FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: UNITY

U-N-I-T-Y (you gotta let ‘em know)
U-N-I-T-Y, that’s a unity (New York, come on, here we go)
~ Queen Latifah

This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost and commemorated the dramatic event when the Apostles “were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2.4) Pentecost is often linked to Babel, the story in Genesis 11 where people united to “make a name for themselves” and build a tower to heaven, but God came down and confused their language to divide and scatter them. In a very real sense, Pentecost is a symbolic reversal of Babel—God gave understanding so that his mighty works were proclaimed in every language, and from the many came the beginning of a new united humanity—a movement from disunity to unity!

Hold that thought.

When William Reed Huntington, who died in 1909, was rector of All Saints Church in Worcester, MA, he and the priest at the local Roman Catholic church co-founded an ecumenical clergy fellowship, and the story is he filled in the lines of his own vision for Christian unity at meetings of that little group in the 1860s. Huntington went on to pen an essay called The Church Idea (published by Dutton, 1870, and available to read online) to lay out a vision for Christian unity based upon a small set of “essentials.” These essentials found their way into a resolution before the House of Bishops at the 1886 General Convention in Chicago, and with some revision they were adopted by the Lambeth Conference in 1888. They are even in your prayer books today—deep in the back, past page 800, in tiny, tiny letters—in the Historical Documents section. The statement, which came to be known as the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, gives voice to an earnest desire that Christians may “all be one,” Jesus’ own prayer in John 17. To that end, Huntington proposed, and the General Convention and Lambeth Conference adopted, four articles that are essential for restoration of unity between separated branches of Christianity:

1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the revealed Word of God.

2. The Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

3. The two “dominical” Sacraments instituted by our Lord (baptism and the Lord’s Supper). 

4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted.

Now—back to the disunity to unity movement. Our TVs and newspapers are full of stories of disunity these days. As I write this on Wednesday, protests have spread from Los Angeles to lower Manhattan; political polarization; cultural and religious division; wars and rumors of wars.

But what if the Church was able to show the world another way?

In my time as a priest, I have been part of ecumenical working groups comprising Anglicans, United Methodists, Roman Catholics, and others, and I believe the Anglican Communion in general, and Saint Mary’s in particular, can be places where other Christians can find community in holding some common beliefs and coming to a common altar. I dream that the world will look at us and know we are Jesus’ disciples not because we bicker, but because we “have love for one another.” (John 13.35)  

The Anglican Communion has long been a voice for union over disunion. As early as 1920, the Lambeth Conference sent an appeal for unity to all Christian people:

We place this ideal first and foremost before ourselves and our own people. We call upon them to make the effort to meet the demands of a new age with a new outlook. To all other Christian people whom our words may reach we make the same appeal. We do not ask that any one Communion should consent to be absorbed into another. We do ask that all should unite in a new and great endeavour to recover and to manifest to the world the unity of the Body of Christ for which he prayed.

And today, more than a century later, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order has issued the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals to strengthen the instruments of unity within the Anglican Communion itself, calling for renewed conversation about unity in a fractured world. I’m still working through those documents in my reading time, but here’s why I share this with our Saint Mary’s family now:

First, we plan to make it a regular practice to pray for our Anglican sisters and brothers at the Mass each Sunday. We are part of a worldwide family of some 88 million Anglicans in 855 dioceses across 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, and there is a long-standing practice of using the Anglican Cycle of Prayer to pray for each other throughout the year. This serves both to remind us all of the needs of those experiencing the unrest that roils our Anglican family in many parts of the world (conflicts in Sudan, Congo, Myanmar, Gaza, for instance), as well as to encourage those of us in the west, who may be disheartened by news about declining church membership, by pointing to dramatic growth currently being experienced in other parts of the world.

And second, this year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council in the history of the Christian Church. To commemorate this anniversary, we are planning a class on the Nicene Creed for the coming year. Just before he died, Pope Francis met with a group of Orthodox priests and said the Nicene Creed “sets forth the ensemble of the principal truths of the Christian faith, which harmoniously complement one another” and form the basis of Christian unity. I hope you will join us next program year as we study this august document and trace out its implications for unity in our parish, in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, and for all Christians.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more, I recommend a recent episode of the Wayside Podcast where the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, is interviewed. An ambassador of the Anglican Communion, the Secretary General provides strategic leadership to the Anglican Communion Office, the official Secretariat to the Anglican Communion. My friend Dr. Christopher Wells is Director of Unity, Faith, and Order at the Anglican Communion Office in London, and after a recent conversation with him I made a small contribution from my discretionary fund to support their work and signal our desire as a parish to be involved in some small way with the work of the ACO throughout the world. And if you’re interested in broader ecumenism, you may want to join this online dialogue about the future of Anglican-Roman Catholic relations in the wake of Pope Leo XIV’s ascension to the Chair of Saint Peter.

It is so easy to focus myopically on our own needs, our own problems, our own survival and flourishing. But as a parish at the crossroads of the world, let’s raise our eyes to our Anglican family across the globe. And let’s ponder and pray and pray for a new Pentecost, in words William Reed Huntington himself preached in 1865 in a homily at Trinity Church in Boston’s Copley Square: 

Let us put away all malice, and be very careful how we sneer. Remember it is peace we want. Only by speaking the truth in love, patiently and honestly weighing the arguments of those who differ with us, gently smoothing away prejudice, and gracefully conceding, where it is possible to concede, can we hope for a shadow of success. May the God of Peace send us a new Pentecost that these things may come to pass.

Will you pray that with me this week? Consider it an invitation. — SW

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for the people and clergy of our sister parish, the Church of All Saints, Margaret Street, London, and for La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico in the Anglican cycle of prayer. We give thanks for the baptism of Hazel Nicole.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Brendon, Nadia, Christian, Carol, Billy, Ken, Dennis, Sandy, Modesto, Giovanna, Mary, Yuri, Jonathan, Penny, Priya, Christopher, Wally, Donald, Ronald, Jose, Behnam, Russell, Duncan, Robert, Sandy, Orham, Lexi, Georgia, Desarae, David, Claudia, Nettie, Chrissy, Tony, Sharon, Rick, Adair, Jan, June, Carlos, Pat, Liduvina, Quincy, Leroy, Margaret, and Robert; 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 Scott, Richard, and Susan, and for those whose year’s mind is on June 15: Georgiana Hack (1927), Marguerite Tracy (1939), and Robert Klobstock (1972).

AROUND THE PARISH

Guest preacher on Trinity Sunday . . . Father Daniel Heischman will be our guest preacher this Sunday. He retired as Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools in 2022, following a fifteen year period of service. Previously he had served as Chaplain at Trinity School in New York City, Head of the Upper School at Saint Albans School in Washington, D.C., and Chaplain at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Currently, Father Heischman serves as Director of the Educational Leadership and Ministry program at Yale Divinity School, a program initiated and continued by Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. In this role, he works with students who are interested in serving as school or college chaplains, as well as those who are planning a career of teaching in schools. For twenty years he has also served as an instructor in the Doctor of Ministry program at Virginia Theological Seminary.

June 19 . . . The parish will follow our federal holiday schedule on Juneteenth. The church will be open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Daily Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. The parish office will be closed.

Corpus Christi . . . Next Sunday, June 22, we will celebrate Corpus Christi. Weather permitting, we will process with the Blessed Sacrament to Times Square at the conclusion of the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass.

Summer cookie donations needed . . . During the summer months, we plan to have lemonade and cookies at Coffee Hour and are looking for cookie donors. Please get in touch with Father Sammy Wood if you are able to help.

Neighbors in Need . . . Donations of casual pants, such as jeans or khakis, are needed, as are sweaters, tops, rain jackets, and other light jackets. Shoes are especially in demand (i.e., sneakers, sandals, and practical shoes, but not high heels). Large sizes, for both men and women, are also helpful. Our next Drop-by Day will be June 20. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information.

Pride at Royal Family Productions . . . Come spend a joyous Pride at Royal Family Productions, mingling and belting out showtunes in the theater at Saint Mary’s (Parish House, third floor). Royal Family, best known for their innovative productions of new work, transforms into a West Village showtune sing-along piano bar from 1:00–5:00 PM on Saturday, June 28. Alex Barylski, pianist at Marie’s Crisis and The Townhouse, will be taking requests and playing all of your favorites. This event will have complimentary snacks as well as a waived cover charge for all members of Saint Mary the Virgin.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

Pentecost Pastoral Letter from Bishop Matthew Heyd . . . click here for a pastoral letter from Bishop Heyd focused on “the Spirit’s work among us and the hopeful, courageous ways our Diocese is living into renewal and shared grace.”

Pope Leo & New Possibilities . . . Join Episcopal Divinity School on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 PM for a conversation exploring the future of Anglican-Catholic relations with the first American pope. Moderated by the Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese New York, the conversation will examine Pope Leo’s emerging priorities in the context of ongoing global crises such as migration, nationalism, and war, and consider how could his leadership build on the legacy of Pope Francis’s emphasis on justice and pastoral care. Panelists will reflect on the evolution of Anglican–Catholic ecumenical dialogue over recent decades and what new possibilities Pope Leo may open, both at the level of theological collaboration and in the day-to-day lives of parishioners—especially those who have moved between the two traditions. Click here to register and for more detail about the event.

Pride 2025 . . . Click here to learn about Pride events being offered at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine throughout the month of June. Saint Luke in the Fields will offer their annual Pride Evensong on Sunday, June 22, at 4:00 PM. Click here for more details about the Evensong.

Installation of Archdeacon Denise LaVetty this Sunday . . . The Rev. Deacon Denise LaVetty will be installed as Archdeacon for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, during Choral Evensong at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine on June 15 at 4:00 PM. This special service will celebrate Denise’s faithful leadership and new ministry as Archdeacon. All are welcome as we offer our prayers and support, and give thanks for the work of the Spirit in our Diocese. A reception will follow. Click here to watch a livestream of the event.

Juneteenth Community Day at the Cathedral . . . There will be a Juneteenth picnic celebration on the grounds of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine on Saturday, June 21, from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. Inspired by the history of African American communal resilience, resistance, and shared joy, this event is held outdoors, is family-friendly, and is open to all. Featuring the sweet sounds of DJ Stormin’ Norman, lawn games, snacks, and treats, all for free in the beautiful lawns and gardens of the Cathedral. Bring a blanket and your own picnic favorites—we'll have some food and drinks to share, as well as extra blankets! Click here to register.

Diocese of New York Safer Communities Survey . . . The Diocese of New York is committed to creating communities of safe belonging, where care for one another shapes our common life. As part of that commitment, we are conducting a confidential survey to better understand past experiences and strengthen our practices for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. This survey is a key component of the independent audit we have commissioned to examine how sexual misconduct has been handled in our diocese. We invite all individuals connected to our congregations, chaplaincies and schools— past or present— to participate. Your voice matters as we work toward greater transparency, accountability, trust, and healing for survivors and all those affected. All responses are completely confidential and managed exclusively by Guidepost Solutions, not Diocesan staff. Once the information is analyzed, findings will be included in a final report that we will make public. Click here to take the survey, which will remain open until July 3, 2025.

FROM DR. HURD: ABOUT THE MUSIC AT SOLEMN MASS ON TRINITY SUNDAY

Sunday’s organ voluntaries are both inspired by the ancient Latin hymn Te Deum laudamus in recognition of Trinity Sunday. The authorship of this great hymn traditionally had been assigned to Saints Ambrose and Augustine, the legend being that they improvised it at the latter’s baptism. A somewhat more plausible author of this text might have been Nicetas, fifth-century bishop of Remisiana, although his authorship too has been questioned by scholars. While the authorship of this hymn is uncertain, its antiquity is generally agreed to have extended back to the fourth century. From the first edition in 1549 of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, Te Deum has been appointed as a canticle for Morning Prayer and occasions of festive celebration. The roots of the traditional chant melody for Te Deum reach back at least to the sixth century. This chant has also been the foundation of numerous other musical compositions, both choral and instrumental, which can be powerfully expressive even when the words are not sung.

Danish-born Dieterich Buxtehude was probably the most influential composer in Germany of the generation immediately before Johann Sebastian Bach. His organ Te Deum laudamus, BuxWV 218, is a work of five-movements or versets, four of which are based upon verses of the Latin hymn. This set of pieces begins with a free introduction or Praeludium. In the second movement, Primus versus, the traditional chant melody is introduced as a cantus firmus played in long tones alternately below and above a second more animated accompanying voice. This same chant fragment is later played in long tones on the pedals and finally used in imitative counterpoint at the moment’s conclusion. These first two movements are played as the prelude. 

Sunday’s postlude is the first of the four movements of Te Deum Laudamus, an organ solo work by David Hurd, Organist and Music Director at Saint Mary the Virgin. This set of pieces was commissioned by Larry King, Director of Music at Trinity Church, Wall Street, from 1968 until 1989. Dr. King premiered this work at New York’s Riverside Church in July 1982. The first movement of Te Deum Laudamus is a Toccata which is subtitled The Acknowledgement. The chant melody for the initial verse of the Latin hymn provides the cantus firmus which is played in long tones on the pedals under rhythmic patterns of chords played by the hands in the outer sections of this movement. For the movement’s central section, the chant melody is refashioned as the theme of a four-voice fugue.

The setting of the Mass is Mass Euge bone by Christopher Tye (c.1505–c.1573). Tye was probably born in Cambridge, England, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1536. He served as a lay clerk at Kings College before being named master of the choristers at Ely Cathedral around 1543. In 1545 he was awarded the Doctor of Music degree by the University of Cambridge. Tye had a strong connection to Dr. Richard Cox, tutor of Prince Edward and later bishop at Ely. This led to Tye’s becoming the music teacher of King Edward VI and, doubtless, to his eventual ordination as a priest in 1561. Tye resigned from Ely and became rector of Doddington, Cambridgeshire, where he served the remainder of his life. The origins of Tye’s Mass Euge bone are uncertain, but it is believed that this setting may date from the composer’s early years at Ely, perhaps in connection with his doctoral degree. The music of the Mass is related to Tye’s earlier prayer motet Quaesumus omnipotens Deus which also is composed for six voices and includes both imitative counterpoint and rich choral textures.

The communion motet, Trinity composed in 2015 by Fred Gramann, sets the three-stanza poem Trinitie Sunday by George Herbert (1633) in alternation with the Latin refrain Gloria tibi Trinitas aequalis una Deitas (Glory to you, O Trinity, all equal, one God) in the manner of a macaronic carol. Fred Gramann earned degrees in organ performance from Syracuse University, where he studied with Donald Sutherland and Will Headlee, and the University of Michigan as a student of Marilyn Mason. After studies in Paris with Marie-Claire Alain and Maurice Duruflé, Mr. Gramann became the Director of Music for the American Church in Paris in 1976 where he directed the vocal and handbell choirs, served as organist, and oversaw a weekly classical concert series for forty-six years until retiring in 2022 and moving to Orléans.

Following the administration of Communion, the canticle Te Deum laudamus will be sung while incense is offered. The choir will sing this canticle to the customary plainsong in alternation with verses played on the organ. This manner of presenting liturgical texts, called in alternatim, has often been applied to portions of the Mass and Office in past time. Alternatim performance practice was well established throughout Europe from the seventeenth century, documented in part by many organ versets which were composed for this purpose by leading organ composers. It is also not uncommon, both in the past and in our time, for organists to improvise verses in alternation with those sung to chant, as will be done on Sunday. 

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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.