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).

Wednesday, June 3
5pm - Evening Prayer

Thursday, June 4
10am - Morning Prayer

Friday, June 5
5pm - Evening Prayer

Saturday, June 6
9pm - Compline

Trinity Sunday, June 7
10am - Holy Eucharist

Monday, June 8
5pm - Evening Prayer

Tuesday, June 9
10am - Morning Prayer

Wednesday, June 10
5pm - Evening Prayer
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

From our childhood we are taught in Sunday school that, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” We also know that he gave his disciples a new commandment—“Love one another as I have loved you.”

Those lessons are easy to remember and recite, but in our lived experience, not always easy to do. In our secular society we proudly proclaim that ours is a land of liberty and justice for all, where people are judged, as Dr. King said, “not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” And yet the sin of racism persists in our world. Sometimes it appears in spectacularly appalling ways, such as when innocent people are killed in the streets, but mostly it exists just below the surface, where its roots spread and take hold of the land.

Yesterday, in an impromptu response to the killing of George Floyd, residents of Tuxedo gathered to honor him, and to share our own grief, as well as to commit to being an anti-racist community. One woman said that she was tempted to despair, which would lead to her inaction. Instead, she showed up. Another young person commented that she thought that by simply not using epithets, she was anti-racist. She realized instead that she must speak out and be proactive to make a difference. 

In our idyllic community, it is tempting to think of racism as somebody else’s problem, but it is not. As St. Paul said, “If one part of the body suffers, all suffer along with it.” We are one nation, under God, and he is calling us in our day to be his agents of positive change in our society. May God, who has given us the will do do these things, give us the grace and power to perform them.

Blessings,
Successful Clothing Drive
Thank you to everyone who donated family clothes during our recent clothing drive! We had a tremendous response and will be able to help many families in need. After a waiting period, the clothes were sorted and now families are being invited to visit the store in a safe way. If you know of a Tuxedo family in need, please email our outreach program at [email protected] or call Sue, Outreach Chair, directly at (845) 351-3473.

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 self-isolation.  Here is the link  that explains how we are helping the Tuxedo community and how to get help.
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 a parishioner has pledged $500. Will you join her and make a donation to help usher St. Mary’s into the future?

Thank you and God bless!
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 is given by Greg Stevens in memory of Deborah A. Kristopik .
Memorial Day
In commemoration of Memorial Day, we held a special evening prayer service at St. Mary's and participated virtually in the town ceremonies , both of which may be viewed on our Facebook page.

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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
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