Dear Friends,
We had a beautiful celebration of the Assumption on August 15th with 96 people in church and 50 on-line. Bishop Andrew St. John preached a fascinating and informative sermon illustrated by works of art.
On Sunday, we keep a long-standing tradition at Saint Thomas Church, by continuing the celebration of Mary’s Feast, and reflecting on her important role and the example she gives us. We, too, are to be like Mary – bearers of the Word. When the Miller-Scott organ was being built, and we had to take over the Chantry Chapel as a work-space, we had to move the image of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue. A happy consequence of that move was the way she now faces the Fifth Avenue Doors. Everyone who comes through those doors is greeted by Mary showing them her Son. That is her role, and it is our role too – to show Jesus to others. Our vocation, rooted in our baptismal covenant, is to be like Mary and reveal Jesus Christ in our lives, in our words, and in our actions.
It is also significant that Mary shows Jesus to people entering from the Narthex. The Narthex is a gathering space, and it is also intended to be a space of welcome. When our hard-working Usher Corps greet people coming to a service, they are mirroring what Mary is doing. In the past, when we have had Usher Corps training, I have reminded the members that theirs are the first faces that visitors see when they come into Saint Thomas. For that reason, those visitors should see Jesus welcoming them! I am delighted that the Usher Corps is growing in number again. Thank you, Ushers, for all that you give to the ministry of welcome.
At this time, we still do not have enough ushers to allow us to return to using the High Altar Communion Rail – I would be so happy if a few more parishioners were to volunteer. You do not need to be on duty every week; in fact, the more ushers we have, the more flexibility is possible. Please reach out to me or to Karen Duncan, or speak to one of the ushers any Sunday if you are interested. Since the picture taken above, several more people have joined including members of the Young Adult Group, and those recently confirmed or received.
In addition to Ushers, as we approach the beginning of a new program year, we also need more Acolytes to serve at the altar. Some of our acolytes also serve at the weekday lunchtime mass – that involves reading the first lesson and the psalm. Sunday and Feast Day acolytes have varied duties and training is provided as well as the robes. Please let me know if you are interested in this important ministry.
In both instances, we simply ask that you be a communicant member of the church and pledge something to the church regularly.
I hope that you are enjoying the summer; it was a joy for Alison and me to spend time with our children and grandchildren, and we are delighted that they will be visiting us in New York on Sunday for a couple of weeks.
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
