On Palm Sunday morning
in Cooperstown, the streets
were cold, windy, and mostly
empty. Then, a miracle. As if
fire alarms had been pulled,
people poured out of four
major churches, marched
through the streets, and converged
into a congregation
of four hundred in the middle
of Elm Street. In two hundred
years, the village had never
seen its like of this.
As a member of a notably
small minority (the Quakers),
I got to march with the
Presbyterians. And during
the worship I got to read the
Gospel _ proclaim it, really
(with the help of good amps),
out over the smiling, shivering
crowd.
That street service was
astounding. Waiting in the
Presbyterians’ chapel to begin
the march, I glanced down toward
St. Mary’s and reported
to Katie Boardman, ``The
Catholics are massing down
the street!’’ Without a second’s
pause, she asked, ``High mass
or low?’’
Again, by the time all had
gathered, we had a crowd of
about four hundred, buzzing
with scores of happy conversations
carried on across
denominational lines. These
were Cooperstown friends
and neighbors, but they sharing
something more: joy in
commemorating Christ’s last
entry into Jerusalem; and foreboding,
too, with the darkness
of Good Friday gathering on
the horizon.
How wonderful! These
varied Christians had put
aside doctrinal clashes and
were melded in their common
beliefs, the really important
ones. And how different from
past times, when Christians
stuck to their own turf or
growled suspiciously at one
another like dogs across common
property lines.
But these people had all
marched out of their churches
to share, and then marched
back with a deepened sense
of their own beliefs. Who says
the Spirit no longer moves
among us?
The disparate Christians
did so at the leading of their
pastors, who’d gathered to
plan the event. I think the
hero of the day was Father
John Rosson of St. Mary’s. For
years he’d lobbied for such a
meeting, not of minds, but of
hearts and spirits. This year
he succeeded, God bless him,
backed by the strong support
of Christ Church’s new rector
Mark Martin and the other
clerics. Father Mark, a grand
addition to Cooperstown, was
the master of logistics, arranging
for chairs to be delivered,
a brass consort to accompany
the hymns, a program to be
distributed. And he got the
willing cooperation of Mayor
and police in closing off Elm
Street.
How stirring was the event’s
hometown pageantry! First,
the marching congregations
merged on Elm Street, right
in front of the McGoldricks’
house. (They kindly powered
Rich Brown’s amps for us.)
Those converging crowds,
said one wag, reminded him
of the film, ``Gangs of New
York,’’ in which rival mobs
meet in the streets to battle
it out. Except that these folks
didn’t converge for battle.
They met to embrace.
The United Methodists had
the longest walk, all the way
from Chestnut and Glen Avenue.
(They’d planned to bring
along a donkey, but it fell sick
at the last minute; they did
bring a Methodist lamb.) The
Episcopalians cleverly slipped
down the alley beside their
church, crossed Fair Street,
and cut through the Presbyterians’
cemetery to Pioneer. The
Presbyterians (with invited
Quakers) just walked out their
own front door and down Elm.
And the Catholics, bless them,
emptied their church right
onto Elm and walked down to
the site behind Father Rosson,
who held a rustic cross made
of birch branches.
The colorful part of the
pageantry was in the clergy’s
vestments. Leading the Christ
Church contingent, Father
Mark, a tall and dignified man
in a scarlet cope, looked like
Cooperstown’s cardinal archbishop.
He was preceded by
a crucifer, candle-bearers and
other robed acolytes carrying
the palms. Hands down, they
took best-in-show.
But Father John came in
second, in his own scarlet
cope and with that eloquent
cross, and with Deacon Randy
Velez to back him up. And
Dr. Miriam Hathaway, whom
Presbyterians have come to
love as their interim pastor,
came in third with her handsome
purple stole; her church
also gets the blue ribbon in
the banner category. Methodist
pastor Sundar Samuel and
yours truly were rather drab
entries; though, in sturdy
overcoats, we were the warmest.
I forgot to say that Father
Mark also had his censer
along; and so the blessing
of palms by all the clergy
took place in clouds of sweet
smoke, with Fathers Mark and
John also flinging holy water
over the big crowd. (I think I
saw some Calvinists flinch.)
Then, after a moving homily
by Bassett chaplain Betsy Jay,
the congregations parted and
marched off with their palms,
back to their own church
services.
And, oh, friends, a perfect
final touch: While palms were
being distributed, a group of
schoolmates, come together
from the different churches,
got hold of some big, leafy
palm fronts. And, lining up
alongside each other, the boys
did a stadium wave. How the
Lord must have loved it!
READ ABOUT Atwell’s book, From Fly
Creek, Celebrating Life in Leatherstocking
Country, at JimAtwell.com.
Columns
Jim Atwell: A blessed coming together
- Columns
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
Continued ... -
Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
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In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
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In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
