Often on a Sunday you'll find us aboard Highland Fling II choosing to spend the holy day worshiping the sun and sea in lieu of taking communion with the god fearing citizens of Grenada. As the daughter of a former southern baptist minister I've strayed from the hard pews, communion wine and endless prayer meetings that made up my childhood. I haven't darkened the door of a church in several years and the last time my butt was on a church pew was while drinking red wine in the Red Crab restaurant. I haven't totally turned my back on religion, but as far as church goes I've seen too much politics, met too many "Christians" full of the joys of hypocrisy, judgment and exclusion that have turned me off to organized religion. So, I've traded in the church service for a boat lime and I am proud to worship on a Sunday at the Church of Highland Fling.
The congregation
Our little motley Sunday crew generally gathers on the dock around 1 pm on a Sunday, a bit later than church services start, but we do bear some similarities to a typical church service. We start with a welcome where we all hug and greet one another, often it's been about 15 hours since we last saw one another, but we hug and kiss and actually mean it, unlike some church folk.
We then prepare the sacraments...ice, booze and Suzie's chicken wings.
The Sacraments
If Highland Fling is our church then Keith, our captain, is the high priest, ensuring proper protocol is followed...mainly checking that we have enough ice and white wine for the journey. Highland Fling bears other similarities to what a church should be. The congregation of Highland Fling II is very welcoming, often welcoming me when I am a widow for the weekend having lost my husband to his studies. They also don't discriminate and are accepting of every race creed and color. Between us we have six nationalities and I think even more passports. Like church there is wine. Pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc being the drinks of choice, we are not Chardonnay people. There is often singing though instead of hymns we sing Poker Face, I would walk 500 miles and if the High Priest has had enough wine Destra.
Celebrating our nationalities!
If I had to pick a church we most resemble it would be a black congregation in the American South because much like when their congregants become filled with the holy spirit the dancing begins. Once we are filled with wine and the Caribbean Spirit we wine (for my non island friends, it's a type of dance which eludes me, but I try nonetheless)! Our other similarity is the length of the service like the southern worshipers our service goes on and on, even after we've docked and had our famous last drink for 'safe arrival.'
Safe arrival ritual
Sacrifice being an integral part of religion we've had our share of sacrifice. There was the time Alyssa sacrificed her hand while preparing the sacraments. Sliced it while smashing ice with a bottle..anything for a cold drink. The Clark's tend to sacrifice our personal possessions to the sea. There were the prescription sunglasses that went overboard and then most unfortunate the car and house keys.
Sacrificed Glasses and smiles as we still had car keys
We celebrate and give thanks for 'safe arrival', for 'living the dream' and though no one would admit it out loud for good friends. Sunday services on the Church of Highland Fling II are an experience not to be missed, and if you are ever invited to worship I would suggest you trade your pew for a boat cushion, your communion cup for a wine glass, judgmental attitude for a good lime and spend the day in communion with nature and good friends. There is no discrimination on Highland Fling II unless of course you bring Chardonnay...
Just another Sunday in Grenada
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