Hospitality is at the heart of Christian practice and we at St. Mary's enjoy celebrating with our community. We look to come together in various capacities throughout the year. Most of our favorite events revolve around food -- some are fundraisers, others are just for fun. No matter your faith (including those who profess no faith in particular), you are most welcome to join us in having fun!
More information about our fellowship and fundraising events throughout the year can be found below.
Coffee Hour
After the 10 am Sunday service, we gather for food and fellowship in Bentley Hall (adjacent to the church). Every week a couple, family or a group takes charge to provide food and beverages for those who have come to worship. It is a great way to catch up with friends on events of the past week, share plans for the next and to greet newcomers.
Please contact us to sign up. It’s really easy — the church provides the coffee, tea, sweeteners, and all the serving stuff — you bring milk (or cream) and some delicious food items! Please do not bring any cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons, stirrers, or tablecloths — we’ve got all these in the kitchen and plastic/styrofoam items are not environmentally friendly. For more information, please see our Coffee Hour Customary.
Chili with all the Fixins
As a way to spice up (literally!) our annual meeting in late January, we have a pot luck chili lunch prior to the start of the meeting. Some years, we have had up to eight different varieties and, of course, all the fixings are served alongside.
Mardi Gras Sunday
This event takes place after the 10am service, on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. It is a time to celebrate before Lent begins. It has taken several forms, from a pancake breakfast to a New Orleans lunch, sometimes with an outreach component, occasionally with a talent show!
Day by Day Reading Reflection Time
Before the pandemic, once a month, a small group, led by a parishioner, gathered on a weekday in Bentley Hall to discuss the recent Day by Day devotional readings over a light lunch and their handiwork.
Rectory Events
Father Rick and Pete enjoy entertaining and are eager to share their home with parishioners and friends of St. Mary's. From small dinners to holiday open houses, events at the rectory typically include bountiful food and live music (from either the grand piano or the player piano Rick found in a barn and restored as a young man).
The Progressive Dinner
A bi-annual event, this popular dinner draws people from the surrounding community to enjoy a night filled with fellowship and appreciate the historic architecture of Tuxedo Park up close. The Progressive Dinner begins with everyone enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres together. We then divide up into smaller groups to enjoy entrées at about twelve other houses, and then rejoin at a third location for dessert.
Dinner Benefit
Alternating bi-annually with the Progressive Dinner, this is our other our major fundraising event. It begins with cocktails and dinner, followed by a lively and often highly-contested auction of donated items. In the past, we’ve held the event in the nave, removing all the pews and sharing the beauty of our sanctuary with all in attendance. In recent years, this has been held at The Tuxedo Club, on beautiful Tuxedo Lake.
Bike Rides and Fun Runs
During the spring or summer, St. Mary’s has held bike rides and fun runs around all of Tuxedo Park’s three lakes. Families with children are encouraged to attend and walk/ride a shorter route. It is a spectacular way to take in the breathtaking environs of Tuxedo Park.
Hymn Sing on the Lake
A community cocktail party at the Tuxedo Club Boathouse to celebrate summer. We enjoy a warm June evening filled with laughter and live music provided by local musicians.