STARTING A NEW PARISH LIFE
After what seemed like months of preparation, the day arrived in May for the celebration of the transformation of St. Andrew’s, Turners Falls from a mission church to a parish.
The atmosphere was so festive, as so many had worked hard to make the day special. In Guild Hall – ready for the reception – tables were laden with platters and upstairs a gorgeous bouquet adorned the High Altar. The festival color of red draped the free-standing altar, lectern and pulpit. The sense of joyful anticipation was quite palpable.
At 7 p.m., after the sound of a lone bagpipe was heard, the organist played the introduction to “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven,” and everyone began to sing. The sound of so many voices was truly breathtaking.
A magnificent procession then began. As parishioners and visiting clergy processed, The Rev. Marnie Keator, St. Andrew’s rector, had obvious emotion welling up.
The Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton presided throughout the celebration, which was focused on the ministry of St. Andrew’s, not on the building. It was about the people and the numerous ministries that they have been, and continue to be, involved in for so many years.
The bishop asked the rector, wardens and parishioners if they would commit themselves to proclaiming the Gospel and to working together in love and harmony and in mutual respect; a resounding “We do” followed. A particularly exciting and also rewarding moment was when the bishop presented Senior Warden Bill Hattendorf with the documents of registration and incorporation proclaiming St. Andrew’s a full parish.
Bishop Scruton presented an inspiring and memorable sermon in which he reminded parishioners that becoming a parish is not an end but a new beginning and to continue our mission in Turners Falls and the wider world.
He said that St. Andrew’s, though small, is rather like a cathedral as members come from many different towns to attend services here. He told of how well the vote to grant full parish status to St. Andrew’s was received and said that he looks forward to returning to see what the Spirit has led us to accomplish.
He spoke of what a happy and faith-based community we are because of our openness to the Holy Spirit. He reminded us to keep Jesus at the center of our personal and corporate lives.
The bishop asked our new rector, The Rev. Marnie Keator, if she would commit herself to the trust of the parish, to which she responded, “I do, by the grace of God.” This moment marked the official blessing of the very first rector of St. Andrew’s.
Another wonderful moment in the service came at the dedication of The Denig Legacy Library. Parishioner Nancy Denig offered the teachings of her late husband, The Rt. Rev. Robert Scott Denig, the seventh bishop of the Diocese, to St. Andrew’s to be used as a lending library for the whole Diocese.
After the dismissal, everyone seemed to linger a bit in silence as an impressive organ postlude resounded. As each attendee left the church, they were given a gift of a packet of note cards specially designed by Bill Hattendorf with pictures of St. Andrew’s windows on the front and a description of the window on the back.
The bagpiper struck up his tunes anew and piped us out as we greeted the clergy and descended to Guild Hall for a delicious and joy filled reception, where hugs and well wishes were abundantly and freely given.
- by Diane Kurkulonis, St. Andrew’s, Turners Falls.
MARKING A CENTURY TOGETHER
Nearly 50 years ago, Carl Dickman’s family had nowhere to go. At first, as refugees in Indonesia in 1955, the Dickman family made their way to the United States from Holland in 1960. Carl’s family - his father, mother, brother and sister - had just come off the boat and were placed on Maple Street in Springfield.
“We were tired and hungry, and a passerby asked if he could give us a ride,” remembers Carl. “He drove us to the corner of Main and State streets, and I had my first-ever hot dog!”
Carl recalls that a woman named Mrs. Benson Harvey, who served as the family sponsor, provided the connection to All Saints’ Church through the World Church Organization. The pastor at the time was The Rev. John Scott, and Carl remembers how comfortable everyone at All Saints’ made him feel.
That spirit of welcoming still exists today as St. Barnabas’ and All Saints’ readies for the 100th year anniversary of the cornerstone being laid in 1908. That celebration will coincide with Bishop Gordon P. Scruton’s visit to the Oakland Street parish on Nov. 2.
The church’s mission statement emphasizes the welcoming spirit. And that’s what Fran Tarby found when she arrived here from Worcester in 1973.
Her husband, Mike, had started the PIP printing company on Main Street in Springfield, and along with adapting to the new business surroundings, the Tarbys were in need of a new church home.
On their first visit, the Tarbys were greeted by Fay Bates. “She made us feel right at home,” Fran says. “She made sure she introduced us to everyone.”
The former rectory, next door to the church, would be dedicated in 1989 as the Tarby Christian Education Center in honor of William “Mike” Tarby, Fran’s husband, who was formerly the senior warden. Today, the Tarby Center is the office for the Greater Springfield Council of Churches.
On the second floor of the parish is the Bates Auditorium, which is now rented to the Drama Studio of the Performing Arts, one of St. Barnabas’ and All Saints’ many avenues of outreach.
Fran Tarby, 93, still serves as an active member in the parish.
Sometimes parishioners leave for awhile but then come back. Carl returned after being away from the parish for many years.
“I liked going to the Asian store on Dickinson Street,” he says. “I went by the church and stared at it. I saw the invitation on the board outside, and I said, ‘I’ve got to go back.’ ”
From the earlier years, Carl fondly recalls the easygoing style of The Rev. Dennis Ford and his dealings with long-time parish friends such as Carl Vestor. At one point, Carl served as the church’s junior warden and was also a member of the vestry for more than 10 years. Today, Carl and his wife, Mary Ann, are regulars at the 10 a.m. service on Sundays.
The connection to All Saints’ is far-reaching. The mother of junior warden Ceil Braica first attended All Saints’ in 1913.
In 1924, All Saints’ founded a Sunday school mission on Sumner Avenue called St. Barnabas’. In 1970, under the direction of The Rev. Langford Baldwin and his successor The Rev. Gordon Dean, it was decided to sell the St. Barnabas’ properties and merge the two congregations.
Some of the parish priests over the years include The Rev. John Atkins, who took over in 1949; The Rev. Scott Seabury in 1986; and The Rev. Joan Phelps in 1994.
In 2000, The Rev. Charles Summers began his ministry to the church as an interim. By the end of 2001, the vestry petitioned Bishop Scruton to appoint Father Summers as part-time priest-in charge, which he remains today.
- by Richard Baker, St. Barnabas’ and All Saints’, Springfield.