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Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue,
New York
1 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019 212-757-7013 www.SaintThomasChurch.org
It has been a joy for us to have Bishop Andrew St.
The Rector’s Chronicle Lent 2019 John with us, and we are grateful for his wisdom and
sense of humor. I am delighted to tell you that
Bishop Andrew has decided to make Saint Thomas
Church his parish church, and has accepted my
invitation to become an honorary member of staff.
As Bishop in Residence he will assist with the liturgical,
pastoral, and spiritual life of the parish.
My dear friends,
The past months have been marked by a great deal
of activity in our church family; we have bid farewell We have welcomed Father Ryan Bennett, a priest
to staff and parishioners who have moved away and from the Diocese of Ballarat in Australia. Father
have welcomed the arrival of new staff and new Bennett is a member of the Society of the Sacred
members. Our strategic planning exercise is over Mission and is doing post-graduate work in Spiritual
half-way through and has engaged a huge number of Direction at the General Theological Seminary for
people; the data-collection period being over, we the next two years. Father Bennett’s softly spoken
now turn to examining our life, our finances, and our voice and pastoral sensitivity is already making an
future growth. impact with parishioners, and his particular studies
in spirituality at the General Theological Seminary
means that he will be thinking how we meet the
needs of our many visitors during the week as well organized the guild quietly and carefully for a very
as parishioners, and offer new experiences of prayer long time, including personally welcoming in the
as we move forward. Narthex and, importantly, at the Coffee Hour after
services. Although Charlotte is taking a break from
As part of our strategic plan, our clergy and lay this leadership role, we are delighted that she
members will be thinking of ways to deepen our continues to be fully involved in the life of the parish,
spirituality to ensure that Saint Thomas Church including her devotion to our seniors and to those
continues to be known as a ‘Center for Spirituality’ who are housebound or shut in through frailty.
in the heart of New York City. Thank you, Charlotte, for your pastoral care and
concern.
With these retirements, we have new leaders;
Marilyn Finklea is the new Head of our Altar Guild
The Wardens and Vestry paid tribute to two of our and Chris Hayley is Assistant Head. The work of
parishioners who have retired from their roles in the Welcome Committee is now being merged with
the Church guilds – Jean Grainger and Charlotte the Usher Corps under the leadership of Timothy
Wiggers. Jean has moved back to North Carolina Hidgon, and we are studying ways of expanding their
to be near her family after serving an impressive 30 work so that the ushers and the welcomers have a
years as an Usher, as a member of the Annual Appeal complimentary ministry. If you are interested in
Committee, and in recent years as Head of the Altar becoming a welcomer or usher, please let us know
Guild. - we are planning a meeting to share ideas moving
forward.
Jean has been a loyal supporter of our Planned
Giving program (the Duffie-Noble Guilds) and of our It is always a joy to celebrate anniversaries with staff
many hospitality events. We are grateful for the and we were all delighted to celebrate with Sharlene
warmth and infectious joy that she brings to Shah, her 25 years of work with Saint Thomas
everything she does. (Who will ever forget her Church. Sharlene is our payroll and benefits
leading the limbo-dancing contest at our Caribbean manager and deals with a whole host of personnel
evening!). Jean, we wish you all the best in your related matters; she began her work at Saint
retirement. Thomas Church under Father John Andrew. As her
third Rector, I know I am ably supported by her
Charlotte Wiggers has stepped down after 25 years knowledge and expertise. Thank you Sharlene!
leading the ‘Welcome Committee’ and as a High
Altar lector. Charlotte’s commitment to welcoming
visitors and new members is legendary and she has
the Diocese and masterfully wove the experience of
music-making around the Diocese into his sermon.
During the Centennial period, we will welcome a
number of other visiting preachers who understand
the significance of Choir Schools, including the
Director of the National Association of Episcopal
Schools, the Dean of Exeter, the Bishop of Salisbury,
and our own Rector Emeritus, Father Andrew
Mead.
Although there are many choir schools and specialist
music schools in the world, and a number closely
connected with the 42 English Cathedrals, there are
now only three left in the world where the
choristers alone make up the student body. There
are many boarding schools in England and a number
where Cathedral choristers may board, as well as
boarding schools here in the USA, but there is
something very special about a community formed
by the choristers, with the faculty and staff living
together in one place. Westminster Abbey and the
Abbey at Montserrat in Southern Spain, join Saint
Sharlene Shah on her birthday
Thomas Choir School in being such communities.
Choir School Centennial There are a number of celebratory events planned
for the school’s centenary year, including the Lenten
Our ‘Founders’ Day’ celebrations on March 3rd sermon series and the centennial organ recitals. In
were enjoyed by a great many people, including case you missed some of the sermons, you can listen
alumni of our Choir School and its supporters. Since to them again online:
the Saint Thomas Choir School opened its doors in
1919, so many boys have been nurtured, and their
lives transformed, by this incredible institution; this
is a wonderful milestone and one that we should be
justly proud of. The school is also a form of
outreach, with a story worth telling to so many
people.
At the Founders’ Day Solemn Eucharist, we
welcomed The Reverend Dr. David Cobb, Father of
two alumni. Father Cobb gave the first of a series
of sermons from alumni, parents of alumni, and
educators in honor of the schools Centenary. In the March 3 Founders’ Day
afternoon, we welcomed the Bishop of New York 11 am: Theme: The Transfiguration.
to a celebratory evensong, followed by an Preacher: The Rev. Dr. David Cobb, University of
extraordinary organ recital performed by four of the South, Sewanee, and parent to two former
our recent Choir School graduates. They played choristers.
amazingly well and we were all deeply moved. 4 pm: Theme: Worship God with every gift you have.
Bishop Dietsche paid tribute to the place of Saint Preacher: The Bishop of New York
Thomas Church and its Choir School in the life of
September 8 Patronal Festival
4 pm: Theme: Blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed.
The Rev. Fleming Rutledge
November 3 All Saints’ Sunday
11am: Theme: Who are these like stars appearing?
The Rev. Andrew Mead, Rector Emeritus
November 10 Remembrance Sunday &
Alumni Weekend
11am: Theme: God’s love has been poured into our
hearts.
The Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Heischman,
Executive Director, National Association of Episcopal
Schools
Lenten Sermons Series:
“The one who sings prays twice”
(attributed to St. Augustine) Commemorating the Centennial
‘Honoring our past – funding our future.’
March 10 Lent 1 - Theme: Prayer as Rhythm. Endowing a Choristership to Mark our Centennial
Preacher: The Rev. Geoff Simpson,
Associate Rector-Chaplain of the School, St. Thomas What is a choristership? A Saint Thomas Choir
Episcopal Church and School, Houston, TX, and former School endowed choristership is a gift of $500,000
chorister. that serves as a living testimony to honor or
memorialize a friend or loved one. The investment
March 17 Lent 2 - Theme: Prayer as Melody. produces income that is used to underwrite a
The Rev. Alison Turner, portion of the cost of a chorister each year during
Director of Children and Family Ministry here at Saint his tenure at the school. Donors from every corner
Thomas and former Headmistress of Exeter Junior of our community—parents, parishioners, musicians,
School and Priest Vicar of Exeter Cathedral. and friends—have chosen to support the Choir
School by endowing a choristership. How does it
March 24 Lent 3 - Theme: Prayer as Harmony. work? Each choristership is awarded in recognition
The Rev. Sean Mullen, of a boy’s achievement and supports his continued
Rector of St Mark’s Church, Philadelphia, and former study at the school by covering tuition and offering
chorister. a small stipend. Recipients are chosen for their
outstanding leadership in the choir, the classroom,
March 31 Lent 4 - Theme: Prayer as Syncopation. and the community. Choristerships assist the school
The Rt. Rev. William H. (Chip) Stokes, by offsetting a portion of the ever-increasing cost of
Bishop of New Jersey and former chorister. housing, nurturing, and educating the choristers.
April 7 Lent 5 - Theme: Prayer as Cadence. Honoring our past. Currently, there are four
The Rev. R-J Heijmen, named Choristerships; to mark the Choir School’s
Associate for Stewardship and Young Adult Ministries, centennial, we wish to establish a fifth choristership,
St. Martin’s Church, Houston, TX, and former chorister. in memory of our founder, T. Tertius Noble—but
June 9 Pentecost Sunday we need your help to make this goal a reality. Dr.
11 am: Theme: I will sing with the Spirit. Noble came to Saint Thomas with a vision of building
The Rector a lasting program dedicated to the development of
boys’ musicianship, scholarship, and character. He
had previously been the organist and choirmaster at
York Minster in England, where all of his boy singers Funding our future. We invite you to help us
were students at a choir school. When the rector of honor Dr. Noble by contributing toward an
Saint Thomas, the Reverend Ernest M. Stires, and endowed choristership in his name. A gift in any
the vestry called him to New York in 1913, Dr. amount will help us ensure that his legacy endures
Noble accepted the position with the understanding for the next 100 years and beyond. To contribute to
that a similar school would be necessary to achieve the Noble Choristership, or to learn more about
the high musical standard desired for the parish. Six endowing a choristership in honor of memory of a
years later, on 3 March 1919, the Choir School loved one, please contact the Headmaster:
opened. Located at 123 West 55th Street, it housed CWallace@choirschool.org or the Director of
14 boys, two staff, a housemother, and Dr. and Mrs. Development, Ann Kaplan:
Noble. The school had moved from vision to AKaplan@saintthomaschurch.org. You can
reality—and with it an American tradition was born download a brochure from the Church Website.
Commemorating the Centennial
liturgically
There is one further project that we will be
embarking on to celebrate the centennial in the
parish by providing something musical to enrich the
liturgy.
‘Come, labor on.’ – A supplement to the 1982
Hymnal
We are planning to produce our very own Saint
Thomas supplement to the 1982 hymnal. Although
the 1982 hymnal is tried and tested, nevertheless, it
was not entirely designed with a church like Saint
Thomas in mind. We are one of the very few
Episcopal Churches (with the possible exception of
the national Cathedral in Washington) to have, on
average, five choral services a week. This means we
need office hymns for feast days, and processional
The opportunity of a lifetime. Today, the school hymns that are long enough for our choir and
boasts a custom-designed building on the edge of ministers to process through our great Nave (the
Central Park with cutting-edge classrooms, light- late John Scott used to lament the shortening of
filled living spaces, a library, and more, serving 26 many hymns in the 1982 revision to the 1940
boys and the school’s faculty and staff, and the hymnal). Additionally, there is little plainsong in the
choristers have earned their place as members of 1980 hymnal - something very much part of our
the world-renowned Saint Thomas Choir of Men tradition here - and there is an omission of some of
and Boys. Dr. Noble’s vision has become the the more traditional devotional hymns for the
opportunity of a lifetime for generations of Eucharist and for the celebration of the saints.
choristers and their families—and for all who hear
and are moved by the choir’s heavenly sounds. But Later this year we will be inviting parishioners to
as with any enduring legacy, it requires a financial suggest hymns from a variety of sources and in
commitment to maintain the standards of excellence keeping with our choral tradition. Dr. Jeremy
achieved through the Choir School. That’s where Filsell, Benjamin Sheen, and the clergy will also be
you come in.
renowned preachers with us; The Rt. Rev. & Rt.
Hon. Lord Richard Chartres, 132nd Bishop of
London in the Church of England, who retired in
2017, and The Rev. Elaine Farmer, priest, author,
and retreat conductor from the Anglican Church of
Australia.
Richard Chartres first visited New York in the early
1980’s as Chaplain to Archbishop Robert Runcie. At
that time Canon John Andrew (who was himself a
former Archbishop’s Chaplain) was Rector of Saint
Thomas.
Subsequently, Richard became the parish priest of
compiling lists and sources. It is important to note St. Stephen’s, Rochester Row in the Diocese of
that not everyone’s favorite hymn can be included, London. At the same time he served as Gresham
but we will be interested to hear your ideas. Once Professor of Divinity, and co-authored a history of
complied, we will seek appropriate permissions and Gresham College.
authorizations, and have the supplement printed for
the pews; it may be that other churches affiliated to In 1992, he was appointed Bishop of Stepney, one of
the Association of Anglican Musicians or the Royal the areas of the Diocese of London, and was later
School of Church Music may be interested in our translated to the Bishopric of London itself in 1995.
project. He served the Diocese during a period of substantial
growth for 22 years until his retirement in 2017. He
Choir Tour remains Dean of the Chapels Royal.
The choir have recently returned from a one-week
domestic tour to Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas as
part of Saint Thomas Choir School’s Centennial.
They sang at the Eucharist at the Church of the
Incarnation, Dallas, and then gave three concerts –
at First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, TX; St. Mark’s
Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport, LA; and Christ
Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR.
Those of you who follow the Choir on Face Book
will have enjoyed some of the photographs shared
there. Touring is not only important for raising
awareness of a great choral tradition and as a tool
for recruitment, it also builds up the esprit de Coeur During his tenure as Diocesan Bishop, he fulfilled
of the choir – a bonding that helps the choir sing various national roles. He chaired the Church
even better on its return home. Commissioners who administer the assets of the
Church of England. He was also Chair of the
Holy Week – APRIL 14-21 National Church Buildings Division, and the founding
Chair of “Shrink the Footprint,” the Church’s
Continuing the tradition of inviting guests to become environmental campaign. Bishop Chartres has also
part of our community during Holy Week and been the Archbishop’s envoy to the Orthodox
bringing their wisdom and spirituality to bear, I am Churches.
delighted that we will have two internationally
Most significantly, twelve years ago he participated in the founding of St. Mellitus College, which has made a large contribution to the increase of the numbers of seminarians in training. The number entering training this year in the Church of England exceeds the total for any year since 1963. After retiring from Parliament as a member of the Lords Spiritual, he was, unusually, re-appointed as a Life Peer, and is currently active in the legislative work of the House of Lords. He is now an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese in Europe, and in his home Diocese of Salisbury. Richard and his wife Caroline have four children. Bishop Richard will preach sermons at 4pm Elaine lives in Canberra with her husband, Bill, who Evensong on Palm Sunday, at each of the 5:30pm served as Australian Ambassador to Mexico, Papua services on Monday, Tuesday, Maundy Thursday, New Guinea, Malaysia and Indonesia. They have two Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, and at the 11am children and six grandchildren. mass on Easter Day. The Three Hours’ Devotion this year will be led by the Rev. Elaine Farmer: Mother Elaine Farmer was ordained in 1993, among the earliest women ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Australia. She has served in several parishes, taught homiletics and ministry formation, and been Associate Editor of St Mark’s Review, Australia’s oldest theological journal. She has preached in Anglican dioceses around Australia, New Zealand and other countries, including on numerous occasions in the United States, and most recently in 2018 at Westminster Abbey. She has been keynote speaker at various Australian and international conferences. A book of her sermons, “…And the Angels Held their Breath. Sixteen Reasons for Exploring the God-Option” (Australasian Theological Forum) was translated into Bahasa Indonesia by the Jesuits and given episcopal imprimatur. She was also a contributor to “Don’t Put Out the Burning Bush”, a book on preaching and worship also published by the Australasian Theological Forum. The Saint Thomas Book of the Gospels
Which services should I attend in The St George’s Society
Holy Week?
At the end of January, we hosted the St George’s
To fully immerse oneself in the Holy Week of the Society for their Annual General Meeting and it was
Christian Year can be a life-changing experience. To a very enjoyable evening.
journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Day is to enter
into the Passion Gospels in a powerful way; words
and symbolic actions bringing the gospels alive. At
Saint Thomas, the service times for the week are
easy to remember: From Monday to Saturday,
the principal liturgy will be at 5:30pm.
There are a number of other services, including
services sung by the choir, and you can find the
complete list on the website or on the postcards
located in the narthex.
If you cannot attend every day during Holy week,
then we encourage attendance on Maundy Thursday
and Good Friday in addition to Easter. The society is a charity dedicated to enriching the
quality of life for people in need through an
established support system within the British and
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Commonwealth community of New York. They
proposed March 16-27 have a very active membership, including many St.
Thomas parishioners. Next year the Society
The Living Church Foundation, which produces the celebrates its 250 anniversary and there will be
th
weekly magazine by the same name, has suggested a special celebrations held at Saint Thomas Church to
partnership with Saint Thomas Church in a include a concert and a choral evensong. You will
pilgrimage to the Holy Land during Lent, 2020. The occasionally see members, wearing red t-shirts,
dates are tentative but would include, appropriately, participating in our Saturday soup kitchen.
the Feasts of St. Joseph and of the Annunciation,
which will add to the sense of devotion as we visit Burns Night
Nazareth and Bethlehem. With Laetare Sunday in
the middle, our Lenten disciplines could be relaxed Another splendid Burns Night was held in the
a little and allow us to celebrate our faith with joy as beautiful Bonnell Hall, made available to us by our
well as walk the Via Dolorosa. The pilgrimage will friends at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. We
include spiritual exercises, liturgies, and devotions, had a wide diversity of parishioners of all ages and
and we will be accompanied by a theologian who will cultures – it was truly a wonderful expression of our
enliven the scriptures for us. It is likely that the common life. Many folk rose to the occasion and
pilgrimage will cost in the region of $4,500 to include dressed in traditional Scottish attire or black tie.
flights, accommodation, transport, and meals. At Betsy Ashton read the ‘Address to the Haggis’ and
this stage we are asking for expressions of interest wielded the knife expertly after the Haggis had been
only. Please email us at ceremoniously processed around the hall by Dennis
Collier, Jr. led by David Palladino expertly playing his
pilgrimage@SaintThomasChurch.org bagpipes. Father Moretz gave a lively and humorous
toast in honor ‘of the Bard’. The toast ‘to the lassies’
was given by Dan Fowler, one of our Young Adult
Group, and the reply with a toast ‘to the laddies’ was
given by a member of our Usher Corps, Anne welcome the Choir of Exeter who will be on tour in
Kelley. the US. Preliminary plans will have the choir here
on the Sunday after Easter 2020 and giving a concert
in New York. It will be a special visit because it will
coincide with the 440th anniversary of the Mayflower
leaving Plymouth, in the Diocese of Exeter, and the
arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers to New England. The
Dean of Exeter, the Very Rev. Jonathan Greener,
will be preaching on Sunday, May 5. In anticipation
of the Choir’s visit in 2020, Dean Greener asks if any
parishioners or their friends and colleagues have
connections with Devon, Plymouth, or Exeter such
as through the Universities or the Cathedral; you
can send an email to Saint Thomas Church and we
will forward it on.
Seniors
The Scottish-themed meal was a treat, and this year
the assembled gathering was so large and so keen to We have enjoyed some lovely Senior Lunches over
dance that some dances had to be repeated because the past few months and been entertained by our
we had to ration the dance floor space! The band new priests, Father Moretz and Father Spencer.
Madraigh con fach accompanied us and our two Betsy Ashton gave a fascinating talk on her portraits
regular callers kept us ‘on our toes’. Madraigh con of Immigrants project, and Adam MacDonald, who
fach is Gaelic for Mad Dogs and, certainly, some of manages the Friends of Music, stole the show with
the more spirited and fast-paced dances meant that his singing of old classics. A number of significant
the band name was quite appropriate! Save the date birthdays were celebrated, notably those of Betty
for next year – Friday, January 24, 2020. Burr and Barbara Como. If you know of a senior
parishioner who would enjoy such a celebration,
please let Linda Morfi know. The clergy continue to
reach out to house-bound parishioners and we have
a number who receive Holy Communion in their
home or facility each month.
Exeter Cathedral
As many of you know, Alison and I came to New
York from Exeter where I had been working at the
Cathedral and Choir School. Next year, we will
group and closed Face Book page, send an email to
the leadership committee at:
YoungAdults@SaintThomasChurch.org
Adam MacDonald (Friends of Music) entertaining the Seniors
Young Adults
The 18-30s ministry continues to be led ably by Eric
Blair-Joannou, Dan Fowler, Adam Martinek, and The Young Adults’ Christmas Party
Louise Coleman, who are now joined by Father
Spencer. Our Young Adult group hosted the New Portraits of Immigrants – Unknown
York Young Adult Network Christmas Party and we
are told that it was one of the most successful ever Faces, Untold Stories
with 120 people present.
In January and February, for the first time, we had an
The group has had other social events including art installation in Andrew Hall. The special
brunches and bible studies. They watched the movie exhibition featured the work of artist and
‘The Mission’ and discussed it afterwards, and parishioner, Betsy Ashton, who set out to discover
enjoyed a lively Candlemas Party. who today’s immigrants really are.
There will be an Easter party on Sunday, April 28, Betsy writes, “[the portraits are] about seeing character
and on Sunday, May 5, the group will have a private in faces and reading details of lives to understand and
tour of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. feel the immigrant experience. Yes, I’ve included some
challenging cases: one is a Guatemalan woman who
The group’s summer party will be held on June 15. crossed the Rio Grande at night without papers to find
If you are in the 18-30s age bracket, and wish to work in this country. I had to find out for myself why
attend any of these events, or to join their email someone -- a lone woman especially -- would risk rapeand even murder to travel 2,000 miles through Mexico Over the course of their engagement with members
to sneak across a river at night, then walk for two days and friends of the parish, Wellspring has uncovered
and nights through parched desert on our side of the several themes, such as increasing our focus on
border.” children and young adults, improving and expanding
communications, ensuring adequate provision for
Her portraits feature people from all walks of life. elderly parishioners, and securing the financial future
Most of the people in the paintings, like the vast of the Parish, including its Choir School. These
majority of today’s immigrants, came with little broad themes, while perhaps self-evident, will
money, scrambling to work small jobs and to find a nonetheless help guide the Strategic Planning
place in our society. These are American stories of Working Group as it refines our major goals and
surviving and thriving. determines how best to accomplish them.
The opening of the exhibition was incredibly moving The Strategic Planning Working Group consists of
as we met some of those immigrants who are now members of the Vestry and a number of parishioners
naturalized and whose hard work has brought with expertise in finance, fund-raising, development,
employment to others. They are stories of success, and communications. Together with staff and
and it was a privilege to know that Saint Thomas members of the Development Committee, they are
Church, itself a community of many nationalities, and drawing together themes and plans for the Vestry to
including three Rectors who were immigrants discuss, hone, and promote over the coming years.
themselves, premiered this project. By April 3rd, when the Development Committee
next meets, the Working Group will have
The exhibition, continues at the Riverside Church completed five of its seven sessions. In late June, the
until Easter. completed plan document is expected to be
presented to the Development Committee and then
to the Vestry for their approvals. After it is
approved, the strategic plan will be published and
shared with the entire parish.
Please note: There will be another round of parish
gatherings in May. Many of you have said that you
have enjoyed these meetings and the Rector and
Vestry are grateful for the ideas expressed.
Tour Guides
We are delighted that the number of trained Tour
Guides has almost doubled over the past year.
Following an appeal for new volunteers, several
people came forward and have been trained over
Strategic Plan many months.
From the co-chairs, Murray Hood and Greg Zaffiro
They are now taking their place in welcoming
We had over 1,100 respondents to our online
visitors and showing the beauty of our beloved
survey. We all can be pleased and encouraged with
church building. Tour guides share with others the
that level of participation. Wellspring Consulting
story of our parish, and we are so pleased to know
held four parish gatherings and discussed survey
that the group is flourishing.
results with parishioners.including young people from our Sunday School as
well as Senior Choristers.
Children & Family Ministry
From the Rev. Alison J. Turner
GROWING IN FAITH @ SAINT THOMAS CHURCH
We began the year exploring the theme of The
Way of Love as exemplified at General
Convention by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. This
affects how we build relationships and grow in faith
across the church community, as well as extend
hospitality and welcome to new families.
Pilgrims
What’s new?
More than 25 people signed up for the Rector’s Last term a pilot Children’s Quiet Area was
Christian Doctrine Class (now known as the introduced in the Chantry Chapel for families to
Pilgrim’s Course) this year and we have had several attend worship with young children. This will
engaging session so far. A number have asked to be continue, with soft toys, bible stories and activities
baptized, confirmed, or received from other in addition to Nursery and Sunday School provided
traditions. It is a very diverse group and, this year, during the 9am and 11am Liturgies.
we have started each session with a simple hot meal,
and this sharing has helped to create a sense of
community and belonging among the group.
Please come and support them and witness their
commitment when they make their commitment to
Christ and to his Church on Sunday, May 12, at
11am. On that day, bring a friend to Church – that
is the simplest way that a Church grows – by people
bringing their friends and their families. In England
there is an annual ‘back to Church’ Sunday to
encourage folk who have lapsed. May 12 is an
opportunity to support our newest members,Nursery Care during Evensong was also piloted We expanded our Sunday offerings with a visit and
last term until Christmas. On the basis of this, a guided tour to the Metropolitan Museum
number of services have been identified at which Neapolitan crèche, and a family friendly interactive
nursery care will continue. Please check the weekly animal tour of Saint Thomas Church, led by tour
leaflet and website calendar for forthcoming dates guide Pamela Lewis.
when Nursery Care will be available.
Our next tour will be a “Sacred Search” for
children and families led by our older children in
preparation for Good Friday.
In our weekly Sunday School lessons we follow the
liturgical year and the appointed Gospel readings
each Sunday. Our current theme is Sacraments
and Symbols, which leads us each week in
worship. Over the year the Sunday School teachers
have explored a variety of Children’s programs,
including Godly Play, which focuses us on the bible
Since our annual September Picnic in the Park, in a transformative way of wandering and wondering
Family Feasts are a popular edition to our through scripture.
program. Once a month families from both Nursery
and Sunday School and the 9am and 11am Communion Classes were held in recent weeks
congregations gather together for food, fellowship for children age 7+. This culminated in our church
and a family faith-based activity that ties in with the Candlemas Celebration, with the children in
Liturgical Year. This takes place in the Living room. procession, their participation in Samuel Moretz’s
Several parishioners have shown their interest and Baptism and their presentation of the Elements at
support. The clergy also regularly pop in to meet the Offertory. This was a new liturgical experience
families informally at this time. for the children.
Our next Family Feast will be on Palm Sunday, prior Confirmation Classes for children and young
to our annual participation in the Palm Sunday people age 11+ and are planned March-May. Parent
Procession. On April 7 we will make Palm Crosses sessions with the Rector accompany both programs.
again this year with Mrs. Frances Mintz. We always In December we combined the traditional Nativity
enjoy inviting visitors to share their talents with us Pageant with the Blessing of the Crèche Service,
and look forward to welcoming more in the coming sung by our choristers. This was well attended and
months. included a number of guests from our Angel Tree
Party, received the beautifully chosen gifts givenfrom friends and families of Saint Thomas Church. As part of this year of reflection we have begun to
Some of our older children joined the Young Adults, explore how we may develop Children and Family
volunteers and staff in hosting this event. They Ministry at Saint Thomas Church. In doing so we
especially enjoyed being Saint Nicholas’ helpers in seek to continue to find ways that honor and love
the distribution of gifts. our Eucharistic and Choral tradition, that give our
children the opportunity of learning about the
As we begin Lent, the children are supporting the Episcopal Church, and an experience of growing and
work of Episcopal Relief and Development with participation in faith.
other parishioners and also exploring Lent at
Home, for families committed to growing in faith
together.
Since September, a weekly Constant Contact
newsletter has been sent to families and also
distributed to parishioners particularly committed
to children and families ministry. If you are a family
that would like to receive the newsletter you may
join the mailing list by placing a request at
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Many of you have shown your support and interest
in the life of children and families at Saint Thomas
Church. Others have bought books, and shared
ideas. Some have shared your reminiscences of going
to church as a child, and others your aspirations for
the future.
Thank you especially to those who have prayed for
the children, who are not only the church of the
future but are also part of the Body of Christ in this
place, right now.
‘Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop
them’ - Matthew 19:14
Farewell to Daniel Hyde…
Daniel’s last Sunday with us will be Easter Day, after
which he will return to the United Kingdom where
he will take up the post of Director of Music of
King’s College, Cambridge, his alma mater It was,
therefore, very poignant that the choir of King’s
College joined our choir for a magnificent choral
evensong on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.Two choristers he recruited there went on to
become choristers here at St. Thomas. For the past
six years, he had been Director of Music at the
Church of the Epiphany in downtown Washington
DC, before recently moving to St. Alban's to initiate
a chorister program there. He is currently Dean of
the DC Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
A special coffee hour in Daniel’s honor was held on
Laetare Sunday, and the staff has also had a farewell
gathering, at which there were many tributes to his
professionalism and skill. Daniel came to us at a very
difficult moment in our parish’s history, following
the sudden death of John Scott and as one of the
Gentlemen of the Choir remarked, he helped all of
us to grieve appropriately and to move forward in
hope.
Daniel’s legacy is found both in the fabulous sound
of our choristers and in his oversight of the organ
project. The Irene D. and William R. Miller Chancel
Organ, in Memory of John Scott is now a reality and,
quite literally, has Daniel’s ‘voice.’ We all wish
Daniel ‘God-speed’ and every success for his future.
…and welcome… Jeremy has been hailed as a virtuoso performer on
both piano and organ. He has appeared as a solo
Jeremy Filsell takes up the reins at Saint Thomas at pianist in Russia, Scandinavia, New Zealand and
Easter Week. There will be a special coffee hour to throughout the US and the UK. His concerto
greet him on Sunday, April 28 after the 11:00 a.m. repertoire reaches from Bach, Mozart and
service; please come and meet him. He will be Beethoven to Shostakovich, John Ireland and
installed as Organist and Director of Music on Rachmaninov.
May 5 at 4pm.
Jeremy is on the international roster of Steinway
Dr. Filsell has combined an international recital and Piano Artists and has recorded for BBC Radio 3,
teaching career with being Director of Music at Saint USA, and Scandinavian radio networks.
Alban’s Episcopal Church, Washington DC, and
Artist-in-Residence at Washington National His discography comprises more than 35 solo
Cathedral, and Professor of Organ at the Peabody recordings. Gramophone magazine commented on
Conservatory in Baltimore. He previously served as the series of 12 CDs comprising the première
Principal Organist of the Basilica of the National recordings of Marcel Dupré’s complete organ works
Shrine in Washington DC and as Director of Music for Guild that it was 'one of the greatest
at the historic downtown Baltimore church of Old achievements in organ recording’
St. Paul's, where he rejuvenated the boys' choir.Jeremy has taught at universities, summer schools,
and conventions in the UK and the US, and has
served on international competition juries in England
and Switzerland. Recent solo engagements have
taken him across the USA and UK and to Germany,
France, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Australia and
New Zealand. In North America, he performs under
the auspices of Philip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.
Brought up as a chorister in Coventry, England,
Jeremy Filsell directed a men and boys choir there
while still a High School student. He earned a degree
as Organ Scholar at Keble College, Oxford
University followed by graduate studies in piano at
the Royal College of Music in London. He earned a
PhD in Musicology at Birmingham Conservatoire -
BCU for research on the music of Marcel Dupré.
New Assistant Organist called
We are pleased to announce the appointment of
Nicholas Quardokus as Assistant Organist, to work
with Jeremy Filsell and Benjamin Sheen.
Charleston, SC. His solo performances have been
At present, Nicholas is Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s
broadcast on public radio’s Harmonia Early Music and
Parish K Street, Washington D.C., where he assists
Pipedreams. He was the featured organist in the 2018
in the organ playing, conducting, and chorister
German documentary The Unanswered Ives, which is
training for weekly services. In addition to duties at
to be broadcast on French and German television.
St. Paul’s, he is a part-time organist at Washington
He has appeared with the Cathedral Choral Society,
National Cathedral. He has held similar posts at Yale
the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the Washington
Divinity School’s Marquand Chapel, Trinity Church
Master Chorale.
on-the-Green, New Haven, CT, and Trinity Church,
Indianapolis. He earned Bachelor and Master of
Jeremy Filsell writes, "We are so excited to appoint
Music degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs
Nick to our team at Saint Thomas Church. He brings
School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred
to our music program a wealth of teaching and
Music. His principal teachers included Janette Fishell
accompanying experience for someone so early in his
and Martin Jean (organ), Elisabeth Wright and
career, and I know that his accomplished playing will
Arthur Haas (harpsichord), and Jeffrey Brillhart
adorn our musical worship in inspiring ways."
(improvisation).
Nicholas has garnered top prizes in competitions Finally,
around the country, winning first prize at the 2014
I look forward to celebrating Holy Week with you
Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition in
all very soon; it is one of the jewels in the crown of
Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 2013, he took first
the liturgical life of our parish. I urge as many of you
prize in the American Guild of Organists Regional
as are able to journey with the Lord from Palm
Competition for Young Organists. As a solo
Sunday to Easter Day.
recitalist, he has performed throughout the Eastern
United States, including appearances at conventions Affectionately,
of the American Guild of Organists, the Kennedy
Center, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Carl
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