Dear friends,
Advent has begun! With the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting, and the windows in the of the Fifth Avenue stores all decorated for the holiday season, one can imagine for a brief moment that the pandemic is long gone. We are all thankful for the news of the success of vaccine trials and improved treatment for people with COVID-19. However, we must be vigilant in these winter months and not allow the great New York holiday spirit to lull us into a false sense of security.
We have published the list of Christmas choral services. Please note that there may be extra demand for the limited seating that we have and registration for in-person worship is strongly encouraged to ensure you have a place. All of the choral services will be livestreamed and then available on-demand. Please note that because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Crèche Service and a Service to welcome in the New Year will be pre-recorded.
You can read about our Virtual Angel Tree and how you can provide children in shelters with much needed Christmas joy this year.
I want to pay tribute to two members of our Vestry who are rotating off this month; Murray Hood and Lloyd Stanford. Murray and Lloyd joined the Vestry as I arrived as Rector in 2014 and have worked tremendously hard for our parish and its beloved Choir School. Murray chaired the Every Member Canvass (as it was then known), serves on the Investments Committee, and was instrumental in our strategic planning exercise as co-chair. Lloyd has chaired the buildings committee during the final phase of the stained-glass windows restoration and saw the building of the Miller-Scott organ; he has also served on the Choir School Committee and helped us enormously with HR advice. Murray and Lloyd – you are both faithful Christians and loyal to our parish. Thank you for all that you have given this past six years.
Finally, thank you for all who delivered Thanksgiving Day meals to members of the parish, and especially to our families and young adults who worked tirelessly.
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
