We agreed. It was her choice to move to Palm Coast. After all she had accompanied me as I served parishes from Vermont to Long Island to Maui to Martha’s Vineyard and back to Northern Vermont. Claire Stefanik, a retired psychotherapist, charted our move here in June, 2014. We had previously relocated from Long Island to the Green Mountains to raise eight children on our homestead in Cambridge in 1969. That was our successful effort to live off the land tending two gardens, ducks, geese, hogs and three hundred chickens. Claire and I were received into the Episcopal Church from Rome in 1975. Bishop Robert S. Kerr recognized my ordination in the Roman Catholic Church and licensed me as priest in 1977. At that time I served as a non-stipended (worker) priest at an experimental mission in Johnson. My salaried work continued as a social worker in child abuse/neglect and as an instructor in English at Johnson State College and the Community College of Vermont until 1983.

In 1983 Bishop Kerr appointed me as campus minister at the University of Vermont. The Lutheran Bishop (ELCA) appointed me as Pastor to the Lutheran Students at UVM. In 1988 Trinity Parish, Shelburne, VT called me to be their rector. Specifically, my strongest talent was helping parishes transform their dysfunctional systems into healthy relationships. I have a strong affection for the healing ministry of Jesus. My preaching squares Scripture with what’s happening now and vice versa. I like the words of the Prophets and Jesus; especially when they confront injustice. Praying the Prayer Book daily complements my love to be in silence – that’s where Elijah found God.

From the Green Mountains back to the Atlantic.  Will I surf again? I began surfing in 1948 on Long Island. Surf fishing? A better bet than surfing. My brother and I were very good at beaching striped bass. Then there is the trombone. I might just join the local band here. Practicing expands the lungs. Books? Just finished a bio about my unconventional grandmother – American Compassion from an Immigrant: We All Got Bellybuttons. Two more books (novels) are in progress. Because I love Claire’s company at the local eateries, weightlifting in my garage keeps my body weight in check. So does walking with my Tibetan Terrier, Zbigniew; he meditates too.