ST. MARY'S SPEAKERS 2025

2025 CALENDAR OF SERVICES

Services are held at St. Mary’s 5:30 p.m. on specific Sundays, and on Thanksgiving Eve and December 23rd for Christmas. These are led by clergy, lay readers and parishioners of St. Matthew’s and St. Mary's, with diverse civic and religious leaders as guest speakers at each service. Many parishioners have chosen to be baptized or married in this lovely historic church.

Sunday, May 18, 5:30 pm

Jessa Krick, Director of Interpretation, Collection & Archives, Rosen House, Caramoor

In honor of the 80th anniversary concert season at Caramoor, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in 1945, Ms. Krick will speak about how the momentous events of World War II impacted the Rosen family and lead to the creation of Rosen House, a beloved community institution built by Walter and Lucie Rosen between 1929 and 1939. The Rosens shared the wartime experiences of all Americans: concern for family and friends in Europe or in uniform, rationing, and raising funds and morale on the home front. 

Sunday, June 1, 5:30 pm

Gordon MacGill, Christmas in June

Gordon MacGill, who is one of St. Mary's newest Vestry members, will speak about the impactful work of Westchester's Christmas Dinner, which takes place on Christmas Day in the St. Mary's School gymnasium in Katonah, and has been supplying warm meals, clothing and holiday cheer to our community's most needy individuals and families since 1994. Gordon is the new Event Coordinator. Invitations to Westchester's Christmas Dinner are extended through various Westchester shelters and agencies, and all aspects of the event are provided free of charge to guests thanks to the restaurants, merchants, and hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and resources.

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Sunday, September 14th, 5:30pm

Trina Ward Fontaine, Executive Director and CEO, Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry

The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is committed to making a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity. With compassion and a shared vision, their team works tirelessly to provide nourishment and support to individuals and families in our community. With a rich 33-year history, the Interfaith Food Pantry is the only weekly food pantry available to residents of 21 Northern Westchester communities. Through their thrice weekly in-person and bi-weekly home delivery distributions, they nourish over 2,000 individuals per week. Their dedicated team of volunteers unload food deliveries and stock shelves, pack produce, rescue food from local food donors, and make home deliveries.

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Sunday, October 5, 5:30 pm

Mark Yaggi, CEO Waterkeeper Alliance

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement united for clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet. CEO Mark Yaggi will speak about Waterkeeper’s mission and core beliefs: water is life; healthy watersheds connect and sustain us all; and clean water is a basic right for all living beings. Mr. Yaggi will provide insights into how Waterkeepersare guardians of this right, fiercely defending, enforcing, and promoting just and equitable clean water laws, and will speak to local issues affecting our Long Island Sound and Hudson River watersheds.

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Sunday, October 19, 10:20 am

Joint service with Antioch Baptist Church at Antioch Baptist Church, Bedford Hills

We invite you to join us for this wonderful annual service at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills for a joyful celebration of music, fellowship, and community. Antioch's Reverend Merle McJunkin will be joined on the altar by St. Matthew's Reverend John Zahl. Antioch Baptist Church is one of Bedford’s longest-standing churches. Antioch's choir is extraordinary and, with Antioch’s Music Director James Farley on the keyboard and Earl Brown on the organ, this is always an inspired and moving service!

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Wednesday, November 26, 5:30 pm

Thanksgiving Eve Service: The Rev. John Zahl

For our traditional Thanksgiving Service, we welcome back Reverend John Zahl, the Rector of St. Mary’s Churchand St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford. A strong spiritual leader in our community, Reverend Zahl will lead this service filled with reflections of gratitude, seasonal readings, and hymns. James Farley, Antioch Baptist’s Music Director, and members of the Antioch Baptist Church choir will provide musical accompaniment.

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Tuesday, December 23,  5:30 pm  

Festive Christmas Service: The Rev. Merle McJunkin

We welcome back Reverend Merle McJunkin, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, for our cherished annual Christmas service of lessons and carols. James Farley, Antioch Baptist’s Music Director, and members of the Antioch choir will lead the congregation in soul-stirring holiday song. This wonderful service, filled with the joy of the season,  always fills the church to the rafters!