January 29, 2012

Good Morning and Welcome to St. Mary’s Church!

St. Mary’s has taken on a new role, as a temporary shelter for men in the evenings. About a dozen men from the neighborhood will have cots in the Undercroft during the cold weather months. This is a new initiative from the NYC Department of Homeless Services and our Vestry agreed to help out with it. There may be some opportunities to volunteers as well. Please keep these men and St. Mary’s response in your prayers.

 The Finance Committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 2^nd at 6:00 pm.

 Peace of Pizza: Wednesday, Feb. 8^th at 7:00pm, our monthly fellowship and discussion with the members of the New York Intern Program. All are invited.

The Property Committee will meet on Feb. 9^th at 5:30. Come to help with the work of putting St. Mary’s best ‘face’ forward in 2012. Please see Liz Mellen for more information.

The Mardi Gras Masked Ball is coming soon, February 18^th!! Mark your calendars, tell your friends and get involved. We need lots of willing hands to make this another unforgettable evening for St. Mary’s. Please see Lisa Slocum to see how you can help out. Tickets are now available: $20.00 for dinner, entertainment and tons of fun!

Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We will need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal” today and next Sunday, Feb. 5^th.  Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers. Also: Socks are NEEDED; keep on “socking it to us!” and if you are able, bring new socks we can give to people during Outreach. Thanks to all who have helped out in this effort!!

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help. The New Movie Schedule is here:  Feb. 3: black history special: the black power mixtape, 1967-1975 & 2011 documentary, ur, recently discovered interviews of panthers and other black leaders by Swedish journalists; Feb. 10: night catches us, 2010 drama/romance, R, young man returns to the race-torn neighborhood where he came of age during the black power movement.

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

Preaching Schedule: Feb. 5^th: The Rev. Max Surjadinata; Feb. 11^th: Rev. Earl Kooperkamp

 

Reflections on Today’s Scripture Lessons: by Arthur Cash

 First Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15 – 20

Deuteronomy is the last book of the Pentateuch, a Christian term meaning “five scrolls.” Jews call these books the Torah, a word we translate as “law.” Because the laws in these books were promulgated by God and provide all the guidance man needs, the Torah was for Jews the most sacred part of Scripture. “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” Chapters 12-26, tell of Moses’s giving a second set of laws. Actually, there is much repetition of laws already given in the earlier books. In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Jews before their entrance into the land of Canaan. God, he says, has promised another prophet to follow him. Christians take this to be Jesus.

Second Reading: First Corinthians 8: 1 – 13

1 Corinthians 8: 1b – 13. Some of the Christian converts at Corinth have been invited from time to time to take part in social gatherings at heathen temples in which meat is eaten after it has been consecrated to the heathen god. Paul admits that such food is in no way changed by being consecrated to deities that have no real existence. But he does not want has people to set a bad example by seeming to acknowledge the heathen gods.

 

 

January 22, 2012

Good Morning and Welcome to St. Mary’s Church!

St. Mary’s will take on a new role, as a temporary shelter for men in the evenings. About a dozen men from the neighborhood will have cots in the Undercroft during the cold weather months. This is a new initiative from the NYC Department of Homeless Services and our Vestry agreed to help out with it. There may be some opportunities to volunteers as well. Please keep these men and St. Mary’s response in your prayers.

 The Vestry will meet today following the 10:00 am service. All are invited.

 Do you LOVE to sing and praise God? Why not join St. Mary’s Choir!! Please pray on this and see Janet Dorman, our wonderful Choir Director.

 Men’s  Prayer Group: OK guys, let’s start 2012 off right and get the Men’s monthly Prayer Group back on track! Last Saturday of the month (January 28^th) at 8:00 am.

The Mardi Gras Masked Ball is coming soon, February 18^th!! Mark your calendars, tell your friends and get involved. We need lots of willing hands to make this another unforgettable evening for St. Mary’s. Please see Lisa slocum to see how you can help out.

Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We will need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal” next Sunday, January 29^th, the Fifth Sunday this month. Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers. Also: Socks are NEEDED; keep on “socking it to us!” and if you are able, bring new socks we can give to people during Outreach.

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help. The New Movie Schedule is here:  Jan. 27: midnight in paris, 2011 romantic comedy, pg-13. woody allen is back in good form. Feb. 3: black history special: the black power mixtape, 1967-1975 & 2011 documentary, ur, recently discovered interviews of panthers and other black leaders by Swedish journalists.

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

Preaching Schedule: Jan. 29^th: The Rev. Chloe  Breyer; Feb. 5^th: The Rev. Max Surjadinata

 

Reflections on Today’s Scripture Lessons: by Arthur Cash

 First Reading: Jonah 3: 1 – 5, 10

Jonah is one of “The Twelve” or the “Minor Prophets,” that conclude the Old Testament. They are minor only because the records of their work arc short. Jonah is the most loveable prophet in the Bible, a grumpy man who does not want to do God’s work for him. God, however, will not let him off. He reluctantly goes to Nineveh to make his proclamation, but is angry with God that he changed his mind. You really must read this amusing story. If you do, bear in mind that the long verse prayed Jonah says when he is inside the great fish is a later addition that somewhat damages this divine comedy.

Second Reading: First Corinthians 7: 2

As we saw last Sunday, Paul is distressed by the licentiousness of his Corinthian congregation.  Here he evokes the doctrine that heaven and earth will pass away at the second coming and counsels all to prepare themselves by turning away from earthly things, power, possessiveness, and sex. I find it a little hard that Paul wants his people to turn away from mourning. Does he not know that lamentation is a form of prayer?

 

January 15, 2012

Good Morning and Welcome to St. Mary’s Church!

St. Mary’s will take on a new role, as a temporary shelter for men in the evenings. About a dozen men from the neighborhood will have cots in the Undercroft during the cold weather months. This is a new initiative from the NYC Department of Homeless Services and our Vestry agreed to help out with it. There may be some opportunities to volunteers as well. Please keep these men and St. Mary’s response in your prayers.

 The Episcopal Church Women meet today, on the third Sunday of the month.

 Do you LOVE to sing and praise God? Why not join St. Mary’s Choir!! Please pray on this and see Janet Dorman, our wonderful Choir Director.

 Men’s  Prayer Group: OK guys, let’s start 2012 off right and get the Men’s monthly Prayer Group back on track! Last Saturday of the month (January 28^th) at 8:00 am.

Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We will need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal” on January 29^th, the Fifth Sunday this month. Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers. Also: Socks are NEEDED; keep on “socking it to us!” and if you are able, bring new socks we can give to people during Outreach.

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help. The New Movie Schedule is here: Jan 20: Martial Arts double feature: fist of legend, 1994, r, and hero, 2003, pg-13. jet li’s gritty break-out performance + his striking & poetic epic adventure; Jan. 27: midnight in paris, 2011 romantic comedy, pg-13. woody allen is back in good form. Feb. 3: black history special: the black power mixtape, 1967-1975 & 2011 documentary, ur, recently discovered interviews of panthers and other black leaders by Swedish journalists.

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

The Vestry will meet next  Sunday, January 22^nd following the 10:00 am service. All are invited.

Preaching Schedule: January 22^nd: The Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, Prison Ministry Sunday

Reflections on Today’s Scripture Lessons: by Arthur Cash

 First Reading: First Samuel 3: 1 – 20

 Our reading is from the central book of the “Deuteronomic History,” which includes Joshua, Judges, First and Second Samuel, and First and Second Kings. The standards of history for these writers was loose compared to modern historians. No doubt they used court documents and legal records, but the facts gleaned from documents was mixed indiscriminately with legends and traditions. The narrative, written somewhere between 600-500 BCE, includes many parts that are much more ancient.   Our reading is about the commissioning of the boy Samuel to be God’s prophet. As short-short stories go, it is really good.

  Second Reading: First Corinthians 6:12 – 20

  Corinth was notoriously licentious, and Paul did not hesitate to scold those who misbehaved sexually.

Our reading opens with Paul’s quoting there of the slogans that people were using to justify their sexual freedom. Two of those he makes fun of, and then he turns to his task as scolder. From the standpoint of logic, Paul is unfair. He twists the meaning of the image of the body as “members of Christ,” and he abuses the very nice metaphor in Genesis that speaks of two people becoming “one flesh” in marriage, by using it for a union with a prostitute. His image of the body as God’s temple he had developed a little earlier in this same letter (3:16-17). Yet he also said in this letter, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (15:50). How could he hold that the body is simultaneously the holy temple of God but unworthy of his Kingdom? I don’t like this Puritan Paul. In my opinion, he has done more harm than good with this intolerance of sexual expression. In the clause of the final sentence,” you were bought with a price,” the price is the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.

January 8, 2012

                                    A Blessed Epiphany to you from St. Mary’s Church!

The Episcopal Church Women’s Prayer Committee meets next today following the 10:00 am service; The Rev. Chloe Breyer will lead the program. This afternoon, the Episcopal Church Women will hold a “Three Kings” Celebration for the families in the Old Broadway Family Residence.  The Episcopal Church Women meet on the third Sunday of the month.

 Do you LOVE to sing and praise God? Why not join St. Mary’s Choir!! Please pray on this and see Janet Dorman, our wonderful Choir Director.

 Peace of Pizza: this Wednesday, January 11^th at 7:00 pm Peace of Pizza is a monthly gathering of St. Mary’s parishioners, friends, community members, and interns from New York Intern Program, to share pizza and other delicious food and great conversation.

Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We will need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal” on January 29^th, the Fifth Sunday this month. Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers. Also: Socks are NEEDED; keep on “socking it to us!” and if you are able, bring new socks we can give to people during Outreach.

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help. The new schedule will be published soon!

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

The Property Committee will meet on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 pm. All are invited.

The Vestry will meet on Sunday, January 22^nd following the 10:00 am service. All are invited.

Preaching Schedule: January 15^th: The Rev. Earl Kooperakmp.

Reflections on Today’s Scripture Lessons: by Arthur Cash

 First Reading: Genesis 1: 1 – 5 

  These are opening words of the magnificent story of the creation of the physical world and the creatures on it, especially the creation of woman and man, treated equally, we don’t know who the author was. The story has been traced to a collection of religious writings gathered in the final years of the Babylonian exile and shortly after which today is called “The Priestly Code.”It is followed by another creation story by the great writer known today only as “J” (2: 4 – 3: 24).  J has little creation for the creation of the physical world; his concern is the creation of humankind and the activities of Adam and Eve that shaped the humanity that sprang from them. The tones of the two differ. J. though living in a highly developed society wrote a story that reads like a primitive myth. The writer of the first account (from the Priestly Code) could pass for a romantic poet of the early nineteenth century. He attained what the romantics called “the sublime,” and the dignified god he envisioned is moved largely by a sense of beauty.

 Second Reading: Acts 19: 1 – 7

  Acts is generally thought to be by Luke, a sequel to his gospel. Though it is often called a history of early Church, it is better thought of as a history of the Holy Spirit, as Luke understood the Holy Spirit. A major theme is the overcoming of parochialism among the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem and the decision of Peter and Paul to take the gospel to gentiles. Here we have an account of Paul’s working with gentiles in Ephesus in the Roman Provence of Asia (today western Turkey). There is a puzzle in the rending. Who would have baptized these men in John’s baptism? Some scholar’s postulate that followers of John the Baptist for a time competed with the followers of Jesus.

 

 

 

January 1, 2012

 A Happy New Year from St. Mary’s Church!

 Happy New Year to all, from the Wardens, Vestry Rector and Staff of St. Mary’s Church. May this new year be one of peace and the continued struggle for justice for all God’s creation, and especially for you and those you love!!

Many thanks to Ms. Christine Campbell for leading our Annual Parish Kwanzaa celebration this year. Also, special thanks to St. Mary’s Sunday School, teachers, children and parents for the Christmas Pageant and for your help with Kwanzaa.

 The Episcopal Church Women’s Prayer Committee will meet next Sunday, Jan. 8^th following the 10:00 am service. The Episcopal Church Women meet on the third Sunday of the month.

 Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. Today we need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal.” Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers.

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help Jan 6, to kill a mockingbird (1962 drama UR, racism and murder in a small southern town, w/ gregory peck).

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

The Finance Committee will meet on Thursday Jan. 5 at 6:00 pm. All are invited.

The Property Committee will meet on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 pm. All are invited.

Preaching Schedule: January 8^th: The Rev. Chloe A. Breyer; January 15^th: The Rev. Earl Kooperakmp.

 

Reflections on today’s scripture readings by Arthur Cash:

 First Reading: Genesis 1: 1 – 5 

   These are opening words of the magnificent story of the creation of the physical world and the creatures on it, especially the creation of woman and man, treated equally, we don’t know who the author was. The story has been traced to a collection of religious writings gathered in the final years of the Babylonian exile and shortly after which today is called “The Priestly Code.”It is followed by another creation story by the great writer known today only as “J” (2: 4 – 3: 24).  J has little creation for the creation of the physical world; his concern is the creation of humankind and the activities of Adam and Eve that shaped the humanity that sprang from them. The tones of the two differ. J. though living in a highly developed society wrote a story that reads like a primitive myth. The writer of the first account (from the Priestly Code) could pass for a romantic poet of the early nineteenth century. He attained what the romantics called “the sublime,” and the dignified god he envisioned is moved largely by a sense of beauty.

 

Second Reading: Acts 19: 1 – 7

   Acts is generally thought to be by Luke, a sequel to his gospel. Though it is often called a history of early Church, it is better thought of as a history of the Holy Spirit, as Luke understood the Holy Spirit. A major theme is the overcoming of parochialism among the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem and the decision of Peter and Paul to take the gospel to gentiles. Here we have an account of Paul’s working with gentiles in ‘’Ephesus in the Roman Provence of Asia (today western Turkey). There is a puzzle in the rending. Who would have baptized these men in John’s baptism? Some scholar’s postulate that followers of John the Baptist for a time competed with the followers of Jesus.

 

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Christmas Day December 25, 2011

 

 A Blessed and Joyous Christmas from St. Mary’s Church!

 A Very Blessed Christmas to all, from the Wardens, Vestry Rector and Staff of St. Mary’s Church. May this season of peace be strong in your hearts and minds and may God bless you abundantly. Merry Christmas!!

Many thanks to Ms. April Armstrong our always inspiring soloist this morning! If you ever need to get a little lift, check out the short video clip of April singing “Rejoice Greatly” from our Advent Lessons and Carols posted on St. Mary’s Facebook page. Thanks so much, April!

 Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We need volunteers to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal” on January 1^st, 2012. Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers.

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help Dec. 30, inside job (2010 documentary PG-13, the greed behind 2008’s financial collapse, w/ matt damon); SPECIAL: the matrix, NEW YEARS EVE MARATHON (all three matrix movies, 5 pm start, followed by a 12 am prayer service, 1999-2003 trippy sci-fi action, R, computer hacker joins rebellion to break humankind free from a false reality, keanu reeves and Laurence fishbourne).

 “Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

Upcoming Service

   * Christmas Day, December 25^th, ONE service only at 9:00 am,

                                          Special Music by Ms. April Armstrong.

*January 1^st, Sunday School Pageant and Kwanzaa celebration, 10:00 am

Preaching Schedule: January 8^th: The Rev. Chloe A. Breyer; January 15^th:

The Rev. Earl Kooperakmp.

Christmas Services at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church – West Harlem

Christmas Eve: Saturday Dec. 24th at 7:00 pm
featuring music by the Orfeo Duo (Vita and Ishmael Wallace)
A Service to celebrate the birth of Christ

Occupy Christmas: from Midnight Christmas Eve through Midnight Christmas Day, Zuccotti Park – Liberty Square (where else?!!)
A 24 hour vigil for Christians supporting Occupy Wall Street
For more info and how you can help: sebastianows@hotmail.com
scheduling: cafeeny@yahoo.com
liturgical support: matthewlcarson@gmail.com

Christmas Day: Sunday, Dec. 25th at 9:00 am (please note ONE service only today); A service to join in celebrating the Christ child, including baptism. Music by Ms. April Armstrong, soprano.

The First Sunday of Christmas: Jan. 1, 2012
8:00 am service
10:00 am service: The Sunday School Christmas Pageant and
Annual Parish Kwaanza Celebration of “Imani” – “Faith”
Charles Kelly, presiding

A BLESSED AND JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A PEACEFUL HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US HERE AT ST, MARY’S!!

December 11, 2011

 Good Morning and Welcome to St. Mary’s Church!

 Many THANKS to all for an  incredible job everyone did on the annual holiday crafts fair! Huge thanks go out to all our fabulous volunteers – from hanging signs at dawn, setting up and decorating the undercroft, cooking, baking delicious treats, donating crafty handmade items, printing/cutting/distributing flyers, and selling food, to cleaning up and much, much more! Thanks to all our Craft Fair Volunteers (in alphabetical order): Inez Alexander, Freddi Brown-Carter, Hilda Cabrera, Marion Campbell, Annie Deng, Janet Dorman, Jean Fax, Clifford Goff, Christopher Gordon, Patrick Harding, Judy Johnson, Earl and Elizabeth Kooperkamp, Christine Lee, Sheila and Shirrell Patterson, Bonnie Phelps, Lysander Puccio, Dorothy Ross, Lisa Slocum, Gloria Smith, Marleene Wallace, Harriet Wyatt. Thanks much to you all!! And if we’ve forgotten anyone, DOUBLE KUDOS to them (and out apologies, too)!

Also, we’d like to give a shout out to all our vendors, crafters and power shoppers (you know who you are!)!! Have a great Christmas and see you next year!

“Peace of Pizza” Wednesday, Dec. 14^th at 7:00 pm, a meal and fellowship with the participants of the New York Intern Program.

Vestry Meeting: Thursday Dec. 15^th at 6:00 pm. All are invited.

Mariam, Mark and Marx: Thursday Dec. 15^th at 7:00 pm, a monthly Bible Study and current events discussion. Please see Jim white for more information.

“Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

Advent Events:       NEXT WEEK: December 18^th, the Fourth Sunday of Advent: 10:00 am “A Service of Lessons and Carols,” special music by the Harlem Chamber Players, the Sunday School and the Choir. Also:

                             *December 18^th, Clement Clarke Moore Celebration, 4:00 pm, Church of the Intercession, 550 West 155^th Street, also: a Harlem Episcopal farewell to Bishop Catherine Roskam on her retirement.

*December 22^nd, “Blue Christmas” Service at 7:00 pm

*December 24^th, Christmas Eve service, 7:00 pm, music: t

*December 25^th, Christmas Day, one service only, 9:00 am

*January 1^st, Sunday School Pageant and Kwanzaa celebration, 10:00 am

Reflections on today’s scripture readings by Arthur Cash

First Reading, Isaiah 61: 1 – 4, 8 -11

“Third Isaiah,” is about the Jews after their return from the Babylonian exile. Their homeland, which they now call Judea, is no longer divided between a northern and southern state, but thousands of foreign gentiles whom the Babylonians had forced into the area are now settled there. Many rural Jews that had been left behind when the Babylonians tool their captives away are practicing a splinter Judaism—the Samaritans. The walls of Jerusalem are down, the Temple reduced to rubble. In this passage, the poet imagines God’s response to the troubled prayer of the returnees.

Second Reading, First Thessalonians 5:16 – 24

Our lesson is taken from what is probably the earliest of the surviving letters of Paul–the first letter to the Christians of Thessalonica (modern Salonica, in Macedonia), possibly written as early as 50AD. This colony had suffered persecution, and not only survived, but thrived. In our lesson, we hear Paul’s injunction to lead a life of purity while awaiting the second coming of Christ.

December 4, 2011

Good Morning and Welcome to St. Mary’s Church!

 *HOLIDAY*  * CRAFT*  *FAIR* TODAY:  from 12:00 noon until 6:00 pm, an extrava-ganza of incredible crafts on display and for sale as gifts. Tell your friends, family and neigh-bors and come to one of the premier crafts fairs in New York!! Come and check it out!!

“Harlem Secrets: Recipes from St. Mary’s” The Fundraising Committee is putting together a cookbook, with its own special St. Mary’s flavor: there will be stories, wit and some great cooking tips. Sign up on the back table to help! Thanks!!

Stand for Freedom: March and Rally to Stop the Attacks on Our Voting Rights, Saturday, December 10^th 12:00 noon, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 47^th Street and First Avenue.

 Eccelsia: Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We need volunteers today to help with the preparation of the “Second Meal.” Also: St. Mary’s Homeless Street Outreach: Saturdays, 12:00 noon preparation and 2:00 pm Street Outreach. Please let us know if you can help and keep the Homeless Street Outreach in your prayers.

Make Columbia Keep Its Promises! Friday, December 9^th 3:00 pm at 116^th St. and Broadway. Join us to seek jobs and justice for the people of West Harlem!!

Movies at St. Mary’s: 6:00 pm on Fridays. Come for the fellowship, the popcorn and the FUN!!  Also, we need volunteers to help Dec. 9, you got served (2004 popular drama, PG-13, L.A. dance crew battles for a $5000 prize).

“Gasland” A documentary film on hydro-fracking, Monday, Dec. 5^th at 7:30 pm, 100 LaSalle St. (Basement Recreation Center); Liz Mellen will lead a discussion about the threat to our water supply following the film. Sponsored by Morningside Gardens Community Relations.

Advent Events: *December 18^th, the Fourth Sunday of Advent: 10:00 am “A Service of Lessons and Carols,” special music by the Harlem Chamber Players, the Sunday School and the Choir, followed by an Advent mini-retreat 

*December 18^th, Clement Clarke Moore Celebration, 4:00 pm, Church of the Intercession, 550 West 155^th Street, also: a Harlem Episcopal farewell to Bishop Catherine Roskam on her retirement

*December 22^nd, “Blue Christmas” Service at 7:00 pm

*December 24^th, Christmas Eve service, 7:00 pm, music: the Orfeo Duo

*December 25^th, Christmas Day, one service only, 9:00 am

Preaching schedule: Dec. 11^th, the Third Sunday of Advent: Rev. Kooperkamp; Dec. 18^th Service of Lesson and Carols; Dec. 24^th, 7:00 pm Christmas Eve; Dec 25^th, 9:00 am.

 Reflections on today’s scripture readings by Arthur Cash

First Reading, Isaiah 40: 1-11

In 539 BC, Babylon, where the Jews had been held in slavery for fifty years, was captured by the Persians. The Persians had set about establishing a more stable empire then Assyria or Babylon had been able to effect. A key policy was tolerance of local customs, governments, and religions so long as the vassal states gave them money and soldiers. Accordingly, as Second Isaiah has just learned, the Jews are to be released from their captivity and allowed to return to their homeland, you will hear one of the most joyful poems in the Bible. The opening words, as rendered in the King James Version of the Bible, appear as the opening words of Handel’s great oratorio, “The Messiah.”

Second Reading, Second Peter, 3:8-15a

This may be the latest-written book of the Bible, composed about 150 AD. It cannot be the work of the disciple Peter, who probably was martyred in 64 AD, nor that of the author of First Peter, written no later than 115 AD. Whoever wrote this sermon-like letter assures some unidentified Christian group that the teaching of the church may depend upon. From this passage, we see that the idea of an apocalypse, a cataclysmic event in which the world will be destroyed and the saved will be taken into heaven, had become orthodox. When the account of the apocalypse is treated as literal, as it is here, I consider it a mistaken, even dangerous notion.