Union Chapel’s Poetry Sunday: Last service of the season

For an historic summer chapel that began as a Methodist camp in 1872, it is fitting that Union Chapel in the Grove celebrates another historic birthday for its final service of the 2026 summer season.

The theme of Poetry Sunday on Aug. 30 is “Poets of the American Dream,” a celebration of America’s 250th birthday featuring poetry from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emma Lazarus, Archibald MacLeish and Langston Hughes.

Chapel Trustees, led by Deborah Endemann, and including Susan Ciaccio and Christopher Herman, chose poems that celebrate America.

Poetry Sunday began in 2020 during the pandemic, when outdoor services were encouraged. Trustees and friends will read the poems under the shady trees of the Grove. Audience participation will be invited for the spoken version of an iconic American song. Island Folk will perform as they have for the last summer service for 20 years.

The musicians of Island Folk are Heather Reylek on guitar; Penny Kerr, mandolin; John Kerr on upright bass; and Wendy Clark on banjo. They are joined this year by Ellen Cava-Haag, who taught music at the United Nations International School in Queens. Island Folk has been “keeping the spirit of traditional music alive” on Shelter Island, including at the History Museum’s weekly summer Farmers Market and other local venues.

All are welcome. Please bring a chair. In case of rain, the service will move indoors. Stars Café will cater the outdoor reception.