Weekly Update from Fr. van Dooren 11.7.25
Very dear brothers and sisters of our parish family,
We have much news about upcoming events in this update. Bless you for a longer read time!
We return to a “green” Sunday this week following the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and how dear the celebrations last week!
This Sunday’s sermon text comes from the Gospel of Luke and involves our Lord’s first and only interaction with the Sadducees in Luke’s gospel (Luke 20:27-38). The Sadducees were a powerful religious and political party who differed from the Pharisees in many ways, but primarily over the interpretation of scripture and the belief in a resurrection after death. In this passage, they approach Jesus with a complex question and riddle about marriage in order to discredit his belief and teaching about the belief of resurrection. Jesus not only silences his challengers but offers us a new way to think about life both on earth and after!
We are looking forward to hearing the choir sing Agni Parthene (“O pure Virgin”) this Sunday The author, Saint Nektarios, is celebrated by the Greek Orthodox tradition this Sunday! Click here to read the inspiring and beautiful context for the hymn.
This, Sunday, November 9, at 1 pm in the Holy Family Chapel, our Adult Christian Education series "A Great Cloud of Witnesses" continues! Nanci Blaisdell will lead our discussion on Evelyn Underhill. Love Downton Abbey? Then come learn about Evelyn Underhill, an English Anglo-Catholic writer who would have made an interesting dinner guest on the show.
The final discussion in this series will be on November 23 at 1 pm. Joan Seymour will lead our discussion on Samuel Seabury. If you have seen the acclaimed musical “Hamilton” then you know something about Samuel Seabury. Join us to learn more about the first American Bishop!
The Episcopal Actors' Guild Annual Memorial Service will be held also on Sunday, November 9 at 3 pm. Since 1925, members of NYC's performing arts community have gathered together to honor and celebrate those colleagues we lost in the previous year. EAG is honored to announce that the 2025 Memorial Address will be given by acclaimed actor of stage and screen Mary Beth Peil. This heartfelt event will include music by Claudia Dumschat and the Church of the Transfiguration Choir of Men and Boys and Girls, a personal reflection, a reading of the names, and a call for one final standing ovation. It is always my honor to officiate this service which is free and open to all.
Join us for the next concert in A Celebration Year of Esmeralda, honoring our newly donated 1888 Steinway piano “Esmeralda” now at home in the Houghton Hall Arts Community. This special cabaret evening on Sunday, November 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm features performers from the Church of the Transfiguration and the Houghton Hall Arts Community, sharing songs and stories in honor of Thanksgiving. A great night of music, gratitude, and celebration. Tickets are $5 Advance / $10 at the door and can be purchased online here. The cabaret will be held in the Fred and Adele Astaire Ballroom in Houghton Hall Arts Community (enter at 22 East 30th Street).
Join us on the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday, November 30, at 3 pm for a special concert and reception featuring Minnie Li, violin and Claudia Dumschat, organ and harpsichord. Pieces to be performed include Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, Bach’s Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659-661 and Handel’s Sonata No. 5 HWV 371. At our reception, we will enjoy delicious German Advent treats! General admission tickets are $25, tickets for students and seniors are $15. Purchase tickets in advance
here.
This is the third week of our annual pledge campaign. We are grateful for those who have already made their 2026 pledge, and we are hoping for 100% participation. Many will be able to specify a financial amount of money that will enable the parish’s vestry to prepare a budget for the upcoming year. Others, who at present cannot commit to a specific amount of money, can make an Open Pledge, committing what they can in time, talent, or treasure for the support of the parish. Pledges can be submitted online here, but printed out copies will still be available in the back of the church and in the parish office.
The Holy Rosary will be prayed in the Family chapel at 9:30am this Sunday. We will pray the joyful mysteries this Sunday.
We continue to live-stream each Sunday’s mass at 11:00am, and a link is sent out each Sunday morning at 8:00am. We live-stream on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to email the parish office if you would like to pray the morning and evening offices with us by Zoom.
Thank you for your continued faith, support, and love for the parish.
Fides Opera
With loving wishes,
Fr. van Dooren