The Union Chapel Summer Choir has performed on the first Sunday in August for more than 20 years. This year will be no exception, as voices lift in joyous song for Choir Sunday on July 31.
The choir will perform “In Praise of God” by Gordon Young under the direction of Linda Betjeman, who is celebrating 30 years as Union Chapel organist and music director.
“Much of Union Chapel’s success is attributable to Linda,” Chairman Jay Sterling said. “Not only has Linda been the Chapel’s organist for 30 years, but her retirement to Shelter Island has allowed her to nurture the Shelter Island Friends of Music. She has cultivated a wide range of artists on the East End, bringing them as soloists to the Chapel.”
Betjeman welcomes all Island singers to join the one-time rehearsal in the Chapel on Saturday, July 30 at 10 AM. Then, the choir will perform at the weekly interdenominational service on Sunday at 10:30 AM.
The Rev. Stephen Adkison of Shelter Island Presbyterian Church is the featured speaker. He’ll preach on the theme, “The Master Musician.” As a lifelong musician, Pastor Steve says he’s happy to be a part of this Sunday service dedicated to music.
About the Rev. Stephen D. Adkison
Pastor Steve grew up in the River Valley of Russellville, Arkansas. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Theater; earned a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.
He has served churches in Ft. Myers Beach, Indiana, Missouri, and his home state. Pastor Steven has also attended pilgrimages in Israel, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
In addition to parish ministry, he served as a Pastoral Counselor at Norton Psychiatric Hospital and Dismas Charities (St. Patrick’s Halfway House) in Louisville. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Speech Communication at Hannibal LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Adkison was a member of the Chaplaincy Corp of Hannibal Regional Hospital and its president from 2013-2014.
He and Amy Taylor Adkison are raising three children, Hannah, April, and Taylor.
Pastor Steve is a clinically-trained therapist, offering counseling in a pastoral setting to parishioners and other Islanders. It’s more of a journey, he said, as he “walks alongside” the other person, rather than just spouting lessons and advice.
A percussionist who also plays guitar, bass, and keyboards, Adkison has played in jazz and rock bands. He proudly admits that he has attended over 200 concerts. He has also studied martial arts for over 40 years and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. You might see him riding his Harley around the Island with Amy. She has a master’s degree in education and, with Taylor, runs “Imagination Island,” a child-care program based at the Presbyterian Church.
About Linda Betjeman
Linda Betjeman has served as Shelter Island Presbyterian Church Minister of Music since 2007 and is the Island’s Community Chorus director.
She graduated from Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music in New York, earning a master’s degree in organ performance and choral conducting. During her 50-year church music career, she served in Manhattan, Westchester County, and Long Island congregations.
She has performed in recitals in Manhattan, Westchester, and Rockland counties and as a soloist in England and Italy (including St. Peter’s in Rome). She was a keyboard soloist on organ, harpsichord, and piano with the Broadway Bach Ensemble of Manhattan. In addition, she played with the Chappaqua Chamber Orchestra and Mimosa Chamber Ensemble of Manhattan.
Linda teaches many local students and has taught on the music faculty of Sarah Lawrence College, the Walden-Lincoln and Trevor Day School in New York City, and the Riverdale Country School.
Choir Sunday will be an indoor service, followed by an outdoor reception with STARs Café catering.
Union Chapel’s commemorative book, “All Are Welcome:150 years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove,” by Carrie Cooperider, is available after the service or at Finley’s Fiction.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove. Learn more about the historic Chapel on its website, unionchapelinthegrove.org.
