Christmastide 2008

Episcopal Parishes of Schuyler County

A blessed Christmastide to everyone.

Our Christmas Eve/Day services were wonderful celebrations of our Lord’s birth.  37 were at Saint John’s Catharine and 50 were at Saint James’ Watkins Glen on Christmas Eve; 9 were at Saint John’s Catharine on Christmas Day.  

Karen Jones was ‘double-booked’ with the United Methodist Church of Montour Falls for the Saint John’s Catharine service – so we improvised.  Cameron and Matthew Hartney managed to play the hymns on our piano which gave sufficient musical support for us to sing quite nicely.  

As Richard Prochazka is on vacation this Christmas we were able to have Karen Jones at Saint James for the 10 pm Christmas Eve service.

A choir at the 10 pm service was assembled by Susan Hartney: consisting of Danielle Hautaniemi, Kate LaMoreaux, Cim Terry, Matthew Hartney, Cameron Hartney, Susan Hartney and me.  We sang a collection of Early American Christmas Carols in the Shaker and Shape Note traditions.  We had fun.  

Memorial Service for Doris Stotenbur. Doris Stotenbur died in early November in Florida.  At 93, she was a long-time parishioner of Saint Paul’s Church Montour Falls.  A memorial service will be held in the Saint Paul’s Parish Hall this Saturday, 3 January at 2 pm.  The Reverend Elaine White, until recently the United Methodist pastor for Watkins Glen and Montour Falls, is one of Doris’ daughters.  

Undecorating Saint James’ Church.  On the 12^th Day of Christmas, Monday 5 January, we will un-decorate Saint James’ Church.  It’s a new tradition!!  And because decorating the Church was such a success – we will have a dinner-to-pass supper at the conclusion of our work.  The Church was very pretty this year: newly stained aisle candlesticks, tall trees in the Sanctuary, and plenty of wreaths around the outside walls.  

Annual Meeting dates.  The annual meeting dates for Watkins Glen and Catharine have been set.  Sunday, 18 January for Saint James’ Watkins Glen, immediately following the 10.45 Eucharist.  The meeting will include brunch.  Sunday, 1 February for Saint John’s Catharine, beginning at Noon (no 8.45 am Eucharist that Sunday).  As soon as I can get there from Watkins Glen we will have our Sunday Eucharist (no sermon) and convene the meeting with Lunch.  

Arlene Steber.  Arlene is now a resident of Seneca View, at least for the time-being while she gains some strength in her legs.  Please keep Arlene, and Frank, in your prayers.  

We are keeping the 12 days of Christmas with a celebration of the Eucharist with Morning Prayer each day.  This is the remaining schedule:

Attendance at weekday Eucharists has been low – to say the least – but I continue to believe that it is an important witness of the Church to offer regular prayer and celebrations of the Eucharist at times other than Sunday.  The worship of Almighty God is not a Sunday-only activity.  Two of the days in the above list are especially important.

v     The Feast of the Holy Name – 1 January.  This feast day is a feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, like The Presentation on 2 February and Transfiguration on 6 August.

v     The Epiphany – 6 January.  This is a Principal Feast of the Church, commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ child.  There are only 7 Principal Feasts (akin to the Days of obligation of our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers): Easter Eve/Day, Ascension Day, The Day of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Eve/Day, and The Epiphany. 

If you can be in Church, wonderful.  If not – be assured that you are prayed for.

A Happy New Year to everyone.

Faithfully,

Father Michael +

michael.hartney@aya.yale.edu

Episcopal Parishes of Schuyler County New York: www.forministry.com/usnyecusaeposc