This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo |
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Stay informed about what's happening at St. Mary's by subscribing to our weekly newsletter... |
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All services are offered in-person and online on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to participate).
Saturday, December 11
10am to 2pm - The Emporium is open
3pm to 5pm - Emporium Holiday Open House
5pm - Evensong
Sunday, December 12
10am - Third Sunday of Advent - Holy Eucharist
11am to 1pm - The Emporium is open
Wednesday, December 15
10am - Holy Eucharist
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Everyone is busy this time of year: planning, preparing, shopping, writing Christmas cards... the list goes on and on.
You might not realize it, but church offices are also a veritable hive of "busy-ness" at the very time of year when we are exhorted to slow down and be attentive to the voice and call of the Holy Spirit. While we certainly do aim for spiritual enlightenment (our Saturday Evensong service is a great place to start!), there are nevertheless things that must get done in order to offer edifying and sacred liturgies, as well as to make a smooth transition into the new year.
One very important thing we do is to prepare a budget for the coming year, based largely on your pledges. Many thanks to all who have pledged already. You can read more about the campaign for 2022 below.
We also do our best to tidy up what is left of the current year before closing the books on December 31. With our sleek new church management software, even I can easily track our progress, and can see that nearly all of the pledges for 2021 are paid up. Many thanks for your faithfulness. If your 2021 pledge needs a little attention, the time is now!
Though we fell short of our stewardship goal for 2021 in pledged dollars, actual receipts have put us quite near the mark. If you are a member or a friend of St. Mary's, please make sure that your pledge is up to date, and consider an end-of-year gift by visiting www.stmtux.org/giving.
At a time of year when so many worthy causes are knocking at your door, I sincerely thank you for your commitment and generosity to St. Mary's.
Blessings,
Father Rick
917.658.6314
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Christmas Flowers and Music |
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Once again, St. Mary’s will be transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful space decorated for Christmas beginning with the greenery during Advent. Poinsettias and red bows will be added for Christmas and then on Christmas Eve, we will enjoy outstanding music offered by our organist, as well as vocal and instrumental soloists.
All are paid for by YOUR donations. The total cost is over $3000, so we do need a number of generous donors to have this lovely tradition of St. Mary’s continue in 2021. To make this possible, we ask you that you give a special donation for the Christmas decorations and music by check or via the button below.
In the memo line, please be sure to indicate who your gift is given in memory of or thanksgiving for -- you may also email these details to [email protected]. The deadline for inclusion of memorials in our Christmas bulletins is Wednesday, December 22.
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Angel Tree & Christmas Outreach |
Our traditional Angel Tree gifts for local families on low and uncertain incomes will go this year to 37 families who have a total of 73 children. A festive gift bag will be delivered to each family containing a $50 ShopRite gift card and a $50 Amazon Gift Card for each child. The total cost to St Mary’s Outreach fund is $5,500. Thanks to TPS, the bag will also contain hats, scarves and gloves for all the family.
Many of these families have suffered as a result of sickness or unemployment, so this boost at the start of the winter will provide that little extra, and help to make that longed for ‘Happy Christmas’.
Stirred by the sight of homeless men living under the thruway just off Rte 59 on the way into Suffern, St Mary’s is buying sleeping bags for those and others, who, for various reasons, are afraid to go into the overnight warming shelters. Helping Hands of Rockland is assisting us in delivery and identifying others who are still sleeping rough. We are also funding 50 Macdonald’s gift cards at $50 each to give out at the bagged breakfast/ lunch program in Spring Valley.
We will be very grateful for any donations towards the Angel Tree and other Christmas Outreach. You can donate online or mail a check to St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo PO Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. Please write "Angel Tree" in the memo.
Funding of St. Mary’s Outreach is separate from pledged monies and donations which fund the running of the church. Outreach has income from an endowment that amounts to around $14,000 a year. Beyond that we depend on grants and donations. Grants amounted to $26,000 in 2020.
In 2020 our outreach to address hunger, homelessness, poverty, sickness, national disasters, and inequality of educational opportunity amounted to $121,000.
Many, many thanks for your generosity.
Sue Heywood, Outreach Chair
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The sanctuary candle for the week of November 28th was given in
loving memory of Gretel and Elizabeth Bush.
It was omitted from the newsletter and bulletin in error.
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At this time of year, we give thanks not only for the bountiful harvest, but also for all of the blessings of this life. Everything comes from and returns to God. On November 21st, we ingathered all pledges for 2022 and we are already over 62% of our goal.
Every gift is important and is received with gratitude. It is vitally important for every member of St. Mary's to make his or her pledge as a show of financial support, but also of faith in our mission and witness to the risen Christ.
Your pledge can come in at any time, but practically speaking, before the end of the year helps us greatly with our budget projections for 2022. Thank you!
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Additional date added: Sunday, December 12 |
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How to contact us...
Office: 845.351.5122
Physical Address: 10 Fox Hill Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
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