Black History Month

Sunday, February 17, was quite a day at St. John’s. Organist-choirmaster, Gordon King, and St. John’s Choir presented music to honor the African-American contribution to our rich musical heritage: favorite hymns from the African-American tradition as well as service music by African-American composers, including David Hurd. At coffee hour, thanks to the efforts of Rosemarie and Ralph O’Shansky, the parish feasted on ethnic cuisine from a variety of African-American cultures. Richard Lipscomb made a delicious shrimp gumbo. Ralph and Rosie offered honey-sweetened iced tea, ham, sweet potato pudding, corn bread, and Rosie’s delicious cakes. Fernella and Owen Lewis brought enough Caribbean delicacies to put the neighborhood restaurants out of business: fried plantains, oxtail stew, curried chicken, plus variety of vegetables, appetizers and desserts.

Friends and neighbors were included. To honor his grandmother’s birthday, Rosie’s son, Vincent Gillis, brought some of his students. The parish was well-filled, well-fed and grateful indeed for this joyous occasion.