From the Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday we will be observing the feast of Christ the King. It is one of those things that we think of as having "always been there," but in fact this year will mark the 99th year of this observance, making it relatively new in the grand scheme of things. It originally was placed in October as a counterpoint to "Reformation Sunday" and was moved in 1970 to the last Sunday after Pentecost.

This was one reform that I do think made a lot of sense, as we are contemplating the crowning of the year with God's goodness at this time. We (in this country) are especially attuned to being thankful just about now. This crowning and giving of thanks also happens to coincide and mesh quite well with our own Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday.

Please plan to be in church this coming Sunday as we give thanks for all of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us in this life. One of the things we will do to show our gratitude is to collect the pledge cards for 2025 at this service and bless them. If you are a regular pledger, thank you! If you have never pledged before, please consider doing so as generously as possible. It is because of you that the beauty and charity of this place are possible. May God bless you in your giving, and remember, "All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.". 

Blessings,

Father Rick

Outreach Update

Episcopal Charities has granted St Mary’s on behalf of the Sloatsburg Food Pantry a grant of $5,000 to be used with Driscoll Foods by the first week of December. Helping Hands in the same way was granted $2,000. Susan Meyer will be placing the orders so the food can be used for the pantry clients and St Mary’s outreach at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ShopRite has granted us 20% discount on $4,000 worth of $50 gift cards. We will take the discount as extra cards and will pick them up next Friday....ninety-six $50 gift cards. These will be used in the Thanksgiving Baskets and for the Angel Tree gifts in December.

I think we have in place the basic arrangements for Thanksgiving

Baskets and their delivery. 35 families are on the list which was supplied by GGM and Baker High school of the registered low-income families in Tuxedo. Hispanic and traditional baskets will be provided. We have a list of the ingredients needed for the Hispanic baskets.

SFP will supply 35 turkeys which the school has agreed to pick up on the morning of Monday 25th November. They will use a school bus which will then pick up our baskets from St Mary’s around 12 noon and deliver them to the families homes. SFP will also supply 35 dozen eggs and cheese for all baskets.  We will need to collect those the week prior and store them at St Mary’s.

Jane Garofano is organizing the donations of traditional ingredients from parishioners and friends. Packing will take place on the morning of Monday November 25th in the chapel at St Mary’s.

Thank you,

Sue Heywood Outreach Chair

Community Notices