FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: STAFFING AND STEWARDSHIP

This Sunday, as we celebrate Christ the King, we will gather all the pledge cards we have received this year and pray over them at the 11:00 Mass. These cards represent our desire to return to God the first fruits of our labor and toil, the work of our lives, and we are asking God to bless our intention to be good stewards of all he has given us as individuals and families.

When your Board of Trustees charged the Stewardship Committee, one task it assigned was to work to build a “culture of stewardship” at Saint Mary’s, and that Board and your staff are always trying to be part of that culture by faithfully stewarding what God has provided to Saint Mary’s and what you entrust to us in your pledges. One way we do this is through wisely allocating resources in our staffing model, and you have no doubt noticed some changes we have implemented over the past months toward that end. For instance, we decided not to hire another full-time priest when Fr. Jay retired, so we are grateful for the assistance Frs. Stephen and John provide that allows Saint Mary’s to continue our full schedule of public services with a more streamlined clergy staff. When Fr. Pete and Barbara Powell moved out of their Parish House apartment, we were able to let that space and gain some much-needed assistance from Hannah Crawford, our Church Growth Strategist. In these and myriad other ways, we are trying to put the money you entrust to us to the best possible use.

Today I announce another change to our staffing model that will take place early in the coming year. In 2026, we are phasing out our full-time Parish Administrator position to implement a combined Administrator/Accountant position. This change allows us to combine office administration tasks with accounting duties, saving money we currently spend on outsourced accountants while giving us more hands-on, strategic control over our parish finances.

This does mean, however, that our Parish Administrator, Chris Howatt, will be leaving that position around the end of January 2026. Personally, I want to say how grateful I am to Chris for his service and friendship. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him these past four years, and all of us are grateful for the decade of dedicated service he has given to this parish. During his tenure, he has had to wear numerous hats—shepherding countless facilities projects to completion, serving as liaison to the community, managing staff and the parish rolls, and supervising our complicated maze of buildings—all while demonstrating the highest character and the greatest good humor.

I am happy to report Chris’ intent is to remain a member of the parish choir, so we will continue to see him often. And we plan to gather as a parish to celebrate and pray for Chris on a Sunday in January.

Decisions like these are never easy, but the Trustees and I take seriously our obligation to be good stewards of the precious resources you have entrusted to Saint Mary’s. Please continue to pray for us and for all your staff. I am also grateful to each of you who have made a pledge to support Saint Mary’s in the coming year, and I look forward to our Ingathering Sunday on Christ the King. See you there! — 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 Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia, in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Caroline, Pavel, 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 Flavia, and for those whose year’s mind is on November 23: George Blanchard (1897), Frederick Hoyt, Jr. (1901), Caroline Francis Melville (1934), Christopher Cliffcorn (1968), Calvin Gray (1976), and Gary Grubb (1985).

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

Last week, we opened our 2026 pledge drive with pledges that represent 21% of our $450,000 goal, and this week we increased to 37% of that goal. Among the statistics to celebrate are 3 first-time pledgers and 18 people who have increased their pledge from last year.

At the Offertory this Sunday, Christ the King, the ushers will bring forward a basket of pledges, those counted in this report and those received on Sunday, to be blessed and prayed over.

Your pledge online this week and your pledge card in the plate on Sunday will be part of those prayers. Please help Saint Mary’s to fulfill our Anglo-Catholic witness here in Times Square.

Some vital facts:                                                     

$450,000 pledge budget goal for 2026

By November 18 (second week of campaign)
$165,842 pledged
30 pledges, most from previous pledgers
3 first-time pledges
18 increased from 2025
37% of 2026 goal pledged

AROUND THE PARISH

Rosary Guild — The Rosary Guild meets this Sunday, Christ the King, 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. The parish office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day as well as Friday, November 28.

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.

Advent Quiet Day — On Saturday, December 13, Sister Monica Clare, CSJB, will lead a parish Quiet Day. There will be a light breakfast at 9:30 AM, and the first reflection begins at 10:00 AM. Lunch is included, and the day will finish by 3:00 PM. Please let Fr. Sammy know if you plan on attending.

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.

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.

Adult Formation — This Sunday, Fr. Sammy Wood concludes 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 All Angels’ 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.

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.

Neighbors in Need — As it grows colder, the needs of our visitors change. Our first priority now is warm jackets and coats. We are also in serious need of men’s large winter tops and sweaters. 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

Deacon Formation Program: Inquirers Zoom Session — On Monday, December 1, at 7:00 PM, there will be an inquirers session about the diaconate in the Diocese of New York via Zoom. If you’re interested in exploring ordination to the diaconate or are already in discernment—register for this informational session. Archdeacon Denise LaVetty will explain how the program works, what’s required of you, and other important details to help you discern how this ministry might be what God is calling you to do. Register to receive the Zoom link by emailing archdeacon@dioceseny.org.

The Joy of Christmas: Magnificat! — The Cathedral’s annual Christmas concert will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Click here for more details and to buy tickets.

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. Click here to learn more and to donate.

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.

ABOUT THE MUSIC AT SOLEMN MASS ON THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING

Sunday’s organ prelude is based upon the chorale Nun danket alle Gott (“Now thank we all our God”). The chorale itself, now sung internationally and interdenominationally, was authored in 1630 by Martin Rinckart (1586–1649), archdeacon in Eilenburg, Saxony. Johann Crüger (1598–1662) is credited with composing the melody for Rinckart’s words which appeared in the 1647 third edition of his Praxis Pietatis Melica. This text and melody combination, in English translation by Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878), has been in Episcopal hymnals since 1871. The prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach is one of his Leipzig Eighteen Great Chorales. Each phrase of the melody is introduced in turn by three accompanying voices before being presented in unornamented form in the soprano register.

The musical setting of the Mass is the Missa Simile est regnum caelorum of Tomás Luís de Victoria (c.1548–1611). Victoria is considered the most important Spanish composer of Renaissance polyphony. Born in Avila, the seventh of eleven children, he began his musical education as a choirboy at Avila Cathedral, and began his classical education at San Gil, a Jesuit school for boys founded in 1554. By 1565, Victoria had entered the Jesuit Collegio Germanico in Rome, where he was later engaged to teach music and eventually named maestro di cappella. Victoria knew and may have been instructed by Palestrina (1525–1594) who was maestro di cappella of the nearby Seminario Romano at that time. During his years in Rome, Victoria held several positions as singer, organist, and choral master and published many of his compositions. He was ordained priest in 1575 after a three-day diaconate. There are twenty authenticated Mass settings of Victoria in addition to two Requiems. The Missa Simile est regnum is one of Victoria’s twelve parody Masses in which he quotes musical ideas from pre-existing composition. In this case, Victoria’s musical quotes are from a motet by his friend and contemporary, Franciso Guerrero (1528–1599). Guerrero’s motet on Matthew 20:1–4 likens the Kingdom of God to a landowner justly hiring laborers for his vineyard. Victoria’s Mass skillfully reutilizes distinctive melodic features of Guerrero’s motet, such as the rising perfect fifth which begins most of its movements. With the exception of the Benedictus in three voices, Victoria’s Mass, like Guerrero’s motet, is voiced in four parts. However, the final Agnus Dei spectacularly employs two choirs of four voices each which sing in strict canon.

Clifford Maxwell (1917–1999), a native of Barbados, grew up in Brooklyn and was very active in the New York community of church musicians for many years. He served several Episcopal and Lutheran congregations in Brooklyn and Manhattan as organist and choirmaster for decades and spent several summers traveling and studying in France and Germany. In retirement he was active as a volunteer in Trinity Parish’s Noonday Music Ministry. He composed his setting of two stanzas from George Hugh Bourne’s powerful hymn Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor (307 in The Hymnal 1982) in 1949 while under the tutelage of Harold Friedell (1905–1958) at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Manhattan. Despite the tone of the text, Maxwell’s setting, sung on Sunday during the administration of Communion, is more meditative than triumphal in its musical projection of the risen, enthroned Christ.

Click below, where you can make a one-time or recurring donation.
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.