From the Rector

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Greetings from London, where Pete and I have finished up the first day of the NY-London Link pilgrimage. The London Link pairs parishes in the dioceses of London and New York, and we are excited to be meeting the clergy and people of St. Giles-in-the-Fields this coming Sunday for worship and fellowship.

Today started off with a history lesson, brief prayer service, and tour of the King’s Chapel Royal at Savoy, which, as we learned, predates the famous hotel by about 700 years. The chapel is also home to the Royal Victorian Order. It also has a close link with New York, as its silver was sent to our cathedral for safekeeping during WWII, which is commemorated in one of the “new” windows that replaced seven which were destroyed by a bomb during the war.

After that, we took a 20 minute walk to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we were greeted by one of the canons who gave an in-depth tour for about an hour before heading next door to the old deanery, present-day home of the Lord Bishop of London. We were shown upstairs, where we were warmly greeted by the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury-designate. She took a moment to speak with each of us, and could not have been more genuine and down-to-earth.

We were then treated to a delicious luncheon, and my table mate was the Right Reverend Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Bishop of Willesden. There are currently six bishops serving the Diocese of London, with one vacancy. After lunch, Bishop Nsenga-Ngoy gave a presentation in which he explored striking a balance between nostalgia (often for a past that we ourselves do not remember) and complete amnesia. He also explored in a theological way how time is perceived by different cultures, and how that can inform how we approach ministry. It was a rich presentation that I will be digesting for some time to come.

Pictures from today and throughout the pilgrimage will be on St. Mary’s Facebook page shortly. Cheerio for now.

Father Rick

Sunday School Has Resumed

Outreach Appeal

The Episcopal Charities grants that we applied for in April on behalf of the Food Pantry and Helping Hands (homeless support) were turned down due to insufficient funds for the number of applications they received; however there was much praise for the work and acknowledgement of the need.

Therefore these two fine organizations need to do more fundraising on their own — see flyers below for two upcoming events — we would be grateful for your support.

The Outreach Committee is also looking to sponsor the Food Pantry event at the Plentiful Sponsor level of $2,500. We are hoping to raise $1,500 from your donations and $1,000 will come directly from Outreach funds. Please drop a check by the church or donate online; indicate Food Pantry or Helping Hands in the memo line.

Sue Heywood, Outreach Chair
Pete Datos, Food Pantry board member

Dinner Tickets Now Available

Community Events