This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
Saturday, March 7
10am - Vestry Strategic Session in Bentley Hall
5pm - Contemplative Evensong at the St. Mark's Altar

Sunday, March 8
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, March 10
2pm to 6pm - Sloatsburg Food Pantry is open

Wednesday, March 11
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

When I first came to St. Mary’s, I was asked if I was going to continue the Saturday night service in the winter months. Of course, I said, not really knowing what to expect. As I understand it, the service was instituted by my predecessor to meet a specific need. Families with children often had skiing events on Sundays, and they wanted a time to come and worship. Sunday sporting events are one of the realities of life today, as much as priests wished otherwise.

The service hummed along just fine, but by the time of my arrival, things had started to shift. The children who had been skiing were growing up, and I believe that the slope eventually shut down. Now the Saturday service was feeding a different flock.

However, with three weekly opportunities to receive Holy Communion, I wondered if there might be a way to reach people who desired to be fed in a different way. In talking with people in the community, it became clear that there was a desire for a service that was more contemplative, and that offered a chance to meditate on spiritual writings.

And so we began to offer the classic Anglican service of Evensong. I am grateful to our Director of Music, who puts the “song” into it. We meet at the side altar in the vesper light with candles glowing and the delicate scent of incense in the air. We hear scripture, psalms, and prayers. We offer intercessions for our loved ones. And, we are meditating on the writings of the spiritual great, St. Teresa of Avila.

While our numbers are not huge, they are consistent, and several people have been greatly moved by St Teresa’s writings. It is very hard to measure “success” in ministry, but I think that if one or two people’s hearts are stirred, it is certainly worth the effort.

So, I am thinking of making evensong more of a fixture at St. Mary’s starting next fall. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. After all, it was in a conversation with a seeker that the whole idea came about. And if you are free on Saturday evening, come and see!

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.
Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday
A Message from our Bishops
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