November 28, 2018
This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
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Upcoming Calendar
Thursday, November 29
11:30am - Soup and Salad Luncheon & Day by Day Reading Reflection Time

Sunday, December 2 - First Sunday in Advent
8am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50am - Infant/childcare available and Sunday School begins
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with music
Food and fellowship follows in Bentley Hall

Tuesday, December 4
2pm to 6pm - Sloatsburg Food Pantry is open

Wednesday, December 5
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
11am - Chapel for Preschool 3's and 4's
6:30pm - Outreach Meeting

Thursday, December 6
11am - Chapel for Preschool 2's
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The great American writer Mark Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." Truer words were never spoken.

Over the last two weeks, I have had the privilege of traveling with my husband in Asia. We have had some wonderful experiences, and have met very kind people. Today, however, was a real travel experience for me, in the spirit of Mr. Twain's insight. I say "travel" to delineate a difference to "tourism". On a lark, I chose to book a bicycle tour of Guangzhou, China, instead of just wandering around looking at old buildings on my own without context. I met up with my guide and a fellow traveler at a neighborhood pub from whence we took public bicycles all around the old city. The tour took about four hours, and I saw people and experienced things and foods I never would have otherwise. We met the great great granddaughter of the Kung fu instructor of Bruce Lee, who still keeps the family business going, and who gave us a brief lesson in the martial art. I am truly grateful for the time we had toward the end of the tour in which we all shared in some delicious local food in one of the most beautiful public parks in the world and talked frankly about what life is like now for people in China and the US. I made a real connection with another American and a Chinese man, and Mr. Twain's prophecy was fulfilled. Prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness were banished, and broad, wholesome, and charitable views of our common life were shared.

As we come to the season of Advent, let us consider how even God was not above joining in with the human race. How can we, in response and gratitude, not join our fellow humans in our shared quest for peace and understanding? May this Advent be a time of unity, understanding, and peace. I look forward to returning to Tuxedo in a few days and being with you all this Sunday.

Blessings,
Father Rick
November is Stewardship Month
This month, you will hear from Father Rick and several parishioners 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.

From now through Sunday, December 2, please make your pledge or one-time donation to the mission and ministry of this integral part of our community. May God bless you in your generosity.
Outreach Update
St Mary’s outreach has been busy, as always. We have helped our people locally and beyond by supporting the Helping Hands ministry to the homeless. Despite a fire in their kitchen, the work goes on, and with winter approaching, your donations are needed. We have also assembled 18 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need in our community. Nationally, we are donating to Episcopal Relief and Development's efforts in addressing the California wildfires. Internationally, we continue our commitment to the Carryou ministry in South Africa. You can read more detail about what we've been doing by clicking here .
Mailing List Updates
It was brought to our attention, just prior to the Progressive Dinner, that a number of community members had not received invitations. We looked into this immediately and found that there were multiple email lists used in the past, and we mistakenly used the wrong one.

Over the winter months, we will be working on organizing our contact information to accurately reflect the community so that an oversight like this will not happen again. We sincerely apologize for this unintentional occurrence.

The Saint Mary’s family is one of inclusion, an extension of your family and of the greater community. Our doors are always open to you all and everyone is welcome. Please let us know the email address of anyone who you are aware is not receiving regular updates.
Victorian Holiday Celebration
Please join us at Harmony Hall - Jacob Sloat House
15 Liberty Rock Road
Sloatsburg, NY
Sunday, December 2 from 1-5
Come see the festively decorated 1848 Mansion and enjoy live holiday music, food, kids crafts, raffles, crafts and sale and more.
Free event
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