 Jesus Light of the world, Shine, Shine Jesus shine! The story is told of an old professor who visited a past student of his, whose first child had been recently born. He presented the parents with a gift for the baby. A book, all wrapped in fine paper and tied with a bow. Imagine their surprise and bewilderment when, on unwrapping the gift, they found that it was a very old leather-bound collection of Shakespeare's plays. They thought, what a strange gift for a baby; How odd! An old book written in archaic language, given to a new born who will not be able to read it for many years to come. Then they realized the gift was not the book; the gift was the giver! The old professor had given himself. He had given the child that thing most precious to himself. His own love for the language embodied in Shakespeare. His gift was an expression of his deepest joy at the birth of the child, his hope for the future of this new human being. During this season of Epiphany, the season of the manifestation of light into the world, the Magi bring themselves, and only then, can they offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And all of this really leads to an encounter that rearranges their lives, their self-images and seemingly even their pocket books. The gifts we bring may not be material gold and it's like. The light that has come, shines through us as we give our time, our care, our listening, our compassion and our understanding. The best gift to Christ, whether in church ministries or toward the least of those in our midst, is the offering of ourselves, our souls and our bodies, as a sacrifice to him, who gave all in sacrifice for us. As we enter this new year, I encourage all of you, myself included to ponder seriously, the way of giving self. I am learning, each day, that life is just far too short not to do so, even though it is tough at the best of times. Epiphany leads us into light. Epiphany calls us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Epiphany coaxes us to follow the star.....always Epiphany teaches us to tell others of Jesus love for us and for them. Epiphany challenges us to give of ourselves first. Then let Epiphany surprise us, taking us home by another road, filled with new adventure, renewed hope and restored joy. I pray that the Lord of life will bless you and your loved ones, as we enter this new year, and that healing light, tolerance and deep respect for the dignity of every human being may be our anthem and chant this year. With my prayers, Fr. Alan
Sermons are available on our website under the worship tab.
Click HERE.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP:
- Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:30 am
WEEKDAY WORSHIP:
- Monday: Morning Prayer at 9:30am
- Wednesday: Noonday Prayer
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Ash Wednesday to Easter Schedule
2021
Ash Wednesday, February 17
12.00 noon ~ Virtual Imposition of ashes, and noon day prayer
7.00 PM ~ Virtual Imposition of ashes, sermon and Holy Eucharist
Sundays during Lent: 9.30 AM featuring liturgy samples from various parts of the Anglican Communion, and prayers for healing.
- February 21 ~ Lent 1 The West Indies
- February 28 ~ Lent 2 New Zealand
- March 7 ~ Lent 3 South Africa
- March 14 ~ Lent 4 Wales
- April 21 ~ Lent 5 Australia
Mondays during Lent
Wednesday during Lent:
- 12.00 PM Noon day prayers
Palm Sunday, March 28
- 9.30 AM~ Blessing of Palms, the Passion, and Holy Eucharist
- Palm crosses will be available in large sanitized plastic containers in front of the church
Holy Monday, March 29
Holy Tuesday, March 30
Holy Wednesday, March 31
- 9.30 AM Morning Prayer
- 12.00 noon ~ noon prayers
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), April 1
- 9.30 AM Morning Prayer
- 7.00 PM ~ Holy Eucharist
Good Friday, April 2
- 12.00 PM ~ noon prayers and the stations of the cross
- 7.00 PM ~ The Liturgy of Good Friday
Easter Saturday, April 3
- 7.00 PM ~ The great Vigil of Easter, ~ The lighting of the Paschal Candle and festival Sung Eucharist
Easter Sunday, April 4
- 9.30 AM ~ Festival Sung Holy Eucharist
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Calendar Notes/Special Events:
February 2021 - ANNUAL MEETING TBD (see below)
Jan/Feb 2021- Trivia Night TBD - (See Below)
January 26th, Discussion on Racial Divide (see below)
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Warden's Corner
News from the Church Warden, John Priscantelli
Hello all,
Now that we can put 2020 behind us we need to look forward.
When I think of all the great people we have come across in our time at the church it inspires me to keep on going forward. I am thankful for our friendships and am looking forward to when we can meet over coffee hour again.
So, as we go forward PLEASE PLEDGE !!
I try not to focus too much on this during the year but it is the time of year we must focus on this.
In the upcoming year with so much uncertainty it is imperative that you pledge if you can. To think to yourself well I think we'll pledge X amount is great but we need some communication from you so we can put this in our budget. To those who have already done so thank you. For those who haven't please email Father Alan, David Aplin or myself with a pledge amount.
EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS !
So again, we look forward to seeing everybody again, and until then please stay healthy and happy!
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Vestry Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes are available on bulletin board outside of Parish Hall office or by contacting Rich at [email protected]. |
 Meet the Parish
PROFILE
The Romeo Family
Barbara and Rick Romeo first attended Saint Mary's in 1993, along with their daughter Sarah, then age 7. They both had strong roots in the Roman Catholic Church, having attended Catholic schools from elementary through high school (and for Barbara also through college), and three of Barbara's uncles were Catholic priests. Their transition to the Episcopal Church was generally smooth, but not without some interesting moments. Rick recalls the first Eucharist they attended at Saint Mary's, thinking it had much in common with a Catholic mass, until the Prayers of the People when his knees buckled when we prayed for the Archbishop of Canterbury instead of the Pope.
The Romeos have been involved in many aspects of life at Saint Mary's. Rick was on the Search Committee that led to Joel Mason being called as Rector of Saint Mary's. He has served as a Vestry member, Stewardship Warden and Treasurer, and for many years handled the auction side of the annual Auction Dinner. Barbara was volunteer bookkeeper for several years, has for many years handled financial aspects of the Strawberry Festival, has taught Sunday School, and is pleased to see that many of her creations are still used from the years she made and restored costumes for the Christmas pageant. Sarah served as an acolyte (and thurifer) as well as a volunteer at several Strawberry Festivals. Barbara and Rick have also frequently assisted at Sunday services as Lay Eucharistic Ministers (chalice bearers), and Rick has also been a Lector and occasionally an acolyte.
One of the most satisfying but challenging of their activities was as Saint Mary's Midnight Run coordinators (along with the Chance family) for about 10 years, providing food, clothing and friendship to homeless persons in New York City. This involved food purchase and preparation, sorting and organizing donated clothing and toiletries, and arranging for and accompanying volunteers to go on a borrowed van into the city, four times each year. This continues to be an ideal way to put into practice our Christian principles, with opportunities for involvement by parishioners of all ages.
Barbara and Rick are now both retired after long careers with mostly a single employer, Barbara with a small investment firm and Rick as a tax attorney at American Express. Sarah is a nurse practitioner and has lived for several years in Brooklyn Heights, where Barbara and Rick lived for 14 years before they moved to Chappaqua. She is engaged to be married in the coming year.
The Romeos lived in the same Chappaqua house for 30 years until 2016, when they moved a short distance from there to Rocky Hills, with extensive gardens that keep them quite busy. They have long been enthusiastic travelers, and since 2002 have had an apartment in Paris, where they are also active at their "second home" Episcopal church, the American Cathedral in Paris.
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 2021 ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
The SMTV Annual Meeting will take place early in 2021 on a date yet to be determined. Following advice received from the Diocese, in compliance with New York State health guidance regarding public gathering, the 2021 Annual Meeting will be conducted virtually. Planning for this change from our traditional practice of "in person" meeting has just begun, and follow up email notices will be sent to all registered parish members as soon as possible as various details are finalized.
In addition to reviewing a year of unique challenges and planning for our
future, four vestry positions will be subject to election:
Junior Warden, Buildings and Grounds;
Worship and Music;
Newcomers and Membership; and
Outreach.
Nominations should be communicated either to the Parish office, the Vestry at [email protected] or Rich Juzumas, Vestry Clerk.
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Deacon's Corner
News from Deacon Shiane
Greetings St. Mary the Virgin congregation, I hope everyone had a pleasant New Year.
With all that is going on in our Nation, I want to remind us of the tremendous importance and calling we have to continue to be a people of Thankfulness!
Discussion on Shrinking the Racial Divide
Here at St. Mary's, we continue to have conversations about how to shrink the racial divide. This discussion takes place once a month, via zoom with parishioners from other churches. Our next session takes place on January 26, 2021 at 7:00PM. Please feel free to e-mail me for the zoom invitation at [email protected]
 Volunteers Needed to Facilitate Session for Confirmation Class I would like to invite St. Mary's parishioners to volunteer to facilitate a session for the confirmation class of 2021. Fr. Alan and I are facilitating some of the sessions. This year we are offering sessions that meet once a month, beginning January 10, 2021 and continuing into the spring. The confirmation classes will meet at 3.30 p.m. for about an hour. We will explore topics that are appropriate for and of interest to our 21st century teens who attend Episcopal Churches. Please find an outline of the schedule below. Let me know if you are interested in facilitating a session. *Note that we do not yet have a date for the Bishop's visit. Session 1 - Sunday, January 10, 2021, 3:30 - 4:30 COMMITMENT SERVICE Confirmation commitment service. All Parents and sponsors are expected to attend.
Session 2 - Sunday February 21, 2021, 3:30 - 5:00 Facilitator: Sandy Dammann SERVING OTHERS Exploring outreach, Covid 19, the reality of Pain, Suffering and Death. Session 3 - Sunday March 21, 2021, 3:30 - 4:30 Facilitator: Deacon Shiane THE BIBLE 101 Exploring bible basics and the relevance of the scriptures and prayer for our day. Session 4 - Sunday April 18, 2021, 3:30 -4:30 Facilitator: NEEDED OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY A discussion on the formation, theology, prayer and present-day episcopal church and its relevance to our life. Session 5 - Sunday May 16, 2021, 3:30 - 4:30 Facilitator: NEEDED CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR & SOCIAL ACTION Conversations regarding ethics, attitudes, behavior, race, Culture and mutual respect. Session 6 - June 13, 2021, 3:30 - 4:30 Facilitator: Father Alan THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WALK (The Journey through the Sacraments)
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INSPIRATION
Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to rescue America from a legacy of abusing its own citizens through segregation. With love in his heart and a commitment to nonviolence, he did what no war could do. He offered to return America's humanity back to itself. He didn't do so with only words; he did so with a limitless love. He died so America could come fully alive.
Diana Oestreich
"If I do not love my fellow man, I can be sure of it that I do not love Jesus Christ. And I would do well if guilty of loving Jesus Christ even more than I love my fellow man, because only by this may I fully come to love my fellow man."
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace, I was a drum major for righteousness, and all the other shallow things will not matter.
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."
Abraham Lincoln
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
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Church School News
Grades PreK-7th
FROM COLEEN MACGREEVEY,
Director, Church School
2020 Scenes from the
Christmas Pageant via Zoom
Our Zoom Christmas Pageant was a huge success on Sunday, December 20. The children and families did a beautiful job sharing the Christmas story with the MANY parishioners who joined as well. Thanks to all for their talent, creativity, flexibility and resilience in 2020!
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Join us each Sunday at 9am on Zoom for our Church School lessons!
In January, we will begin exploring the life of Jesus and the New Testament.
The link and lesson are sent each week by Coleen MacGreevey - please contact her if you wish to be included.
Meeting ID: 797 2615 0442 and Passcode: X7rcjd
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Fr. Alan, Deacon Shiane and several parishioners will teach various topics including Sacraments in action, the Bible 101, Christian ethics/social Justice responsibility, the reality of living, and outreach.
We welcome the class of 2021:
Adrian Dennis, Catherine Fenlon, and Joseph Santilli
Zoom classes will take place on the following Sundays at 3.30 PM
February 21 ~ Serving others
March 21 ~ The bible 101
April 18 ~ Our spiritual journey
May 16 ~ Christian behavior and social action
June 13 ~ The Christian life walk ( a journey through the sacraments)
Please contact Deacon Shiane at 914-441-9360 or [email protected] for more information.
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TRIVIA NIGHT
Coming in January 2021
All are welcome! See sign-up info below.
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Come Aside to Light a Candle
Our votive candle stand adds to the beauty and esthetics of our sacred space. It provides all an opportunity "to light a candle," as we seek to bring light and hope to our world.
It is my prayer that many will use this as an opportunity to "come aside," and pray for healing light for our nation, our world and our loved ones. Father Alan
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St. Mary's embraces Outreach. It is an integral component in the mission of our church family. We provide financial support, services and donated goods to those in need close to home and on the other side of the world.
In fulfilling our outreach mission, we enhance the sense of community within our church family - and we enrich ourselves. We make connections not just with each other, but also with those we help.
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OUTREACH
NEW: NEIGHBORS LINK
Meal Delivery
Denise Hanchet is coordinating drivers for Neighbors Link to deliver meals for families in need. Those interested are welcome to Sign Up through the link below. Contact Denise if you have any questions about this mission: [email protected] or cell (914) 671-0128. We also continue to work with these organizations: Interfaith Food Pantry in Pleasantville
that has been partnering with local restaurants to provide hot meals through the Pleasantville Pantry. (This Go fund Me Drive also contributes food to Hope's Door and Neighbors Link.) Please consider making a monetary donation via the link above.
For more information about these organizations click on these links:
Helping our Hospitals
Helping Hour Children's Center at Bedford Hills
THREE WAYS TO DONATE:
1. Hour Children website, www.hourchildren.org and click their "Donate" Button, specifying that the donation is for "Operation Neighborhood"
2. Write a check to "Hour Children". Please earmark "Operation Neighborhood". Checks should be sent to: Hour Children 36-11 12th Street, Long Island City, NY 11106.
3. If you prefer to donate specific items rather than money, please go to the Amazon Wish List named Operation Neighbor with the requested items, which are all consolidated and located on one link: https://a.co/5GM83DC Items should be shipped to:
The Parenting Center at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
247 Harris Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Deb Rigano at 914.804.6470.
*SMTV Organization of the Month is designed to raise awareness
of the Outreach Organizations that SMTV supports.
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Community Bulletin Board
Congrats to Greeley's two 2021 Regeneron STS Scholars,
Alexandra Fitzgerald and Lori Saxena!
Project Title: Standardization of Plastic Particle Extraction and Analysis from Seafloor Sediment
2021 Regeneron STS Scholars
Society for Science proudly announces the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021, the nation's oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges. The 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each. The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,760 applications received from 611 high schools across 49 states. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists and hail from 193 American and international high schools in 37 states, Puerto Rico and two additional countries.
 Christmas Mass- Safe at Home!
Thank you to Dionne Family for sharing.
Special Announcements about our Parish
Please send submissions to [email protected] by 26th of each month
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The Church of SMTV Info
Click Link to listen to past Sermons. An UPDATED DIRECTORY (August 2018) has been posted to our church website. (Located in drop-down under Parish Life.) Church of St. Mary the Virgin
191 S. Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, NY Office Contact:
Tel: 914 238-8751
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THE CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN
Chappaqua, New York
We are called to be a holy people who witness God's love to the world and serve others.
Our Mission is to provide an environment for worship, learning, and service by encouraging
participation through the effective use of the commissions:
Worship and Music, Christian Education, Outreach, Communications, Parish Life, Finances, and Stewardship.
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