Dear Parishioners and Friends,

With Labor Day behind us (and hopefully soon the hot weather, too) we bid farewell to another long and lazy summer. Numerous fall activities in our community will soon be upon us as we enjoy one of our most beautiful seasons. Just this morning the Community Projects Committee of the Tuxedo Park Garden Club met at Dottie Audrey's to discuss our plans for the colorful beds, boxes, and planters that we maintain throughout the Park and Town. I'm personally looking forward to getting some work done in the rectory gardens that was impossible in the sweltering heat of summer. It seems the more I dig, the more I find, most recently a tumbled-down and partially buried garden wall along the pathway to the church.

With the coming of fall, we also turn our thoughts to school and church. Almost all of the students have returned to their studies, and we will welcome our preschoolers back next week. There will also be a special prayer for commissioning the Sunday School during the 10:00 service next week, which you can read more about below.

As we witness the crowning of the year, let us hold our students, teachers, staff, and schools in our prayers. May they be centers of sound learning, and may all seekers of truth come to see God in all things, for he is the source and sum of all.

Father Rick

On Sunday, September 9th, during the 10am service, our full choir returns and the Sunday School will be commissioned for the new school year by Father Rick. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven." At St. Mary's, we believe that Christian formation, and especially that of children, is vital to our mission. Sunday school teaches not only the stories of the Bible, but also instills lessons of godly living that will have a life-long impact on children. Please join us! Sunday School starts at 9:50am, choir rehearsal is at 8:30am.

Fall is a particularly busy time at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo. In addition to all of the events in this newsletter, we have four baptisms and two weddings planned. Please plan on joining your parish family on these important dates:

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 9, 2018, for the beloved son of David and Robin McFadden. Derek tragically passed away August 17, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona.

A viewing of Derek’s ashes, photographs of Derek at rest, and private reflections will be held in the Small Chapel of the Holy Spirit, located at St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo Episcopal Church from 12:00 – 1:45 pm.

Following the viewing, Derek’s Memorial Service will be held at the Tuxedo Club from 2:00 – 3:00 pm, followed by a reception from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

Early arrivals may enjoy tea and coffee at the Club from 12:00 – 2:00 pm.

Wall Street titan turned scientist Alfred Lee Loomis created technology in his Tuxedo Park lab that helped turn the tide of WWII. Join us on November 3rd for a benefit where we celebrate this unique part of our heritage and get a glimpse inside the laboratory and home where history was made! Please visit PBS to watch the documentary or the publisher to learn more about the book by Jennet Conant.

Please join us on Sunday, September 30, at 3pm, for a concert at St. Mary's featuring Paul Van Ness, concert pianist and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. The program will feature music by Brahms and Chopin played on our Steinway grand piano in the main church. A freewill offering will be taken, followed by a reception in Bentley Hall. All are welcome!

When you are cleaning out your closets and preparing for the new school year, please donate your unwanted/outgrown clothing and shoes to St Mary's.

These will be gratefully received and will be reused in several ways:

Your donations can be brought to St Mary's any weekday between 9 am and 1 pm or at other times by arrangement. Please, everything must be clean and in good repair!

Sue Heywood, Outreach Chair

P.S. For more information about how St Mary's supports the children and families of Carryou, click here