During the summer of 2020, Chairman Jay Sterling and the trustees came up with the idea to have an outdoor service centered around the work of one poet. Poetry Sunday proved to be immensely popular.
This year’s Poetry Sunday service, on September 3, at 10:30 AM, will highlight the work of Persian poet and mystic Rumi.
Heather Reylek and Island Folk are the guest musicians. The musicians — keeping the spirit of traditional music alive on Shelter Island — have performed at the Union Chapel’s end-of-summer service for over 20 years.
About Rumi
Chairman Jay Sterling chose Rumi, still one of the most widely read poets in the United States, 750 years after his death, “Since we like anniversaries around here.” Union Chapel celebrated its 150th anniversary last summer.
Rumi (Jalal ad-din Muhamed Balkhi) lived from 1207 to 1273 CE and spent most of his life in what is now Konya, Turkey. His poems, about 30,000 verses, offer fresh, accessible language and strong rhythms.
Chroniclers of his work believe that much of his poetry was composed in a state of ecstasy, induced by the music of a flute or drum, the hammering of goldsmiths, or the sound of the water mill in Meram, where he used to go with his disciples to enjoy nature.
He often accompanied his verses with a whirling dance, and many of his poems were composed to be sung in Sufi musical gatherings.
Some of his poetic wisdom includes:
“Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside you.”
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop.”
Poetry Sunday at Union Chapel
The celebration of poetry will take place outdoors in the leafy grove. Please bring a chair. A reception, catered by STARS Café, follows. In case of rain, the service will move indoors.
Copies of our commemorative book, “All Are Welcome: 150 Years of Shelter Island’s Union Chapel in the Grove,” by Carrie Cooperider, are available after the service. Or at Finley’s Fiction or by contacting Trustee Kathy Dinkel.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Union Chapel in the Grove
