This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
Services are being live-streamed online on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to participate).

Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16
10am - Holy Eucharist (in-person and online)

Tuesday, May 18
5pm - Evening Prayer (online only)

Wednesday, May 19
10am - Holy Eucharist (in-person and online)

Thursday, May 20
5pm - Evening Prayer (online only)
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

“The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now!”

Today, the fortieth day of Easter, we celebrate with great joy the feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. After appearing to his disciples numerous times in the days and weeks after his resurrection, Jesus on this day returned bodily to heaven.

In the account from Acts 1:6-12, “The disciples asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

This is one of the few feasts that the entirety of the Christian world agrees upon, as it is a pivotal moment in the story of salvation. Soon, the Holy Spirit will come, and the Apostles will be Jesus’ witnesses in all the world, thus fulfilling the great commission, a calling we share with them to this day.

How sad it is, then, when on this day the Christian and Muslim children of Abraham are celebrating great festivals, that there is so much violence and suffering in the land of the Holy One. In light of this, we must hold tight to the meaning of this day, that Christ, in his bodily return to heaven, glorified not only himself, but all of humanity. Likewise, we are called as the disciples of old to be witnesses of Christ’s love in this broken world. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem and never lose heart, because we believe what Jesus tells us, “Lo, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age.”

Blessings,
Father Rick
917.658.6314
Mother's Day at St. Mary's
Last Sunday, seven new trees forming an allée of native dogwoods along Tuxedo Road were dedicated and blessed. Please visit our Facebook page for photos and video of the event. Thank you to everyone who helped make this beautiful addition to our campus possible, especially Sue Heywood, who coordinated the whole project. Several more trees will be planted in the near future!

The trees are given in loving memory by:
  • Jane and Neil Garofano for their son-in-law, Michael McColgan (1973-2019)
  • Inger Grüterich for her husband, Rolf Grüterich (1929-2016)
  • Nancy and Jim Hays for their son, Alexander M. Hays (1977-2018)
  • Sue Heywood for her husband, Alan Heywood (1939-2015)
  • Sally Sonne for her husband, Christian R. Sonne (1936-2019)
  • Serene Swirbul for her husband, L. Philip Swirbul (1931- 2016)
  • Sandy Taylor for her sister, Anne Louise McFarland Heigho (1935-2020)
Reopening our Ministries - Acolytes
There are many ways to get involved, deepen your faith and help make a difference in the life of your neighbor, our community and the broader world. Our ministries have naturally changed over time, depending on the needs and interests of our community. Many of them were scaled back and/or moved online during the pandemic. As more people are vaccinated and covid infections decrease, we hope people will feel more comfortable attending in-person events — what a great opportunity to restart and reimagine those ministries that enrich and enlighten our community!

When in-person worship resumed last July, we deliberately limited the number of people involved in the services for safety reasons. Pete Datos served as the only acolyte because there would be no risk of him being near a maskless Father Rick (since they are in the same household). We are now ready to welcome all acolytes who are interested in serving.

The ministry of acolytes is mentioned in the Old Testament as those who assist at God's altar. Acolytes light candles, lead the opening procession carrying the cross, help the priest prepare the altar for communion, and sometimes carry torches and hold the Gospel book. The ministry of Acolyte is open to children in fourth grade or above, as well as adults.

If you or your child are interested in serving as an acolyte, please talk with Pete or visit www.stmtux.org/serve to sign up. Schedules will be made out several months in advance so you can plan your calendar accordingly. Please visit www.stmtux.org/ministries to learn more about all of our ministries.
Welcome to the Emporium!
Is your closet a little Covid tired? We can help! We have a huge number of pairs of Manolo Blanhnik shoes, sized mostly 9.5. They are fabulous AND we have a rack full of ladies designer clothes. There is a really lovely armoire, it has housed a TV in the past or it can be used for a bar.

The Emporium space looks fantastic! We now have a shop that will stand us in good stead for years to come, thank you Aivars! We hope to be fully functional by June 12 at 10 a.m. in conjunction with the first day of the Farmer’s Market.

Please remember we cannot accept drop offs, call (845) 351-2389 or shoot us an email and we can arrange time to meet you!

Lili Neuhauser, Emporium Curator
A Message from Presiding Bishop Curry
One more time we awake to the news of violence. Reports come in, even as you read this, about violence that has caused death, life-changing injury and destruction of property and lives. Violence which is borne of frustration, rooted in injustice and the violation of international law and in truth, the violation of human rights and human decency. In the Name of the God of all creation, the violence must stop, regardless of where it comes from and to whom it is directed.

One more time The Episcopal Church stands to say that violence is not the way forward. We say the expansion of Israeli settlements at the expense of Palestinian families must end. We say incitement which encourages violence must end. We say enough is enough.

One more time The Episcopal Church encourages the government of the United States and others who have influence, who are of goodwill and who genuinely seek peace to be partners in peacemaking, to bring about a negotiated settlement to the long-standing conflict which has consumed both Israelis and Palestinians.

One more time we find ourselves full of sorrow and sadness. We find ourselves grieving over the loss of life, destruction of homes and the fear that lives in the hearts of tens of thousands of innocent people. We join all people of faith to offer up prayers for healing, wholeness, restoration and reconciliation.

And we pray God to grant wisdom and courage to all those in authority to seek peace and pursue it without delay, without excuses, without confusion and with only one agenda: a negotiated and equitable agreement for peace between Israelis and Palestinians — once and for all.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
The legacies of famed 19th century Hudson River School painter Jasper Cropsey & important 1930’s impressionist painters George Macrum and Edith Varian Cockcroft, who lived and worked in Sloatsburg, live on at the fourth annual Sloatsburg Plein Air event. Presented by resident artist Jessie Taylor, The Friends of Harmony Hall, and The Sloatsburg Chamber of Commerce. May 16th from 1pm to 5pm.

41 participating regional artists will have the opportunity to paint at various sites in historic Sloatsburg including the great lawn of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House. Revitalized main street features several restaurants set up for safe outdoor dining experiences!

Selected works by the late artist and Sloat descendant Elizabeth Bush Schmidt will be on display at Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House. A suggested Harmony Hall gallery donation of $10.00 for the 2021 Not Just a Front Porch restoration campaign.

Parking at the community lot, 27 Mill Street. Social distancing, mask wearing, and all safety protocols will be enforced.
Antiracism Summit May 22nd
Several congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of New York have groups focusing on racial justice and/or antiracism. Other congregations have members who would like to start such a group. They are looking for help and resources to do so.

With the help of the diocesan Antiracism Committee, a group of congregants from around the diocese are planning an online "summit meeting" on May 22nd for representatives from congregations who have existing groups or congregations which want to start one.

Please click on the link below to sign up for the summit and let Father Rick know if you'd be interested in starting such a group at St. Mary's.
How to contact us...
Website: www.stmtux.org
Office: 845.351.5122
Physical Address: 10 Fox Hill Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987