Dear Friends,
On Saturday, January 28, at the Cathedral, there was a splendid Diocesan Choral Festival for treble voices. I was delighted to hear that some members of the Noble Singers and younger choristers from the Choir of Men and Boys attended. By all accounts, a great time was had by all, and it was good to support an event in our own Cathedral. I was also very touched when I heard that some of the Grade 8 boys had decided to go along to support those who were singing. Our music-making at Saint Thomas is so important, but especially because it helps us build community, and encourage churches that do not have the resources that we enjoy.
Talking of Music, Dr. Filsell recently brought to my attention a visit of a very particular choir from the United Kingdom. The Queen’s Six (named after Elizabeth I) will be performing at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, 100136 on February 14 and 15. Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six make up half of the Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls. The Chapel Choir, which consists of boy trebles and twelve professional adult singers, performs some eight services a week, as well as at private and state occasions, often before the Royal Family. (Some years ago, Dr. Filsell was a lay clerk at St. George’s Chapel, and Fr. Wallace was Precentor). The repertoire extends far beyond the reach of the choir stalls: from austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, lewd madrigals, and haunting folk songs, to upbeat jazz and pop arrangements. The Queen’s Six will perform selections from their first contemporary album of love songs, From Windsor with Love, released on Valentines’ Day last year, in addition to their acclaimed classical repertoire.
On Sunday, we have a visiting preacher at Evensong, the Rev. Dr. Angus Ritchie. Fr. Ritchie was curate when he was first ordained a deacon 25 years ago. He is the founding director of the Centre for Theology and Community, which helps churches harness the potential of community organizing. His latest book, Inclusive Populism, has been cited by Pope Francis as expressing his vision of “a politics rooted in the people”. I enjoyed my time with Angus and we were both founder members of the East London Citizens Organization (TELCO) which used broad-based organizing to change things for the better in the local community. We regularly met together with churches of all denominations, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, schools, trade unions, universities, and community groups. Sometimes the issues were to do with safety on the streets of East London; at other times inequalities in hospital provision; even pollution from a factory near our parish. TELCO was the founding Chapter of Citizens UK – an alliance of over 80 civil society institutions working together to make East London a better place to live.
It was wonderful meeting all those different people from all walks of life and all races and cultures; together we found a common goal in rebuilding community awareness, and cherishing one another’s insights. Regularly, an issue would arise that one of the constituent member organizations could not solve on their own; we would talk about it, and then an ‘action’ would be organized to raise awareness. Always non-violent and within the law, it could be as simple as several of us meeting with Health Chiefs, or as exciting as a flash-mob dance!
On February 12, we are launching a Bilingual Korean-English Eucharist on Sundays at 1:30 pm, preceded by a brunch. Mo. Lee-Pae, with her team of lay leaders, hope that this Sung Eucharist will reach out to those of Korean descent, or to those who have recently arrived in New York and who miss liturgical worship in their native language. Although there are Korean churches in Manhattan, they tend to be of an evangelical nature, whereas the Anglican Church in Korea is very high church. Please encourage Mo. Lee-Pae with her outreach.
Lent will soon be with us and a handy postcard will be available next week. Please see the website for further details of activities which include book study, bible study, and a film night each week. In addition to devotional activities and an 8am mass on Fridays, there is something for everyone. We are hoping that some parishioners will invite friends or neighbors into their homes for the book study. Fr. Gioia will be providing a study guide to his book on prayer: ‘Say it to God.’ It is an opportunity to share some simple food or have a pot-luck supper. For those who cannot join a group, the Sunday 10am class will be based on exploring several chapters of the book, and there will also be a zoom discussion once a week.
Last Thursday, after the Candlemas service, members of the Young Adult Group gathered at the Rectory for a Candlemas Party. It was a lovely event and it is so good to see growing numbers of young people once again joining our church. The 9am mass is also growing, with a very special coffee hour in the parish house following. As Lent approaches, please think about how you can re-connect and make community here at Saint Thomas.
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
