Dear Friends,
Because I have been out of the parish much of May and June, enjoying my sabbatical,
I thought it would be worthwhile to produce a special summer edition of the Parish Letter
while I am in New York in July.
Even though our weekday activities have entered the summer lull, many people
have been active in keeping worship services going (and surprisingly well-attended), the
office open, magazines delivered to the patients at NYU Medical Center, and so on.
Special thanks to the office volunteers who ensure that our phone is answered by a
person 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday—and many other times as well. When no
one is on duty, of course, the answering system records general messages and directs
specific messages to senior staff.
Volunteers under Jonathan Vaughan have been working on the new web site, which
will be refreshed in design and will hold more information in a more accessible form. The
design will also allow staff to add material, so that the site will always be up-to-date.
The first major renovations in many years in the rectory are nearly complete—at
minimal cost, thanks to the Building Committee and Enrico Shillingford, Sacristan. As the
personal beneficiary of this work, and also as one grateful for the gift of sabbatical time, I
would like to show my thanks by inviting all members of the parish to my apartment for
drinks on Tuesday, September 28.
This event will replace the customary Homecoming Luncheon; I want to have a
welcome-back event that no one has to work on and that everyone can enjoy. More
information on the party in the next Newsletter—in the meantime, please save the date.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
***Nicole and Glen Camargo on the birth of Sebastian Russell and Xavier Nicholas, who
arrived on May 30, 2010.
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC:
Summer can be a great way to hear music in New York City, even when everything is
“out of season.” Concerts in Central Park, along with other outdoor venues, provide
music in an informal setting to many people who might not otherwise buy tickets for
concerts. And the same is true at Incarnation. Even though the choir is off for the
summer, it’s a great way to hear the individual soloists sing for the Sunday morning
services. So far this summer, we’ve had songs and arias of Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn,
Bernstein, Copland, and Rossini, to name a few.
The Incarnation Choir returns for Sunday mornings beginning September 19, and we are
already busy planning things for the upcoming season. Some notable dates are November
7, when we observe All Saints’ Sunday with special music, and our Service of Christmas
Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 19 at 5:00 p.m. Watch for more details on the
coming season in the next newsletter.
Wishing you all a restful and productive summer,
–Matthew Lewis
More and more books are coming in to our Lending Library, so I will repeat the
announcement from the last Parish Letter:
LENDING LIBRARY
Are you a reader or a keeper? Incarnation has launched a book exchange/lending
library for those who don’t have the room or don’t want to keep books once read. The
bookcase is located on the first floor of the Parish House next to the piano. We are looking
for current fiction and non-fiction or favorite authors from an earlier period but no
textbooks, reference books or magazines.
Please sign in donated books and sign out those you wish to read. You don’t have to
donate in order to avail yourself of the library. If you have any questions, please contact
Janet Loengard or Sandy Cecchini.
FROM THE ASSOCIATE RECTOR:
Just a reminder: the nursery is open year-round, every Sunday from 10:45 a.m. until
12:45 p.m. During the summer, when Sunday School is not in session, we welcome
children of all ages in the nursery. Of course children may also accompany their parents
to worship. Maria Molina is our current nursery care-provider.
Vacation Bible School (VBS), “Baobab Blast,” will be held Monday, August 9 through
Friday, August 13. We will meet each day, from 9:15 a.m. until 12:00 noon, at the Parish
House. Please help spread the word: VBS is open to all children, ages 3 through 10; the
cost is $50 per child. Registration forms can be downloaded from the church’s website,
www.churchoftheincarnation.org, or picked up from the church or Parish House. See the
enclosed “VBS Wish List” and contact me with any questions, 212-689-6350 or
by email.
Twenties and Thirties will meet at my apartment on Tuesday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. for
a cook out. This evening will not have a topic of discussion; it will be a purely social
event! To receive directions to my place or to be added to the 20s/30s mailing list,
email Amanda.
The Adult Education Forum will resume Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in September. We will
be referencing Diarmaid MacCulloch’s Christianity: The First Three Thousand
Years. You need not purchase the book or read it in its entirety to participate, but I am
looking into securing copies at a reduced price.
Lastly, Incarnation will be participating in another New York Cares day of service on
Saturday, October 23. New York Cares is the city’s leading volunteer organization; their
October day of service is aimed at revitalizing New York City public schools. Mark your
calendars and I will send registration information as the date approaches.
–The Rev. Amanda Kucik
MEN’S GROUP
The first autumn meeting of the Men’s Group will be held on Monday, September 13,
from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. I will begin a discussion of the topic, “Possible New Evidence for
Life After Death,” based on a recent study by a cardiologist.
All men of the parish and their friends are welcome to attend any of our meetings.
Free refreshments are provided.
* * * * * *
Our former seminarian, Sandy Webb will be ordained to the priesthood in the
Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Saturday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m. The following day,
at 11:00 a.m., Sandy will celebrate the Holy Eucharist for the first time in our church. He
will also preach on that day. I know that many of you will want to be present on both
occasions.
THANKS TO:
***Brian Lamb and Andy Roberts, for all their work in the garden this summer.
***Laurie Mygatt for organizing the Crafts Night in July.
OTHER COMING EVENTS:
***Sunday, October 3 — 4:00 p.m. Blessing of animals for St. Francis Day.
***Friday, October 22 — 7:00 p.m. Annual Parish Dinner.
***Wednesday, November 24 — 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Preparation and distribution of
Thanksgiving dinners for homebound elderly in Murray Hill, in conjunction with the
H.O.N.E.Y. Program.
***Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4 — Annual Christmas Fair. Donations
accepted any time the Parish House is open.
* * * * * *
Finally, I am pleased and excited to announce that my elder son, John Ousley has
recently become engaged to Naomi Hirabayashi. Naomi and John met in an Incarnation
Coffee Hour; Naomi is known to most of you through her participation in various parish
activities. They are planning to be wed (by me, I’m happy to say) in the summer or autumn
of next year, possibly at the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
* * * * * *
Best wishes for a restful remainder of the summer.
Faithfully,
The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley
Rector
212 689-6350
email
Enclosures: “Get Involved” form
VBS Wish List