From Father Smith: Christmas without Nostalgia

Last week, on Christmas Eve morning, Father Gerth, Father Mead, Deacon Jed Fox, and I met in the Rectory shortly after Morning Prayer to review plans for the day.  Just before 10:00 AM, somebody realized that one of the local radio stations was about to begin its live broadcast of the Service of Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge.  The Rector went and got his portable radio and quickly tuned it to WNYC.  Moments later the service began with the elegant bidding prayer and, of course, the well-known first hymn, "Once in royal David's city." The single soprano voice with which that hymn begins seemed to have a particularly calming effect on all of us on that busy morning.  We listened to a couple of verses and then went on with our meeting.  As always when I listen to the King's College service, I thought to myself - Christmas is beginning, but hasn't quite begun.  It's coming, traveling across the Atlantic.  It won't be long - it was nice, starting the day that way.

The Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols is not an ancient one.  The order of service for a "festival of nine lessons and carols" was first drawn up by Edward White Benson, the first Bishop of the then recently re-established Diocese of Truro in Cornwall, for use on Christmas Eve 1880.  (In 1883, Bishop Benson was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and served as archbishop until his death in 1896.) Benson's service proved to be enormously popular.  Since 1880, it has been adapted and used by churches around the world during Christmastide.

It is safe to say, I think, that the service, though now well-known and much-loved by many, if not most, Anglicans, has played a secondary role within the Catholic tradition.  For instance, here at Saint Mary's we would never use the service as a replacement for any of the liturgies of Advent and Christmas, particularly, of course, the great Masses of Christmas Eve and Day.  This year, however, we did forego Evensong and Benediction on the First Sunday of Christmas for the Service of Lessons and Carols, something new here at the parish; and it was a really wonderful and a very beautiful service.  While the service itself is new, from the point of view of liturgical history, its basic structure is no innovation.  Christians have always gathered to read and reflect on Scripture and that is what the Service of Lessons and Carols is and does.  Not unlike the Easter Vigil, it rehearses the whole sweep of salvation history, beginning with Genesis and ending with the Matthean and Lucan infancy narratives and the prologue to the Gospel of John.  The hymns and carols all, in different ways, are poetic, musical reflections on the readings and on the mystery of the "Word made flesh."

For many people, as they grow older, Christmas becomes about nostalgia.   However, nostalgia is not a particularly Christian thing and the liturgy is not, or should not be, merely nostalgic.  Christians gather to remember what God has done in the past, but we do so in the presence of the living, risen Lord, conscious of and grateful for the Spirit's ongoing work in the world and in our lives; and we always gather with a view towards the future - "Come Lord Jesus, come!"

The Service of Lessons and Carols last Sunday was a beautiful thing.  We are grateful, first of all, to Father Matthew Mead, who has urged us for some time to do the service for a number of reasons, some of them frankly and unapologetically evangelistic.  He hoped that many visitors to New York and to Times Square would come to Saint Mary's for such a service and they did.  We are also grateful to James Kennerley and the Saint Mary's Singers.  James was sure that he could makes such a service work here and he was right.  Our only disappointment on Sunday was that there were not more Saint Marians in the congregation.  The Rector assures us that we can do Lessons and Carols next year.  So, mark your calendars: the First Sunday of Christmas, December 27, 2009, 5:00 PM.  We missed you.  We hope that you will join us then.  James Ross Smith

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY'S . . . The parish priests do not sit for confessions on the Saturdays in Christmastide.  If you wish to make a confession during the Christmas Season, please call to make an appointment . . . On Wednesday, December 31, the church building and parish offices closes at 2:00 PM for New Year's Eve . . . On Thursday, January 1, the church celebrates The Holy Name of Jesus.  A Solemn Mass will be offered at 11:00 AM.  The Saint Mary's Singers will sing at the service . . . The Rector leaves for his sabbatical on January 1.  He returns on April 1 . . . Saturday, January 3, Meeting of the Saint Mary's Guild.  Contact Sister Laura Katharine, Sister Deborah Francis, or Marie Rosseels for more information . . . Sunday, January 4, Solemn Evensong and Benediction, 5:00 PM.  The preacher will be the Reverend John Merz, Episcopal Chaplain at New York University and assisting priest at Saint Mary's.  The service is preceded by an organ recital.  The recitalist is Christopher Howerter (Cleveland, Ohio) . . . Monday, January 5, Eve of the Epiphany, Solemn Evensong, 6:00 PM . . . Tuesday, January 6, The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Sung Mass, 12:10 PM, Solemn Mass, 6:00 PM.  A reception in Saint Joseph's Hall follows the Solemn Mass . . . Music director and organist, James Kennerley, will be away from the parish January 7-13.  He returns to the office on January 14.

SUNDAY PRAYER LIST . . . Your prayers are asked for Jocelyn, Mimi, Ewan, Alan, Marcia, Murray, Richard, Deloris, Mary, Patricia, Gloria, Samuel, Russell, Frank, Stephen, Brooke, Donna, Laura, Madeleine, Marc, Janelle, Jennie, William, Gert, Mary, Terry, Daisy, Rozalind, Connie, Rick, and Charles, PRIEST; and for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Christopher, Omar, Curtis, Timothy, Benjamin, Marc, Keith, Dennis, Terrance, Steven, Patrick, Andrew, and Brendan; and for the repose of the souls of Martha and Vincent . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . January 4: 1906 Leonard Lewis; 1916 Thomas Jefferson Titus; 1931 Gertrude Piehl; 1943 Mary Bond Carl; 1951 Warrington G. Lewis; 1956 Ada Valentine Waters; 1965 Marian Wickes Haines.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE . . . Martha Dul, parishioner Allan Dul's mother, died on December 18.  Please keep Martha, Allan, Allan's wife Grace, and all who mourn, in your prayers.

STEWARDSHIP MATTERS . . . As of December 29, we have received pledges from 148 households.  The total amount pledged thus far is $401,580.00, which is 78% of our goal of $518,970.00.  We had a good week in our stewardship campaign, with the end of the year approaching (thank you to all who sent their pledges in this past week!), but we are still waiting to hear from 33% of those who pledged for 2008; and we would like to hear from a number of active friends and members, who did not, or were not able to, pledge in 2008.  Our church is an important part of the community and, we hope, an important part of your life.  We join in God's love and sacrifice for us by our personal sacrifices for others.  Your help is needed.  If you need another pledge card or if have questions, please speak with Father Jay Smith, MaryJane Boland, or Steven Heffner.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . We need volunteers to "un-decorate the church" on Saturday, January 10, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM and on Sunday, January 11, immediately following Solemn Mass to dismantle the Creche.  If you have questions, please contact Dale Bonenberger . . . Thanks to all who made our Service of Lessons and Carols a success: to Father Matthew Mead whose idea it was and who planned the liturgy, rehearsed the servers and acted as master of ceremonies during the service itself; to James Kennerley and the Saint Mary's Singers, who sang so beautifully, and to our ushers and all those who provided hospitality at the reception.  It was a good day for Saint Mary's and we are grateful to all of you . . . Thanks to Grace Treiman, and Dick Leitsch for their help around the office this week.  Thanks also to Clint Best and Bob Picken, who have been helping out in the Finance Office, mostly unsung and unrecognized, for a long time now.  A special word of thanks to them both during this time of transition  in the parish and finance offices . . . Flowers are needed for many Sundays and feast days following Christmas. If you would like to donate the flowers for any one of these days, please contact Father Mead . . . Attendance: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 803; Last Sunday 446.

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR . . . The prelude before Mass is Méditation, Op. Post., by Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986).  The organist for Solemn Mass today is James Kennerley, interim organist and music director, and the Cantor is Ms. Ruth Cunningham.  Ms. Cunningham and Mr. Kennerley will improvise the Offertory and Communion propers, and the Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.  The Motet was composed especially for Ms. Cunningham by American composer Edward Thompson.  The Postlude is Fantasia in G Major, BWV 572, by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).  The work was probably composed around 1712, when Bach was organist at the ducal court in Weimar (1708-1714), and is commonly entitled Pièce d'orgue, a name given in one of the source manuscripts.  It is in three distinct sections, which may be seen to represent the Holy Trinity, with further symbolism of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection in the chromaticism and resolution of the final section . . . The Saint Mary's Singers will meet on January 18 at 3:00 PM to rehearse and sing for Solemn Evensong at 5:00 PM.  We are still looking for members; if you would like to join, or just come along for a rehearsal, please email me at jkennerley@stmvnyc.org. James Kennerley

COME AND SING WITH US! . . . Saint Mary's Singers is looking for members.  We are a group of parishioners and non-parishioners who now sing twice a month at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Times Square.  The church has one of the finest acoustics in the city, as well as one of the city's greatest organs.  Why don't YOU consider taking a break from school work on Sunday afternoons to come sing and socialize with a group of fellow students and parishioners. (Trips to the local pubs and restaurants of Hell's Kitchen immediately follow the rehearsals and performances!)  If you are able to match pitch and have a desire to sing, especially some of the great Anglican choral repertoire, why not consider being part of our new choir? We promise that you will have fun!  If you would like to join, or just come along for a rehearsal, please email me at jkennerley@stmvnyc.org.  J.K.

CONCERTS AT SAINT MARY'S . . . Saint Mary's offers a wide variety of concerts each year.  In addition to concerts offered by our music department, we also host a number of outside groups who offer concerts in the church.  See below for upcoming concerts at Saint Mary's . . .Every Sunday, 4:40 PM (October - June): Before Sunday Evensong & Benediction Saint Mary's offers a weekly organ recital by a visiting musician.  For more details, please see the current music schedule HERE . . . Saturday, January 31, 2009, 8:00 PM: A Royal Christening and Musical Banquet, Piffaro, The Renaissance Band, Parthenia, A Consort of Viols, Vox Vocal Ensemble . . . Saturday, February 14, 2009, 8:00 PM: Songs of Love, Lust, and Lamentation, Vox Vocal Ensemble, George Steel, conductor . . . Saturday, April 2, 2009, 8:00 PM: Music for Double Choir, The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, director.

A (VERY BRIEF) FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN AT EPIPHANY . . . Join Deacon Jedediah Fox and the children of the Saint Mary's Sunday School for a wonderful (and short) festival for children the first Sunday after Epiphany at 10:40 AM at the Christmas Crèche. The service will feature a familiar song and the presentation of gifts by the children. All are invited!

CHILDREN AT SAINT MARY'S . . . Children are always welcome at Mass at Saint Mary's. The Rector encourages families with children to sit at the front of the church - so the children can see easily and clearly. Childcare for younger children is available in the Saint Benedict's Nursery & Playroom which is open and available every Sunday from 8:45 AM until 12:45 PM.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN . . . Sunday School for children meets on Sunday's during the academic year at 10:00 AM, in the Morning Room (follow the blue signs in Saint Joseph's Hall to the Morning Room). Sunday School is led by Deacon Jedediah Fox and Sister Deborah Francis.

MISSION & OUTREACH . . . Saint Mary's has begun a cooperative relationship with the Food Pantry of Saint Clement's Church, 46th Street.  The Pantry serves between 400 and 500 households per week, most of them neighbors of our two parishes.  Friends, visitors and parishioners are invited to bring non-perishable food items and place them in the basket at the back of the church or in Saint Joseph's Hall during Coffee Hour.  If you find that bringing food items to Saint Mary's is difficult or cumbersome, you may also make a money donation.  Many Saint Marians have already brought food items for the basket.  Thank you for your generous response.  We will be delivering our first food donation next week.  The Food Pantry operates each Saturday, except the first Saturday of every month.  Food is sorted and bagged the day before.  If you would like to volunteer, either on Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings, or if you would like to make a money donation, please speak to Father Smith.

HONDURAS MISSION . . .  The Committee agreed to continue to  provide financial support to the parish of San Juan Evangelista, Villanueva, Honduras.  No mission team will be traveling to Villanueva this year.  At the next meeting of the Committee (January 11, 1:00 PM, in Saint Joseph's Hall), we will hear a report on the history of giving to the Honduras parish and the current projects at the parish.  Also at the next meeting, we will hear reports about several other possible projects, including one in South Africa and a shelter here in Manhattan. Stay tuned! For more information, if you would like to join the Committee or receive e-mail notices about the Committee, or if you are interested in volunteering at Saint Clement's on Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings, please speak to Father Smith.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION & EDUCATION FOR ADULTS . . . All classes meet in the Arch Room on the Second Floor of the Mission House (133 West 46^th Street).  Sunday classes meet at 10:00 AM and feature delicious donuts and hot coffee.  The Wednesday Night Bible Study and other weeknight classes meet at 7:00 PM.  Detailed information on upcoming classes is below.  All are welcome at every class.  Matthew Mead

THE REVELATION ACCORDING TO JOHN . . . On Sundays during Epiphany Season (January 11, 18, 25 & February 1, 8, 15 & 22) Father Mead and Father Smith will lead a class examining the most famous apocalyptic book of the Bible. 

THE PROPHETS . . . The Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible Study will resume on January 21, 2008 (please note the change of date from last week's Angelus!).  The class, led by Father Mead, has been studying the narrative accounts of the prophets in the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.  We will conclude that portion at the start of January and begin reading prophetic books, beginning with the Book of Amos.  A (minimum) $5 donation is requested from all who attend to cover the cost of dinner. 

THE PSALMS . . . The Reverend Peter Powell will lead a class on the Psalms in Lent 2009 (Sundays, March 1, 8, 15, 22).   Father Powell is the president of the Interfaith Housing Corporation, Westport, Connecticut. He is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and holds advanced degrees from Princeton and the University of the South.

AWAY FROM SAINT MARY'S . . . At the Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, New York, NY: Special Exhibition, The Dead Sea Scrolls: Mysteries of the Ancient World: September 21, 2008-January 4, 2009: The museum website has this to say about the exhibition, "In 1947, a significant discovery of ancient Jewish texts was made in a cave near the Dead Sea. These and other Dead Sea Scrolls found later have shed light on the major transformations and debates that occurred...[during] the development of early Judaism and Christianity. The exhibition will present six Dead Sea Scrolls...Three of the scrolls have never been exhibited, including a portion of one of the three earliest copies of the Hebrew Bibles in existence, and three others have never been shown in New York."

The Parish Clergy 

The Reverend Stephen Gerth, rector.

The Reverend Matthew Mead, curate.

The Reverend James Ross Smith, curate.
The Reverend John Merz, assisting priest.

The Reverend Canon Edgar F. Wells, rector emeritus.

Saint Mary's Mission House
Sister Deborah Francis, C.S.J.B.
Sister Laura Katharine, C.S.J.B.
The Community of St. John Baptist

The Parish Musicians
Mr. James Kennerley, organist and music director.
Mr. Lawrence Trupiano, organ curator. 

Other Staff with Email Addresses
Finance Office, finance office.
Mr. Hector Rojas, building mechanic. 

Questions about the Angelus newsletter

Sunday: 8:30 AM Sung Matins, 9:00 AM Mass, 10:00 AM Mass, 11:00 AM Solemn Mass, 4:40 PM Organ Recital, 5:00 PM Evensong & Benediction.

Childcare is available from 8:45 AM until 12:45 PM every Sunday.

Monday through Friday:

8:30 AM Morning Prayer, 12:00 PM Noonday Office, 12:10 PM Mass, 6:00 PM Evening Prayer, 6:20 PM Mass.  

Saturday: