FROM BENJAMIN SAFFORD: YOUNG ADULTS AT SAINT MARY’S

It’s an exciting time to be at Saint Mary’s—and for me, entering into the life of Saint Mary’s and receiving the enthusiastic welcome of my fellow parishioners here has been an immense blessing over the last year. As we embark on a Year of Invitation, I know many of us are thinking of ways we can welcome others to join us here at Saint Mary’s. To that end, Father Sammy has asked me to help him form a group within the parish of Young Saint Marians in their 20s and 30s. 

Demographically, as we know, the Episcopal Church skews older, and it’s easy to feel lost and isolated as a young adult. We’re a smaller group compared to older adults, children, and families, with fewer resources and ministries to support us and our lives in the church. But at the same time, many of the young adults I meet in the Episcopal Church are energized and excited to be here. To be a young Episcopalian, especially in a cosmopolitan city like New York, is an active and considered choice—we’re in the Episcopal Church because we’ve been called here by the love of God.

As young adults at Saint Mary’s, we have the opportunity to come together to support and encourage each other in our lives and in turn to live out together the parish vision: to grow together in faith, and to discover our identity in Christ as we worship together in the Anglo-Catholic tradition; to serve the poor in Times Square and in our own neighborhoods across New York City; and to invite the whole diverse spectrum of young adults of New York to join us and let them know that they’re truly welcome here at Saint Mary’s!

We plan to get together regularly for fellowship and to grow in community, to serve the parish and the poor, and to grow in faith together. I am also connected with our New York Diocesan Young Adult Network, who host gatherings throughout the year to connect young-adult Episcopalians from around the city and across different parishes and will be making sure our group at Saint Mary’s gets the invitations to all of the Young Adult Network's events.

Our fantastic summer intern, Andrew Raines, hosted an inaugural gathering this month, where we had a great time full of laughter, fellowship, Aperol spritzes, and pizza-eating. Andrew is going to help us host another gathering this summer before he leaves us which will take place at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 30 (see below for more details). All young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited, and please bring a friend! (If you’d like to join and are just outside of the age range, don’t worry, we’re not checking IDs at the door).
— Benjamin Safford

The next young adult gathering will take place on Tuesday, July 30. We will meet for supper, followed by Compline, at 6:00 PM. Buzz #8 at the Mission House door on Tuesday evening for the event, though please also RSVP beforehand to Andrew at andrew.raines@duke.edu if you plan on attending.

PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH & FOR THE WORLD

We pray for an end to war and violence, especially in the Middle East and in Ukraine. We pray for justice and for an end to violence and division in our neighborhood, city, and nation.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, especially Tom, Charles, Lynn, Dennis, Susan, Darwin, Donald, Steve, Noa, Shan, Martin, Frank, Susanna, Rolf, George, Richard, Joyce, Leroy, Christine, Donald, Richard, Josh, Maddie, John, Robert, Tony, James, Dorian, Carl, Hattie, Nettie, Chrissy, Jan, Mark, Pat, Marjorie, Carole, Luis, Sharon, Quincy, June, Carlos, Christopher, José, Manuel, Abe, Suzanne, Hardy, Giovanna, Gypsy, Liduvina, Margaret, and Bob; Ben, Jack, James, Barbara-Jean and Eleanor-Francis, religious; Ignacio and Lind, deacons; and Julie, Robby, and Stephen, priests.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Robert Bruce Mullin and the souls of those whose year’s mind is on July 28: Charles Goldsborough Stirling (1922) and Anna Stambaugh Marais (1962).

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE

We received news this week that Robert Bruce Mullin died on July 11, 2024. Professor Mullin was the Society for the Promotion of Religion and Learning Professor of History and World Mission at the General Theological Seminary between 1998 and 2014. He served the wider church as an active board member of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, and, starting in the 2000s, he provided expert historical testimony for the Chancellor’s Office of the Episcopal Church at a critical period in the church’s life. His contribution was recognized when he was appointed historiographer of the Episcopal Church, a position he held from 2012 to 2022. We were honored here at Saint Mary’s when Professor Mullin agreed to teach a series of classes in our Adult Formation Program some years ago. Professor Mullin’s funeral was held at Christ Church, Westerly, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, July 24. Please keep Robert Bruce Mullin, his wife, Judith, his family and friends, and all who mourn in your prayers.

JOIN US FOR BIBLE STUDY
SUNDAYS JULY 28 & AUGUST 4
9:45 AM IN SAINT BENEDICT’S STUDY

Our seminarian intern, Andrew Raines, has very kindly offered to lead a Sunday morning Bible Study during the month of July. He is teaching the Letter to the Ephesians, which we’ll hear at Mass during July and early August as our second reading. Andrew grew up hearing and reading the Bible, and his love for the biblical texts continues. He writes, “Starting in July, the Sunday lectionary will begin reading through Saint Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus. I’ll be leading a Bible Study delving into this epistle—one of Paul’s most polished (and liturgical!).”

All are welcome to join us on the four Sundays in July—and on Sunday, August 4. It isn’t necessary to have attended the prior weeks. We meet at 9:45 AM in air-conditioned Saint Benedict’s Study, as we read portions of this important part of the New Testament canon together. Refreshments are provided.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER?

Have you been coming to Saint Mary’s for a while, but have been unsure about how to get more involved? We’d love to talk to you about that. During 2024–2025 we hope to recruit more volunteers for the following ministries:

Neighbors in Need

Acolytes & Readers

Ushers

To do what we do, we need your help.

We urge you to pray about this, asking God to help you discern how you are being called to serve here at the parish.

For more information, speak to Father Sammy or Father Matt.

NEWS & NOTICES

We are grateful to Clark Anderson, who continues to play the organ and conduct the cantor and choir at Solemn Mass when Dr. Hurd is away. We are grateful to him for his ministry.

On Friday, July 19, we served 45 guests at our monthly Neighbors in Need distribution. We were a little bit short of volunteers that afternoon, but the day went smoothly, nonetheless. We said goodbye to our longtime volunteer, Janet Vitebsky, who has taken a new job and will not be able to volunteer with us for a while. Janet worked for some years with MaryJane Boland at the New York University Stern School of Business and learned about Neighbors in Need from her. Janet has been a faithful and expert volunteer at Saint Mary’s for some time now, usually working in the busy clothing room on Drop-by Days. We are very grateful to Janet for all that she has done for us, and we will miss her.

We were able to celebrate parishioner Stephanie Felshin’s eightieth birthday last Sunday at Coffee Hour. Her children made the celebration possible, and are grateful to them for their generous donation. Stephanie was joined by her husband, Roy, her son, parishioner Rick Miranda, as well as her daughter Ana Maria Lindsey, Ana Maria’s husband, Scott, and her son, Paul. The Lindseys flew in from Portland, Oregon, to celebrate Stephanie’s birthday this week.

Tuesday, July 30, 6:00 PM, Young Adults at Saint Mary’s . . . Supper and Compline. See Ben Safford’s article above for more information.

Father Sammy Wood will be away from the parish from the afternoon of Sunday, July 28, until the afternoon of Friday, August 2. He will be attending the diocese’s College of Congregational Development in Queens, along with parishioners Katherine Hoyt, Clark Mitchell, and Brother Thomas Steffensen, SSF. This is the second time the program has been offered in New York and the first cohort that Saint Marians have attended. A two-year comprehensive training program for clergy and laity, the College was developed to help congregations become more faithful, healthy, and effective communities of faith that live into their unique vision, work toward sustainability, and respond to the challenges and opportunities God places before them. Please pray for all the participants in this cohort and for the experience to be a blessing to our parish.

Bring a box of cookies . . . Beginning this Sunday, July 28, and for the rest of the summer, we will, on most Sundays, have a simple Coffee Hour: coffee and tea, of course; but also lemonade and cookies. You’d be helping our hospitality budget if you bought a box of your favorite cookies—or baked your favorite cookies—and brought them to the parish kitchen (or gave them to Marcos, our weekend sexton). And some of you have already done so! Thank you so much to those who have already supported our hospitality ministry in this way!

Neighbors in Need: If you would like to volunteer or make a cash donation, please speak to MaryJane Boland. We are also eager to receive donations of new or lightly used sneakers and shoes, in all sizes, for both men and women. The next Drop-by will take place on Friday, August 16, 1:00–3:00 PM. We are looking for a few more good volunteers. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Father Jay about our work and how you might help.

Members of the Flower Guild will be available to arrange flowers for many Sundays this summer. The following Sundays are still available: August 11, 18, and 25. The customary donation requested is $250. Please call the Parish Office for more information (212-869-5830).

Coming Up: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thursday, August 15, 2024, Sung Mass in the Lady Chapel 12:10 PM; Procession & Solemn Mass 6:00 PM in the Church, with the Choir of Saint Mary’s; Reception 7:30 PM in Saint Joseph’s Hall.

We hope that many members of the parish will be able to be with us on Sunday, August 4. Brother Thomas Bushnell, BSG, will preach at both Masses that day, and then at Coffee Hour after the Solemn Mass we will say goodbye to our seminarian intern, Andrew Raines.

One of our licensed Eucharistic ministers, Marie Rosseels, was able to visit parishioner Leroy Sharer this week. She tells us that they had a good visit and shared Holy Communion. Leroy seems to be doing well in his new home. Please speak to Father Wood, Father Smith, or Marie, if you’d like to visit Leroy.

Father Peter Powell has been away for much of the summer, spending time with family, honoring longstanding commitments at parishes in Connecticut and elsewhere, and, we hope, getting some rest. He has been with us this week and it has been good to have him back. Father Pete took a number of services this week, will celebrate the Solemn Mass this coming Sunday, and will also attend the staff planning meeting on Wednesday, August 7. Welcome back, Father. See you in September!

We hope that the Saint Mary’s community will continue to support Neighbors in Need, our own outreach program to those in need in the Times Square neighborhood, including the unsheltered. However, we also encourage those who are able to support our neighbor and partner, the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. You can find out how to do that here.

Father Jay Smith will be on vacation August 8–24.

ABOUT THE MUSIC AT THE SOLEMN MASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 28, THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The Mass setting on Sunday is from Communion Service, Opus 71, composed in 1976 by the Welsh composer, William Mathias (1934–1992). From 1970 to 1988 Mathias was professor and head of the music department at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. Active as a conductor and pianist, he was also the artistic director of the North Wales Music Festival which was held annually at Saint Asaph’s Cathedral. Mathias composed liberally both for instrumental and choral forces, and both his church and organ music are widely performed. Having composed music for many royal occasions, his worldwide esteem surged as a result of his anthem, Let the people praise Thee, O God, which he composed for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985. His Communion Service was composed for unison congregational singing with optional choral features and was one of the early Series 3 settings (parallel to Episcopal Rite II) to gain broad usage among Anglicans. As such, its essential movements, minus their choral elements, were included in The Hymnal 1982. Mathias’s setting may be considered musically to be similar for Rite II to what Healey Willan’s Missa de Sancta Maria Magdelena was for the 1928 rite and continues to be for Rite I; that is: a modern, energetic, organ-accompanied setting for congregations and choirs to sing together.

Sunday’s cantor is soprano, Charlotte Mundy. During the Communion she will sing the aria Öffne dich, mein ganzes Herze from Cantata 61 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). Bach’s Cantata 61, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, was composed for the first Sunday of Advent and first performed on December 2, 1714, as Bach began his appointment as Kapellmeister at the Weimar court. The same cantata was performed again in Leipzig on November 28, 1723, as Bach began his appointment in that city. The cantata’s libretto was compiled by the Lutheran pastor and hymnologist Erdmann Neumeister (1671–1756), including quotes from the Book of Revelation and hymn stanzas of Martin Luther and Philipp Nicolai. Neumeister composed the words for the soprano aria Öffne dich, the fifth of the cantata’s six movements. The scoring is simply for voice and continuo. — David Hurd

Soprano Charlotte Mundy specializes in music that is new, daring and sublime. She has been called a “daredevil with an unbreakable spine” (SF Classical Voice). Recent performances include George Benjamin’s one-act opera Into the Little Hill at the 92nd Street Y and a set of music for voice and electronics presented by New York Festival of Song, described as “an oasis of radiant beauty” by the New York Times. She acted and sang in A Star Has Burnt My Eye at the BAM Next Wave Festival and The Apartment at Abrons Arts Center. In fall 2020, Mundy developed her surround sound/light/wind/smell installation, Light as a Feather, as a resident artist at the Harvestworks house on Governor’s Island. The multi-sensory ritual of Mass at “Smoky Mary’s” is a constant inspiration to her. Learn more at charlottemundy.com.

The organ prelude and postlude on Sunday will be improvised.

We need your help to keep holding our services. Click below, where you can make one-time or recurring donations to support Saint Mary’s. We are very grateful to all those who make such donations and continue to support Saint Mary’s so generously.

Saint Mary’s is a vibrant Anglo-Catholic witness in the heart of NYC. With our identity in Christ and a preference for the poor, we are an inclusive, diverse community called to love God and each other for the life of the world.

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.