February 20, 2020
This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
Saturday, February 22
5pm - Contemplative Evensong at the St. Mark's Altar
5:30pm - Set up for Mardi Gras Sunday

Mardi Gras Sunday, February 23
8am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit 
9:50am - Infant/Childcare and Sunday School
10am - Holy Eucharist with choir and organ
Food and fellowship follows in Bentley Hall

Tuesday, February 25
2pm to 6pm - Sloatsburg Food Pantry is open

Ash Wednesday, February 26
10am - Imposition of Ashes/Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
7:30pm - Imposition of Ashes/Holy Eucharist in the Church with music
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

After a strenuous fall, Christmas, and new year, it was a blessing to be able to get away for a week to warmer climes. Pete and I enjoyed our time together in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City. Both places surprised us with their vibrant culture, food, architecture, and scenery. While only a five hour flight away, we felt like we were in a different world. I picked up some rudimentary Spanish, and think that will be my next linguistic endeavor after semester two of Chinese. 

Jesus said, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” In other words, there will always be cares waiting for you tomorrow. Sometimes it is important simply to take a moment and be. Be carefree, be engaged in something new, be at rest. That said, it is good to be home, and I am looking forward to warming weather and the first green shoots of spring. And I am grateful to have had some time to recharge and reorient as we prepare for the Lenten fast. Like Christ, we have the long road to Jerusalem ahead of us.

I hope that you will be able to join your church family this Sunday to celebrate Mardi Gras, as well as on Ash Wednesday as we begin our Lenten journey together. I pray that this season of penitence, fasting, and self-examination will be a blessing to you, and make you truly ready to greet the risen Lord.

Blessings,
Father Rick
Saturday Service at 5pm
Our seasonal Saturday evening service continues thru March. Please join us at 5pm at the St. Mark's altar in the nave of the main church. Come as you are for this contemplative service of Evensong, which includes readings from the mystic Teresa of Avila.
Please join us after the 5pm service on Saturday, February 22, to help set up, decorate and rehearse for Sunday's festivities.
Ash Wednesday
Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert during which he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty day liturgical period of prayer and fasting, and will be celebrated at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo on February 26th with liturgies at 10am (spoken) in the Chapel and 7:30pm (with music) in the Church. Both services will include the imposition of ashes, which echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over one's head to signify repentance before God. Confessions will be heard by Father Rick by appointment at (845) 351-5122.
Make Your Pledge for 2020
Over the past few weeks, you have heard from Father Rick 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.

Please make your pledge to the mission and ministry of this integral part of our community. May God bless you in your generosity.
Now Recruiting for Ministries and Committees
The ways we serve God and our neighbor at St. Mary's are quite broad and impactful, but they all require the support of volunteers like you. 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.

We are in particular need of acolytes, readers, and coffee hour hosts on Sundays, as well as committee members for Christian Education, Building & Grounds, and Finance. Please check out our ministries page to learn more about how we serve, and sign up here to share your interests/abilities.
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).
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