‘The Christian Exodus:’ Pilgrims’ Class exploring Lent and Holy Week
Tuesday, February 25 at 7pm.
Our next Pilgrims’ Class is a ‘stand-alone’ class that is open to any who would like to learn about the practice of Lent and the liturgies of Holy Week. Holy Week is the Jewel in the Crown of the Saint Thomas Liturgical Year and we will explore the symbolism of that week and its connection to the Exodus narrative.
Dear Friends,
The search for a new Director of Music has begun. The Vestry has appointed a search committee to advise the Rector. The members of the Committee are:
The Rev. Bill Greenlaw
Kazie Metzger Harvey
Kenneth Koen
John Oghia
The Rector
Karl Saunders, Chair
Gregory Zaffiro
The committee will be supported by staff members, including the Choir School Director of Transition, the Director of HR, and the Director of School Admissions and Enrollment. Additionally, external advisors, who are professional musicians, will provide guidance. A timeline has been established, and we plan to begin advertising this opportunity in the coming week. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to New York for interviews in late March. As in previous practice, following the auditions, feedback will also be gathered from the Gentlemen of the Choir and the Choristers themselves.
We strive to find a candidate who will build on the legacy of Dr. Filsell and those who have served before him. The successful candidate will inherit a choir that is singing at an exceptional level and whose international reputation has grown under Dr. Filsell’s leadership. The Vestry remains committed to the residential life of the Choir School for our boy choristers. However, the new appointee will also be responsible for ensuring a successful collaboration with Professional Children’s School, developing plans for a new girls’ choir, and exploring a robust music outreach project. This will not only strengthen our unique choral tradition but also provide more children with life-changing musical experiences.
Since Mo. Turner is now spending much of her time this year at the Choir School, Fr. Preston has agreed to take on additional responsibilities for Children and Family Ministry. I am delighted to see Faith Alive!—our program for older children—growing in numbers recently. A strategic plan for expanding our ministry with children and families is currently being developed. It builds on the success of the Noble Singers and further refines a proposed outreach project for local children and schools over the next few years. To recognize his increased responsibilities, Fr. Preston’s title has been changed from Assistant Priest to Associate Priest.
In the meantime, I am heartened by the energy and dedication of the senior administrative staff at the Choir School. Chris Seeley is working closely with Mo. Turner, Ms. White, Mrs. Wentling, and Mrs. Griffin to advance the collaboration with PCS and support our families. I am also grateful to Mo. Prisca for facilitating bilingual meetings in Korean. Additionally, I am delighted to hear that potential new students are exploring enrollment at the Choir School for September.
Now that the new school schedule has been drafted, it is clear that 4/5ths of the week is spent at the Choir School or Saint Thomas Church. This ensures that everything precious to our way of life remains intact.
I recently received an email from Cllr. Chris Cullwick, the former Lord Mayor of York who visited us for the Centennial of the Twinning celebrations last year. Chris is a member of the Rotary Club and his York branch are keen to build on the connections re-established because of the centennial celebrations. If any parishioner belongs to Rotary here in New York, and is willing to be connected with Cllr. Cullwick, please let me know.
Our Holy Week Preacher this year will be The Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and McFaddin Professor of Anglican Studies and Pastoral Theology. An old friend of our parish, Andrew preached the Seven Last Words from the Cross in 2016 to great acclaim; his sermons were later published. Andrew will preach on Palm Sunday evening, at the 5:30pm liturgies on Monday, Tuesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, and at 11am on Easter Day.
Our Preacher at the Three Hours’ Devotion – the Seven Last Words from the Cross will be the Rev. Dr. Willie Jennings, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University Divinity School. An acclaimed theologian whose books are on the lists of required reading for theology students all over the world, Willie is an ordained Baptist Minister and we look forward very much to his exploration of the seven last words of Jesus.
At the bottom of this week’s e-news are our plans for Lent this year. Please scroll down to see the liturgical and devotional offerings this year.
‘View from a livestream viewer’
Finally, parishioner Jeb Burrows, who first started worshipping with us on-line, sent this beautiful picture from his home in Connecticut, and suggested that those who worship with us around the world might also be invited to share a photograph of where they live. As Jeb says in the email that accompanied his beautiful image, “this contrasts the life I currently live as a livestream viewer and supporter of St. Thomas with life in Manhattan! How interesting it would be to see pics from other people around the world who love St. Thomas!”
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
