Rev. Otis Moss 3rd is a spectacular preacher and spiritual leader who graces the Union Chapel pulpit every first Sunday in August. His sermon was about that period of uncertainty and doubt that all of us feel when we are between “grief and grace.” When they would say in the civil rights days I am between “Oh, my God and thank you Jesus.” For others it is being in “the hallway,” when one door closes before the other door opens.

But this Sunday, the entire service, if not the whole Island, was consumed with grief at the drowning of Kevin Foster at Long Point, on July 31. He went into the strong waters to save his sons who were caught in a rip tide. He died doing what father’s instinctively do when their families are in danger. He was selfless and will always be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice. Services will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 10:30 a.m., family visitation will begin at 9 a.m. in Cambridge at St. Paul AME Church.

He will be missed by his family and friends but especially by members of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. and the Boston Chapter of the National Association of Guardsmen.

Family and friends gathered last Saturday at Meadow View Farms to say congratulations to Manny and Laura Horne as they celebrated 70 years of marriage. It seems like just yesterday when we all saluted them on their 50th. Roxbury and Oak Bluffs royalty for sure!

The Charles Ogletree Public Forums are heating up with two power-packed forums at Union Chapel on August 12 beginning at 4 p.m. The first sponsored by Boston Medical Center is The Family Meeting:Building Wealth with Intention Across the Generations. This will be followed by Innovation, AI and the Future of Work.

On August 13 Clinee Hedspeth returns for the fourth year under the banner of The Art of Collecting Art: Tips from Appraisers and Collectors. There will be special guests Diane Dinkins Carr from Chicago and our own Sandra Grymes. Her program will be at the Oak Bluffs Library at 4 p.m.

HBCU week was very successful with a range of conversations and panels, including a rich conversation between the presidents of Johnson C. Smith, Virginia State University, Benedict College, Winston Salem State University and Roxbury Community College. Enrollment is up and growth is on the horizon. Challenges include housing for students and infrastructure needs. But the highlight for many was the HBCU Arts Festival held at Union Chapel with presentations made by Castle of our Skins entitled Blacknificently Divine.

Island favorite singer extraordinaire Vivian Male joined with Frank Williams and a tremendous quartet singing old school tunes that prompted dancing in East Chop on July 31. Can’t wait until next year.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is a fleeting.

Rest in Peace, Randall Edward Taylor.