In this week’s news…
- The Rector’s Message
- Ash Wednesday Services
- Lenten Sermon Series
- Ordination of Sr. Promise Atelon, SSM
- Next Week’s Service Schedule Schedule
A Message from the Rector
Dear friends,
Last Sunday was very special for me. I had bronchitis, which got worse, and I also had laryngitis, losing my voice. So, as a result, I worshiped with you all from the Rectory!
When I am on vacation, Alison and I like to visit other churches and discover new communities, but, last Sunday, I became a proper part of the webcast community for the first time since becoming Rector. It made me appreciate not only the hard work of Avery Griffin, who makes our webcast possible, but also how many people are involved in making our worship vibrant and life-changing. Fr. Bennett’s sermon was challenging, yet extraordinarily pastoral, linking the hard words of Jesus from the Gospel reading to present day realities. It made me stop and think. And I realized that one of the great gifts of a church that prides itself in being open every day of the year is that it can be a sign of reconciliation, day by day and week by week in a noisy world.
This Sunday, we will prepare ourselves for the rigors of Lent by listening to the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. We will sing ‘Alleluia’ for the last time until the Great Alleluia of the Easter Vigil fills the church on the evening of April 11. During Lent, we will have a sermon series on the seven virtues, inspired by several small and beautiful windows in the Rector’s office, and thirty-four of us will travel to the Holy Land and walk in the steps of Jesus and his first followers. We have decided to send messages and images back to you from our pilgrimage so that you will be able to connect with us and pray with us, as we will pray for you.
The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment between the Incarnation and the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Sunday’s Gospel helps us see the reality of the Word made Flesh, and how he will resolutely walk the way of suffering to bring redemption to all.
In 1949, Archbishop Michael Ramsey wrote a book titled “The Glory of God and the Transfiguration of Christ” while he was a Van Mildert Professor of Divinity at Durham University, shortly before he became Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. It is significant that the memorial to Michael Ramsey in Durham Cathedral (he was Bishop of Durham from 1952-1956) is a stained-glass window that has as its subject the Transfiguration. It is placed near the great Shrine of St. Cuthbert near the High Altar, and it is quite breathtaking to gaze upon while sitting in the shrine. The window was designed and made by Tom Denny, and dedicated on 25th September 2010.
Michael Ramsey wrote in that book: “Confronted with a universe more terrible than ever in the blindness and the destructiveness of its potentialities, men and women must be led to Christian faith, not as a panacea of progress or as an otherworldly solution unrelated to history, but as a gospel of Transfiguration. Such a gospel transcends the world and yet speaks directly to the immediate here-and-now. He who is transfigured is the Son of Man; and as he discloses on the holy mountain another world, he reveals that no part of created things, and no moment of created time lies outside the power of the Spirit, who is Lord, to change it from glory to glory.”
Every blessing,
Carl
your priest and pastor.
P.S. I was very touched by the many messages of good will and the prayers I received last weekend when I was poorly. Thank you for your kindness.
Ash Wednesday is February 26
Join us for the beginning of our Lenten journey to Holy Week and Easter.
The Imposition of Ashes
Ashes are available all day, including during the services, from 8am to 6:30pm.
Confessions
Confessions are heard by a priest from 11am-12pm, following the 12:10pm liturgy until 2pm, from 3:15pm-4:15pm, and 4:15pm-5:15pm. Ask for assistance regarding the location.
Services
8am: The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
A short, said service at the High Altar.
12:10pm & 5:30pm: The Solemn Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys
featuring the music of Lassus, Allegri, Bryd, and Lobo.
“The Seven Virtues,” A Sermon Series for Lent
Join us for our 4pm services of Sunday Evensong in Lent (and just before) as we make our way through a series on “The Seven Virtues.” This particular list of virtues is inspired by one of our parish’s stained glass windows (see above) which brings these virtues to life in the Rector’s Office. This series will be preached by members of our clergy.
- February 23: Humility
- March 1: Gentleness and Brotherly Love
- March 8: Diligence
- March 15: Purity
- March 22: Patience
- March 29: Liberality
Ordination of Sr. Promise Atelon, SSM
Our intern from General Seminary, Sister Promise Atelon, SSM, who is pursuing her “Wisdom Year” here at St. Thomas Church as part of her studies, is going to be ordained to be a Transitional Deacon. The Right Reverend Mary D. Glasspool will ordain her and two other ordinands during a service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave.) on Saturday, March 7 at 10:30am. You are warmly invited to attend this special event in the life of our parish and the diocese. Also, after the 11am service on Sunday, March 8, we will celebrate the newly ordained Sr. Promise with a special coffee hour.
Next Week’s Office and Mass Schedule
Chantry Chapel Services
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- Monday through Friday Services: 8 a.m., 12:10 and 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday Eucharist: 12:10 p.m.
(The Tuesday 12:10 p.m. Healing Eucharist includes the laying on of hands and anointing of the sick)
Choral Evensong Services
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- Tuesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. – sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys
- Thursday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. – sung by the Gentlemen of the Choir
Ash Wednesday, February 26
8 a.m. The Ash Wednesday Liturgy
12:10 and 5:30 p.m. The Solemn Liturgy of Ash Wednesday
Music of Lassus, Allegri, Byrd and Lobo
Priests will impose ashes throughout the day.
Prayers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue Monday through Saturday at 12 p.m. (except Ash Wednesday).
Intercessions may be sent via the website by using the Prayer Request Tab or by leaving a written request in the box near the Shrine.
Confessions
Ash Wednesday, February 26
Confessions are heard by a priest
from 11am-12pm, following the 12:10pm liturgy
until 2pm, and from 3:15pm-5:15pm.
Saturday, February 29
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Resurrection Chapel Confessor: Father Spencer
