This was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Rev. Raymond Palmer. It was a splendiferous day!
Women and Jim Dennehey must have spent many hours preparing the silver tea. Carol, eg, spent all morning polishing the silver [gorgeous]. There were little petits , little sandwiches, little lemon squares, a Trifle [prepared by Joan Dennehey], and Judy Hough and I got to sit there [serving coffee and tea] and watch others gorge. As Jim D. said, “Remind me never to agree to pour.” Finally it slowed down and darling Linda Allanson took my place. The McGee table had a punchbowl with the glass punch cups we rarely use. Amy Heebner [church historian] had a fabulous arrangement of Ray Palmer writings, pictures, receipts for money -eg, $8.65 for the year's fire insurance, and since she is at the NY State Library, she had on display six of his books, and as you can imagine, they had gorgeous covers printed in gold. I'm sure they are VERY valuable. She also had on display several prints of him, face and also shoulders up. He was apparently, blond, with curly hair! Not like our church's portraits.
The service began with a Proclamation, from State Senator Neil Breslin . [Democrat, just re-elected] and it had the usual glowing reports plus the usual admonitions to the church/congregation to continue in their service to the community. Larry Paska, who was liturgist, read the Proclamation. All the hymns were either written or translated by Dr. Palmer. You know "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" there was an entire book of his poetry and hymns on Amy's display - and when we practiced on Thursday and the choir was trying valiantly to sing a plainsong version of one simple hymn [the plainsong was also from 1899, not the right era] I pointed out to Jim that there is a simple version in the Pilgrim Hymnal which we can all sing. - translation of " Veni, Sancte Spiritu," Vicki. That was also the Recessional and wouldn't we have had a time trying to manage words and unfamiliar plainsong!
The highlight of the service was a program written by Rev. Tony, with John Dennehey as Narrator presenting a scene and Tony as Rev. Palmer, sitting at a table with book, quill pen and lighted candles, speaking his thoughts about the topic presented. Even Larry, my husband, who is not given to generous comment, said it was interesting and well done.
Both Tony and John were in period suiting; John even had a topper which of course he didn't get to wear as Narrator. The women of the Women's Fellowship, who had planned all this, and made the food, wore white high-necked blouses and long black skirts; several had costumes rented for the occasion, very elaborate. Several people were taking photos and so we'll have tangible memories of the day.
It was well attended - say more than 70 - and of course they all enjoyed the tea. The usual women rallied around and served AND helped with the cleanup. THAT is really the heart of service! In fact, it was such a success that when Jim and I were talking afterwards, he proposed that this become an annual church event - Ray Palmer Sunday!