandemic, Styers mentioned appreciating the time spent alone. “You learn so much about yourself and what you want. You don’t have to worry about others’ impression of you.”
They spoke of the beauty of having the opportunity to reflect on personal relationships, as well as a relationship with God. Styers sports a tattoo that reads: “There is a light that never goes out,” a powerful sentiment.
“I believe that in the silence, aloneness and darkness, God’s light never goes out,” Styers said. “God’s presence fills those empty quiet places.”
About the musical guests
Since Camp Quinipet’s spiritual coordinator comes from Appalachia, it’s fitting that the musicians are playing Appalachian mountain dulcimers. Sweet Island Dulcimers was formed last spring by director Linda Betjeman who taught 10 willing volunteers to play the mountain dulcimer, a uniquely American folk instrument. The word “dulcimer” means “sweet tones.” Most group sessions took place on Crescent Beach, following a potluck picnic lasting until sunset.
The ensemble’s eclectic repertoire ranges from traditional Appalachian-Ozark Mountain songs, British Isles ballads, Irish tunes, cowboy songs, traditional folk songs, spirituals, Gospel, even the Beatles. They are always looking for new members, hoping to go for the Guinness Book of World Records for the most dulcimer players per capita. Their venues include the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, front porches, backyards, beaches, and now, Union Chapel.
Next week: Shelter Island Volunteer Sunday with the Rev. Charles McCarron of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Jim Preston of the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation.
JoAnn Kirkland is assistant to the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove. To learn more about the nonprofit, visit its website, www.unionchapelinthegrove.org/.
