This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
Friday, June 22 - Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304
8 pm - Movie Night on the Great Lawn

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 and Sunday school begins
10 am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with choir and organ
11:30 am - Vestry Meeting
 
Tuesday, June 26
2pm to 6pm - Sloatsburg Food Pantry is open
 
Wednesday, June 27 - Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, 444
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
 
Thursday, June 28 - Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, c. 202
11am - Memorial service for Alan Yassky
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

For some years now, immigration has been a hot button issue in this country. Lately, we have seen some really heartbreaking scenes unfolding. However, last night I was privileged to see an example of the system actually working. Several weeks ago, a committee of parishioners and I were tasked with reading through essays written by seniors at our local high school to determine who would receive St. Mary's annual scholarship.

One candidate stood out among the rest: a young woman who had come to this country as a child with her mother not knowing a word of English. She wrote articulately about how her lack of language skills held her back, how she had a lot to say but simply lacked the words. She felt isolated and like the deck was stacked against her, but did not give up. She found an ESL class and with hard work learned the intricacies of one of the most complex languages on earth.

Last night, as she graduated , I was pleased to hand her a certificate of award for her inspiring efforts. What touched me most, though, took place after the ceremony ended. On the platform, Sue Heywood and I went up to congratulate her. As she saw Sue coming, her face lit up, and I heard her say, "This is who taught me English!" Our community is small. We do not have the resources of a big city, but what we do have is a compassionate and charitable heart for all. Be you a life-long resident or a recent immigrant, Tuxedo's arms and hearts are open to you. We pull together for the good of all, because we know that is the moral, Christian, and American thing to do. God bless all those who volunteer in so many ways, be it ESL classes, the food pantry, our volunteer fire and ambulance corps, or any number of other ways that lives are touched and changed for the better here.

Blessings,
Father Rick
Movie Tonight! All Are Welcome!
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!
Sunday School Resumes This Sunday
Now that summer is officially here, Sunday School is back in session! We enjoyed our brief vacation, but we can't wait to get back to our casual, relaxed summer classes.

This Sunday, we welcome our newest teacher and Sunday School Coordinator, Jennifer Creamer. Come meet Jenn and see for yourself why she will be such a great person to work with our children.

If the weather is nice, you may find us out under the magnolia tree on the lawn. Or you may find us back in our regular classroom if we have special projects going on. Either way, we look forward to seeing you and introducing Jenn.

Have a wonderful summer!
Choir Appreciation This Sunday
Please join us in church at 10am this Sunday as we celebrate a program year of beautiful music and say thank you in particular to our outgoing bass section leader, Jeff Knight. Per custom, starting next Sunday and continuing thru Labor Day Weekend, we will have a guest soloist each Sunday instead of the full senior choir. Happy Summer!
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. Please click here to read a special remembrance of Christine written by Maureen Love.

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.
Preschool Graduation Held on June 15
Last Thursday was our annual Preschool graduation at St Mary’s. We worked hard all year on our lessons, and had a splendid celebration to top it all off. Good luck in Kindergarten to our graduates! Please visit our Facebook page for more photos of the festivities and check out our most recent newsletter on our website.

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year has begun for ages 2, 3 and 4. 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!
Yard Sale Raises Over $3,000 for Camp Scholarships
Thank you to everyone who helped with the huge effort of collecting, sorting, displaying and selling all manner of goods at St Mary’s semi-annual Yard Sale! All proceeds will be used to help send young people to summer camp!! Please see our Facebook page for more photos of the occasion.

The cost of camp is $600 per student and there are 12 children in need of scholarships, so we still need to raise additional funds. If you can sponsor a child, please contact Shari Brooks or Sue Heywood .
Marriage Announcement
Congratulations to Alicia Evelyn Sigvartsen and Gregorio Vergara IV who were married by Father Rick at St. John's in Arden on Saturday, June 16!

O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give you thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by your Holy Spirit, Alicia and Gregorio, now joined in Holy Matrimony, may become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
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.
Tuxedo Trail Angels
A small group of “angels” from Tuxedo have been leaving jugs of water at a designated place on the Appalachian Trail since 1999 when Edie Sonne, daughter of Sally and Chris, hiked the 2,200-mile trail from Georgia to Maine. She talked about the Trail Angels who had helped her along the way, and also revealed that the supply of clean water on the stretch of the trail that passes through the north end of Tuxedo is notably scarce. Thus, the Tuxedo Trail Angels came into being.

About five people take turns going to the trail with between four and eight gallon-jugs of water every four days or so. (Bottles are provided, and we refill the empties.) The schedule changes depending on the demand, which has been increasing every year (the coming weeks are quite busy). A Log Book is filled with effusive expressions of gratitude from the hikers. That, in itself, is sufficient reward for this relatively simple gesture of kindness. Chauncie Rodzianko, Tom Fuller, Paul Gluck, Chris Schneider and Sally Sonne make up the current group of volunteers. Of course there are times during the summer when each one is unavailable, so any additional volunteers would be welcome. If this interests you, please get in touch with Sally Sonne . Thank you!
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