Dear Friends,
The Bach St. Matthew Passion was a triumph! It was extraordinarily moving, and especially so because of all the many soloists who had their parts to play. One of our own choristers sang a very difficult recitative and aria and we were all so proud of him! Collaborating with other choirs and orchestras is a wonderful thing and broadens the horizons of our choristers. If you were unable to attend the Matthew Passion in Saint Thomas Church or at Trinity Wall Street, the choristers are singing at a performance at Carnegie Hall on April 7.
Last week, core members of the soup kitchen volunteers met with our Ecumenical Social Worker, John Sheehan, to discuss how and when we might begin this important outreach now that restrictions are being eased across the State. In the next few weeks, I will be appealing for volunteers from many different communities to commit time to our soup kitchen. Please think about your availability on a Saturday morning and look out for our appeal when it comes.
Thank you to those parishioners who have offered hospitality to Bishop Sentamu and his wife, Margaret. We still have Palm Sunday evening and Maundy Thursday evening available if you would like to host them. Please contact Lizette.
Some of you will be aware that the Bishop of New York has lifted the restriction on the common cup from Palm Sunday. Your clergy and the Vestry have been reflecting on the best way forward. With an even more contagious variant in the USA and sudden spikes in infection in Europe, we are being cautious. I hope to give some guidance in time for Holy Week. If we do re-introduce the chalice, it is likely to be on Maundy Thursday. However, the Bishop has made it clear that it is always to remain optional to parishioners. Furthermore, he has forbidden the practice of communicants dipping the host into the chalice. He is, though, allowing the minister to take the host from the palm of the hand and instinct it before placing it on the communicant’s tongue. This was always our practice at Saint Thomas pre-pandemic, though some visitors objected to the placing of the host directly on their tongue. I have to say that I don’t think either way is hygienic, particularly during a pandemic! Once we have completed our reflection in the coming days, I will write to you all next week.
The 1979 Prayer Book abandoned Passiontide, moving that title to Palm Sunday. In recent years, the idea of moving into a deeper reflection on the Lord’s Passion in the latter part of Lent has been restored to many Anglican Churches throughout the world, which is also in accordance with our old Prayer Books. Although we no longer call the Fifth Sunday of Lent Passion Sunday, nevertheless, that Sunday marks a definite shift as we move towards Holy Week. All the crosses and images in the church will be veiled, and the readings, and special prayers and prefaces look towards the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Please check our Holy Week Schedule. There is also a handy postcard available in Church which you can take home. It will be very poignant to have a full celebration of Holy Week this year; it is three years since it was last possible to even have processions through the congregation!
On Thursday, April 7th, at 5:30 p.m., we will celebrate a special Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Canon Bob Wright, Honorary Assistant of our parish, and parish historian. This will be a parish-focused celebration in thanksgiving for his long friendship to our parish; his memorial service will be held at the General Theological Seminary in May.
During the first year or so of the pandemic, a number of parishioners died and, particularly because family were unable to travel, we have not yet celebrated their funerals or memorial services publicly. I remember being the only person allowed at Betty Burr’s funeral which we held at the Funeral Home; I also remember how the clergy had to celebrate Nicky Navarete’s funeral via zoom as we were not even allowed to go to the graveside. We hope that a number of memorial services will be possible after Easter. One that has been arranged is the funeral of Bill Miller. The service will take place on Saturday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. and we will be joined by his family from the United Kingdom and across the United States.
Finally, as we think about the tireless service of front-line workers in our hospitals, care homes, and those who are first responders in our ambulances, I also want to think about the staff in our funeral homes. They are the unsung heroes who, in very difficult circumstances, not only give dignity to the dead, but give comfort to the families who are grieving. To that end, even though the pandemic is still with us, the clergy would like to dedicate our last Sunday afternoon evensong in honor of our funeral homes and their staff. That special service will be held on Sunday, May 22 at 4pm. We will be inviting all the funeral homes that have worked with us, and those who are based in Manhattan.
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
