The Rector's Message for the Week of November 24, 2019

Dear Friends,

Rector Turner
The Reverend Canon Carl Turner

The last few weeks have been wonderful in church, this includes over 1000 people attending worship this past Remembrance Sunday. We have had some fascinating visiting preachers, including a fine sermon by the Rector Emeritus. This Sunday, we welcome Dr. Sam Wells from St. Martin in the Fields, London, a church with which we have been twinned. The Diocese of New York and the Diocese of London are embarking on a twinning exercise to encourage mutual support, especially through prayer. Both Dioceses are very diverse and are at the heart of two of the great cities of the world. This Sunday is also Commitment Sunday, when we keep the Feast of Christ the King. It is a good day to reflect on our parish as we move forward in faith and hope. Thank you to all of you who have pledged so far. We have a dramatic increase in new pledgers this year.

Then, Thursday, November 28 is Thanksgiving Day. If you are in the City for Thanksgiving, remember that the Choir of Men and Boys will sing at the Solemn Eucharist at 11am. I love the mix of Harvest hymns and Patriotic hymns at that service. Please bring friends and family and give thanks for this country, for all who farm the land and the sea, and for our common life.

This year, immediately after Thanksgiving, we have the beginning of Advent – a most wonderful season of preparation for Christmas. The Advent Procession on Sunday, December 1 at 4pm will be very special this year. This procession is no longer truncated, as in the past, but has an extra reading, anthem, and hymn, to close the service.

A handy postcard with all our Advent and Christmas services and concerts will be available from this Sunday. Please take several home and give them to friends and family.

Save the date – this year’s Crèche Service and Christmas Pageant will be held on Tuesday, December 17, at 5:30pm. This service (which lasts less than an hour) is growing in popularity.  The choristers sing, the Sunday School have their Christmas Pageant, and we are joined by children from San Andreas Episcopal Church in Yonkers. As is our custom, we encourage all children to come in costume – Angels, Shepherds, Donkeys, Cows, Sheep, Stars, Kings, Mary, and Joseph. Last year we even had adults in costume!

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Affectionately,

Carl,
your priest and pastor