Rector's Chronicle

The Reverend Andrew C. Mead, Rector of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, writes a chronicle for members and friends of the parish, usually four times a year. The latest edition is added to the top of the list as soon as it becomes available. You may click on each title to read the chronicle online or, if you prefer, print the PDF version. As always, we thank you for utilizing the website, thereby saving the church the cost of printing and mailing. If you know a parishioner or friend of the parish who does not have access to a computer and who needs to receive the Rector's Chronicle by mail, do not hesitate to let us know.

December 2011 | Download PDF
This Advent, the Rector writes about Messiah concerts Past (a good review was won); Bishops Present and Future (that our Diocese may be one); the EMC 2012 (a canvass that was, is and is to come); and how his own numbers add up (and why he still is having fun).

September 2011 | Download PDF
This relatively short issue chronicles our response to Hurricane Irene, our plans for September 11, and our ongoing transformation regarding how we communicate. It also includes the annual (this year abbreviated) Summer Book Report.

Summer 2011 | Download PDF
In this season of summering, the Rector gives thanks--for the Church and her clergy, staff, Vestry and volunteers; for John Scott's Easter Mass; for the Choir School and the Class of 2011; and, in great depth, for Holy Scripture, and especially at this time of its 400th anniversary, the King James Version.

Lent 2011 | Download PDF
The Rector begins with the Holy Week to come and ends with the Ash Wednesday past. In between, he writes about an organ to be publicly played, a play to be publicly read, and more.

December 2010 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about upcoming Christmas services (nigh), the first few months of 2011 (upcoming), the Vestry election (past), two books by Fr Austin (new), the election for a new bishop (distant), the EMC (on-going) and the campaign for a new Great Organ (urgent).

September 2010 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about Clergy, Canvass and Count—our clergy, past and present; the canvass for our future; a count for the ages.

June 2010 | Download PDF
In this early summer Chronicle as the Rector prepares to leave for Maine, he discusses very interesting developments concerning the remains of our first Rector, the Rev’d Cornelius Roosevelt Duffie, and his family. He also offers us a preview of his summer reading list. Finally, there are some good words from the Rector Emeritus.

May 2010 | Download PDF
In this Chronicle, the Rector discusses spring growth: Fr Erdman as a rector in Kentucky, new priests on the scene at Saint Thomas, a new Verger on the loose in June, and an old Verger in the nave this summer. This issue also includes an update on Fr Andrew (growing ever stronger) and a milestone for the friendship (growing ever longer) between the Rector and his Secretary.

March 2010 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about Holy Week, a new priest for Saint Thomas, the Mardi Gras party, an upcoming visit by John Polkinghorne, and more.

December 2009 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about clergy changes, two rectory receptions, the new website, the Rector's Doctrine Class, the buzz over the recent announcement by the Vatican regarding Anglicans, and more.

September 2009 | Download PDF
In this Chroncile, the Rector writes about the return of the choir in September and of the Hancocks in October, the departure of Fr Stafford in November, the start of the 2010 EMC and the birth of the Hospitality Committee, and the growth of Theology at Saint Thomas. This Chroncile also has several reviews: of the summer mission trip by the youth group and of the summer reading by the Meads.

June 2009 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about the summer to come, the Holy Week and Easter gone by, and a good many events from April and May, including the choir trip, Bishop Sisk's visit for Confirmation and Reception, the Choirmasters Conference, an honor for Wiliam Miller, and the Soup Kitchen Volunteer Supper. The Rector also writes about the Choir School Graduating Class of 2009.

March 2009 | Download PDF
This time, the Rector writes of Lent and Holy Week, the economic crisis and finances, and our ongoing efforts: the Choir School, music, and the ministry of clergy and staff.

December 2008 | Download PDF
The Rector writes about Christmas, about finances and the EMC, about changes on the Vestry, and about our many friends from other traditions.

September 2008 | Download PDF
The Rector talks about all things new: new members to the staff; the start of the 2009 EMC; and music, edicuation and fellowship for the fall. This issue also includes the Rector's summer book report.

Lent 2008 | Download PDF
In this Chronicle, the Rector writes about Holy Week and Easter, the very reason we are here, and then takes us around Saint Thomas, the ins and outs of what we do while we're here.

December 2007 | Download PDF
Among other good things, the Rector writes about the Stained Glass Window Restoration Project, a trip to Canterbury, honors for Vestrymen Miller, Wright and Meacham, and the making of a Doctor at a house with long ties to Saint Thomas.

September 2007 | Download PDF
This time, the Rector welcomes everyone back to a sprit of giving as he looks forward to the EMC, to restored stained glass and to a new organ, too. And looking back, in this year's summer book report, the Rector gives Harry the decade.

March 2007 | Download PDF
The Rector writes of John Scott, the Choir, the Choir School, the Shearings, and the webcasts of choral services.

December 2006 | Download PDF
In this Chroncile, the Rector writes of his tenth anniversary at Saint Thomas, of transition on the Vestry, of the successful 2007 EMC, of a new maintenance fund for the Choir School, and of much more.