Saint Mary's Stewardship 2001

In the pulpit last Sunday I suggested to the 11:00 AM congregation that the question for us is not the question the rich young man asked of Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"  The question for us is how healthy we want this part of the Body of Christ to be.  I reminded the congregation that the Body of Christ never exists primarily for itself, but to worship the Father and to serve others.  Saint Mary's certainly was not founded for itself.  And I believe that many, many people in our city will come to find Saint Mary's to be a place for Good News and new life in Christ.  I also believe that this will only happen if we are worthy of being this kind of place, a place where our hearts, our lives and our best love is given to Christ.

Saint Mary's is not going to close tomorrow if you and I do not grow in our stewardship commitments to our parish church; but the ministry of Saint Mary's will not be as rich as it should be and we imperil the future of the parish by not accepting a call today to deepen our commitment in the new year.  And I think it is extremely important that the members of Saint Mary's are clear about the reality of the financial situation of the parish from what I write in this newsletter.

Here are some numbers:  Current budget $797,998.00.  Current pledges $159,819.00.  Current budgeted deficit to be funded by expending capital $204,000.00.  Current value of the endowment: About six million.

If in the next three years our budget trends do not change Saint Mary's will be faced with radical changes in its common life.  For example, to balance the budget today we would have to do something like eliminating the entire choral and organ music program, AND eliminating the assisting clergy positions of curate and assistant AND closing the church enough during the week to reduce the budget by another $25,000.00.  Let me be clear: small savings are not going to balance the budget.  Underpaying church staff is not going to balance the budget.  Changing the light bulbs to lower wattage isn't going to do the job.  Hearts are going to need to change.

In healthy Christian communities the Body of Christ takes care of itself.  One essential sign of that is that members tithe or deliberately work towards tithing, that is, giving ten percent of one's money to the work of the Church.  Communities that are radical in their commitment are attractive to those who visit and those who watch from the perimeter.  This is why most churches that are undergoing building campaigns or renovations tend to grow at the same time.  Commitment is contagious.

Stewardship materials are being mailed this week to the members of the parish.  Many hearts already belong to Christ and to Saint Mary's.  It's time for the rest of our lives to support the love of Jesus in this place and to give for his work among us.

PRAYER LIST . . . Your prayers are asked for Kersten, Nolan, Olga, Helen, Mary, Lucille, Frances, Eleanor, Carl, Harold, Frank, Cindy, Peter, Eleanor, Jane, Allen and John and for the repose of the soul of Robert . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . October 17: 2000 Robert Mattis; October 23: 1985 Adolphe Barreaux; October 26: 1987 Dorothea Moran.

LITURGICAL NOTES . . . The Sunday Proper: Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:35-45 . . . 9:00 AM Celebrant: Father Shin, Preacher: Richard Lawson, 10:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth, 11:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth, 5:00 PM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth . . . Confessions will be heard on October 21 by Father Shin . . . Confessions will be heard on October 28 by Father Gerth.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . Reminder: Saturdays at SMV, "Faith and Life Crises" with Dr. Carol Pepper, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Saint Joseph's Hall . . . The Vestment Restoration Workshop with Gina Bianco of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Saturday, October 28, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. . . Sean Cassidy, Pat Higgins and Ric Miranda have all been working on the stairwell leading down to the sacristy basement.  Until several weeks ago it would have been a suitable entranceway for a haunted house.  Gentlemen, thank you! . . . Special thanks to the faithful crew who came on several days to help with last week's huge mailing! . . . We now have a new doorbell for Saint Benedict's Study.  It is located on the right side of the wall inside the 46th Street Entrance.  This should especially help with those who must arrive late for a Wednesday evening class . . . Volunteers are needed for the monthly AIDS Tea at Roosevelt Hospital.  Just a few minutes of your time can mean the world to someone in the hospital.  See Jon Bryant for details . . . The Brother Lawrence Guild is seeking volunteers.  If you are interested, follow your nose into the kitchen and see Ann Sokolowski or another member of the Guild . . . The November-December issue of AVE has gone to press and we are hopeful that it will be in your hands before November 1 . . . The 20's and 30's group will tour the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine on Saturday, October 28 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  As of this writing, there are only six spots remaining.  Call or see Father Shin for details or to sign up . . . It's not too early to shop for Christmas.  Saint Mary's Bookstore now has several hand painted icons from a private collection . . . A new "Episcopal Church Welcomes You" sign has been purchased for the West 47th Street side of the church.  It should be up by the time you receive this newsletter.  We are beginning to experiment with opening the doors on this side of the church for weekday services . . . As we go to press, the Rector has been released from jury duty this week after serving the usual time. . . Attendance last Sunday: 176

SUMMARY OF OCTOBER 17, 2000, BOARD MEETING . . . At its October 2000 meeting, the Board of Trustees: 1.  Heard that pledge income is ahead of what was budgeted for 2000 but behind what is expected from signed pledges.  2.  Discussed the need for new staff positions, including an administrative assistant who would be involved with new member recruitment and an additional buildings manager who would work Sundays through Thursdays during the day.  3.  Discussed the upcoming long-range planning retreat for members of the Board of Trustees.  4.  Heard of progress in the search for a new Music Director.  The job posting will appear in the magazine of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), and it will also appear on AGO’s Web site.  5.  Discussed the upcoming Stewardship Campaign, which is being developed by the Rector and his assistant, John Beddingfield.  6.  Learned that several new Bibles have been obtained for use at classes in St. Benedict’s Study.  The Bibles are being inscribed by a calligrapher.  Leroy Sharer

ALL SOULS' CLARIFICATION . . .Friends and members of Saint Mary's received the All Souls' mailing this week.  Those who are new to Saint Mary's should know that the alphabetical schedule for intentions is arranged according to the last name of the person making the intention.  For instance, Mrs. Baker may ask that the names Acorn, Smith and Watkins be remembered.  According to our schedule, all three of these persons will be remembered on Saturday, November 4, because Mrs. Baker's name falls between the letters A and G.

WINDOW REPAIRS . . . There are a number of windows with leaded glass throughout the facility that are being repaired.  Some windows require complete releading, others do not.  If you see a window boarded up it is almost certainly because of repairs!

Worship at Saint Mary’s

The Holy Eucharist

On Sundays Mass is said at 9:00 AM 5:00 PM.  A Sung Mass is offered at 10:00 AM.  A Solemn Mass is offered at 11:00 AM.  Monday through Friday Mass is said at 12:15 PM and 6:20 PM.  On Saturdays Mass is said at 12:15 PM.

The Daily Office

On ordinary Sundays Morning Prayer is said at 8:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 4:45 PM.  Monday through Friday Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30 AM, the Noonday Office at 12:00 PM and Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM.  On Saturdays the Noonday Office is offered at 12:00 PM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

The Reconciliation of Penitents

Confessions are heard on Saturdays between 11:30 and 12:00 and between 4:00 and 5:00.  Appointments

can also be made with members of the parish clergy for the Reconciliation of Penitents at other times.

Friday Abstinence

The ordinary Fridays of the year are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial in commemoration

of the crucifixion of the Lord.

The Calendar for the Twentieth Week after Pentecost

Monday                               Saint James of Jerusalem

Tuesday                               Weekday

Wednesday                         Weekday

Thursday                            Alfred the Great, king

Friday                                  Weekday (12:15 PM)
Abstinence

                                              Eve of Saint Simon & Saint Jude (6:00 PM)

Saturday                              Saint Simon & Saint Jude, Apostles

The Parish Clergy

The Reverend Stephen Gerth, rector,

The Reverend Allen Shin, curate, The Reverend Thomas Breidenthal, assistant,

The Reverend Arthur Wolsoncroft, The Reverend Canon Maurice Garrison, The Reverend Amilcar Figueroa, The Reverend J. Barrington Bates, assisting priests, The Reverend Canon Edgar F. Wells, rector emeritus.