At a historic church just north of downtown Charlotte Amalie, the head of the Cathedral Church of All Saints has a new way to celebrate Nov. 1, otherwise known as All Saints Day. The Source got in touch with Dean Sandye Wilson to hear about what the cathedral congregation did to get themselves – and their Garden Street neighbors – in the spirit of the day.
All Saints is an Episcopal (Anglican) church built in 1848 by emancipated African slaves. Wilson brings to the cathedral her own historical pedigree – she was the first black female Episcopal priest to be ordained in the Diocese of New York in 1982. Combining a gift for tending to the needs of parishioners with studies in social work at Fordham University, she moved her ministry to St. Andrew and Holy Community Church in New Jersey. There, she connected with the community by opening the doors and welcoming them in.
Now settled on St. Thomas, Wilson’s winning ways include invitations for neighborhood children to connect with students from All Saints Cathedral School, by knocking on doors armed with freshly cooked chicken dinners and with music at an All Saints Day concert planned for the cathedral Sunday, Nov. 7.
Source reporter Judi Shimel linked up for a video-streamed chat on Tuesday, also known as All Souls Day or, as in Mexico, as Dia de los Muertos.
