News from Saint Thomas Church for the Week of March 8, 2020


In this week’s news…

The Rector’s Message

Rector Turner
The Reverend Canon Carl Turner

Dear friends,

The rising concerns over the Coronavirus mean that the clergy and senior staff of the parish and the school have been monitoring the situation as it develops, taking advice from the State and the Federal Government. Keeping our school, our staff, and our parishioners and visitors safe is always a very high priority for us at Saint Thomas Church.

Last Sunday, I reminded the congregation that advice from medical organizations around the globe is for common sense measures to be implemented. The virus is similar to seasonal flu and cleanliness is the best way to prevent infection spreading.

    • The clergy already use hand sanitizer before and after all meetings and worship but, in addition, from now on the clergy and ministers will use hand sanitizer before and after administering Holy Communion.
    • If you are ill, and especially if you are sneezing and coughing, it is best to stay at home and not come to church or to meetings.
    • We are going to provide extra hand-sanitizers in the Church and the Parish House for our parishioners and visitors to use.
    • Those who are ill may receive Communion in one kind only or even make a ‘spiritual communion.’

The use of the common cup has never been proven to be a source of widespread infection and, in fact, the clergy and ministers regularly consume the remains of the chalice after Communion. However, from this Sunday, following the advice of the Bishop of New York, we will no longer allow any form of intinction at mass in the Church. Whilst drinking from the cup has never been of concern to medical professionals (silver and gold being aseptic), nevertheless people placing the hands into the chalice is not considered hygienic. If you do not wish to receive Communion from the chalice, remember that Anglicans teach that we receive the full benefits of Communion under one kind only.

A word about sharing the Peace. This is, by far, the most likely way that infection and germs are spread! From Sunday, we are encouraging people to refrain from shaking hands in the middle of the service as not everyone will have hand sanitizer with them to use immediately after. Many of us have seen the rather ridiculous ‘foot-shaking’ in some countries. I don’t think we will be doing that at Saint Thomas! Hindu people make the sign of prayer and bow (something Westminster Abbey has encouraged in the past during epidemics). But, quite frankly, there is nothing wrong with just a smile.

We will continue to monitor the advice given by the authorities and keep you informed of any further changes.

The last word should be that there is no need for panic or alarm; it seems that the majority of people who contract COVID-19 have very mild symptoms rather like the flu or a bad cold and the vast majority recover. Remember that thorough and frequent hand washing with soap and water is best, and when soap and water is not available, hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Over the coming weeks, if you have a bad cold or feel you have the flu, stay at home. If you do become very ill and need medical intervention, please let us know and the clergy will visit and bring you Holy Communion and the love of your fellow parishioners. Remember, also, that masks are not recommended for use by those who are well; in fact, there is strong evidence that they can increase the risk of contamination if not worn properly. They are best used by those who are ill and have to leave their homes, and for those in hospital caring for those whose immune system is compromised.

The Bishop has sent this prayer for us to use:

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Carl
Your priest and pastor.

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Ordination of Sr. Promise Atelon, SSM

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, has been ordained to be a Transitional Deacon. The Right Reverend Mary D. Glasspool ordained her and two other ordinands during a service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave.)

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Lent at Saint Thomas Church

Remember that thou art dust…

This Lent, St. Thomas’s Church invites you to share in a rich array of opportunities to discover where God seeks to meet you through our Lenten worship program, study and education, as well as times for quiet reflection and pilgrimage at other churches in Midtown. Please join us as we make our way through the pain and sorrow of Good Friday to encounter the new life and sustained hope of the Easter dawn!

Here is a list of all of the special parish activities for the second full week in Lent:

The Second Sunday in Lent, March 8

    • 8am Said Eucharist
    • 9am Sung Eucharist and Sermon
    • 11am Choral Eucharist and Sermon
    • 4 pm Choral Evensong and Sermon

Sunday Theology Class: “Repentance and Faith in the Hebrew Bible” with Dr. Julie Parker
March 8, 10am on the fifth floor

Sunday Sermon Series at 4 pm, “The Seven Virtues”: “Diligence”, Mother Turner

Healing Prayer and Anointing of the Sick

    • Sunday March 8, after the 11am Mass
    • Tuesday March 10, during and after the 12:10pm Mass

    Devotional Study

    • Monday March 9, 12:45-2pm
    • Friday March 9, 12:45-2pm

    Choral Evensong

    • Tuesday March 10, 5:30pm
    • Wednesday March 11, 5:30pm
    • Thursday March 12, 5:30pm

    Evening Theology Lecture Series, Dr. Christopher Wells:
    “Whither Anglicanism?”

    in Andrew Hall

    • Tuesday March 10, 6:30-8:00pm
    • Wednesday March 11, 6:30-8:00pm
    • Thursday March 12, 6:30-8:00pm

    Holy Hour – guided prayer, meditation, and silence

    Wednesday March 11, 11:00-11:55am

    Weekday Services in Lent

    Monday March 9 to Friday March 14: 8am, 12:10pm and 5:30pm.

    Prayers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue

    Monday March 9-Saturday March 14, 12pm

    Stations of the Cross with Mass

    Friday March 6, 5:30pm, beginning in the Chantry Chapel

    Confessions

    Saturday March 14, 11am-11:45am, or by appointment

    To learn more about the complete schedule of Lenten seasonal offerings, please follow this link.

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    Stations of the Cross in Lent

    Come and walk the Way of the Cross.

    Ever since the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, went on the first pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Christians have walked the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, recalling the events of that first Good Friday. At Saint Thomas Church, we will start in the Chantry Chapel and walk around our church, singing, listening to scripture, and praying. We will arrive at the Resurrection Chapel where we will conclude with a shortened mass; thus, our communion will become the 15th station – the Resurrection. If you have never experienced the Stations of the Cross in the context of the mass, come and walk the way with us.

    We will walk the Way of the Cross every Friday in Lent at 5:30pm.

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    Lenten Devotional Studies

    Join us during Lent for two small group discussions of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2020, “Saying Yes to Life,” by Ruth Valerio. The groups will meet on Mondays and Fridays during Lent from 12:45 to 2 p.m. on the second floor of the Parish House. Father Moretz will lead the group meeting on Mondays; participants are invited to bring their lunch. Father Bennett will lead the group meeting on Fridays; a simple soup and bread lunch will be provided. Copies of the Lent Book are available for purchase in the parish bookstore. Please email Fr. Bennett for more information.

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    Holy Hour in Lent

    We will be offering guided prayer, meditation, and silence before the Blessed Sacrament each Wednesday at 11am. We are delighted that most weeks, Sr. Promise Atelon SSM will offer meditations for us. This service is designed to help us find stillness in a busy world.

    These Holy Hours will take place in the Resurrection Chapel on Wednesdays from 11:00-11:55am.

    Our first Holy Hour of Lent will be Wednesday, March 4.

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    “The Seven Virtues,” A Sermon Series for Lent

    The Seven Windows represented in the stained glass windows of Saint Thomas Church

    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.

    • March 8: Diligence – Mother Turner
    • March 15: Purity – Father Moretz
    • March 22: Patience – Sister Promise
    • March 29: Liberality – Father Cheng

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    “Introduction to Anglicanism” Lecture Series with Dr. Christopher Wells

    Dr. Christopher Wells

    Our 2019-20 Visiting Lecturer, Dr. Christopher Wells, the Executive Director of the Living Church Foundation will deliver the third and final part of his lecture series on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week (March 10, 11, 12) from 6:30 to 8:00pm in Andrew Hall. The upcoming lectures are entitled “Whither Anglicanism?” Topics to be covered will include the late 20th century ecumenical transformation of Anglican ecclesiology and, in particular, the work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC).


    Lenten Parish Outreach Fundraiser

    Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue is accepting donations to our seasonal Lenten Fundraiser in support of a variety of outreach ministries: the Emergency Relief Fund of Gippsland, Australia and the Episcopal churches in Haiti and in Puerto Rico, which sustained damage in recent natural disasters.

    You can make a donation to any combination of these organizations as you’d like. Simply choose one of these ministries from the dropdown menu on this page, add it to your cart, and, if you wish, add a second when this page reloads.

    You will be able to review your donation as you check out.

    During Lent, donations will also be accepted at Coffee Hour on Sundays after the 11am service.

    May you continue to have a holy Lent.

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