Weekly eNewsletter from
St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson
Juneteenth
June 19, 2020
From the Rector
Today is Juneteenth, or the annual commemoration of emancipation from slavery in the United States. You've likely heard a lot about it in recent days, but it has a long history. Below are some helpful slides that explain more about this celebration. Full credit for these graphics goes to @kahlil.greene. Here's [the link] to them, and I encourage you to share this on your own social media.
A friend recently described this moment in our history as "Covid1619". There is now an extra layer to the global pandemic: the revelations around white supremacy and systemic racism that have plagued our nation since 1619, the year in which the first enslaved African arrived in North America. This was the first documented arrival, at least. Now, 400 years later, and in the midst of a global pandemic, we are reckoning with this terrible, unresolved past and our own complicity in it. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd have been only the most recent tragedies which are a direct result of white supremacy, systemic racism, and this unresolved past, which is actually anything but "past."
If you say you are a Christian, you should be able to say Black Lives Matter. In fact, as one protest sign read, "'Matter' is the minimum. Black lives are worthy. Black lives are beloved. Black lives are needed." These are not political statements, but rather anti-racist statements, humanitarian statements, statements that run right alongside "Love your neighbor as yourself."
In my becoming an anti-racist (and yes, working on it is a lifelong commitment), I'm examining my own prejudices and biases, and I'm inviting you to do that with me. In July and August, I'll be reading White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. I'm not sure yet what form this study will take, but it will likely be a discussion-based book group via Zoom. I have friends and colleagues outside of St. Nick's who'll be participating too. I encourage you to get the book and be on the lookout for a forthcoming schedule.
If you are uncomfortable at this moment, you should be. This is a deeply uncomfortable time and topic. But we don't have to face it alone. As the body of Christ we are uniquely qualified to support each other in the midst of discomfort and pain - and also in the midst of healing and renewal. My constant prayer is that the discomfort, pain, and suffering we are experiencing at this moment will reveal God's kingdom come -- a moment in which all lives actually will matter, because Black lives do.
Happy Juneteenth.
Leigh+
ST. NICK'S REOPENING
Our Reopening Committee is Mtr. Leigh, Greg Freeman, Bert Mazzuto, Edie Palm. Liz Pavelka, Paul Curran, and Mike Batta. The committee met this week to begin to develop a reopening plan for St. Nick's. At this time, our timetable for phase one of resuming in-person services is July 19. However, we will continue with one service, which will be brief, and it will take place outside. Masks and social distancing will be required. In the event of rain, we will hold services via Zoom (in the manner in which we have conducted them since the beginning of the quarantine). We will continue to offer a virtual worship option for all those who, for whatever reason, need to continue to worship from home. More information on Reopening will come in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, we invite you to complete our June Covid/Reopening Survey, which will help guide the committee in our work.
[Complete the survey here]
!! DON'T MISS OUT !!
!! GET YOUR FATHER PHOTOS IN !!
We're putting together a slideshow of photos of fathers for worship this Sunday. If you'd like to include a photo of you, your dad, your dad's dad, etc., please email them TODAY to stnicholasnewhamburg@gmail.com.
Please be sure to include the full names of all persons in the photos.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PLAY
Rehearsals beginning THIS Sunday!
All Sunday School students are invited to join Mtr. Leigh for a special Sunday School series for the next four Sundays. In Zoom, we will be rehearsing for "The Flood," our StoryMakersNYC play. Each read-through will be 15 to 20 minutes, and we will have our read-throughs on June 21, 28, and July 5. Then, Mtr. Leigh will come to your house (wearing a mask and social distancing of course) to record students saying their parts outside. Then, she will edit them into one video to premiere on Sunday, July 12 during coffee hour. Parents, you also have the option of recording your own child and sending the video to us. If you would like to participate, please email us at stnicholasnewhamburg@gmail.come so we'll know to expect you! This will be fun!
2020 SUMMER READ-A-THON
Our 2020 Friends of Darbonne Read-A-Thon will have a bit of a different format this year (details below), with hopes that we’ll be able to celebrate together (with appropriate social distancing) at the end of the summer. Last year our Read-A-Thon raised $2600, let’s come together to raise more than that amount this summer!
Our summer Read-A-Thon helps increase awareness of the Darbonne Community in Haiti and to raise funds for student scholarships. Zion and St. Nicholas have a long (over 50 years) partnership with the Episcopal Parish in Darbonne.
We are asking that readers of all ages participate as individuals or in family or friend groups.
How does it work?
Questions? Mother Leigh or Mother Mag can help or Joan Freeman 845-897-2404 joanfreeman3@gmail.com OR Marcy Wagman 845-298-0634 wagmanml@verizon.net.
Friends of Darbonne Annual Appeal letter is HERE
Sunday Morning
Here's what you need to know...
Organ prelude, worship, coffee hour, and children's Sunday School will all be contained in one Zoom call. The Zoom link to join will be found in your inbox prior to the time on Sunday morning. Begin joining as early as 9:00am.
-During worship, your audio will be automatically muted by me, the host. You can un-mute yourself to speak, but if your background noise becomes disruptive, I will mute your audio.
-We will pray together virtually but live. One person will be designated to say the responses during the prayers
-A shared slideshow will allow you to fully participate in the service at home
-We have taken all appropriate and recommended steps to make Zoom more secure
-When the service ends, we will have Zoom coffee hour at 10am, followed by children's Sunday School at 10:30am.
!!Volunteers Needed!! FOR OUR ZOOM ROTA Mtr. Leigh needs folks to volunteer for Sunday service roles. If you are interested in participating check out the different roles and signup HERE.
Thank you for your help and patience as we navigate virtual worship!
Click on the following links for all past services:
YouTube Channel / Facebook Page
Office Hours with Mtr. Leigh
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Each Wednesday from 10am to 12pm and now Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm, Mtr. Leigh holds Zoom office hours. New this week, office hours are scheduled, meaning that you'll need to make an appointment for a 15, 30, or 60 minute meeting. To make an appointment, please use Mtr. Leigh's new scheduling app: https://calendly.com/leighhall
Once you've scheduled your appointment, you'll receive the Zoom meeting information in a separate email.
PLEASE NOTE: Mtr. Leigh will not be available for office hours this coming Wednesday, June 24th.
CONTINUE YOUR PLEDGE OR DONATE ONLINE
DURING THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS
We are grateful for each and every dollar we receive here at St. Nick's, and each one of those dollars goes to good use. We keep a lean budget, and our finance committee carefully monitors every line.
While we are not meeting in person for worship on Sunday mornings, we expect that plate donations will drop. And with so much economic uncertainty, we know that home budgets might change. In order to facilitate continued giving, we have reactivated our church PayPal account. Using the button below, you can make your pledge or donation online.
Donate Online
Additionally, you can also set up auto-draft from your own bank account using your online banking. This will cause a paper check to be sent to our mailbox at 37 Point St., which we are checking each day. The Vestry are doing the normal count, and our parish administrator, Dana, continues to record pledges in our system.
ZOOM! HAPPY HOUR Join your St. Nick's community weekly for Happy Hour via Zoom conference call. Grab your favorite beverage -- coffee, tea, beer, wine, seltzer, whatever -- and hang out with us for an hour. There is no agenda! Zoom Happy Hours are on Thursdays, 4:45pm to 5:45pm and will continue throughout the coronavirus crisis. The links for Zoom Happy Hour will be sent in a later email on the corresponding day so keep a look out for them in your inbox. Hope to see you there!
Art by Sophia Gauzza
Storytime with Mtr. Leigh
A special invitation for our young ones and those who are young at heart. Join Mtr. Leigh each week as she reads a children's book via Zoom conference call. She does all the voices!
Next up, on Wednesday, June 24th at 2:30pm, is
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood and illustrated by Cheng-Khee Chee. A link to join the next storytime will be found in your inbox 15 minutes prior to the time on the corresponding day.
BUDDY GROUPS Our parish has been broken up into nine groups of six or seven households and assigned parishioners to be captains of those groups. The captains are a mix of vestry and other lay leaders in the parish. They will be in touch with you to check in and to make sure all is well with you. They will also help me to know what your needs are, be they pastoral or logistical. While you should feel free to call any member of the parish now, Buddy Groups will ensure that no one slips through the cracks, and that our elders, in particular, are getting the care they need right now.
For Buddy Groups and captain contact information
please click: HERE
TENTATIVE: Vacation Bible School Summer 2020
Our theme this year is
"Big Fish Bay: Jonah and the Whale"
Get hooked on God's mercy!
CONTACT SHEET/DIRECTORY You will soon receive a separate email with a link to access the new contact sheet/directory. This is a temporary version due to the coronavirus. We will be putting out a more complete pictorial directory in September.
AA GROUP MEETINGS St. Nick's does have regular AA meetings but due to the Corona Virus restrictions they are currently on hold until further notice.
INTRA OFFICE DEADLINES Want to put an announcement in the weekly e-news? The deadline for submission is: Thursdays @12pm
PASTORAL MINISTRY If you have concern for yourself, a family member or friend, please contact Mtr. Leigh Hall, at 845-432-HOLY, or email leighellenhall@gmail.com. The Rector observes Friday as her Sabbath. Please emergency calls/texts/emails on Fridays.
AGING NEWS: SENIOR RESOURCES Click on this link for the recent enews from Dutchess County Department For The Aging:
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Aging/OFA-Golden-Living-News-for-Senior-Citizens.htm
PRAYER REQUESTS Mtr. Leigh is doing several worship services each week and is including prayers at each one. You can choose to submit a general request for the public parish prayer list or a confidential request for her only. You can submit requests using this online form.
In Our Prayers
For those for whom prayers have been asked:
Jean + Lori + Aunt Totsie + Stu + Paul + Cathy + Friends + Michael + Jake + Ashley + Teresa + Norma + Dale + Cara, Bob & Charlotte + Alex & Alison + The Howes Family + Rick + Bea + Jenn & Becky + Kim + Ashley + Tony + Christopher + Kristina & Pete + Ray John + Henry & Sue + Peggy & Tom + Kelly + Violet + Will + Those who have COVID-19 & those who have passed from COVID-19 + Steve + Bob + Donna + Danny + Charman + Chris + Henry & Family + Al + Lorraine + Helen + Eliot + Louie + Barbara
- For compassion and empathy to others
For the departed:
Felice Mauro + Richard + Lori Williams Minchew
+ Laurel Alksnis + Drew Hoffman + Tony Cipriano + Anthony Dass + Mike Tomkovitch + Susan Guerriero
St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson
Juneteenth
June 19, 2020
From the Rector
Today is Juneteenth, or the annual commemoration of emancipation from slavery in the United States. You've likely heard a lot about it in recent days, but it has a long history. Below are some helpful slides that explain more about this celebration. Full credit for these graphics goes to @kahlil.greene. Here's [the link] to them, and I encourage you to share this on your own social media.
A friend recently described this moment in our history as "Covid1619". There is now an extra layer to the global pandemic: the revelations around white supremacy and systemic racism that have plagued our nation since 1619, the year in which the first enslaved African arrived in North America. This was the first documented arrival, at least. Now, 400 years later, and in the midst of a global pandemic, we are reckoning with this terrible, unresolved past and our own complicity in it. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd have been only the most recent tragedies which are a direct result of white supremacy, systemic racism, and this unresolved past, which is actually anything but "past."
If you say you are a Christian, you should be able to say Black Lives Matter. In fact, as one protest sign read, "'Matter' is the minimum. Black lives are worthy. Black lives are beloved. Black lives are needed." These are not political statements, but rather anti-racist statements, humanitarian statements, statements that run right alongside "Love your neighbor as yourself."
In my becoming an anti-racist (and yes, working on it is a lifelong commitment), I'm examining my own prejudices and biases, and I'm inviting you to do that with me. In July and August, I'll be reading White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. I'm not sure yet what form this study will take, but it will likely be a discussion-based book group via Zoom. I have friends and colleagues outside of St. Nick's who'll be participating too. I encourage you to get the book and be on the lookout for a forthcoming schedule.
If you are uncomfortable at this moment, you should be. This is a deeply uncomfortable time and topic. But we don't have to face it alone. As the body of Christ we are uniquely qualified to support each other in the midst of discomfort and pain - and also in the midst of healing and renewal. My constant prayer is that the discomfort, pain, and suffering we are experiencing at this moment will reveal God's kingdom come -- a moment in which all lives actually will matter, because Black lives do.
Happy Juneteenth.
Leigh+
ST. NICK'S REOPENING
Our Reopening Committee is Mtr. Leigh, Greg Freeman, Bert Mazzuto, Edie Palm. Liz Pavelka, Paul Curran, and Mike Batta. The committee met this week to begin to develop a reopening plan for St. Nick's. At this time, our timetable for phase one of resuming in-person services is July 19. However, we will continue with one service, which will be brief, and it will take place outside. Masks and social distancing will be required. In the event of rain, we will hold services via Zoom (in the manner in which we have conducted them since the beginning of the quarantine). We will continue to offer a virtual worship option for all those who, for whatever reason, need to continue to worship from home. More information on Reopening will come in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, we invite you to complete our June Covid/Reopening Survey, which will help guide the committee in our work.
[Complete the survey here]
!! DON'T MISS OUT !!
!! GET YOUR FATHER PHOTOS IN !!
We're putting together a slideshow of photos of fathers for worship this Sunday. If you'd like to include a photo of you, your dad, your dad's dad, etc., please email them TODAY to stnicholasnewhamburg@gmail.com.
Please be sure to include the full names of all persons in the photos.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PLAY
Rehearsals beginning THIS Sunday!
All Sunday School students are invited to join Mtr. Leigh for a special Sunday School series for the next four Sundays. In Zoom, we will be rehearsing for "The Flood," our StoryMakersNYC play. Each read-through will be 15 to 20 minutes, and we will have our read-throughs on June 21, 28, and July 5. Then, Mtr. Leigh will come to your house (wearing a mask and social distancing of course) to record students saying their parts outside. Then, she will edit them into one video to premiere on Sunday, July 12 during coffee hour. Parents, you also have the option of recording your own child and sending the video to us. If you would like to participate, please email us at stnicholasnewhamburg@gmail.come so we'll know to expect you! This will be fun!
2020 SUMMER READ-A-THON
Our 2020 Friends of Darbonne Read-A-Thon will have a bit of a different format this year (details below), with hopes that we’ll be able to celebrate together (with appropriate social distancing) at the end of the summer. Last year our Read-A-Thon raised $2600, let’s come together to raise more than that amount this summer!
Our summer Read-A-Thon helps increase awareness of the Darbonne Community in Haiti and to raise funds for student scholarships. Zion and St. Nicholas have a long (over 50 years) partnership with the Episcopal Parish in Darbonne.
We are asking that readers of all ages participate as individuals or in family or friend groups.
How does it work?
- Please sign up as a reader and/or a sponsor using this link: https://forms.gle/WCo5PPtC7aHuNGLU6
- Ask friends to sponsor an amount for each book that you read OR a flat contribution OR challenge yourself in your reading and contribution amount to celebrate your achievement OR indicate that you would like help being matched to a sponsor
- Keep track of the books - (books can be in any format - include podcasts/audiobooks/graphic novels) - you are reading/listening to during the summer.
- At the end of the summer Readers count up the books read and provide a tally to the sponsors who will be asked to write a check to “Friends of Darbonne”.
Questions? Mother Leigh or Mother Mag can help or Joan Freeman 845-897-2404 joanfreeman3@gmail.com OR Marcy Wagman 845-298-0634 wagmanml@verizon.net.
Friends of Darbonne Annual Appeal letter is HERE
Sunday Morning
Here's what you need to know...
Organ prelude, worship, coffee hour, and children's Sunday School will all be contained in one Zoom call. The Zoom link to join will be found in your inbox prior to the time on Sunday morning. Begin joining as early as 9:00am.
-During worship, your audio will be automatically muted by me, the host. You can un-mute yourself to speak, but if your background noise becomes disruptive, I will mute your audio.
-We will pray together virtually but live. One person will be designated to say the responses during the prayers
-A shared slideshow will allow you to fully participate in the service at home
-We have taken all appropriate and recommended steps to make Zoom more secure
-When the service ends, we will have Zoom coffee hour at 10am, followed by children's Sunday School at 10:30am.
!!Volunteers Needed!! FOR OUR ZOOM ROTA Mtr. Leigh needs folks to volunteer for Sunday service roles. If you are interested in participating check out the different roles and signup HERE.
Thank you for your help and patience as we navigate virtual worship!
Click on the following links for all past services:
YouTube Channel / Facebook Page
Office Hours with Mtr. Leigh
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Each Wednesday from 10am to 12pm and now Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm, Mtr. Leigh holds Zoom office hours. New this week, office hours are scheduled, meaning that you'll need to make an appointment for a 15, 30, or 60 minute meeting. To make an appointment, please use Mtr. Leigh's new scheduling app: https://calendly.com/leighhall
Once you've scheduled your appointment, you'll receive the Zoom meeting information in a separate email.
PLEASE NOTE: Mtr. Leigh will not be available for office hours this coming Wednesday, June 24th.
CONTINUE YOUR PLEDGE OR DONATE ONLINE
DURING THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS
We are grateful for each and every dollar we receive here at St. Nick's, and each one of those dollars goes to good use. We keep a lean budget, and our finance committee carefully monitors every line.
While we are not meeting in person for worship on Sunday mornings, we expect that plate donations will drop. And with so much economic uncertainty, we know that home budgets might change. In order to facilitate continued giving, we have reactivated our church PayPal account. Using the button below, you can make your pledge or donation online.
Donate Online
Additionally, you can also set up auto-draft from your own bank account using your online banking. This will cause a paper check to be sent to our mailbox at 37 Point St., which we are checking each day. The Vestry are doing the normal count, and our parish administrator, Dana, continues to record pledges in our system.
ZOOM! HAPPY HOUR Join your St. Nick's community weekly for Happy Hour via Zoom conference call. Grab your favorite beverage -- coffee, tea, beer, wine, seltzer, whatever -- and hang out with us for an hour. There is no agenda! Zoom Happy Hours are on Thursdays, 4:45pm to 5:45pm and will continue throughout the coronavirus crisis. The links for Zoom Happy Hour will be sent in a later email on the corresponding day so keep a look out for them in your inbox. Hope to see you there!
Art by Sophia Gauzza
Storytime with Mtr. Leigh
A special invitation for our young ones and those who are young at heart. Join Mtr. Leigh each week as she reads a children's book via Zoom conference call. She does all the voices!
Next up, on Wednesday, June 24th at 2:30pm, is
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood and illustrated by Cheng-Khee Chee. A link to join the next storytime will be found in your inbox 15 minutes prior to the time on the corresponding day.
BUDDY GROUPS Our parish has been broken up into nine groups of six or seven households and assigned parishioners to be captains of those groups. The captains are a mix of vestry and other lay leaders in the parish. They will be in touch with you to check in and to make sure all is well with you. They will also help me to know what your needs are, be they pastoral or logistical. While you should feel free to call any member of the parish now, Buddy Groups will ensure that no one slips through the cracks, and that our elders, in particular, are getting the care they need right now.
For Buddy Groups and captain contact information
please click: HERE
TENTATIVE: Vacation Bible School Summer 2020
Our theme this year is
"Big Fish Bay: Jonah and the Whale"
Get hooked on God's mercy!
CONTACT SHEET/DIRECTORY You will soon receive a separate email with a link to access the new contact sheet/directory. This is a temporary version due to the coronavirus. We will be putting out a more complete pictorial directory in September.
AA GROUP MEETINGS St. Nick's does have regular AA meetings but due to the Corona Virus restrictions they are currently on hold until further notice.
INTRA OFFICE DEADLINES Want to put an announcement in the weekly e-news? The deadline for submission is: Thursdays @12pm
PASTORAL MINISTRY If you have concern for yourself, a family member or friend, please contact Mtr. Leigh Hall, at 845-432-HOLY, or email leighellenhall@gmail.com. The Rector observes Friday as her Sabbath. Please emergency calls/texts/emails on Fridays.
AGING NEWS: SENIOR RESOURCES Click on this link for the recent enews from Dutchess County Department For The Aging:
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Aging/OFA-Golden-Living-News-for-Senior-Citizens.htm
PRAYER REQUESTS Mtr. Leigh is doing several worship services each week and is including prayers at each one. You can choose to submit a general request for the public parish prayer list or a confidential request for her only. You can submit requests using this online form.
In Our Prayers
For those for whom prayers have been asked:
Jean + Lori + Aunt Totsie + Stu + Paul + Cathy + Friends + Michael + Jake + Ashley + Teresa + Norma + Dale + Cara, Bob & Charlotte + Alex & Alison + The Howes Family + Rick + Bea + Jenn & Becky + Kim + Ashley + Tony + Christopher + Kristina & Pete + Ray John + Henry & Sue + Peggy & Tom + Kelly + Violet + Will + Those who have COVID-19 & those who have passed from COVID-19 + Steve + Bob + Donna + Danny + Charman + Chris + Henry & Family + Al + Lorraine + Helen + Eliot + Louie + Barbara
- For compassion and empathy to others
For the departed:
Felice Mauro + Richard + Lori Williams Minchew
+ Laurel Alksnis + Drew Hoffman + Tony Cipriano + Anthony Dass + Mike Tomkovitch + Susan Guerriero