Union Chapel honors the Shelter Island Police Benevolent Association on Community Sunday, July 23. All are welcome to the interdenominational outdoor service at 10:30 AM.
SIPD Officer Kevin Springer will speak on behalf of the PBA. The Rev. Charles McCarron, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, will preach, and Thomas Milton is the guest musician.
The Chapel has been a longtime supporter of the PBA, thanks to Board Trustee Gene Luntey, who passed away in September 2022 at the age of 101. During his career, Gene was the Chairman of the Board of Brooklyn Union Gas and the unpaid mayor of Sands Point. He was very involved in community affairs and a vocal supporter of PBAs.
“Gene thought PBA funds were very important in helping police departments build a positive image with communities,” Chapel Chairman Jay Sterling said.
About the PBA
Here on the island, the PBA offers classes on identity theft to seniors and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) classes to elementary students. They sponsor a Police Bike Safety Day at Shelter Island School, and right before Christmas, they just may stop by your house to sing Christmas carols with other island songsters and then treat them to pizza afterward.
The PBA supports holiday shopping for families in need and facilitates the Animal Rescue Fund’s pet chipping and animal adoption in August. They partner with the Lions Club to host the much-loved annual Snapper Derby.
About Charles McCarron
McCarron, known around the Island as Father Charlie, is a familiar face at local events and hosts the St. Mary’s annual Community Christmas Dinner and, in August, the Chicken BBQ.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree at Fordham University, a Master of Divinity at Maryknoll School of Theology, and a master’s degree at the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University.
Father Charlie graduated from the CUNY School of Law, received a Master of Sacred Theology from the General Theological Seminary, and completed the program at The Living School of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque.
After working to help people with AIDS on Long Island and chairing a national AIDS conference, he created parish-based immigration services and is currently involved with local agricultural workers.
As a member of the Anglican Third Order of the Society of St. Francis, he serves as the Assistant Provincial of the 550-member American Province and will facilitate the Order’s international meeting in London in September.
This year he was appointed to the Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the United States of America, as a representative of the Episcopal Church. He is currently enrolled in Haden Institute’s program in Jungian Psychology and Spirituality and serves as Diocesan Dean of the East End parishes.
Community Sunday at Union Chapel
Milton is a year-round resident of Shelter Island and cantor at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church. He’s been a featured soloist at Union Chapel and Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. In addition, he has performed throughout the East End, singing with the Perlman Music Program, Shelter Island Community Chorus, Choral Society of the Hamptons, and Peconic Bay Masterworks Choir.
STARS CAFÉ caters a reception following the service; both events will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
Our commemorative book, “All Are Welcome:150 years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove” by Carrie Cooperider, is available for purchase after the service, at Finley’s Fiction or by contacting Trustee Kathy Dinkel.
Next week: The Rev. Peter DeSanctis, pastor of Our Lady of the Isle, is guest speaker at Choir Sunday; Chapel Music Director Linda Betjeman welcomes Island singers to join the Community Choir for the July 30 service, singing J.S. Bach’s “With Songs of Rejoicing.” There will be a one-time rehearsal in the Chapel on Saturday, July 29, at 10 am. Come and be a part of this joyous chorus!
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove
