News from Saint Thomas Church Week Beginning November 3


In this week’s news…

Father Matthew Moretz (photo credit: Alan Barnett)

In August of 2018, our parish began work with Wellspring Consulting to develop a strategic plan for Saint Thomas Church. These plans include pursuing financial and organizational sustainability for the church and the choir school, fostering a community of belonging and trust, sustaining and expanding our liturgical, musical, and educational traditions, and making St. Thomas more visible to the city and to the world.

The parish is now in the process of detailing the plan.

A worship, fellowship, and formation task force has been charged with plans to increase our bonds of trust and belonging, and with the growth of the parish.

A finance and administration task force has been assigned the review of our parish budget. They are pursuing cost saving and other efficiencies. This group recommends the creation of a revenue committee to explore additional revenue sources for the parish.

An institutional advancement task force is reviewing staffing for possible reorganization.

A choir school task force has recently outlined a plan to strengthen the school’s educational programs, admissions, alumni relations, and fundraising.

We will continue to keep you updated on the work of these groups to help us continue on the path of growth, sustainability, excellence, and ever deeper connection to each other and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you would like to know more than this update could allow, please feel free to ask me about details. I am happy to discuss questions.

As our 2020 Annual Appeal continues, I remind you that your support is the essential foundation for the parish. Thank you for all those who have pledged this year. We encourage those who have not yet sent in their pledge to click the button below and make your gift today.

Grace and peace to you.

Father Matthew Moretz
Associate Rector

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(Please note that we updated our website over the summer, including our pledging system. If you previously had a user account, you will need to create a new user account and password. If you have any questions, please email [email protected])

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Father Andrew Mead, Rector Emeritus

This coming Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday, the day when we honor the saints, both known and unknown. A special part of this celebration includes welcoming guest preachers for two of our services.

Our first guest preacher will be our beloved Rector Emeritus, the Reverend Andrew C. Mead, O.B.E., who will preach at our 11am Solemn Eucharist. Father Mead has served in full-time parish ministry for 41 years, and he served as our Rector from 1996-2014. Father Mead is married to Nancy Hoxsie Mead, and they have two grown children and four grandchildren. We welcome them home to St. Thomas!

the Reverend Matthew Corkern, Rector of Calvary Church in Summit, New Jersey

Our second guest preacher will be the Reverend Matthew Corkern, Rector of Calvary Church in Summit, New Jersey. Father Corkern is a graduate of Yale Divinity School with concentrations in Anglican liturgy and spirituality from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. He has served as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Mobile, Alabama; as Canon Residentiary at Christ Church Cathedral, in Nashville, Tennessee; and as Associate Rector of St. John’s Church, in McLean, Virginia. He will preach at our service of Solemn Evensong at 4pm.

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Saturday, November 2, All Souls’ Day

12:10pm Requiem Mass

Sunday, November 3, All Saints’ Sunday

  • 8:00am Said Mass and 9:00am Sung Mass,
  • 11:00am Solemn Mass sung by the Choir of Men & Boys
    Preacher: The Reverend Andrew C. Mead, Rector Emeritus
  • 4:00pm Solemn Evensong sung by the Choir of Men & Boys
    Preacher: The Reverend Matthew Corkern, Rector of Calvary Church, Summit, NJ

Thursday, November 7

7:30pm Choir School Centennial Concert
sung by the Choir of Men & Boys with Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Sunday, November 10, Remembrance Sunday and Choir School Centennial Alumni Weekend

  • 8:00am Said Mass and 9:00am Sung Mass
  • 11:00am Solemn Requiem Mass sung by the Choir of Men & Boys with the Fauré Requiem
  • 4:00pm Choral Evensong
    Annual Flag Service sung by the Choir of Men & Boys and attended by the Patriotic and Historical Societies of New York
    Preacher: The Reverend Carl F. Turner, Rector

Monday, November 12, Veterans’ Day

12:10pm Said Mass at the World War II memorial altar in the Narthex

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“Church Growth: A Scriptural, Theological, and Practical Imperative”

The Very Reverend Kurt H. Dunkle, the Dean and President of the General Theological Seminary.

The 2019 Fall Theology Lecture, “Church Growth: A Scriptural, Theological, and Practical Imperative,” will be delivered by the Very Reverend Kurt H. Dunkle, the Dean and President of the General Theological Seminary.

The lecture will take place on Tuesday, November 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Andrew Hall. Dean Dunkle will explore the importance of church growth to God and to communities of faith, as well as strategies for making it happen. His presentation will be followed by a reception from 7:30 to 8:00 pm.

Prior to arriving at GTS, Dean Dunkle served as the Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Florida, a parish that experienced significant growth under his leadership. He also served as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Before being ordained a priest, Dean Dunkle was a partner at Rogers Towers, the largest law firm in Jacksonville, Florida.

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For the Fall season, our parish will take part in a sermon series as a part of our parish’s Annual Appeal for 2020. This series will include our clergy and guests who will preach on themes exploring the joys and responsibilities of our common life. Join us at our 11am services for this fine array of preaching.

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Our Lady of Fifth Avenue

Fr. Turner and Fr. Spencer invite members of the Society of Mary, the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham, and those who are interested, to join them for Mass on Saturday, November 23 in the Chantry Chapel.  Then, at 12:45pm, the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary will be prayed at the Shrine of our Lady of Fifth Avenue.

Following the praying of the Rosary, a simple lunch will be served in the Living Room of the Parish House with a presentation on the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham and a discussion on re-establishing a prayer cell here at Saint Thomas.  Contributions of $10 for the lunch are invited.

Because of the provided lunch, we are asking for all those interested in taking part to sign up at the Reception Desk of the Parish House starting this coming Sunday, Oct. 13.  Alternatively, click on the register for lunch via email.

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Do you have an extra seat or two at your Thanksgiving table? We are matching parishioners that will be looking for company this Thanksgiving with parishioners that would like to host a guest or two for dinner.

For more details, please contact Linda Morfi via email or at 212-757-7013.

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