ST. MARY'S SPEAKERS, 2022

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, April 24, 5:30 pm

Holy Eucharist, the Rev. John Zahl

The Rev. Zahl, rector of St. Matthew's Church in Bedford, is a strong spiritual leader in our community.

 

Sunday, May 22, 5:30 pm

The Rev. Daniel Lennox: "Easter Hope"

Daniel Lennox is the Chaplain of the Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, NY.  The Rev. Lennox will speak on "Easter Hope."  In addition to his role as chaplain, he teachers classes in Philosophy and Religion and coaches Track and Field.  Prior to his  time at  Trinity-Pawling, he served Episcopal parishes in Darien, Hoboken, Bedford, and Alexandria, VA.  He's married to Abigail and they have two children, Grete and Des.  Danny loves running, trees, and his two dogs, ZZ and Chuck.

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Sunday, June 26, 5:30 pm

Constance Kehoe: "Revoluotionary Westchester 250 (RW250)"

RW250 is working to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Revolution in 2026 by building awaremenss and excitement now for events, places, ideas, and people of the Revolutionary War period in Westchester.  From the Battle of White Plains and the crucial vote that made the Declaration of Independence unanimous, to the capture of British spy Major John Andre with the plans for West Point in his boots.  Westchester County played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.  Connie will highlight some of these events with a focus on the local sites and people who actions here made a difference to the outcome of our war for independence.

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Sunday, October 2, 5:30 pm

Erik Kullesied, NYS Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Preservation: "How Parks & Public Land Helpe Us cope and Recover from the Pandemic"

Erik has served as Commissioner since January, 2019, leading State Parks through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as majore capital initiatives, including the new Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn; an award-winning rebuilding project at Niagara Falls State Park; the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center on Long Island; and the opening of the AuTism Nature Trail in Letchworth Sate Park, a first-of-its-kind  trail designed specifically for people on the autism spectrum. NYS Parks and Historic Sites have set annual attendance records in 2019, 2020, and 2021 under his tenure.

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Sunday, October 16, 10:20 am

Joint service with Antioch Baptist Church (Bedford Hills) at Antioch.

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Sunday, October 30, 5:30 pm

William Abranowicz: "This Far and No Further: Photographs Inspired by the Voting Rights Movement"

Standing on Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in 2017, photographer William Abranowicz was struck by the weight of historical memory at this hallowed site of one of the civil rights movement's defining episodes: 1965's "Bloody Sunday," when Alabama police officers attacked peaceful marchers.  To Abranowicz's eye, Selma seemed relatively unchanged from its appearance in the photographs Walker Evans made there in the 1930's.  That, coupled with an awareness of renewed voter suppression efforts, inspired Abranowicz to explore the living legacy of the civil and voting rights movement through photographing locations, landscapes, and individuals associated with the struggle.  Through sympolism, metaphor, and history, he unearths extraordinary stories of brutality, heroism, sacrifice, and redemption, hidden within ordinary American landscapes, underscoring the crucial necessity of defending, and exercising, our right to vote at this tenuous moment for American democracy.

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Wednesday, Novembr 23, 5:30 pm

Thanksgiving Eve Service: The Rev. Andrew Courtright

For our traditional Thanksgiving service, we welcome again the Reverend John Zahl, the rector at St. Matthew's Church in Bedford.  A strong spiritual leader in our community, John will lead this historic service filled with seasonal readings and hymns.

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Friday, December 23,  5:30 pm  

Festive Christmas Service: The Rev. Merle McJunkin

St. Mary's welcomes back Pastor Merle McJunkin of Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford HIlls, for our traditional annual service of lessons and carols.  Antioch Baptist's music director, Jim  Farley, will lead the congregation in holiday song.  This is a wonderful and moving service filled with the joy of the season.