{"id":2400,"date":"2018-05-05T22:58:12","date_gmt":"2018-05-06T03:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mindfulwalker.com\/?p=2400"},"modified":"2018-05-05T23:42:58","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T04:42:58","slug":"sacred-sites-springs-rite-of-reverence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindfulwalker.com\/wordpress\/beyond-gotham\/sacred-sites-springs-rite-of-reverence","title":{"rendered":"Sacred Sites: Spring\u2019s Rite of Reverence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tomorrow is the second day of the annual Sacred Sites Open House throughout New York State. From the 1842 Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church on eastern Long Island to the 1905 First Baptist Church of Niagara Falls at the northwest tip of New York, dozens of Sacred Sites are open to the public this weekend. More than 140 churches, synagogues, and meeting houses comprise the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s<\/a> 8th annual two-day open house, a splendid rite of spring. The month of May possesses its seasonal glories, both nature- and human-created. Often, the best combine both in ways that call us to walk, pause, and honor.<\/p>\n

In swaths of the northern United States, the spring has felt particularly long in coming as wintry snows and cold temperatures have meant that buds burst later. Yet, with early May\u2019s warm weather and blooming, the season has reminded us to seize the day and not miss the spectacle, even if spring turns over into summer heat rapidly.<\/p>\n

During the Sacred Sites Open House, culminating on Sunday, both the natural and manmade honor beauty, connectedness, resilience, and perseverance that are best savored in walking and observing. These spiritual homes, in the backdrop of nature\u2019s spring unfolding, are often awe-inspiring.
\nThe congregations invite the public in to appreciate their worship space, learn its history, walk gardens, and explore craftsmanship that has survived for generations. It is also an opportunity to share the spiritual outreach and cultural programs they do today. With this year\u2019s theme of “Sacred Sounds and Settings,” they are also offering concerts and organ presentations.<\/p>\n

Some Sunday highlights include:<\/p>\n

Plymouth Church<\/a><\/strong>, Brooklyn, will share its history and current programs in tours plus present a concert on Sunday that celebrates freedom and justice, two themes central to its longstanding presence. Families of the original Plymouth Rock settlers were among its founders in 1847, and its first pastor was Henry Ward Beecher, a fierce abolitionist and the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom\u2019s Cabin. Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr. have been among the visitors to the church. Church members helped slaves escaping from the South, who found a safe refuge in a basement space on their way North. The church will give tours at 12:30 and 2 p.m., while the concert is set for 1:15 p.m. <\/p>\n

Congregation Tifereth Israel<\/a><\/strong>, Greenport (Suffolk County) will have its community gallery open from 1-4 p.m. for an \u201cWho Art Thou,\u201d an exhibit that explores Judaism through art. The multimedia exhibit features the work of eight Jewish artists seeking deeper understanding and insight into Judaism in their works.<\/p>\n

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church<\/a><\/strong>, Woodstock (Ulster County) will be open to the public from 12-3 p.m. for viewing the architecture of the A-frame church, constructed from 1955-1957, and its art. Visitors are also invited to walk the church gardens (which include a memorial garden, horticultural therapy garden, children\u2019s garden, and wildflower meadow) and a labyrinth. Greeters will be on hand to answer questions.<\/p>\n

St. George\u2019s Episcopal Church<\/a><\/strong>, Newburgh (Orange County) is a picturesque church which members, led by a 26-year-old pastor, erected nearly 200 years ago. Those who tour during its open house hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. can see magnificent Tiffany and other stained glass windows, as well as artifacts from its storied history, while learning of its community presence today. <\/p>\n

The Conservancy\u2019s site for the Open House Weekend<\/a> contains a listing and resources for visiting the participating Sacred Sites.<\/p>\n

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