During the busy summer months, Long Beach welcomes an enthusiastic recreational community of cyclists, surfers, swimmers and others.

Safety, as well as fun, is always a top priority. Nearly 50 residents, parishioners and passers-by gathered on the city’s popular boardwalk to ask God's blessing on the fun and to pray for a safe and carefree season.

Worshipers were grateful for clear skies and mild weather.

Fr. King preaching on the boardwalk.

Father Christopher King, bishop’s vicar at St. James, officiated at the service, which included a Gospel reading ("The wind blows where it chooses... so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit", John 3:8), a brief message, special intercessions, and the rite of blessing with holy water.

Blessing the Bikes and Boards with Holy Water.

My favorite part was the silent remembrance for all those who had died on the road or in the water during the last year,” said St. James member Bob Cottrell, “That was a very powerful moment.”

Parishioner Maria Milillo, of the Long Island Bicycle Club (C Group), organized a ride from Lynbrook to Long Beach for the service. The dedicated group pushed through, in spite of three flat tires en route.

“Jesse”, a Long Beach resident known for his unique 6-foot high “tall bike”, stopped for the service and invited Father Chris to give the custom-built bicycle a short spin on the boardwalk.

Jesse and his "six foot tall bike"

“The Word of God tells us again and again that ‘we live and move and have our being’ in a God who is real, alive, and always on the move,” Father King explained. “Celebrations like this help us express our thanks to God for letting us share in the energy of life.

Benediction at the end of the service.

As Christian believers who belong to the surfing community would say, Mahalo nui loa, Akua Nui! Thank you very much, great and living God!”

At the end, everyone was invited to St. James for grilled hot dogs and a time of fellowship on the church lawn.

Episcopal Church of Saint James of Jerusalem by the Sea
Long Beach, NY
The Rev. Dr. Christopher King, Bishop's Vicar
(516) 432-1080