The Rector's Message for the Week of January 22, 2022


Rector Turner
The Rev. Canon Carl Turner, Rector of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue

Dear Friends,

Above is a beautiful picture taken during the recent cold weather by Jeb Burrows, one of our parishioners, while walking one day; it is quite beautiful. This morning, I was walking with Bertie and a priest colleague from another diocese in Central Park.  The Park seemed so dormant in the thin January light and then, as we turned a corner, we noticed the first snow-drops in bloom. As we enter more deeply into the Epiphany season, when we think of the glory of God revealed in so many ways, we have an opportunity to open our eyes to the beauty of God that can come upon us so unexpectedly – like Jeb’s photograph. I had another unexpected surprise today when I sat with our Grade Seven boys at school. I can’t remember how, but the conversation turned to hymnody, and the boys suddenly started to sing ‘Lift every voice and sing’ which we sang as the last hymn on the Sunday when we commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. They then decided that we should sing it every week! It was a joy to see their delight in learning something new.

This Sunday, at Evensong, we commemorate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and we welcome a visiting preacher, The Rev. Jared Stahler, from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The General Convention has also designated the Third Sunday of Epiphany as Religious Life Sunday so we will attempt to weave that into the Christian Unity theme, and I am thrilled that Sr. Promise will be attending with two of her community from the Mother House at Boston. I have asked Sr. Promise to read the prayers at evensong.

The Pilgrims’ Course 2023 has begun and we are all thrilled that 33 people have registered for the in-person classes, and a further 30 people for the on-line classes. Last Week we explored God as Creator and Father of us all and what it means to be made in the image of God. On January 25, we will explore Jesus as God’s Son and the Word made flesh. From Wednesday, we will be starting the classes with a simple hot meal at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish House. The actual course will begin on the Fifth Floor at 7 pm and end at 8 pm. Those who have registered have been sent an email where they can pre-book their meal and enter any dietary needs. If you have not registered yet for the course, you can do so by clicking below. We have a recording of the first class available for those who were unable to attend, plus two handouts.

Register for the Pilgrims’ Course here.

I mentioned last week that the choristers, faculty, some staff, clergy, board of trustee members, and parishioners would be gathering on MLK Day to support Rise against Hunger. It was inspiring to see 85 people gathered for what turned out to be an energetic morning. We managed to make and pack 12,060 vitamin enriched meal packs. I was astonished to hear that our boxes would provide 33 school children in Africa a hot meal every day for a whole year. Congratulations to Mr. Seeley and to Lissy Hodge for organizing it.  We have to do it again – maybe 25,000 meals next time!

Lent and Holy Week 2023

Here are some initial details about Lent. In addition to our regular choral and said services, there will be a number of extra activities:

  • 8am Mass on Fridays
  • A Zoom Book Study Group exploring Fr. Gioia’s Book ‘Say it to God: In Search of Prayer,’ which was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2018.
  • Materials will be made available for people to gather in small groups in their own homes to study the book.
  • A Movie evening each week followed by discussion with Fr. Schultz.
  • The Way of the Cross and Eucharist on Wednesday lunchtimes.
  • A Sunday evensong sermon series with visiting preachers on the Beatitudes.
  • Finally, soup and bread will be available for the Friday bible study.

I am pleased to announce our Holy Week Preachers this year:  During Holy Week, we welcome back The Rev. Elaine Farmer, from Australia. Elaine gave seven powerful sermons on Good Friday several years ago, so it will be great to have her with us again. On Good Friday, our very own Fr. Gioia will preach the Seven Last Words from the Cross.

See you on Sunday!

Affectionately,

Carl

Your Priest and Pastor