This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Stay informed about what's happening at St. Mary's by subscribing to our weekly newsletter...
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Thursday, November 15
11am - Chapel for Preschool 2's
Sunday, November 18
8am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50am - Infant/childcare available and Sunday School begins
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with music
11am - Food and fellowship follows in Bentley Hall
Tuesday, November 20
2pm to 6pm - Sloatsburg Food Pantry is open
Wednesday, November 21
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
11am - Chapel for Preschool 3's and 4's
Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
10am - Eucharist at St. John's in Arden
Church office and preschool closed
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
One of the things I like about fall is that it reminds me of spring. Even though most everything is beginning to go dormant, a few late bloomers make their appearance. The cool sunny days along with the return of the songs of migrating birds (this time wisely headed south) beckon me to go outdoors and enjoy it while I can. Fall is also the time of year when gardeners like myself do some of our best work of the year. To be sure, fall gardening doesn't hold a candle to summer gardening in terms of the instant gratification that comes from dropping several flats of color into your beds, or designing a show-stopping container arrangement. No, fall gardening requires a bit more maturity and patience to appreciate. Much of the work is done in chilly or adverse weather, and the daylight seems to end abruptly. There is a great deal of digging, and prying, and pruning to be done. In the end, though, one has the satisfaction of knowing that one's garden is all tucked in for the coming winter months, and that all of that hard work will pay off when the dormant bulbs, pips, corms, and tubers begin their glorious parade of color in the spring. Up at the rectory, I have put over 800 individual living things into the ground during the course of the fall. They range from a tree on down to tiny anemones. I hope you will come up and take a look when they are in bloom!
All of this tilling and planting for the future also has me thinking about our annual stewardship appeal. Much like the earth it sits on, St. Mary's is fertile ground for God's grace to flourish and blossom, and we are God's gardeners. Any garden needs constant tending in order to grow. If neglected, it will soon become choked and overgrown and of no use to anyone. But if we water it, feed it, and give it just the right kind of care, it will be more beautiful than anything we can imagine. So it is with St. Mary's -- we must constantly tend to its needs: spiritual, physical, and financial. If you have never pledged to the mission and ministry of St. Mary's before, please consider doing so. If you have pledged, please consider whether God is calling you to increase your gift. Letters and pledge cards will be mailed out this week. You can also get cards at the church, or click the "Make a Pledge" button in the stewardship article below. May God bless you in your generosity, and I will see you in the garden!
Father Rick
Please note, Fr. Rick will be away from Monday, November 19 to Saturday, December 1. He will be visiting the Philippines and China along with Pete, who will be there on business. In his absence, Fr. Cromey will be available for pastoral needs, and will be taking the Wednesday services on Nov. 21 & 28, as well as the Thanksgiving Day service in Arden. Fr. Bruce Woodcock will be celebrating mass on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 8am and 10am.
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November is Stewardship Month
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This month, you will hear from several parishioners about the importance of financial giving as a spiritual practice, but also as a practical need. The reality of ministry in a large, historic building with a robust program is that doing these things takes money, and expenses almost never decrease. St. Mary's relies heavily on the generosity of her parishioners and friends to meet our budget. Your pledge is not only a significant part of your spiritual and civic life, but also a valuable tool for helping the parish leadership get an accurate picture of the financial year ahead.
There are many worthy causes out there, and we understand that as engaged citizens you may contribute to multiple organizations. When you do, please bear in mind that the donor base for some high-profile entities dwarfs that of a parish church like us, and that we receive absolutely no outside funding. Your gift to St. Mary's will ensure that the God of Abraham is glorified not only through our worship, but in our deeds. God's word will be preached and heard, and faithful people will be inspired to go out to do his will. The hungry will be fed, the naked clothed, the sick comforted. The sheer amount of good that flows forth from this place is astonishing, and it is all because of you.
From now through Sunday, December 2, please make your pledge or one-time donation to the mission and ministry of this integral part of our community. May God bless you in your generosity.
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Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
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Our wonderful Preschool Program celebrated its annual Grandparents Day last Friday with gusto! Please visit our Facebook page for
photos
and a
video
of the occasion, and check our the
latest newsletter
for our Preschool.
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Father Rick regularly visits with and celebrates the Holy Eucharist for the seniors in residence at the
Promenade in Tuxedo
and
Valley View in Goshen
. It is one of the highlights of his week! The residents in both places are so grateful for the opportunity to worship God together. This is another example of how St. Mary's makes a real difference in our community and the world. Please visit our Facebook page for a
video
from a recent service.
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St. Mary's was well-represented at the 242nd annual convention of the Diocese of New York by Lili Neuhauser, Elizabeth Ochieng, and Father Rick. It was held at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains on November 9-10 and complete coverage of the event may be found
here
.
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November 11th marked the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. We began our service with a moment of silence to honor those who gave their lives, reflecting on the sacrifices of members of our own community, enshrined in monuments around the church, as well as all those involved in that terrible conflict.
Fr Robyn then read a portion of the poem, "For the Fallen," by Robert Laurence Binyon: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."
We then began our worship by singing the national hymn, "God of Our Fathers".
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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).
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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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