We are a totally inclusive Parish in the

Diocese of New York where all are welcome.

As we continue to experience rapid growth, we are abundantly aware of the need to have educational resources for all people.

Using excellent VCR tapes and teaching courses, we have a class in the Small Conference Room for younger children, ages 4-7 under the direction of three wonderful, creative and different teachers -- Beth Barone, Beth Bookland and Julie Williams. A combination of play as well as as content, these children start to learn about the love of God.

With a rapid increase in infants and toddlers, we have encouraged to bring these children with them for inclusion in our weekly Eucharist, where we mean it when we say that All Are Welcome. They can play on the carpet or walk around during the Mass.

This year, we will be using the duties of an acolyte to help shape the lower grades curriculum. Why do we light Candles? What is an Offertory? Why does a priest read the Gospel and laypeople read the rest? What are those funny clothes we wear? Why do we use bread and wine and water at Communion?

Our Green Ministry, along with our association with Temple Beth Haverim Shir Shalom in Mahwah, NJ, just three miles from here, has been launched with enthusiasm in both houses of worship. Listening to a speaker from Orange & Rockland Utilities, we were given a host of information to be shared with our congregants on how to reduce waste without sacrificing comfort, the impact of hydro-electric and air generation, coal, oil and gas conservation means. It is now our task to implement these ideas into the lives of those who share the common goal of leaving our children with a better environment than we found.

We are please to announce that ALL of the light bulbs in the Church were changed to compact flourescent. Our lighting output has doubled while reducing our energy usage by 60%! It's one of those few win-win triumphs in parish life.

As part of our commitment to this, and through the generosity of The Hennessy Foundation, we have installed a new commercial dishwasher for our Feeding Ministries and for the Parish at large. We will reduce significantly the disposals with this gift -- plastics and paper. Currently, we have been spending $6000 per year on disposables, adding to land fill and chemical waste. This is a major "first step".

Through a grant, we replaced all of the appliances -- two new stoves and convection ovens, four french door refrigerators, two mounted microwaves, three freezers and all of our cooking utensils. In one year, we cut our energy use by 20 percent electricity and 10 percent natural gas -- just from these appliances despite a huge increase in activity.

Under the extremely capable direction of our Director of Music, Joseph Bertolozzi, a substantial composer and superior musician, our Choir meets on Sunday mornings in preparation of leading the congregation in liturgical worship. Our Organist Emeritus, Joseph Tuttle, graces us with his presence when he is in the area, sharing some of the music with the other Joe! If you like to sing and enjoy good music and good liturgy, you are welcome to meet with Joseph Bertolozzi and the Rector on any Sunday morning.