From the Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is said that the only constant is change. Sometimes it comes at a glacial pace, sometimes we must fight for it, and sometimes it just happens to us in an instant. However it comes, it is an immutable part of life.

There is a difference, though, between changing and adapting. There is an anecdote in which a palace spokesman is asked how the late Queen had changed over the years. His response was quick: Her Majesty doesn't change; she adapts. I think that the same is true of the Church. What we are all about and whom we serve never change. However, we do adapt to circumstances, cultures, times. Sometimes it is difficult to accept a new reality, but we must bloom where we are planted.

At St. Mary's, we've done a fantastic job of weathering the storm of pandemic, and it feels as though we are now enjoying fairer winds and calmer seas. But, we were not just floating all that time, we were moving to a new place--indeed, we are always moving. Where we are today is not where we were three years ago at this time. Things have changed, people have changed, and we adapt to that as best we can.

Last spring, anxieties were higher than they are now, and a powerful desire to be "normal" again was at the forefront of our collectively exhausted minds. We decided then to bring back the 8am Sunday service which, before the pandemic consisted of a solid and faithful community of members. It has become clear that in the intervening three years, that community has ceased to exist and that the 8am service, with consistently low to no turnout just doesn't make sense any longer. Therefore, beginning this coming Sunday, February 5 and going forward, there will be one Sunday service at 10am.

However, as of this Saturday, February 4, we will reinstate our winter evening service at 5pm. We will meet at St. Mark's Altar from then through the end of March. Also on Tuesdays in March we will inaugurate a Bible study, which I am personally excited about. It will be interesting to see what comes of that, and where this kind of study outside of worship can lead us. More details on that to come.

The term "discernment" is used most often in the Church to refer to the calling of a new rector, but it is much more than that. For Christian disciples, it is a way of life. It is my privilege to serve with you on our pilgrimage of discernment and discovery. May God continue to bless us as we seek and serve him.

Blessings,

Fr. Rick

Sue Heywood Named Citizen of the Month

Heywood recognized for her volunteerism in Tuxedo for the last two decades

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Sue Heywood as February’s Citizen of the Month Award recipient.

Heywood was recognized for her continued dedication to residents in Tuxedo. She was nominated for the Citizen of the Month Award by Tuxedo Councilwoman Michele Lindsay.

“Sue is a dedicated volunteer in our community and all of her hard work and efforts are greatly appreciated,” Neuhaus said. “She always goes above and beyond to help others and to support local initiatives as well as global causes. Guided by her faith, Sue has performed this work with great humility and compassion, and I am proud to recognize her as Citizen of the Month.”

Heywood, a retired schoolteacher, has volunteered in Tuxedo since she moved to Orange County from Upper Saddle River, N.J. in 2001. As Chairwoman and an active member of St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo Outreach, Heywood helps provide emergency assistance for community members and Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gifts for local families and children. She also helps raise funds for scholarships for children to attend summer camp in Tuxedo. In 2022, 15 children were sponsored.

In addition, Heywood taught classes with the Tuxedo Library’s ESL program for many years and is on the Board of Sloatsburg Food Pantry, which serves Tuxedo and neighboring towns. Heywood has been President of the Tuxedo Park Garden Club, which beautifies Tuxedo and Tuxedo Park. Furthermore, Heywood brought music, drama and dance talent to the community at large as co-founder of Tuxedo Performing Arts Group which ran for eleven years. Heywood also collects donations for Carryou Ministry for AIDS orphans in South Africa, visiting them every year since 2001.

Heywood, a native of England, taught in her native country, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana and Malta before arriving in the U.S. in 1988.

“My parents were leaders when I was growing up during and after the Second World War and always helped people in need,” Heywood said. “That had a tremendous impact on my life and influenced me to assist others; I am glad to be able to do so. Tuxedo, and St Mary’s in particular, has a wonderful group of civic-minded residents who are very caring and compassionate. I am proud of the work that we have accomplished together.”

Outreach

In 2022 our income was $99,265.00 and our outreach expenditure totaled $106,529.00. The details of how the money was raised and where it was used can be found in the 2022 Outreach report.

'Neighbors are rich and poor, neighbors are black and white, neighbors are near and far away

Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to care for neighbors we have from you.'

Click here for the for the annual report.

Volunteers are needed for the Sloatsburg Food Pantry located in All Souls Community Church, 81 Washington Ave, Suffern, NY 10901

Help is needed on the following dates:

• Wednesday Feb 1st - Distribution

• Wednesday Feb 8th - Distribution

• Tuesday Feb 14th - Delivery & Distribution

• Wednesday Feb 15th - Distribution

• Wednesday Feb 22nd - Distribution

• Tuesday Feb 28th - Delivery & Distribution

Please Contact St. Mary's info@stmtux.org (845) 351-5122 or The Sloatsburg Food Pantry sloatsburgfoodpantry@gmail.com (201) 394-0627 if you can help on any of the above dates. New volunteers click here to fill out your application form.

If you or someone you know is in need of food, please sign up for an appointment using this link.

Community Notices

Please drop off any bag donations to the office at St. Mary’s Mon-Thurs 9am-1pm