This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
Stay informed about what's happening at St. Mary's by subscribing to our weekly newsletter...
Upcoming Calendar
Friday, June 15 - Evelyn Underhill, 1941
9:30 am - Preschool Graduation

Saturday, June 16 - Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, 1752
8:30 am to 1pm - Yard Sale at St. Mary's

Sunday, June 17 - The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
8 am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50 am - Infant/childcare available
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with choir and organ

Wednesday, June 20 - Edward, King and Martyr, 980
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

Thursday, June 21
11:30 am - Soup and Sandwich Luncheon & Day by Day Reading Reflection Time

Saturday, June 23 - Etheldreda, Queen, Foundress and Abbess of Ely, 679
10 am to 1pm - Clean Up Day

Sunday, June 24 - The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
8 am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50 am - Infant/childcare available
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with choir and organ
11:30 am - Vestry Meeting
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

For the last three years, Pete and I have had the privilege of being godfathers to a delightful and precocious little girl in Philadelphia. From the day of her baptism and through many family gatherings, we have enjoyed it tremendously. This coming Sunday, we will become godfathers a second time, this time to her younger sister, who is just three months old.

Being a godparent, like being a parent, or a partner in marriage, is much bigger than just the relationship inside the family. Sure, it is fun to bring back souvenirs from trips and to spend time together, but that is only the start of it. Like other Christian charisms, being a godparent is fundamentally a testament to being in community with one another with Christ at the center of it all.

The dual purpose is to see that the child grows into the full stature of Christ, but in doing so to model His love to the world in a special way. I invite you to open your prayer book to the section on baptism (p. 299) and peruse the liturgy, paying special attention to the questions and responses between the Celebrant, the Parents and Godparents, and the Congregation. It is some pretty deep and wide-ranging stuff! The baptismal vows are right up there with ordination and marriage vows in terms of theological depth and profession of a lifelong commitment.

Our world has never been more connected and yet it has never been more isolated. In the midst of it all, let us not lose sight of the gifts that Christ and his Church give us. The sacraments are at their core instruments of Christian unity--unity with one another and ultimately with our Lord and all the communion of Saints. Never forget that the point of everything we do is "to restore all things to unity with God in Christ."

Blessings,
Father Rick
"Castoffs for Camperships"
We are hoping for a good turn out for the Yard Sale this Saturday with lots of buyers! The weather forecast is perfect and Tuxedo Creamery will also be on hand for you to enjoy ice cream as you browse our wares!

The proceeds from your generous donations of castoff clothing, toys, household items and bric-a-brac will be used to fund "camper-ships" to the six week long Tuxedo Town Camp for children whose parents cannot afford the $600 fee per child. We have done this in previous years but this year the numbers needing financial aid have increased significantly. The children who are given sponsorship are referred to us by the Guidance Counselors at GGM, Baker High and St Mary's Pre-School, plus families known to us who have encountered hardship during the past year. None of the children would be able to attend without a camper-ship.
 
Please support St Mary's and let us make sure that every child in this neighborhood gets a chance to have a fun camping experience with their friends. Checks to support the campers would also be very very welcome! These should be made out to St Mary's Outreach, with 'Tuxedo Camp Sponsorship' in the memo. Any amount will be gratefully received but a full sponsorship for one child would truly be 'awesome!'
Lemonade on the Lawn
St. Mary's is known for its splendid coffee hours after the 10 am service. And while we love these delicious and often themed repasts, during the hectic summer months, pulling off such a fulsome fellowship can be a challenge. Remember the words of Tuxedo Park denizen Dorothy Draper, "Entertaining can be fun!"

In the spirit of breezy summer fun, we will be offering an alternative to our traditional coffee hour from now until Labor Day: Lemonade on the Lawn. The church will provide lemonade, iced tea, and coffee. All you have to do is set it out on the lawn (weather permitting) or in Bentley hall if air conditioning is called for. Please do consider signing up on the board in the breezeway between the church and Bentley Hall.

You and other parishioners should feel free to bring a little light something, leftovers from the previous night's soirée, or whatever you wish. Think "pot luck." Unlike our traditional coffee hours, anyone can bring what they wish. The only commitment needed is someone to put the refreshments out. Let's enjoy a more relaxed pace of life this summer, and look forward to returning to our traditional fare this fall.
Father's Day June 17th
Fathers Day
Please bring your dad to church on Sunday, June 17, to celebrate Father's Day! On this day, we will welcome the Reverend Alan C. French as guest celebrant and preacher. Father French has been canonically resident in the Diocese of New Jersey for almost forty years, serving parishes throughout the state of New Jersey. He now spends most of his time in South Carolina, enjoying the warmer weather in the south and doesn't miss the snow at all!
Clean Up Day Saturday, June 23rd
We all treasure St. Mary's building & grounds, but properties this size and age need constant care. Please join us on Saturday, June 23rd, from 10am to 1pm for a cleanup day. Father Rick will be sprucing up the gardens in the churchyard. Pete will be focusing on kitchens and closets. Scripture tells us that there are many gifts but the same spirit -- please join us and see where the spirit leads you!
Gay Pride Celebrations in NYC
June is LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride Month and we in the Episcopal Church have a lot to celebrate! The NYC Pride March starts at noon on Sunday, June 24th, and check-in for those marching with the Diocese of New York is at 3pm on 17th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues — please visit the diocesan LGBT Facebook page for more info. The Church of St. Luke in the Fields, in Greenwich Village, also holds a beautiful choral evensong each year — it’s at 4pm on June 24th. Happy Pride!
LGBT People Welcome at St. Mary's
While scripture and tradition are foundational in the Episcopal Church, we also believe that reason is a core part of our faith, and the church has struggled over the years about how to include LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people.

In 1976, we voted for a fully inclusive church, stating that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the church.” In 1994, “sexual orientation” was added to the non-discrimination canons for ordination and in 2003 the first openly gay bishop was consecrated. More recently, dioceses have authorized same-sex marriages and canon law has included “gender identity or expression” in its list of persons who are assured full access to the ministry of the church. This process hasn’t been easy and has resulted in much strife and schism, but slowly the church has been working to repair these divisions and come together as one (more inclusive) body again.

Here at St. Mary’s, we believe God’s love is for everyone and the sacraments are open to LGBT people. While many great strides have been made, we acknowledge the hurt that has been done to many in the name of the church, and we strive to be a place of open doors and open hearts where people can share their stories and experience the healing and reconciling love of God. Join us!
In Memoriam
Christine Conforti, St. Mary's parish secretary under the previous two rectors, died on Sunday, June 3 after a protracted illness. She was 63 years old. A requiem Eucharist was held on Wednesday, June 13 at St. Mary's.

Alan Yassky , longtime resident of Tuxedo Park and friend of St. Mary's, died on June 7 at the age of 82. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Mary's on Thursday, June 28 at 11 am. Father Cromey, Rector Emeritus, will give the homily.

May Christine and Alan's souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Bike Ride and Community Picnic
Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a bike ride! 30+ riders participated in the ride around the beautiful lakes of Tuxedo Park and more than $2,400 was raised for the ministries of St. Mary's. A festive picnic on the great lawn of St. Mary's followed the ride, with a jumpy castle and games for kids, along with an ice cream truck. Congratulations to all our riders as well as our raffle winners! Many thanks to all our committee members, our sponsors, and our grill masters! Please visit our Facebook page for album 1 and album 2 of photos.
Father Rick's Tenth Ordination Anniversary
Congratulations to Father Rick who celebrated 10 years of priestly ordination last Sunday! Seminary classmate Mother Mariclair Partee-Carlsen, Rector of St Mary’s on the campus of U Penn, delivered the sermon. She and Father Ed Cromey, Rector Emeritus, joined Father Rick at the altar for the consecration of the Holy Eucharist, the ultimate act of priestly life. A festive reception on the great lawn followed. Please visit our Facebook page for photos of the festivities .
Register Now for Preschool Class of 2018-2019
Registration has begun for ages 2, 3 and 4 at St. Mary's Community Preschool. Please email Head of School Ida Payne or call her at 845.351.2389, or visit our website at stmtux.org/preschool for more information. Please help us spread the word by telling your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues about St. Mary's Preschool!
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...
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