This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
|
|
Stay informed about what's happening at St. Mary's by subscribing to our weekly newsletter...
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, May 13 - The Seventh Sunday of Easter; The Sunday After Ascension; Mother's Day
8 am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50 am - Infant/childcare available; Sunday School starts
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with choir and organ
Food and fellowship follows in Bentley Hall
Wednesday, May 16
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
11 am - Chapel for Preschool 3's and 4's
Thursday, May 17
11 am - Chapel for Preschool for 2’s
11:30 am - Soup & Sandwich Luncheon & Day by Day Reading Reflection
|
|
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I confess to being just a little jealous that Pete and I were not on the red carpet last week at the Met Gala. The outlandish yet beautiful couture creations I saw in the media were certainly meant to be both stunning and a little blasphemous. From Rihanna's mitre to whatever that was on Sarah Jessica Parker's head, the level of bedazzled brilliance was second only to a Carnival ball in New Orleans. One wonders how many hot glue scars the creators of these dresses bear--they are a badge of honor.
I find it fascinating that in a largely secular and un-churched world, people are turning out in droves for the new "
Heavenly Bodies
" exhibit at the Met. It is certainly encouraging to know that there is the interest, but what does it really mean with such a high level of detachment on the part of our celebrity-obsessed culture? Standing back from afar, one might be taken by the overall "glitz effect" of the vestments on display. A closer look might reveal great skill and artistry on the part of some unnamed person long gone. And so on some Proustian level, one can appreciate the artistry, but not the intent; the skill but not the spirit. From my perspective, the workmanship and expense and hours that go into creating something of beauty like a magnificent chasuble or cope or cotta point to an intense faith. The creation of these things is not meant to shock and awe for ten minutes on the runway, but inspire and lift the spirit to eternity. God is the ultimate source of beauty, life, and love, and we strive (with the creative spark he has given us) to return a tiny measure of his glory back to him.
We are beginning to plan an outing for the people of St. Mary's to the Met to look at these magnificent pieces of sacred art. What a joy it will be to see them and perhaps to show you beauty through a new set of theological eyes.
Blessings,
Father Rick
|
|
The month of May is traditionally devoted to our patron, St. Mary. We have been singing the Regina Coeli since Easter Sunday (see the
video
on Facebook), and will continue to do so until the day of Pentecost. On Mother's Day, May 13, we will be singing special hymns to the blessed mother, and all moms will receive a specially blessed rose for the occasion. Please bring your mom to church!
We will also be saying a big thank you that day to one of our special parish moms, Prudence Thurston. For decades now, she has headed up our Sunday School program. After many years of faithful service, Prudence will be retiring from her duties as of May 13. Please join us during coffee hour to thank her personally. The Christian Education Committee is meeting to discern the future of our Sunday school program, which we all agree is vital to our mission. If you have any ideas, or are interested in serving on the committee, please see
Fr. Rick
.
|
|
Episcopal Charities Sunday
|
Also on Mother’s Day, May 13th, St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo will join with parishes across the Diocese of New York to celebrate Episcopal Charities Sunday. That day, a special offering takes place to help fund the 47 parish-sponsored
community kitchens
and
food pantries
that Episcopal Charities supports. Every dollar contributed is passed along to help the hungry. Please visit the
website
for more information.
|
|
Congratulations to our own parishioner and vestry member, Dr. George Thurston, who will be receiving the Public Service Award from the American Thoracic Society (ATS) at their conference this month!
The award recognizes contributions to public health related to improvement of indoor and outdoor air quality, eradication of tobacco usage, prevention of lung disease, improved management of communicable respiratory diseases, or improvement in the ethical delivery, and access to healthcare in areas related to lung diseases, sleep disorders, or critical care. There is a special emphasis on efforts that have the potential to eliminate gender, racial, ethnic or economic disparities.
Dr. Thurston is on the faculty of the school of medicine at New York University, where he conducts investigations into the human health effects of air pollution. He has been actively involved with the ATS health policy committee over the past few decades, representing them in
congressional testimony
and
in the press
.
|
|
Spring Bike-a-Thon on June 9th
|
Please save the date of Saturday, June 9, for a bike rally and community picnic at St. Mary's. There will be a 10 mile and 20 mile route around the beautiful lakes of Tuxedo Park, followed by a raffle drawing (grand prize is a mountain bike) and community picnic on the great lawn. Please visit our website to
sign up to ride and/or sponsor a rider
.
|
|
From the Hanlon Family:
"The Hanlon Family would like to express our most heartfelt appreciation to the entire church family of St. Mary’s for welcoming us with such genuine graciousness into your church and for sharing with us as witnesses to the baptism of our children, Caleigh and Peyton, on April 29th. Your kindness has been received as a true reflection of God’s greatest commandment in love. Thank you."
Please visit our Facebook page for
more photos
of the festivities.
|
|
Many have called coffee hour the eighth sacrament in the Episcopal Church, and it is indeed a great opportunity for informal community building at St. Mary's. It is held immediately following the 10am service in Bentley Hall, and we need hosts for several upcoming Sundays. Please let
Lisa
in the office know if you can take one of these Sundays.
|
|
All are truly welcome at St. Mary's, which is located within the historic gates of Tuxedo Park and serves the entire Tuxedo community. Please tell the gatehouse you're going to St. Mary's, proceed thru the gates and we're on the right (plenty of parking available).
|
|
How to contact us...
Office: 845.351.5122
PreSchool: 845.351.2389
Physical Address: 10 Fox Hill Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
