Letter from the Rector
Dear Friends
The Gospel reading for the third Sunday of Easter ~ Luke 24:13-35 ~
"Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a
vision
of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread."
Open our eyes Dear Lord Jesus, so that we too may recognize you, on the road, during the journey, in the ordinary and the extraordinary
What an extraordinary couple of weeks it has been....and continues to be for millions around the world. The journeys of life during this time of the corona virus outbreak, take us to places and spaces least expected at the best of times. How do we walk and how do we continue the journey?
There is no doubt that the gospel story directs me to the church....not the church that's equated with the institution and Sunday worship, rather to the church that meets a very ordinary world, a world marked by human loss, human joy, human suffering and human hospitality, and courageous care and compassion.
You see with Jesus' death Cleopas and his companion have lost their faith and their hope. They are not looking for him...in fact they do not recognize him when he joins them. They tell Jesus of his own story...for them the story is over.
However, they respond to Jesus with hospitality. Their offer of hospitality changes everything. Their experience on the road and at the table transforms them, and they return to Jerusalem to find the rest of the disciples.
You see what makes this story remarkable is how unremarkable it is. Their road to Emmaus is an ordinary road; the road each one of us travel every day.
This is a story of the image of God and a church that walk alongside human confusion, human pain, and human loss. Emmaus invites us to expect God to find us.
We may not always walk with Cleopas and his companion from Jerusalem to Emmaus, however we may very well find a stranger walking with us as we go down the roads of our lives....as we walk, we may find hopes shattered, our own hopes included.
Somehow as we walk though, hospitality is offered, shelter is given and we draw near to this table, where Jesus invites us to take again the bread that he blessed and broke and gave.
My wife Jenny and I have been beneficiaries of this incredible example of selfless hospitality and care during her illness with symptoms of the virus. The Good Saint Maryans have fed us on this journey to recovery. We are humbled and ever so thankful for such care. We journey on as we have the promise of paying forward one day.
Pray that in these days our eyes may be opened as we march on, respecting the dignity of every human being, as we work tirelessly for healing light, peace and wholeness.....that, seeing the mountain top, we too may proclaim the glory of the coming of the Lord, Risen and glorified.
Know of my continued prayers!
Fr. Alan
Sermons are available on our website under the worship tab. Click
HERE.
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The NY Diocese very recently updated that Public Worship will continue to be suspended until July 1.
Details Here.
In the meantime, live stream worship will continue. Please join us!
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SUNDAY WORSHIP:
- Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:00 am
WEEKDAY WORSHIP:
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SCENES FROM
GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER WORSHIP
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Wardens Corner
News from the Church
Warden,
John Priscantelli
Our new routines, the daily news, health concerns and isolation can understandably cause anxiety. Here is a wonderful mindfulness booklet offering info, worksheets and resources to help build resilience during difficult times.
(from WellnessSociety.org)
Respectfully, John
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 Letter from the Treasurer
News from David Aplin
I hope that you have continued to have the chance to listen to the SMTV live streaming services; we think that they are powerful.
In this time of no in-person worship I want to ask all of us to, if you can, continue to make your regular Pledge and plate contributions. We need to stay solvent as a parish and your contributions are always the key. We have reduced some major weekly costs during this period, but we have also lost some "rental' income. So, until we can happily gather together again, please mail your contributions to the Church's P.O. Box:
Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
Thank you for your care and generosity.
Be well, and hope to see you soon.
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Deacon's Corner
News from Deacon Shiane
I miss you all, and I know in my heart that this too will pass, and we all will have learned things we could not have possibly learned had we not gone through this storm together. I miss you and I love you all.
In the mean time, I have some favorite things that make me smile. I am hoping Parishioners will also share some of their favorite inspirations from quotes, poems, shows/movies or jokes. Please send me your contributions to Shiane.lee@aol.com.
Here are a few of mine.
POEMS
I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart
For the joys of the multitude.
And I would not have the tears that sadness makes
To flow from my every part turn into laughter.
I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.
A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding
Of life's secrets and hidden things.
A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and
To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.
A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.
I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing.
I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the
Depths of my spirit,for I have seen those who are
Satisfied the most wretched of people.
I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing, and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.
With evening's coming the flower folds her petals
And sleeps, embracing her longing.
At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet
The sun's kiss.
The life of a flower is longing and fulfillment.
A tear and a smile.
The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come
Together and are a cloud.
And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys
Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping
To the fields and joins with brooks and rivers to Return to the sea, its home.
The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.
A tear and a smile.
And so does the spirit become separated from
The greater spirit to move in the world of matter
And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow
And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death
And return whence it came.
To the ocean of Love and Beauty----to God.
By: Khalil Gibran
Jokes
I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. He asked me what I was wearing.
In the foyer of a church, a young boy was looking at a plaque with the names of men and women who had died in various wars. He asked the pastor, "Who are these people?" The pastor said, "Those are members from our church who died in service." The boy asked, "The early service or the second service?"
Six-year-old Ned's mother was looking through an old family Bible when an oak leaf fell out. Ned said, "I guess that must be Adam's shorts."
Inspirational Sayings
Do what is right not what is easy.
We will get through this, with God's help.
You can't calm the storm so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.
Tiny Buddha
The pandemic reminds us there are no differences or borders between those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious. May we be profoundly shaken: Now is the time to eliminate inequalities and heal the injustice undermining the health of the entire human family! Pope Francis
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
If you knew who walked beside you, you would never fear again.
A Course In Miracles
Movie/TV Shows/Music
Click each for active links to the site:
The Wizard of Oz - with Judy Garland
Good morning - by Mandisa
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 Meet the Parish
PROFILE
The Nesbit Family
Though Catherine was raised Protestant and Bob was raised Catholic, their son Andrei was christened in the Episcopal Church in Croton on Hudson in 2001. Thus began their journey which ended up at St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua.
But back to the beginning: Catherine read about the sudden death of Tim Vernon, the music director at St. Mary's back in 2006 and decided to send a resume to Joel Mason, the rector at that time, in case there was an immediate need at St. Mary's for someone to fill in. Though Catherine had been a Broadway performer in her early career, when she and Bob became parents, she shifted into teaching voice and conducting choirs for churches and community groups. She began at St. Mary's as interim music director and in subsequent years, has come to the rescue, musically speaking, several more times.
More recently, Bob, a life long Catholic, decided it was time to make the switch to the Episcopal Church and is now head of Outreach at St. Mary's. Their son, Andrei, graduated from Horace Greeley in 2016 and now lives in Northern California. They were drawn to St. Mary's by the warm and welcoming community provided by Father Alan and by the members of the church who always made Catherine feel at home during her several times here as music director.
Catherine continues to teach voice and occasionally perform as an actor and singer. She volunteers at Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco as a musical theater teacher. She spends a lot of time walking their dog, Bubba, a lab spaniel mix.
Bob is the Managing Partner of Nesbit Partners, a retained executive search firm.
Previously, he spent 25 years as a Human Resources Executive in a variety of industries. Bob has been a EMT with Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp since 2007.
He is a big sports fan and has season tickets with the NY Giants since 1979. When no
t
working, Bob is an avid gardener, cook, golf, racquetball and most recently pickleball
player.
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 Calling All Cooks
Please join
The Good St. Maryans
The Christian way teaches us to care for one another, but when someone needs help, we are often at a loss how to best assist. Whether it is celebrating a new addition to the family, honoring those whose lives have passed or extending a hand while healing, the Good St. Maryan's is here to support the parish community through life's steps and missteps.
Over the years, the Good St. Maryan's, led by
Beverley Streeter and Dina Painter, has quietly, discreetly and lovingly extend a hand with meals and rides. I have been the grateful recipient of meals after the birth of my daughter, Catherine, and after the death of my mother, and like others, I will never forget how helpful the meals were or the kindness that was expressed the extra care the Good St. Maryans took to make allergy-safe meals.
If you have the time and talent to make an occasional dinner to share, then please sign up for this committee. When there is a need, you will be asked to participate on a specific Meal Train, an organized meal giving around a significant life event for a member of the parish. You will get a link to the specific Meal Train either from within mealtrain.com or via your personal email which has a unique web address which acts like a key for entry to your Meal Train. For example:
www.mealtrain.com/qyqn9. Only those who have this unique address are able to participate. Your Meal Train information is not public. To participate, you will click on the 'Volunteer For This' button next to a preferred date/activity and follow the instructions. There will usually be some specific information about time for delivery, food allergies and meal preferences to help you plan your meal. In addition, you can see what other volunteers are making so that you can ensure some variety for the recipient.
Our dinners will help ensure that the parishioner (and family) will have healthy, homecooked nourishment and give them strength. Please do not expect or plan to stay and visit or eat with them.
If you would like to sign up to volunteer for the Good St. Maryan's, please contact Dana Fenlon at
dfenlon212@gmail.com or 914-238-1151.
If you have a need or know of a family who is struggling in any way and needs pastoral care, please contact Fr. Alan.
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Newsletter Co-Editors Announcement!
From the Communications Commission
A wonderful mother daughter team has volunteered to move forward as Co-Editors of The Bell!
Blair Childs and her daughter Sophia are eager to learn new skills and assist St. Mary's Communication Team. They continue a long tradition of dedicated Bell Editors.
Sophia is a Sophomore at Horace Greeley... and
is interested in getting experience with publications and graphic design.
Via Zoom meetings, MaryAnn Bayer, will assist and train them with Constant Contact program, format and templates!
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Vestry Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes are available on bulletin board outside of Parish Hall office or by contacting Rich at juzumas@verizon.net. |
Calendar Notes/Special Events:
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Church School News
Grades PreK-7th
Meets 9:45am, Sundays
Joins Worship Service at approx. 10:45am for communion with parents.
FROM COLEEN MACGREEVEY, Director, Church School
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We miss seeing everyone's smiling faces every Sunday!
We hope your families and friends are all safe and healthy and that you were able to celebrate Easter in a "unique" way this year.
Below are a few photos from our families celebrating Easter in their homes.
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Amanda and Jason Fesko, kids Addison and Conor, and Amanda's parents Doug and Chris.
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In the meantime, Church School will continue to send a weekly lesson, along with a child-appropriate explanation of the weekly Gospel. Wishing we are all back together in person soon!
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Class meets via live stream ZOOM
Details will be forthcoming...
Below is the schedule for the rest of the program
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Topics to be discussed will include:
Discussion
A plan of action to help others. Sunday, May 3 at 2:30pm
Sacraments in Action
A teaching about worship in the episcopal church and the sacraments. Sunday, May 17, at 3:00PM.
Christian responsibility and Social Action
Discussion regarding the implication to having a Christian witness ethic. Sunday, May 31.
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St. Mary's embraces Outreach. It is an integral component in the mission of our church family. We provide financial support, services and donated goods to those in need close to home and on the other side of the world.
In fulfilling our outreach mission, we enhance the sense of community within our church family - and we enrich ourselves. We make connections not just with each other, but also with those we help.
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SPECIAL OUTREACH
During these uncertain times, St. Marys continues to remain available to deliver food to those in need.
Coupled with the Vestry Outreach ministry, headed by Bob Nesbit, our young Parishioner, Alex Fitzgerald recently sent out this plea via Facebook.
Hello, my name is Alex Fitzgerald and I am a junior at Horace Greeley. This pandemic has caused great shifts in my daily life and of those in our community. For many of our neighbors food insecurity is currently on the rise as jobs become more unstable and certain items grow more difficult to attain. From a young age, I have volunteered at the Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry of Pleasantville and recently received news that, although they are fairing better than some other pantries, they are in dire need of various food products. I ask you all to please consider opening your pantry doors or Target grocery list to donate to the pantry.
In order to lend a hand, I am collecting food for the distribution next week. The following items have been the most challenging to receive from Feeding Westchester so if you are willing, it would be greatly appreciated if while you are ordering or in the store buying food, you throw in some additional groceries for the pantry. I will be collecting donations at my house and will deliver them before next week's distribution. Please private message my mom if you would like my address to drop any food. Thank you for your time and note that any donations, large or small, are very much appreciated by our neighbors in need.
From Helena Terilli, one of the directors of the Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry, outlining the current need for a food drive:
With the exception of fresh produce, our pantry has not been able to order food from Feeding Westchester in the last 4-6 weeks. They require us to order a mixed pallet (fresh veggies, frozen food, dry goods) which doesn't work for our pantry for several reasons: 1. transportation of pallet 2. receiving fresh veggies a week before our distribution 3. receiving many items that we know are not popular.
To Feeding Westchester's credit, larger pantries can take advantage of these pallets and this may work out really well for them. Also, FW has mobile pantry trucks visiting all neighborhoods in Westchester.
While your donation to FW serves the greater need, your contribution of food to Alex serves our local pantry.
Needed Food Items:
Shelf-stable milk (not chocolate)
White rice (1 or 2 lb. bags)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables (especially corn)
Dried beans (in bags) black, lentils, red beans
Please email my mom at
lisafit@optonline.net i
f you would like to drop any food at my house.
Per a recent notice, we are also partnering with Chappaqua Interfaith Council, First Congregational Church, Chappaqua and Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville to create and collect masks. See more details HERE.
Contact SMTV Outreach Coordinator, Bob Nesbit at Bob@nesbitpartners.com for more details.
*SMTV Organization of the Month is designed to raise awareness
of the Outreach Organizations that SMTV supports.
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Special Announcements about our Parish
Please send submissions to SMTVBell@gmail.com by 26th of each month
WELCOME TO THE APLIN FAMILY!
BLESSINGS OF SPRING DURING UNUSUAL TIMES
  In March, like many parishioners, The Fenlons were suddenly faced with 2 kids returning home from closed college campuses --with ALL OF THEIR STUFF
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(Liam, who is a senior at MIT, and Hannah, a sophomore at Columbia University, were racing to get out by their school move out deadlines.) Here at home, clever mom got on the phone and ordered a PODS storage unit.
...and look who visited just in time for Easter!
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If there are any other SMTV parishioners with news to share, please let us know at
smtvbell@gmail.com
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The Church of SMTV Info
Click Link to listen to past
Sermons.
An UPDATED DIRECTORY (August 2018) has been posted to our church
website. (Located in drop-down under Parish Life.)
Church of St. Mary the Virgin
191 S. Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, NY
Office Contact:
parish-office@smtv.org
Tel: 914 238-8751
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THE CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN
Chappaqua, New York
We are called to be a holy people who witness God's love to the world and serve others.
Our Mission is to provide an environment for worship, learning, and service by encouraging
participation through the effective use of the commissions:
Worship and Music, Christian Education, Outreach, Communications, Parish Life, Finances, and Stewardship.
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