The Rector's Message for the Week of October 13, 2024

Dear Friends,

We had a very joyful conclusion of the Bicentennial Celebrations last weekend. 150 people attended the reception in Bonnell Hall at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. There was delicious food and drink and wonderful live jazz. Bishop Heyd was present, and it was so good to see representatives of our parish – young and old – enjoying themselves. The Vestry and I are grateful to three parishioners who decided to underwrite the event so that all tickets could be available free of charge. Thank you!

Blake Martin has also put together a photo gallery of the reception from last Saturday. You can look at the images by clicking here:

Bicentennial Closing Celebration Images.

The next day, we kept our Patronal Feast of Saint Thomas with a splendid mass. In-person numbers at the beginning of the 10am service were a little disappointing, but affected by the Polish Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. However, the fact that the congregation increased dramatically as we approached 11am suggests to me that despite lots of advertising of the matter, many parishioners expected the service to begin at 11am. I have decided that, going forward, we will only have a 10am mass once a year when the Bishop makes his annual visitation to baptize, confirm, and receive new members, followed by a Parish Brunch. That being said, over 1,500 worshipped with us on-line last Sunday, and over 2,600 people have now viewed that Procession and Solemn Eucharist!

We launched our 2025 Annual Appeal and, in my sermon, I wove together the themes of our Bicentennial, our Patron Saint, and looking forward with hope. Here is a link to my sermon. I don’t usually send out links to my sermons, but I do encourage you to listen to it as you think about the future of Saint Thomas Church and your commitment to its life.

We had a splendid Parish Brunch after the 10am mass catered by Flik Hospitality, who provide meal services for the Choir School, and many people stayed on for a time of fellowship; it was so pleasing to see regulars of the 9am service present and many of our children. The day ended with a beautiful and reflective Choral Evensong attended by Bishop Allen Shin, our Suffragan Bishop. His sermon was well received as he reflected with us on the example of Saint Thomas, our patron.

Choir recording of Byrd Works might receive a Grammy Award!

We are all excited to be told that the choir’s recent album ‘Byrd Choral Works’ is eligible to nominated for a Grammy Award. To be clear, on average 20,000 albums are submitted for consideration each year, but nominations only come after the first round of voting by Recording Academy Members in good standing, and only in their area of expertise. Nevertheless, with the album receiving excellent reviews, it would be wonderful if we were to be nominated.  Here’s hoping!

As I mentioned in my sermon last Sunday, soon it will be November which is the month of Remembrance. November begins with the great feast of All Saints followed by the solemnity of All Souls’ Day. Each Saturday in November, we will remember the names of departed loved-ones. Fr. Schultz keeps the list of the departed, and we invite you to add to that list. However, even if you have already submitted names in the past, we would like to have the date of death for every person on the list so that we can resume praying for people on their year’s mind on the Sunday closest to their anniversary.

I cannot believe that since last week, when I talked about the devastation and death caused by Hurricane Helene, we have had another major storm, this time Hurricane Milton affecting Florida. As in North Carolina, we have parishioners, alumni, and parents of former as well as current choristers living in Florida. As we did last week, we have reached out to as many of them as we can. I have received word from a number; thus far, everyone reports to being safe, though some homes have suffered extensive damage. Flooding was not as feared, with the tidal surge that was forecast around the Tampa area not as expected. Nevertheless, so many people are without power and water. We continue to pray for all affected by these natural disasters, and give thanks for the work of first responders and all the emergency services. Here are two ways that you can help:

Here is a link to the GoFundMe campaign of the Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, NC, that I mentioned last week (the Dean’s vocation was fostered at Saint Thomas Church)

Give to All Souls’ Cathedral

Also, you can send funds to Episcopal Relief and Development, with whom we have partnered before, who are helping with disaster relief for ball who are affected by the recent hurricanes.

Give to the ERD

On Sunday, we welcome the Rev. Dr. William Lamb, Vicar of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford as our preacher at 11am. He will also be giving a fascinating talk at 10am – you can find the details below.

Finally, On Thursday, October 17, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the death of the Rev. Canon John Barton Andrew, eleventh Rector of Saint Thomas Church. The lunchtime mass on Thursday will be a requiem for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

 

You will notice that Fr. John Andrew is wearing the neck decoration of a knight of the Order of St. John. It is poignant that the Order of St. John has decided to hold their annual investiture here in New York next week as we celebrate Fr. John Andrew’s tenth year’s mind, at the conclusion of our Bicentennial Year, and near to the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in the temporary closure of the eye hospital in Gaza City. There are two special services that parishioners are welcome to attend, and we hope that a good number of members of the Order will attend our Sunday service at 11am, on October 20, when we will also keep the Feast of the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church.

Affectionately,

Your Priest and Pastor,

Carl