DID YOU KNOW?
ENDOWMENTS AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

There are many Episcopal churches in America with endowments. Is Saint Mary’s one? The answer is yes. Saint Mary’s has several investment accounts which were funded many years ago, many for very special purposes. These accounts are designed to be self-perpetuating through investment policies and the income from them directed and restricted to the intended purpose. Generally accepted endowment policies set a maximum of a 5% draw of funds on the endowment to ensure that the money contributes to the continuing mission of the parish but also ensures the continued existence of the endowment.

Saint Mary’s has a small number of endowed funds. The proceeds of only the Gregory Fund are available for general need; the rest have specific designations:

• The Charles Bertram Harmon Fund established to augment the music program of the church provides approximately $6,500 in income annually.

• The Organ Restoration Fund established by Mr. John Bush and dedicated to care and upkeep of the organ provides approximately $8,500 annually.

• The Katherine Lanier Standish Fund, which is to be used to support the education of persons for priesthood in the Episcopal Church, has a balance of approximately $91,000.

• The Alice Law Stout and Mabel Theodora Stout Memorial Fund, to be used for the care of the poor, sick, and needy, provides an income of around $12,000 annually.

• The Grace Ijose Aideyan Flower Fund provides approximately $300 per year in income which is intended, as you guess, to fund flower arrangements for the altar.

• The James Parker Gregory, Jr. Fund provides approximately $3,500 in income annually and can be used for the general operations of the parish.

We also maintain a long-term investment where we keep monies not immediately needed for operational expenses. This is money invested in the Diocesan Investment Trust, which manages this account in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. This year, our total investment fund stands at a little under $3 million dollars.

This long-term investment account is generally in decline based on three main factors:

• The market has been down quite a bit this year and the Diocesan Investment Trust which handles our portfolio was not immune to those declines;

• We ran a significant operating deficit in 2022 which spent down investment principle faster than the 5% we budgeted for, leaving us with a smaller starting point this year; and

• The end of our capital projects required an additional withdrawal to complete the structural work on the church complex.

Occasionally, we receive bequests that bring the number back up some. Most recently, the estate of long-time Trustee and Board Treasurer Barbara Klett added nearly $300,000 to the portfolio, but these legacies are not regular occurrences (thank goodness!).

So, Saint Mary’s has a few small endowment funds and has some savings in the bank, but not much compared to the needs in carrying out our mission. And we certainly don’t have the kind of investment balances that throw off income at the rate required to run a parish in Midtown Manhattan. Three million dollars may sound like a lot of money, but for a church that has an annual operations budget over $1.5 million, that number doesn’t leave a lot of breathing room. (Next time, we’ll take a closer look at that operating budget.) — The Board of Trustees

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

We give thanks to God for giving us life; for showing us the beauty of the universe, for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature, and for the goodness of God even in times of darkness when goodness, beauty, and grace are hidden from our eyes.

We pray for those who are sick and for those in any need or trouble. We pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week; for those living with drought, storm, frigid weather, flood, fire, and earthquake.

We pray especially this week for the people of Türkiye and Syria.; and we also pray for Michael, Tracy, Opal, Debbie, Willard, Virginia, Richard, Gigi, Carole, Don, Michele, Bob, Ilde Luz, Catherine, Tony, Pat, Gloria, Gladys, Luis, Liduvina, José, Lauren, Theo, Henry, Mecca, Penny, Steven, Sharon, Lina, Charlotte, Ginny, Roger, Eric, Carlos, Christopher, Shalim, Greta, Quincy, Ava Grace, Bruce, Barbara, Robert, Suzanne, Abe, Gypsy, Hardy, Margaret, and Alison, Rick, and Allan, priests.

We also pray:

For the work of the Saint Mary’s Search Committee and the Board of Trustees;
For the Chemin Neuf Community and the Community at the Crossing;
For the people of Ukraine and for an end to the Russian invasion;
For coadjutor bishop-elect, Matthew Heyd;
For all those suffering from COVID-19 and for all those recovering from COVID-19;
For those killed and injured in the 71 mass shootings in the United States in 2023; For all refugees and those seeking asylum;
For the work of Neighbors in Need and for its guests; For those without food, shelter, or work; and for those seeking work;
For those troubled by depression, anxiety, or addiction; For all those visiting Saint Mary’s and our neighborhood this week;
For the safety and welfare of our nation, city, and neighborhood;

A COLLECT FOR LENT

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Daylight Saving Time begins NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 12 at 2:00 AM.

Clocks are set ahead one hour, and so we “lose” an hour.

 THE SHAPE OF LENT AT THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN:

An electronic copy of the booklet, The Shape of the Lent, can be downloaded here. In it you’ll find suggestions for keeping a Holy Lent and an invitation for us to observe Lent together, as a community.

Week 2: March 5–11

Psalm of the Week: Psalm 136
Sunday: Genesis 12.1-3; 15; 22.1-19
Monday: Genesis 37.12-28; 41.37-57; 50.15-21
Tuesday: Exodus 1.8-2.10; 3
Wednesday: Exodus 7.1-13; 12; 14.10-31
Thursday: Exodus 19.4-6; 20.1-21; 33.1-6
Friday: Numbers 13.17-14.11, 26-35
Saturday: Deuteronomy 30.11-20

Book of Common Prayer Online
Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version
Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version
Common English Bible

Friday, March 10, Evening Prayer 5:00 PM and Stations of the Cross 5:30 PM. Stations of the Cross will be offered after Evening Prayer on Fridays throughout Lent, except on March 24 (Eve of the Annunciation).

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE 

As of February 26, 2023, we have received 91 pledge cards for a total of $386,822, 97% of our $400,000 goal. For that, we thank you! However, we still have not heard from everybody who made a pledge last year, so if you’re part of the Saint Mary’s family and have yet to submit a new pledge card for 2023, we need you!

If you pledged last year and assume your pledge carries over, it doesn’t—you should make your annual commitment , providing instructions for 2023. The work of prayer and mission at Saint Mary’s is only possible because of the financial support of people like you.

Our true operating budget far exceeds our stewardship goal, so the remainder must be drawn from our endowment, which is simply unsustainable. Watch this newsletter for more information about finances at Saint Mary’s in the coming weeks. And in the meantime, please consider making your pledge today — it’s as simple as clicking here to make your pledge online. — Father Sammy Wood 

GUEST PREACHERS AT SAINT MARY’S

On Friday, March 24, at the Solemn Mass on the Eve of the Annunciation at 6:00 PM, our guest preacher will be the Reverend Anna Pearson, rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea. Click to read one of her recent posts and to learn more about Holy Apostles.

On Sunday, March 26, our guest preacher at the Solemn Mass at 11:00 AM, will be Sister Hannah Spiers, CCN, of the Community of Chemin Neuf, who is working with other members of the Community to create the ecumenical Community at the Crossing at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Click here for a video where Sister Hannah speaks a little about and being an Anglican consecrated sister within a Roman Catholic religious order. Sister Hannah will discuss her order and this new community after Solemn Mass in the parish hall.

PARISH PROFILE AND SURVEY

The search committee for our next rector has been working, in collaboration with the Diocese, on a parish profile that will describe the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin to potential candidates. A central part of this document is to accurately summarize our parish as we currently see ourselves as well as our hopes for where our community is headed.

To incorporate the opinions of as many parishioners as possible, the committee has created a survey. The survey was mailed, and an electronic version is available by clicking here. The more Saint Marians who fill out the survey, the better our profile will be. Please help the search committee with this important work!

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Our regular daily liturgical schedule, Monday through Friday, is Morning Prayer 8:00 AM, Mass 12:10 PM, and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM. Holy Hour is offered on Wednesday at 11:00 AM and Thursday’s Mass includes a Healing Service. On Saturdays, Mass is celebrated at 12:10 PM and Evening Prayer is prayed at 5:00 PM. On Sundays, Solemn Mass is offered at 11:00 AM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

During Lent at Saint Mary’s, it is our custom to keep most weekdays as Lenten Weekdays or ferias. Among other things, this allows us to hear the Scripture readings in course. However, if there is a saint associated with a date, he or she will be noted in our parish liturgical calendars in parenthesis.

Tuesday, March 7, Weekday of Lent (Perpetua and her Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 202)

Thursday, March 9, Weekday of Lent (Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 394)

Sunday, March 12, The Third Sunday in Lent (Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604) 

EVENSONG & BENEDICTION
This Sunday, March 5
at 5:00 PM

AROUND THE PARISH

In February, our parish celebrated a milestone, and you probably didn't even know it. February marked the 7th anniversary of Chris Howatt serving as our Parish Administrator. Chris wears many hats around St. Mary's—he handles finances, liaises with the public, manages the buildings, and even sings in the choir. He's a valued member of our team, and we're lucky to have him—so Happy Anniversary Chris! 

The Saint Mary’s Centering Prayer Group returned to in-person gatherings. Please speak to Blair Burroughs or Ingrid Sletten for more information about the practice of Centering Prayer or click here. Perhaps the season of Lent would be a good time to explore this particular form of prayer. The group will be meeting in Saint Benedict’s Room following Stations of the Cross on Fridays.

On Saturday, March 4, at 2:00 PM, a Requiem Mass for Emil Bretzger will be celebrated in the church. A reception will take place following Mass in Saint Joseph’s Hall.

Sunday March 12 at 12:45 PM, Father Jay Smith leads a discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2023, Failure: What Jesus Said About Sin, Mistakes and Messing Stuff Up by Bishop Emma Ineson.

On Sunday, March 19, Dr. David Hurd, organist and music director, will be away from the parish. He will be in Rochester, New York, playing a recital at Rochester’s Third Presbyterian Church. The following day, Monday, March 20, he will be speaking at the Eastman School of Music.

Last Sunday, the First Sunday in Lent, the Mass setting was Lenton Ordynary by Robert Pound (b. 1970). The setting made its liturgical premiere at Saint Mary’s in 2020. A recording of the setting from Solemn Mass at Saint Mary’s in 2022 is available here.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, MARCH 5, 2023

The organ prelude on Sunday morning is one of the miscellaneous chorale preludes of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). It is based upon the German paraphrase of Psalm 51, Erbarm dich, mein o Herre Gott (“Have mercy on me, O God”). This work, catalogued as BWV 721, is unusual among the organ chorales of Bach in that its unadorned melody, stated in half-notes, is accompanied throughout by a steady succession of eighth-note chords which provide homophonic harmonic support. One finds this sort of texture from time to time in other music of Bach, but not in the organ repertory. In light of its style, some scholars consider this chorale prelude an homage to Johann Kuhnau (1660–1701) whose music was known to Bach and whom Bach eventually succeeded as organist of the Church of Saint Thomas in Leipzig. The text paraphrase of Erbarm dich is attributed to Erhart Hegenwalt based upon a broadsheet from 1524. The anonymous melody, in Phrygian mode, dates from the same 1524 Wittenberg source. Bach’s four-voice harmonization of this chorale, catalogued as BWV 305, will be played for Sunday’s postlude.

Sunday’s choral music is English in origin. The setting of the Mass is by Charles Wood (1866–1926). Wood had a decided influence on the development of English church music in his time. His principal composition teachers were Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924) and Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848–1918), and his students included Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) and Herbert Howells (1892–1983). Irish by birth, Wood received his early musical training as a treble chorister in the choir of the Church of Ireland’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. In 1883, he became a member of the inaugural class of the Royal College of Music. His career included teaching music, directing, and playing the organ at several colleges. After Stanford’s death in 1924, Wood succeeded his mentor as Professor of Music at Cambridge. Wood’s compositions are varied and include eight-string quartets, but he is chiefly remembered for his church music and his arrangements of carols. His Short Communion Service, sung on Sunday morning, is described as “In the Polyphonic style, written for unaccompanied singing, chiefly in the Phrygian mode.” As such, Wood has done what church music composers throughout the centuries have done by returning to a stilo antico (antique style) for inspiration. 

Bob Chilcott (b.1955) has had a long and deep involvement in choral music. He was a chorister and choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. He also was a member of The King’s Singers for twelve years. Much of his work is for young singers, and he has conducted choral festivals worldwide. John 3:16 is arguably one of the most frequently quoted verses in the New Testament. Musical settings of this text, in various languages, can be found among the past several centuries of choral literature. Of all the settings, that of Sir John Stainer (1840–1901) from his 1887 Passion Cantata, The Crucifixion, is almost as familiar to English-speaking Christians as the scripture verse itself. Chilcott’s 1999 setting of this beloved scripture verse, sung at the Solemn Mass on Sunday as the Communion motet, was commissioned in memory of Dan and Pat Jacobson for the Lovers Lane United Methodist Sanctuary Choir, Dallas, Texas. Curiously, it imitates Stainer by repeating the word “believeth” in the course of the text. This sort of word repetition, presumably to accommodate a predetermined musical idea, was a typical liberty taken by Victorian composers but critiqued by a later generation. However, perhaps in part because of this familiar resonance with Stainer, and also because of its simple and expressive beauty, Chilcott’s setting of God so loved the world has taken a place of prominence among musical settings of this familiar scripture verse.
—David Hurd

ORGAN RECITALS AT SAINT MARY’S

On Friday, March 24, at 5:30 PM, the Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timothy Pyper will play the organ recital. Tim is well known to many Saint Marians. He played for us during Holy Week some years ago, coming to our rescue at a difficult moment and doing so with grace, artistry, and great calm. He remains a friend of the parish. We are very happy to be able to welcome him back to Saint Mary’s. We will be able to announce his recital program shortly. Click here to learn more about Dr. Pyper.

ADULT EDUCATION: LENT COMES AND BIBLE STUDY RETURNS
Sunday, March 5, The Letter to the Ephesians, Part 2

This coming Sunday we continue our examination of the writings from the time the New Testament was formed. Imagine you’re a first century Christian. Paul has died. The Second Coming has not occurred. Is your faith pointless? The New Testament takes shape and the church is formed in part to answer these questions. We know the Gospels reach their present form after 60 CE. What about the Epistles? How do the followers of Paul understand their faith in light of Paul’s death? How do the followers of Paul understand their faith after the Jewish Revolution and the destruction of the Temple? How do they make sense of worshiping a Jewish Savior when essentially no Jews are Christian? In other words, how do they remain faithful? We continue to seek answers to those questions, and others, when we continue our introduction to the Letter to the Ephesians on Sunday. I hope you’ll join us in Saint Joseph’s Hall at 9:30 AM that day. We’ll continue our discussion on all the Sundays in Lent, including Palm Sunday, April 2.—Father Peter Ross Powell

LIVING LENT, PREPARING FOR EASTER

At Saint Mary’s on Sunday, March 12, at 12:45 PM. The Saint Mary’s Book Club invites you to join them for a discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2023, Failure: What Jesus Said About Sin, Mistakes and Messing Stuff Up by Emma Ineson.

From the publisher’s website, “In 2019, Emma Ineson wrote about ambition and what it means for Christians to be successful. And then there was a global pandemic . . . Suddenly failure began to feel very much more familiar than success. But what is failure? What did Jesus think of it? What did he say about sin, mistakes and generally mucking things up? At the start of this wonderfully humorous and encouraging book—which will end at the cross—it’s suggested that our tendency to lump all kinds of failure together could be a bit unhelpful. A more nuanced understanding of what sort of failure we’re dealing with might just allow us to make friends with it and respond more appropriately. This idea leads us ‘Towards an (Imperfect) Theology of Failure,’ based on key Christian thinking, and Emma poses the question of whether sin is an individual or corporate thing. Looking at the church, we consider, what is God’s purpose for it? And in the light of key concerns such as safeguarding and racial justice, how might we re-examine concepts of success and recognize and measure failure? As the book draws to an end, we are reminded of our calling to live life to the full, to take risks despite our fears. We are bound sometimes to fail! Yet gazing at Jesus—who looked like the greatest failure of all—we may discern in the heartache, vulnerability and humility of failure, the glory of the cross.”

Quiet Day led by Mother Deborah Lee at Saint Mary’s on Saturday, March 25, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Mother Deborah will lead reflections and be available for spiritual direction. Father Matt will celebrate Mass at 12:10 PM and lunch in Saint Joseph’s Hall will follow. There will be opportunities for prayer, quiet, journaling, and reading in the church and chapels and in Saint Joseph’s Hall between Mother Lee’s addresses.

Mother Lee writes:

In these forty days of the season of Lent, we are encouraged to step away from our regular routine and make space for quiet reflection and prayer. In the Bible, the number 40 symbolizes the formation and transformation of God’s people. Just as Jesus made his way into the wilderness to pray for forty days, we are also invited to pause, rest, and seek God away from the busyness of life. Come and experience a quiet day retreat for meditation, devotional reading, contemplation, and simply being attentive to God.

The Rev. Deborah A. Lee is an Episcopal priest who graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She is an ecumenical spiritual director in private practice and also offers spiritual direction through the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary. She served as an associate rector at St. Bartholomew’s in Manhattan, as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s in Chester, NY, as assisting priest at Christ Church in Warwick, NY, and was formerly the Program Manager for Pastoral Care and Community at Trinity Church Wall Street. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and served as a mental health counselor and educator, both internationally and within the U.S. Click here to learn more about Mother Lee.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending the Quiet Day on March 25.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Friday, March 24, The Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Organ Recital 5:30 PM. Solemn Mass 6:00 PM. Timothy Pyper, music director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, will play the recital. Mother Anna Pearson, rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles, will preach.

April 2, Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, Blessing of Palms, Procession in the Church, and Solemn Mass 11:00 AM, Evening Prayer in the Church at 5:00 PM.

April 6, Maundy Thursday, Solemn Mass 6:00 PM, Watch before the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight.

April 7, Good Friday, Liturgy of the Day 12:30 PM.

Saturday, April 8, The Great Vigil of Easter, 7:00 PM

CONCERTS AT SAINT MARY’S

Saint Mary’s resident orchestra, the New York Repertory Orchestra, will present concerts here at Saint Mary’s on March 25 and May 20. Admission is free. A $15.00 donation is most welcome. Click here for more details about the 2022–2023 season.

The program on March 25 is: George: RUIN (World Premiere/NYRO Commission); Boulanger: Faust et Hélène; Martinů: Symphony No. 2.

AWAY FROM SAINT MARY’S

At the Church of the Good Shepherd, 240 East 31st Street, Wednesday Evenings in Lent: “Who-What-When-Where-Why? The Old Testament Lessons of the Easter Vigil,” is the theme of the Lenten program on Wednesday evenings during Lent at the Church of the Good Shepherd, led by Father Stephen Morris. Good Shepherd is a member, along with Saint Mary’s, of the Midtown Manhattan Clericus. You are invited to join the people of Good Shepherd at 6:00 PM each Wednesday in Lent (beginning March 1) for Mass, vegetarian soup, and class/discussion led by Fr. Morris. Discover why we read what we read at the Easter Vigil and the impact these readings can still have in our lives today.

Father Stephen Morris has degrees in medieval history, theology, and special education from Yale, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and CUNY (Hunter). He has written books about church history and theology, as well as novels; all his books are available on Amazon. He has lived in New York since 1980 and is the priest-in-charge at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Kips Bay (Manhattan).

The Journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah
Hosted by: The International Interfaith Research Lab

Monday, March 20, 2023
5:00–6:30 PM
Location: Milbank Chapel, Zankel Building Teachers College, Columbia University
Click here to register.

Join us for a special event hosted by The International Lab for Research and Leadership in Interfaith Collaboration and Coexistence. We present the story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest Sephardic Haggadahs in the world, originating in Barcelona c. 1350. We will discuss the journey of its safety by courageous individuals of different faiths through amazing acts of courage, compassion, and collaboration. See how this story applies in today's world to prevent hate through understanding and recognition of common human values. At this special event, a rare copy of The Sarajevo Haggadah will be on display. This event ends at 6:30 and will be followed by a reception.

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Jay Smith, except as noted. Father Matt Jacobson also edits the newsletter and is responsible for formatting and posting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of Christopher Howatt, parish administrator, and parish volunteer, Clint Best.