This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
For your safety, the church building, preschool and office are closed during the pandemic. All services are being live-streamed on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to participate).

Friday, June 19
10am to 1pm - Family Clothing Store open at Tuxedo Train Station
5pm - Evening Prayer

Saturday, June 20
9:30am to 1pm - Family Clothing Store open at Tuxedo Train Station
9pm - Compline

Third Sunday After Pentecost, June 21
10am - Holy Eucharist
11:30am - Vestry Meeting (via Zoom)

Monday, June 22
5pm - Evening Prayer

Tuesday, June 23
10am - Morning Prayer

Wednesday, June 24
5pm - Evening Prayer

Thursday, June 25
10am - Morning Prayer
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I’m sure by now you have all seen pictures on the web of seemingly miraculous ecological healings since quarantine. Some seem plausible, while others are clearly spoofs, like the return of the stingray to the canals of Venice. In this case, the stingray was candy apple red and had four wheels.

However, all internet tomfoolery aside, I can attest that in our household at least, certain dramatic changes have occurred, mostly around consumption. Our car now gets about two weeks to the gallon, and bills have taken a welcome dip. We are eating better and wasting less (though I may be opting for the two piece Victorian bathing costume this summer).

And yes, the wildlife is stirring! At the church, we have a robust colony of woodchucks (fun fact: they are also called “whistle pigs” for the high-pitched alarm call they make). We also have bats in our belfry—really. Mr. bear has also been up to mischief with our trash.

Being “stuck” in one place for three months, one really gets a feel for the rhythm of life there. I have developed a better appreciation of the connectedness of life, between all of the created order and more pointedly between human beings.

It is my prayer that we can use this time of reflection as a tool for the future. As things slowly return to “normal,” I hope that we will not forget the lessons learned, nor have our passion for justice and reconciliation dampened. I hope that we will have learned more and more just how essential real love of God and our neighbor is if we are going to make progress as citizens of the world. Perhaps there is hope after all that we can fulfill our baptismal covenant. Perhaps as the earth heals a little, so will we.

Blessings,
Outreach Update
Especially during the pandemic, in partnership with local civic organizations, St. Mary's Outreach is making sure that no one is forgotten in this time of great crisis and isolation.

We are aware of the need for everything from groceries, to medicines, to simple human contact, and we are here for others. If you know of someone who needs help, please email [email protected] . Donations to support our outreach efforts may be made  here .

Sloatsburg Food Pantry

At this week's food distribution, nearly 400 families received food parcels which included a large selection of nonperishable foods as well as fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Thank you to all who helped make the  transition  to St. Mary's Villa, especially the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate, who graciously opened the doors of the old Hamilton estate.

Family Clothing Store

Our free clothing store at the Tuxedo Train Station will be open for the last time on Friday, June 19th, from 10am till 1pm and with the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 20th, from 9.30am till 1pm. No appointments are needed.

Thank you to all who donated clothing and shoes and a special thank you to our volunteers who sorted, displayed and supervised distribution: Odeta Beggel, Marie and Samantha Castricone, Carole and Kellie Cleary, Pete Datos, Tom Fuller, Janet Galuska, Andrea Hacket, Naomi Moon, Diana Segovia and family, Sue Scher, Sally Sonne and Dennis Trotter.

On Monday morning everything that remains will have to be packed up and transported back to St. Mary’s. We would be grateful for volunteers to help with that, starting at 9am.

More Help for Local Families

Billy Saul is still on 100% disability after his accident in September last year. He and his wife and four children are in need of further assistance from us. St. Mary’s is putting together a large care parcel of food and clothing for them, and Shoprite gift cards. If anyone would like to make a donation for them specifically please donate on our website here with ‘Billy Saul’ in the comment section. We continue to help pay utility and medical bills when asked for other community members.

Carryou Ministry

The situation in South Africa is dire for families already living in poverty, like those being supported by the Carryou Ministry. The schools, which usually provide one meal a day for the children, are closed, and Carryou, that for some provides that second meal, but for many the only meal of the day, is not permitted to cook. Food parcels are absolutely essential to fight off hunger and malnutrition.

Last week, St. Mary’s Outreach sent $1,000 to Carryou with instructions for food parcels for the families we support and stipends for our students who seem to be having to choose between getting food or paying the rent. The Elandsvlei report from last week is attached . Family 16, the Metseefedile orphans, and Family 1,the Tivanis, particularly, sound as if they are really struggling. To add to all their problems it is going into Winter and their shacks are freezing cold at night. Most cook on a paraffin stove or a wood fire.

Tuxedo Summer Camp

Camp will take place for 5 weeks from July 20th. St. Mary's will sponsor children whose parents cannot afford the fees. The fees are $475 per child. So that the parents have a stake in it, we are asking parents to pay $75 and St Mary's Outreach will pay the rest.

Helping Hands Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless

We had a zoom Annual Meeting of the Board last Tuesday. Thanks to Frank Favia their finances are impeccable! The breakfast program continues to be the lifeline for many homeless in Rockland County.

College Scholarships

Baker High graduation has been moved to mid July so we will be awarding the St. Mary's College Scholarships shortly.

Sue Heywood, Outreach Chair
Parish Directory
Last year we initiated getting information to publish a new local directory of St. Mary’s Parishioners and Friends. So many people had asked for an updated version of the 2015 directory which they had always found very useful. However, information for the directory was slow to come in and there were many other things that took priority for our attention. Now that people have more time, and new families are moving into Tuxedo, we are hoping to get the information and renew our efforts in making the updated directory happen.

Please fill in the information asked for in the link and also pass this email on to any new people in our community. It’s a good way to meet your neighbors and a useful resource for community activities. Please note, the directory is only shared with participants and you can indicate on the form how much of your information you want included. We will never share your information with any outside organization.
The Light of Christ
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 Stephen Heater in memory of Marilyn Heater .
Plan for Resuming Public Worship
Since our decision to cease public worship as of March 15, and the Bishop’s subsequent mandate, we have all been working hard to be innovative in worship and effective in outreach. I am very proud of everyone’s efforts in showing that though the doors are closed, the church is open.

Still, it has been a difficult sacrifice not to gather together in God’s name, and the question on everyone’s minds has been, “How long, O Lord?” I am happy to report that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit a rightly cautious one.

The Bishop of New York has issued guidelines to the churches on the resumption of public worship , as well as other church operations and group meetings. He is very clear and thoughtful in this godly directive, and we will be following his lead in all things.

Beginning on July 1, groups of no more than ten may gather. This number may change between now and then depending on the governor’s directives. You can read much more detail in the document itself , and I will be working closely with the wardens and staff to facilitate a smooth transition back to in-person worship. We will keep you up to date via the newsletter as things unfold. Until then, please continue to join us for our weekday and Sunday services online.

Father Rick
Tech Needs for the Church
We’ve learned a lot in the last two and a half months about video and sound recording, and broadcasting. A blooper reel will be forthcoming! Taking our worship online literally overnight has been rewarding as well as challenging.

One of the lessons that has been learned in the pandemic throughout the Church is that online worship will be a part of our new reality. Down the road a ways, I envision the installation of proper camera equipment, but for now we are most in need of wi-fi or better connectivity inside the church. This will greatly enhance the quality of our streaming service and cut down on annoying “technical issues."

This is now a critical need and not simply something on the “nice to have” list. The bids we received for a comprehensive system ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. We will work very hard to keep the total below the $5,000 amount. Already parishioners have pledged over $1000. Will you join them and make a donation to help usher St. Mary’s into the future?

Thank you and God bless!
How to contact us...
Website: www.stmtux.org
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