FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: GUIDELINES FOR GIVING

Since the earliest decades of the Church, Christians have been renowned for their peculiar lives. An anonymous second-century document called the Epistle to Diognetus is an early example of Christian apologetics, written to defend the faith against the charges of its critics. In one remarkable section, it reads:

There is something extraordinary about their lives . . . Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything.

These Christians stood out for all sorts of reasons, not least their radical generosity.

In the homily last Sunday, I announced the start of our annual Season of Stewardship at Saint Mary’s. Culturally we are reticent to discuss finances, but I recently read: 

Money has a spiritual power over our lives, which is why there are 500 verses on prayer and more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions. God knows our hearts and seeks to disturb them when they are settled on the wrong things.

Our generosity is a test of the heart. So I take seriously my obligation as your priest-in-charge to address our financial discipleship. Indeed, I can’t not talk about money sometimes, so allow me to suggest a few simple Guidelines for Giving—giving should be Intentional, Planned, and Proportionate.

• Intentional: First we must cultivate a disciplined intention to give. I believe this desire is itself a gift of the Holy Spirit, so ask God for the gift of a generous heart. Then work out a “rhythm” for giving. Saint Paul urged a practice of regular giving: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income” to give to God. (1 Cor. 16.2 (NIV)) As intentional as we are in investing for retirement, building equity in a home, or simply securing the necessities of life, we should be in investing in God’s work in the world.

• Planned: Saint Mary’s sets apart the month of November every year to focus on stewardship—our own stewardship as individuals and families, as well as our corporate stewardship as the Board of Trustees builds a budget for the coming year. This focused time allows us to ask: Am I making a true sacrifice? Can I give more? Can I be more active in prayer? More generous with my time and service? Decide what you can give, then make a formal plan to do it so our giving is systematic and not sporadic. Set aside some time in the coming days to sit a few minutes, grab some paper and maybe your Bible, think through these questions prayerfully, then make a plan.

• Proportional: For some, prayerful discernment over these next few days will lead to a clear decision to pledge a formal tithe. This was the practice in the Old Testament, and the Episcopal Church continues to “embrace the biblical tithe of 10% as a standard for faithful generosity.” Others may feel God leading you to move in that direction with a “proportional” pledge, a commitment to give a percentage of your income. Still others may decide to give a specific sum. God has given freely to each of us, and God delights when we give back joyfully from that bounty.

I hope these principles will encourage you as we navigate this Season of Stewardship. If you haven’t been giving to Saint Mary’s, I encourage you to make a formal commitment to do so in 2026. Often the first step to becoming a faithful giver is just to make a pledge, however small or large! In God’s economy, the joy comes from the sacrifice, not the amount. And if you’ve already been giving but haven’t been able to tithe, I encourage you to consider increasing your level of giving from last year. For some of us, giving in excess of a tithe may be possible—Saint Paul commended a church for giving “even beyond their abilities” (2 Cor. 8.3). Whatever you pledge, our goal is 100% participation by everyone who calls Saint Mary’s home. Increased giving and increased numbers of givers are the surest ways to guarantee the continued growth of our work for God’s kingdom here in and through us!

Please bring your completed pledge card on or before Christ the King Sunday, November 23, when we will collect all the cards and pray over them at the offertory. In the meantime, I ask you to pray the Collect for Stewardship with me in the coming weeks, and I welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly about giving if you have any questions or would like to talk more. Thank you for faithfully supporting the ministries and work of Saint Mary the Virgin! — SW

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for the people and clergy of our sister parish, the Church of All Saints, Margaret Street, London, and for the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria, in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Miguel, Sheila, Elliot, Grady, Chris, Chuck, Nick, Dolores, Violet, Tod, Tim, Phoebe, Pat, Allen, Vanessa, Melvin, Vicki, Brendon, Nadia, Christian, Carol, Giovanna, Mary, Priya, Ronald, Jose, Ben, Russell, Robert, Sandy, Marty, Lexi, Georgia, Desarae, David, Claudia, Nettie, Chrissy, Tony, Rick, Thomas, Jan, Carlos, Liduvina, Quincy, Leroy, Margaret, and Robert; Victoria, Suzanne Elizabeth, and Laura Katherine, religious; Lind, deacon; and, Jay and Stephen, priests.

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died, especially Rodger, and for those whose year’s mind is on November 16: William Shannon Elliott (1874) and Carolyn Jeanette Whiteley (1963).

SAINT MARY’S 2026 PLEDGE CAMPAIGN: A WEEKLY REPORT FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

The lead article in The Angelus on November 9 talked about what stewardship supports at Saint Mary’s and reminded us that our financial support will enable us to follow our dreams. Almost immediately, we received 11 pledges that totaled 21% of our $450,000 goal. This is our year of service, the year in which we can show our love and support for Saint Mary’s. Some of our early supporters were able to pledge significant amounts; some were able to pledge only small amounts—yet the total represents 21% of the pledge budget goal as well as an outpouring of support. Will you join them by making the most significant pledge that you can afford?

Some vital facts:

$450,000 pledge budget goal for 2026

By November 10:
$94,902 pledged
11 pledges, all from previous pledgers
8 increased from 2025
11% of 2025 pledges renewed
21% of 2026 goal pledged

AROUND THE PARISH

Hosts Needed for Coffee Hours — Community is a vital part of life in our parish, and every Sunday we host a Coffee Hour after the 11:00 AM Mass to welcome newcomers, foster fellowship, and build relationships among Saint Marians. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of Coffee Hour at Saint Mary’s, and we are building teams of at least two people to host once a month or so. That's why we need you! If you’d like to be on a team, contact Fr. Sammy or give your name to Renee Wood on Sunday in the Parish Hall.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — The 12:10 PM Mass on Friday, November 21, will be offered as a Sung Mass in the Lady Chapel commemorating the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Adult Formation — This Sunday, Fr. Sammy Wood continues his series on the Nicene Creed in honor of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. A playlist for the series is posted on Spotify. More details about the class and our 2025-26 formation program can be found here. Adult Formation takes place on Sundays at 9:45 AM in Saint Joseph’s Hall.

Up next in Adult Formation — On December 7, Dr. Meredith Linn will begin a two-part class on the history and archeology of Seneca Village, highlighting the role of the All Angels’ Episcopal Church in the community and as an example of mission in the nineteenth-century Episcopal Church.

Thursday Bible Study — Thursday evening Bible study in 2025-2026 is based on the Sunday lectionary for the upcoming Sunday and generally will be led by the preacher for that day. We meet over Zoom at 6:00 PM. If interested, please email Fr. Wood for the link.

Rosary Guild — The Rosary Guild meets next Sunday, November 23, after the 11:00 AM Mass, to pray the rosary. All are welcome.

Thanksgiving — A High Mass will be offered on the Eve of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 26, at 6:00 PM. On Thanksgiving Day, we follow our federal holiday schedule: the church is open from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM and Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM.

Saint Marians about Town — On Sunday, November 30, after Solemn Mass, we will see Sing a New Song: The Psalms in Medieval Art & Life at the Morgan Library. We recommend buying advanced timed tickets for 2:00 PM. Please contact Father Wood with any questions and to let him know if you are planning to join us.

Grant Writer Needed — From time to time, Saint Mary’s becomes aware of grant opportunities, and we are seeking a volunteer to research these opportunities and write persuasive proposals. Key skills include strong research, writing, organizational, communication, and project management abilities, as well as a deep understanding of our parish mission. If you are able to help, please contact Chris Howatt in the parish office.

Interested in being Confirmed? — Please contact Fr. Sammy Wood if you are interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation or being received into the Episcopal Church (for those already confirmed in another Christian denomination). Confirmation class begins in early 2026 and will prepare candidates to be confirmed at Bp. Allen Shin’s visit on Pentecost.

Neighbors in Need — As it grows colder, the needs of our visitors change. Our first priority now is warm jackets and coats. Our additional priority needs are practical shoes (no dress shoes or high heels), jeans and cords, and sweaters and tops. Thanks to a generous gift, at our October drop-by we were able to provide new jeans for every visitor. Thanks to your donations we are also able to purchase toiletries and underwear, especially thermals. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information or send an email to neighbors@stmvnyc.org.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

Diocesan Convention — The Diocese of New York will have its annual convention on Saturday, November 15, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Convention will be livestreamed for those who wish to observe remotely, though delegates must attend in person to vote. Please keep the clergy and lay delegates from Saint Mary’s, as well as the rest of the Diocese, in your prayers for convention.

Online Zoom Theology with our sister parish: All Saints’ Margaret Street — At 2:00 PM ET (7:00 PM in the UK) on Tuesday, November 18, Professor Ian Boxall will introduce us to the history and interpretation of Revelation and its place in the canon. It would be especially useful to have re-read the text itself in preparation. Professor Boxall is Senior Fellow in New Testament and Professor of Biblical Studies at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. He has taught previously at the Catholic University of America, and the University of Oxford, from which he received his Doctorate in the Book of Revelation. He has since published further on the topic and is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on this complex and enigmatic book of Scripture. A number of Professor Boxall’s books are available affordably. Click here for ASMS’s Zoom Theology page which will have the event link.

Food Assistance in the Diocese — The Diocese of New York is supporting resources that our congregations need right now, and here’s how you can help:

• Immediate food: Our programs need additional food. You can give $100 for a gift card or other emergency food assistance to help our neighbors across the Diocese get immediate food—and to support our local outreach programs in their response. Episcopal Charities will coordinate. You can donate here. 

• You can also support the Cathedral’s efforts to give $100 grocery cards to guests of Cathedral Community Cares. You can donate here.

• Ongoing benefits: The court orders provide a stopgap solution. Call your member of Congress and tell them to immediately authorize SNAP benefits and reimbursement of local food support. You can find information here.

Immigration Legal Support Fund — The Diocese of New York announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. The fund is starting with a $50,000 contribution from the Bishop’s discretionary funds. With your support, the Diocese can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. Donated funds will be matched until November 15, 2025. Click here to learn more and to donate.

Lawyering in Faith: Navigating Ethical and Professional Complexities — In today’s diverse and pluralistic society, what happens when a lawyer’s personal faith or beliefs conflict with a client’s interests or legal obligations? On Wednesday, November 19, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Saint Bartholomew’s Church (325 Park Avenue), the Guilds of St. Ives at St. Bart’s and The Episcopal Diocese of New York will jointly present an interactive program to discuss this thorny, timely, ethical dilemma. Panelists include Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng, Alice Yurke, and J. Patrick Hornbeck II. The ticket price ($40/person) includes dinner. A request for 1.5 hours of Ethics CLE credit is pending. Attorneys of all backgrounds who are interested in exploring how religious values can inform legal practice—ethically, responsibly, and professionally are welcome to attend. Fee reduction and waiver requests will be considered upon request—please contact the program administrator at kjennemann@gmail.com for more information. Click here to register.

Poets Corner Celebration at the Cathedral — At the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, on Thursday, November 20, 7:00-9:00 PM, there will be a celebratory evening of readings, launching a new era of programming for the Poets Corner, and showcasing the artists already memorialized there. The program will be followed by a light reception. This celebration is free and open to the public. Click here for more details.

ABOUT THE MUSIC AT SOLEMN MASS ON THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The organ voluntaries at Sunday’s Mass are portions of Partita on “Detroit” by David Hurd, Organist and Music Director at Saint Mary’s. This Partita (set of variations) on an American shape-note hymn tune was commissioned in 1984 by T. Lance Nicolls, organbuilder, for the dedication of his Opus 1, an eleven-stop instrument at The Community Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Hampshire. Notably, the Partita was later performed by its composer at Ford Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan, on the closing evening of the 1986 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in that city. The source of the tune “Detroit” upon which the variations are based is Supplement to Kentucky Harmony, 1820. In recent years, forms of this tune have appeared in several major hymnals including The Hymnal 1982 where it is paired with Rosamond Herklots’ text “Forgive our sins as we forgive.” The first and last variations of the Partita are modestly embellished forms of the original harmonization found in The Sacred Harp. Those in between are a combination of canons and ostinatos, two treatments of the melody’s inversion, and a fugal treatment with the melody in the bass. The Theme and Variations 1-8 will be played as the prelude. Variations 9-10 will be played as the postlude.

The setting of the Mass is Missa brevis in d, Opus 83, by Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (1839–1901). Rheinberger was a prodigy of his time; at the age of seven he was already serving as organist of the parish church in his hometown of Vaduz, a small town along the Rhine River, and compositions of his were performed shortly thereafter. In 1851 he entered the Munich Conservatorium where, not long after graduating, he was appointed professor of piano and composition. Influences upon Rheinberger include his more famous contemporary Johannes Brahms and earlier notable German composers including Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, and Franz Schubert. Rheinberger’s works include two operas, two symphonies, songs, piano works, chamber works and assorted other compositions. His twenty Sonatas for organ, the next most significant body of organ pieces after Mendelssohn, continue to stand at the center of German romantic organ literature. Rheinberger’s sacred choral works include a Christmas cantata, fourteen Masses, three requiem settings, two settings of Stabat Mater as well as motets and miscellaneous other compositions. Missa brevis in d is for four-voices unaccompanied. While Gloria and Sanctus are clearly in the major mode, Benedictus is in F Major and Agnus Dei returns to the Mass’s original key of D minor.

The communion Motet on Sunday is a five-voice setting of O Sacrum convivium by Canadian composer Stephanie Martin (b.1962). The text O sacrum convivium, often attributed to the theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), found a home in the Roman liturgical cycle as the antiphon for Magnificat at second Vespers of Corpus Christi, but is also very much at home in any Eucharistic celebration. It has been set in Latin, as well as in vernacular translations, by distinguished composers of every generation. Stephanie Martin is Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar of music at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design. For the 2025-26 season she is composer-in-residence for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. She directs Schola Magdalena, a women’s ensemble, is conductor emeritus of Pax Christi Chorale, and past director of music at the historic church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Toronto. Her setting of O sacrum convivium hovers close to B-flat Major tonality, projecting a reflective mood in a graceful triple meter.

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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 Matt Jacobson, except as noted. Father Matt is also responsible for formatting 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. If you have an idea for an article that you would like to publish in an upcoming issue of The Angelus, Father Matt would be happy to discuss it with you.