This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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All services are being live-streamed on
Facebook
(you do not need a Facebook account to participate).
Thursday, July 30
5pm - Evening Prayer
Friday, July 31
10am - Morning Prayer
Saturday, August 1
9pm - Compline
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost, August 2
10am - Sunday Service (in-person and livestreamed)
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 9
10am - Sunday Service (in-person and livestreamed)
2pm - Piano & Flute Recital
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Pete and I were thrilled to be called to minister in Tuxedo after a good run in Philadelphia. Part of the transition was the sale of our house, as Trinity did not have a rectory. We thought that in a few weeks or months the property would be sold, and we would be able cleanly to move into the next chapter of our lives together.
Weeks turned into months, which turned into years. As we loved our home there, the protracted sale process became an immense emotional burden. Instead of a clean break, on each maintenance visit we would wander empty rooms remembering many happy times. We continued to clean the gutters, mow the lawn, service the trees, etc, etc. The silver lining was that on each trip, I brought a trunk full of plants back here to NY, or shared them with friends in PA.
The good yet bittersweet news is that on Tuesday we completed the sale of our former home. Due to COVID, everything was done remotely. I would have preferred to hand the keys to the new stewards personally, but that was not possible.
Though there is a feeling of loss, it is good finally to have both feet in one place. Life is a beautiful journey, and in this moment, we are blessed to share it with the people of Tuxedo. And in the end, this longing for a sense of place and home should remind us all that we are pilgrims in a foreign land until that day when we meet our Lord face to face.
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On Sunday, July 26, we welcomed William Darby Robinson, son of Abigail and Clayton, into the body of Christ through the waters of baptism. William is the grandson of Mary and Larry Darby. Due to the pandemic, a private service was held outdoors with one godparent and several family members joining via Zoom; a subsequent public blessing in the church will take place when conditions permit.
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Classical Recital on August 9th
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Please join us Sunday, August 9th, at 2pm on
Facebook
or in-person in the main church for a recital by Bruce Xu, on piano & organ, and David Rothenberg, on flute. The program will feature works by Bach, Mozart, Franck, and Liszt. Reservations are required if you plan to attend in person. More information may be found
here
. Masks and social distancing are required at all times when in church buildings.
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Rector on Vacation August 3-10
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For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
After four months of non-stop activity (though the doors of the church were closed), Pete and I are taking what counts for a vacation this year. Everything being booked or closed from here to Maine, we will be driving west to visit family in Pittsburgh and Kalamazoo next week. We will be taking a break from the online services, and in case of any pressing pastoral need, please phone our rector emeritus, Father Cromey.
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A sanctuary lamp has been hung in the church directly above the tabernacle, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept in reserve. The perpetual light of the lamp reminds us that Jesus is sacramentally present, and calls us to greater reverence for his Body as well as to prayer in his presence.
The glass vigil candles that fit inside the lamp can be given in memory of a loved one, as a petition for some need, or in thanksgiving for answered prayer. Each light burns for an entire week, and the cost is $20. With your donation, please leave a note describing your prayer's intention as well as the week you would like the light to burn. You may
donate online
or mail a check to St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo, P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987.
This week, the sanctuary lamp was given by
Jane Garofano
in memory of
Mike McColgan
.
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People in Tuxedo are helping neighbors, especially at this time. But few know about the Trail Angels, who are helping strangers, and have been doing so for more than 20 years. Ever since 1999 the Tuxedo Trail Angels have been delivering fresh water to a spot in the northern part of Tuxedo just off East Mombasha Road where the 2100-mile Appalachian Trail crosses on its way from Georgia to Maine, or vice versa. The tradition started when Edie Sonne of Tuxedo Park hiked the entire trail and told about ”trail angels” who had delivered magic to her and her fellow hikers along the way. She also told about the serious lack of good water in this area, a fact that is regularly borne out by notes from the hikers about the pond scum that they had been trying to filter for consumption.
The group of Angels consists of five or six locals who take turns delivering gallon jugs of water. July is the busiest and most demanding time, so now an Angel goes every three days with eight gallons. The same people seem to volunteer year after year, though the group diminishes now and again as a result of death (Lucy Edwards, Chris Sonne) or departure (Betty McWhorter, Thayer Woodcock, Chauncie Rodzianko) and then we are looking for new recruits.
Why do we do it? The answer is simple, and is confirmed every time we read the log book that is left by the water. The hikers are so grateful, and they love us, and bless us and shower us with words that make us feel good because we have made them feel good. Some have even told us that we saved their lives. Here are a few comments taken from the book: “I love you guys, may this year’s harvest be bountiful and your chickens lay 1000 eggs.” “Awesome water cache.” “Thanks for the water as we take one step at a time.” “I look to the mountains, where does my help come from….” “ I lost my water filter, and then one of my two nalgenes. Thank you…the best thing that has touched my lips in days.” “Thank you – it’s my birthday.” And on and on.
Sometimes we meet hikers, but often we silently drop off the bottles, read the messages, and wait for our next turn. We might even be in a hurry if it is raining, or the bugs are biting. The hikers we do meet all seem to be happy and positive about their journeys, even when they are battling bugs and sweating in the humidity. Just last week Odeta, one of the Angels, had a most interesting experience when she met one guy, and they chatted for a long time. Here is her account: “It was my turn to drop off water at the Appalachian Trail on early Sunday morning. And what a morning it was! I met a most fascinating hiker, Cheshire Cat (David) with his well-trained dog Stella Blue. He has been hiking for the past few years all over the country. He told funny, interesting, frightening at times stories about his adventures and people he met on the way. He told me about Trail Angels he encountered on his expeditions on the West Coast, East Coast and in the desert. David told me a story how a few days ago he shared some of his rations with other hikers on AT. Next day he reached Mt. Peter and ordered a hot dog for himself and his dog at the stand. The shop owner said to him “no charge, the other hikers told me about how Cheshire Cat shared his food with them.” David said with tears in his eyes how moving it is to receive such kindness, he equated the encounter at the hot dog stand with finding fresh water. He said over and over how these simple acts of kindness inspire and touch so many people, how it becomes a ripple effect, a chain of magic links and makes everyone a better person making the world a better place for all. He repeated a few times ‘you don’t even know how much joy you bring with the fresh water from Tuxedo Park! Blessings and God’s love to you all Trail Angels.’ Now, that brought me to tears.” That sums it up!
2020 Trail Angels – Sally Sonne, Odeta Beggel, Lili Neuhauser, Tom Fuller, Paul Gluck
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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
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