2025
Hi SPICE - It’s that time of the year! Spouses of clergy from the Diocese of New York will once more be gathering for a luncheon at Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 15, 2025. We are going to gather together at the Convention and hope you can join us!
This year we have requested a “hospitality space” for clergy spouses in Donegan Hall 9am-5pm. Our idea is that this will be a "home base" for SPICE throughout the day. It will be a place to welcome newcomers, get caught up with each other, meet-up for a walk, have a cuppa and rest - whatever!
When Convention breaks for lunch, partners/spouses will meet for food and fellowship in Donegan Hall.
We hope you will be able to join us since our luncheon is a great time to catch up with old friends, make new friends and find out what is happening across the Diocese of New York.
There is no charge for the meal. To reserve your place, please respond by November 1st by clicking on the link below and filling out the google form. You should have confirmation of your response.
If you have any questions or issues with the link, you can contact Jennifer Gerhard at jleekcom04@yahoo.com or Sheryl Johnson-Simmons at baroness77@gmail.com
Saturday, October 11th at noon in New Paltz
Main Course Restaurant, 175 Main Street, New Paltz
RSVP Molly Jones, mjonesmunich@gmail.com
Saturday, November 15th - SPICE lunch at Diocesan Convention
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Details and RSVP TBA
As always, we welcome any additions to our fall calendar and we are here to help plan and invite. Have an idea for a meet-up? Child-friendly picnic or play date? Expedition to an exhibit or event? Regional lunch or cocktail party? Walk in the woods? All it takes is a date, time, and place.
Please reach out to our Regional Gathering Facilitators if you would like to instigate a meet-up:
Jennifer Gerhard - jleekcom04@yahoo.com
Sheryl Simmons - baroness77@gmail.com
Hudson Valley Summer BBQ - July 26th
I hope you are having a special summer. On Saturday, July 26th from 12 noon until ? you are invited to come to my home for food and fun. We will gather at 109 Creamery Drive, New Windsor, NY 12553. Your clergy spouse/partner is welcome (but not required!) to attend.
We will order BBQ from Billy Joel's Ribworks once we gather and chow down under a covered patio or screened gazebo. You may also enjoy scenic mountain views while swimming in the heated salt water pool or simply relax in the hot tub. Enjoy quiet time in the lower level family room or main level sunroom. We will gather rain or shine!
Please bring your 3 "b's" - beverage, bathing suit, beach towel. A shower will be available. Unfortunately, this must be an adult-only event due to insurance/liability. There will be at least one carpool available, leaving from the Bronx.
Please RSVP to Tom no later than Friday, July 18th by email: Jamest49@msn.com. Hope to see you soon!
Invitation to join a Listening Circle
SPICE is forming a listening circle to explore questions of the Church’s definition of clergy spouse/family and consider answers to questions such as: who is my priest? And, who is my child’s priest? We feel that such things as separate pastoral care for clergy families, clear articulation that spouses are autonomous beings and if they do wish to attend a church at all, that nearby congregations and such may be suitable options and certainly in order. We’re also researching past work addressing these issues throughout the church. If interested in joining our little fishing expedition please contact Christopher Carter Sanderson kit.sanderson@gmail.com
Rooftop Manhattan Cocktail Party
Friday, June 27, 2025 at 6 pm
Hosted by Sheryl Simmons and JB Wyker
At the rooftop of Manhattan rectory, email for location.
RSVP jbwyker@gmail.com
Summer Lunch with pool and BBQ
Saturday, July 26, 2025 starting at 12 noon - rain or shine!
Hosted by Tom Hubbard at his home at109 Creamery Drive, New Windsor, NY 12553
Experience catered BBQ food, scenic mountain backyard views while relaxing under a covered patio or screened gazebo, hot tub, in-ground pool, or sitting on the second floor deck. Enjoy quiet time in the lower level family room or main level sunroom. The house is family friendly and children are welcome.
Please RSVP by July 8th to jamest49@msn.com. Carpool will be available from NYC.
Past Events
Tarrytown Lunch
Saturday, April 5th 1PM at River Market Bar & Kitchen in Tarrytown
127 W.. Main Street, Tarrytown (https://rivermarketbarkitchen.com/)
Accessible from metro north stop; car pool from the Bronx
Please RSVP to Susie: (susan.erdey@gmail.com)
SPICE Weekend
April 25 - 27 SPICE Annual Spring Gathering at Trinity Retreat Center
Invitation and description attached.
New this year - Ardelle Walters, co-founder of The Partner's Path and clergy spouse will facilitate our conversation Friday evening and Saturday morning.
New this year - SPICE Dance Party at TRC Community Hall Saturday night
RSVP by April 11, 2025 to beckisander@gmail.com
Rooftop Manhattan Cocktail Party
Friday, June 27, 2025 at 6 pm
Hosted by Sheryl Simmons and JB Wyker
At the rooftop of Manhattan rectory, email for location.
RSVP jbwyker@gmail.com
2024 spice weekend
Our 2024 Spice weekend will be held from April 26 - April 28 at Trinity Retreat Center, 79 Lower River Rd, West Cornwall, Connecticut 06796. We are looking forward to seeing you!
SPICE LUNCHEON/DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Spouses of clergy from the Diocese of New York will once more be gathering for a luncheon at Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 9, 2024. We are going to gather together at the Convention and hope you can join us!
When Convention breaks for lunch, we will meet for food and fellowship in a conference room at the Sonesta Hotel, 66 Hale Avenue , White Plains, NY 10601.
If you have any questions or issues with the link, you can contact:
Jennifer Gerhard at jleekcom04@yahoo.com or Sheryl Johnson-Simmons at baroness77@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you!
SPICE COCKTAIL PARTY
SPICE regional lunch
March 16, 2024: lunch in Downtown New Paltz at 1 pm
Please RSVP to host Molly Jones: mjonesmunich@gmail.com
April 20, 2024: Lunch at BKNY Thai Restaurant in Queens at 2 pm.
Please RSVP to host Andrea Steele: afsteele2@gmail.com
