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PARISH PROFILE ARCHIVES February 2016 The Draper Family Scott, Susan, Alexis & Christopher

The Drapers have been members of St. Mary the Virgin since 1993. Neither Scott nor Susan grew up in religious households. Though baptized as an infant, it was suggested to Susan that it would be up to her to decide what role religion would play in her life. Indeed, during her high school years she felt something was missing in her life as those around her had connections to various religious organizations. Feeling this void, when Susan moved to Chappaqua to join Scott she suggested they explore various churches in the Westchester area. As luck would have it, they fell in love with St. Mary's which was only minutes away from home. Fr. Bill Harper's sermons related the weekly biblical readings to everyday life which made the transition to church life much less intimidating than it might otherwise have been. Scott and Susan were married at St. Mary's in June of 1994.

The Draper's had been told that one of the best ways to feel a part of the parish was to become part of its many programs. They attended Lenten dinners and started participating in outreach activities which ultimately transitioned to Susan serving on the vestry in charge of Outreach for four years. Outreach continues to be a passion for Susan and her family. The dedication and coming together of the parish in support of the extensive Outreach programs at St. Mary's remains to be one of the most important aspects of parish life for the Drapers.

Scott and Susan have an eighteen-year-old daughter, Alexis, and a fifteen-year-old son, Christopher, both of whom attend Byram Hills High School. Alexis is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor who both created and taught a children's and an adult yoga program with Susan at San Andres Episcopal Church. Alexis is also a volunteer firefighter in Armonk. Christopher is a competitive swimmer and an avid fisherman. Susan worked in fashion for eighteen years, resigning as the Director of Women's Planning at Barneys New York just before the birth of Christopher. She was the owner of Quest Yoga Arts for six years and remains an instructor at the studio. Susan is currently pursuing her degree as a registered nurse. Scott has worked in derivative sales and trading for over twenty-five years. He enjoys fishing with Christopher and officiating for Metropolitan Swimming.

St. Mary's has more than filled the missing piece in Susan's heart. It has indeed become a spiritual home, but more importantly a space full of warmth, love, and fond memories.

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It is forever in their hearts that Fr. Joel Mason baptized both the Draper children and was the spiritual leader for Alexis' confirmation. Christopher is presently in his confirmation year. Everyone ultimately finds his/her own religious path, but Scott and Susan are grateful that Alexis and Christopher have taken their first steps at St. Mary's.

January 2016 The Egginton Family Hersey, Quincy, Abby & Emily

The Egginton Family: Hersey, Quincy, Abby and Emily, have been members of St. Mary the Virgin since 1983. They had just moved to Park Drive, Chappaqua from the Westside of Manhattan with Abby who had just turned 2. Emily was born the next year and was christened at St. Mary's by Fr. Edd Payne.

St. Mary's was the only church the Egginton's considered joining and, from that first late spring Sunday, were welcomed and have felt at home since. They hope that our new Rector will continue to foster the atmosphere of friendship and inclusion that have long characterized our parish family.

During their time at St. Mary's they have served as vestry members, Sunday School directors, teachers and warden (Hersey). They have also participated in the Altar Guild, acolytes, junior choir and as usher, lay reader and minister. The girls had their first Communions and were confirmed at the church and Emily was married there to Dr. Christopher Skeehan by Fr. Joel Mason in October, 2014.

While in Chappaqua, Quincy has taught art at the college level (College of New Rochelle, Mercy College and WCC), primary and secondary schools (Increase Miller Elementary, School of the Holy Child and as a sub in the Chappaqua School District) and now in adult education in Scarsdale, Larchmont and Chappaqua.

Hersey has worked in New York in marketing and fundraising and in higher education administration at The Culinary Institute of America, Columbia, Baruch and Purchase College. He now directs an internship program in New York for Ithaca College.

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Abby and Emily went through the Chappaqua Schools and Abby graduated from Mt. Holyoke and Bastyr University as a naturopathic physician and is practicing in Pleasantville and Ridgefield. Emily is a graduate of Middlebury and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and is completing a yearlong fellowship in DC at NOAA. She will be moving to Japan in February to join her husband for the next year and a half.

They have been witnesses to the ministries of Fr. Payne, Fr. Bill Harper, Joel and Interim Priests Fr. Robert Taylor, Mother Claire and Rev. Gwyneth Murphy. They have appreciated their progressive and thoughtful interpretations of the Scriptures. The Egginton's feel blessed to have been able to raise their family in such a loving and supportive spiritual community.

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December 2015 The Douglas Family: Ludovica, Chris & Ava

Ludovica Douglas and her daughter Ava Douglas Farrelly joined St. Mary the Virgin's officially in the fall of 2014. "Rev. Gwyneth's sermons and the warmth of the SMtV community compelled us to make this our church home. We keep coming back because of the wonderful members. I hope the next permanent priest called to SMtV is a wonderful orator who connects to our parishioners especially our young people," said Ludovica.

Ludovica and Chris Farrelly have been a couple for over 8 years and were married this past June. Ava is a very active and beautiful 19 month old. The family recently moved from Chappaqua to Pleasantville. Ludovica is an Architectural Designer working towards becoming a licensed Architect. She currently works for Atmosphere Design Group which specialized in luxury architecture focusing primarily on the fashion industry. Chris is distribution splicer for ConEdison.

Ludovica is a "cradle Episcopalian" and her father was an Episcopalian priest. She spent a great deal of time at the Massachusetts Dioceses and various Churches in the city of Boston growing up. Chris was raised Roman Catholic and is originally from the Bronx. He attends church with Ava and Ludovica on occasion. "We were blessed to have Reverend Gwyneth baptize Ava in May at SMtV. We hope to deepen our connection to our fellow parishioners.”

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November 2015 The Brancato Family:

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Tony, Meagan, August & Eva

The Brancato Family first attended St. Mary's in early 2015. Meagan grew up in the Episcopal Church which was very important to her. Her parish home was St. John's Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas. Episcopal Church Camp, (EYC) and her church family were important parts of Meagan's upbringing. She and Tony hope to create those opportunities for their children, August (age 4) and Eva (age 2.5).

Tony is the Vice President of Product for NYTimes.com/The New York Times. Meagan Fouty Brancato is a stay at home mom. She also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors at Chappaqua Farmers Market and is active with her children's preschool, Chappaqua Friends School.

They came to St. Mary's when they arrived in Chappaqua, looking for a church home and were interested in growing their circle of friends. They continue to come to St. Mary's for spiritual reflection, the congregation of community-minded people and the large group of kids.

October 2015 Meet the Parish Nicholas Markoff

Nick Markoff has been a Chappaqua resident for 39+ years. He retired in 2002 from IBM. He has two children; Stephen, 43, who lives in Colma, California and Matthew, 40, who lives in Seattle, Washington.

Nick is interested in just about everything from language to literature, to science, music, sports, being outdoors and watching movies with his companion of 12-13 years, Fran Osborne.

His parents both emigrated from outside St. Petersburg, Russia in the 1920s, in the middle of the Russian revolution. They came to America and settled in Stratford, Connecticut, where Nick was born and lived until he was eight years old. The family moved around during WWII and in 1942 - 45 again settled in Huntington, Long Island. In 1956-58 Nick served in the army, assigned to Korea.

After having been brought up in the Russian Orthodox Church, during college and early working years, Nick found that the Episcopal Church was the closest in liturgy and practice to his upbringing. So when he moved to Chappaqua, in July of 1976, he started attending St. Mary the Virgin in the Fall of that year, as it was very near his home.

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He joined the choir that same year, and also played the BELLS (please see detailed article in this issue of the BELL) Nick has served twice on the vestry as treasurer. As our devoted Bass in the St. Mary's choir, Nick helps us interpret and sing Russian texts and is a passionate researcher of the history of music and other subjects.

Nick looks forward to a healthy and thriving St. Mary's community that maintains its choral tradition while being open to new developments.

September 2015 PARISH PROFILES: Special Edition Meet our New Directors NEW Director of Music Dr. Alla Borzova

St. Mary's new Music Director, Dr. Alla Borzova, is a musician of many talents: composer, conductor, organist, pianist and singer (lyric coloratura soprano).

As a singer she performs solo repertory ranging from Renaissance to contemporary. Recent engagements include performances at the National Opera Center, the Liederkranz Foundation, and Barnard College. Hailed by the American Academy of Arts and Letters as a "force on the American musical scene," she is the winner of several international composition competitions, including the Delius Competition, and is the recipient of many awards, such as the Goddard Lieberson Fellowship bestowed by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Two all-Borzova compact disks include: a CD of orchestral music, comprising of the cantata Songs for Lada, scored for children's choir, soloists and sympony orchestra, and To The New World, for symphony orchestra ("American Classics" Naxos 2012), recorded by the Michigan State University Children's Choir, soloists, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin's direction; and "Pinsk & Blue" (Albany Records 2007), a CD of chamber music, recorded by the Naumburg Award winning ensemble Da Capo Chamber Players with a composer featured also as a pianist and conductor.

Born in Minsk, Belarus, Dr. Borzova arrived in the U.S. in 1993. A child prodigy in composition, she began piano and composition studies at the age of six. She holds Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees in Composition from the Moscow Conservatory and had pursued additional doctoral studies at CUNY Graduate School. For many years Dr. Borzova has taught at Hunter and Lehman Colleges of CUNY and for the past 22 years has served as Music Director at several protestant churches in New York and Pennsylvania. She maintains a private teaching studio (voice and piano) in Pelham.

Dr. Borzova lives in Pelham with her husband composer Alexander Dmitriev. He is a tenured high school teacher in Queens and has been Music Director of St. Joseph of Arimathea

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Episcopal Church in White Plains for more than seventeen years. Their daughter, Vladena (Lada) Dmitriev is a writer. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Borzova says she looks forward to "sharing her gift of music with the congregation of the beautiful St. Mary's Church." Always remembering that "the church is a people," she hopes to gain new friends here.

Enjoy music and singing? Please sing with us! We are in particular need of male voices, but all are welcome.

NEW Director of Christian Education Coleen MacGreevey

Coleen MacGreevey was raised outside of Philadelphia in Berwyn, PA. She attended Christian schools through high school and earned a degree in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond. She moved to New York City after graduation to begin a career in technology consulting for Arthur Andersen. Following the birth of her first child, Coleen decided to leave the corporate world and stay home full-time with her children.

Coleen's family relocated to Chappaqua in 2005 seeking more space, fresh air and other benefits of a suburban lifestyle. Coleen quickly became involved in her parish, first as a lector at Sunday services and then assumed additional responsibility as a Religious Education teacher and Women's Association board member. Over the years, she also has become an active volunteer assuming leadership roles for the Chappaqua PTA and youth sport organizations.

As her younger child entered middle school, Coleen began to consider her return to the work force. The opportunity as Church School Director was a perfect combination of Coleen's interest in sharing her faith with others, working with children and supporting teachers in their important role of educating children about God's Good Word. She looks forward to becoming part of the St. Mary the Virgin community, which has already been so welcoming. In her free time, Coleen enjoys reading, tennis, biking and spending time with her friends and family, including her husband, David, and their two children, Gavin and Schuyler.

Family Profile

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The Dionne Family Ron, Chiu, Katie, Will & Max June, 2015

Chui works in the commercial insurance brokerage business, and Ron in financial services. Katie is 17 and Will 13. Ron's oldest son, Max, is 31 and lives in Los Angeles, where he produces video content for websites. Max attends Christmas service with us regularly when visiting. Our family moved to Chappaqua from Sleepy Hollow in August 2001. Prior to Sleepy Hollow, we lived in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. When we lived in Manhattan, we belonged to City Church, where Katie was baptized.

Upon moving to Chappaqua, we shopped for a church to bring the kids up in. We visited other local churches but did not feel the Sunday school program provided the kind of nurturing we wanted for a four-year-old Katie. One visit to St. Mary's clinched our decision. We knew it was the right place immediately because Katie just adored everyone she met, especially Father Joel Mason, Mark Chance (the Sunday school director at the time) Mary Dierdorff (her teacher from pre K to J2A), Michael and Susan Lanzano, and Jeannie Aplin (who helped a very shy star shine in her first Christmas pageant, and later on became her sponsor for confirmation).

Chui was raised Presbyterian and Ron was raised Catholic but we were married in an Episcopal Church in VT by a progressive priest from whom we gained an understanding of what the Episcopal Church represents. This ended up being important when we were figuring out what kind of Christian education we wanted for our kids. We wanted a place where they would be surrounded by individuals who were kind, loving, supportive, and welcoming of others from all different backgrounds. We really enjoy the church services. For years we found Joel's sermons uplifting and relevant to what we see and deal with in the world each day. When Joel retired we thought he'd be a hard act to follow, but Rev. Gwyneth has continued to inspire and move us and we feel even closer to the church than ever before. We love the liturgical music of the church and remember, fondly, the talented Tim Vernon and inspiring Steve Fancher -- and will greatly miss Catherine Nesbit when she leaves (though thankfully she will still be in the community). It has also been an amazing experience to see the talented young musicians grow up in front of our eyes at St. Mary's. We know more than one we fully expect to say "We knew him/her when he/she was knee high to a grasshopper..." Shortly after we joined the Church we noticed there was a great need for volunteers to teach Sunday school and host coffee hour (some things never change, but at least Ron likes washing dishes). The kids have "volunteered" over the years as acolytes. Katie has enjoying singing in the junior choir and soloing occasionally during service. Chui started teaching Sunday school in the fall of 2002 and soon after joined the vestry helping out with Parish Life. Today, she still teaches Sunday school and continues to enjoy learning from the kids in her class. Chui (with the help of Ron and the kids) also rejoined the Vestry this year, to once again help with Parish Life.

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St. Mary's is indeed a community for our family. Many at St. Mary's know that Ron and I are forever grateful to everyone in our Parish who has helped us raise Katie and Will. Katie is a junior and will be off to college soon. If she is able to keep what she has learned and experienced at St. Mary's in mind, heart and spirit wherever she goes, we know she will be just fine. The same will go for Will, who while a bit quieter and less visible than his sister, we know is soaking it all in to his great benefit as well.

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Family Profile The Dierdorff / Wesolowski Family Profile May, 2015 Mary Dierdorff & Bob Wesolowski Sons: Daniel and Teddy

Our family moved to Chappaqua from the upper west side of Manhattan in January 1999 when our son Daniel was in third grade and Teddy was in first grade. We had belonged to a progressive Episcopal Church, The Church of St. Matthew's & St. Timothy's, where both boys had been baptized, attended Sunday school, and participated in several Christmas pageants as angels and sheep. (Teddy had proudly been upgraded to being a shepherd in the pageant that had taken place several weeks before we moved, so was not very happy about being asked to be a sheep again our first Christmas at SMTV.)

The rector at our church in Manhattan had told us about St. Mark's Church in Mount Kisco and, in particular, its Sunday school program. We went there a few times in the spring as we were getting acclimated to Chappaqua life, but we didn't connect with the clergy or the style of worship, and it was a little bit of a trek for us to get there from where we live. Meanwhile I was commuting into Manhattan for work and had noticed this beautiful old stone church on the hill in town and decided one spring day to check it out. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover it was an Episcopal Church. One Sunday I heard Joel preach - DONE - I had found our spiritual home that day!

I am a cradle Episcopalian and my husband, Bob, was raised Catholic. We agreed we wanted to raise Daniel and Teddy as Episcopalians. I really enjoy the church services, Joel's and Gwyneth's sermons, and the parish community life and its commitment to helping others. As providing a Christian education for my kids was important to me, and there was a need for Sunday school teachers (surprise surprise), I started teaching Sunday school in the fall of 1999. That first year I had about 5 kids in the 4th to 6th grade age range. I continued to teach Sunday school until last year, eventually teaching all age groups. Unlike the Rite 13/J2A classes that I taught with Joel for four years that had a dozen kids each year, the demographics of this parish when my kids were at Roaring Brook, Bell and Greeley were such that there was just one boy

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Daniel's age and only three girls Teddy's age. Nonetheless, they attended Sunday school through J2A and were confirmed at SMTV. To help build a connection with church, I encouraged them to serve as acolytes, which they did ("ALOT!", as they periodically remind me) until they went away to college. They continued to serve during college at Christmas midnight mass and in the summers when they were home. What kept them coming to church? The close friendships they developed with Joel and in particular two long standing pillars of our community: Ken White and Rich Comstock. Teddy has also gotten to know and enjoyed the mentorship of the Fitzgerald and the Dionne families. Over time I took on more church roles including serving on the vestry for eight years, chairing the Strawberry Festival for several years, participating on altar guild and serving as a LEM. My boys and husband have been actively involved in A-Home clean-ups, Midnight Runs, parish clean-ups, painting the rectory, etc.. If there is a hands-on, get-dirty-kind-of-service project, they are happy to participate. A special favorite activity of theirs over the years - is the Strawberry Festival. You may recognize them from the cotton candy/ popcorn concession which they took over from Rich Comstock and ran for a few years.

I am currently on the Rector Search Committee and hope we can find a new rector on the caliber of Joel and Gwyneth. We have a really special thing going on at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin and I want to see what we have continue, and more importantly thrive. This will help future generations of kids and families get a good grounding in the Episcopal faith and in community service.

Both Daniel and Teddy have graduated from college and are growing up into great young men (if I do say so myself). I trust that when Daniel (now 25 years old) and Teddy (now 23 years old) settle down they will rediscover and find a welcoming home in an Episcopal church like SMTV wherever they end up living.

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Meet the Parish Family Profile The Chase Family April 2015

We moved to Chappaqua from New York City in 2012 with our children Jack, who is 5, and Ella, 4. We were drawn to Chappaqua because we loved how many protected outdoor areas there were and all the nature that could be found right in our own backyard. For the first few month's after we moved Jack would remark each morning "Mom I can hear birds" versus construction and taxi cab horns. We knew then that we had made the right decision in choosing Chappaqua.

Once we got settled, we began visiting local churches looking for just the right one for our family. Jack, at the time, was at Chappaqua Friends Nursery School with Monica and Tony Napoli's son, Charley, and Monica invited us to St. Mary's Outreach Auction Dinner in 2013. We felt instantly welcomed and after attending a few services we knew SMTV was the right church for our family. The strong sense of community, support of those less fortunate than ourselves, and respect for all beliefs were all factors in our decision. We wanted our children to develop bonds with other kids their age, forming life long friendships through the church. Every Sunday we love watching the older children play with the younger children during coffee hour. Ella looks forward to seeing all of her "older best friends". In the past year we have experienced what the church does in support of its community, and are excited to play a role in this. Peter and I have taught the K-1st grade Sunday School class this past month and it has been a very fulfilling experience and has felt good to participate in this small, but important way. Peter and I make our living in the hospitality business developing and operating restaurant and bars in hotels both in the United States and abroad. We are very excited to announce that we recently signed a lease with the Town to open a café at the Chappaqua train station. If all goes well, we will take over the current coffee concession May 1st and plan to open the full concept, Chappaqua Station - Farm to Town, this summer.

Chappaqua Station - Farm to Town, will be one part farm stand and one part community café. Much like the ancient Greek agoras, our café will provide a central market place that connects local farmers, artisans and community-based charities to our hamlet. Envisioned by locals and supported by neighbors, 200 years after the first Quakers settled in Chappaqua, comes this timely return to their core belief in community - similar to those of our church. We hope to offer a revolving selection of hand made and hand-harvested goods in a space where you can meet a friend and catch up over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. If you are running to catch a train there will be plenty of options to take with you or you can sit and linger watching as the trains pass by.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new business here in town and getting to know all of the St. Mary's congregation.

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Parish Profile THE DAMMANN FAMILY Sandy & Rick March 2015

We are grateful to have Sandy share her story with us! Read further below about Eric's family, one of her 4 sons who is also a long time parishioner. "I graduated from the Stanford University School of Nursing in 1959 with a BSN after which I worked as a psychiatric nurse for the VA Hospital in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, CA. During those three years I met and married Jean-Pierre Dammann who was studying for his MBA at Stanford. When our first son arrived I "retired" from nursing for 18 years to be a stay-at-home mom. When I returned to nursing I worked for the Maryknoll Sisters in their nursing home in Ossining for 20 years. I once again retired from nursing and then moved into my new career - "Professional Volunteer" going to Maryknoll once a week, singing in the choir here at St. Mary's, with the Hudson Chorale, and serving on the Board of Community Living Corporation (CLC), an agency which services the developmentally disabled.

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John and I moved to Chappaqua in 1973 with our four sons, Rick, Mark, Eric and Scott. Although John and I were both raised in the Episcopal Church we felt it was important to shop around to be sure that Rick, who has Down Syndrome, would be accepted and included at church. When I interviewed Bert Draesel, then rector of St. Mary's, his comment to me was "Come here. Rick will become an integral part of St. Mary's." How right he was! All four of the boys attended Sunday School, were confirmed here, were acolytes and members of the Youth Group. They participated in numerous Strawberry Festival celebrations as well as numerous clean-up days. Rick on occasion ushered. The only thing he didn't do was Junior Choir! John and I, too, were involved in life at St. Mary's. We both served on the vestry, he being the Treasurer for several years, and both of us singing in the Senior Choir. I was on the altar Guild. Early on there was an Episcopal Church Women's group (ECW) which made quilts and crocheted afghans for sale at the Strawberry Festival. We also cleaned and organized the kitchen (how many times? Countless numbers!). The Strawberry Festival was always a big part of our lives. I usually worked on the Attic Treasures; John flipped hamburgers for the Festival and Community Day, probably totaling 500 or more! Eric has taken over his dad's position at the grill. Rick lives in Mt. Kisco in a supported apartment owned by CLC. After a long career with Danny's Cheese Shop in Mt. Kisco and then with the Sawmill River Club he now works with the CLC Vocation Department. Mark and Kathleen live in Santa Cruz, CA with Austin, a senior in high school. Their twins, Zach and Tyler, are freshmen at Stanford. Scott and Cyndee live in Mill Valley, CA with their 3 sons, Dylan (12), Quinn (10) and Bennett (8). John died quite unexpectedly in 1999 at the age of 60. Without the love and support of my family and the people of St. Mary's I could not have made it through that devastating time. I received support and help in countless ways from friends and acquaintances alike. I've always been thankful for St. Mary's but never more so. He is buried along with his mother in the Memorial Garden beside the church. This dear little church is both second home and second family to me. I hope that in the future we can grow a little (but not so large that we lose the family feeling!) so that others will come to know the love, caring and compassion this church has to offer."

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Parish Profile CONTINUED THE DAMMANN FAMILY Eric & Christine Jackson, Allison & Collin March 2015

Eric, Sandy's son, came to St. Mary's with his parents & brothers when they moved to Chappaqua in 1973 (he was in second grade). He participated in

sunday school, youth group, junior choir, and was confirmed at St. Mary's. Eric and Christine were married in 1991 (Edd Payne was one of the officiants). They moved to Chappaqua in 1997, at which point they joined the church as a family. All three kids were baptized at St. Mary's, and Eric and Christine renewed their vows for their 20th anniversary with Joel.

'Community' is what keeps Eric & Family coming back. "We've found many good people here, and its been a great place for our kids to learn, make friends, and participate in charitable activities. We've also enjoyed the perspectives and teachings of Joel and Gwyneth."

Their main concern at St. Mary's is how to fill the large shoes of Joel and Gwyneth. "We're confident that the team working towards finding the new rector is up to the task." Other than that, we've been happy with how things are going in the church community, and are hoping to get more involved when our schedules free up a bit (some day!)

Pictured above “Collin, Allie, Chris, Jack, Eric” Eric- A clinical psychologist and executive coach with private practice in Manhattan. Christine - Teachers aide at Westorchard Elementary School. Jackson (age 20)- sophomore at Vassar College. Allison (age 18)- Senior at Greeley, will attend Middlebury College in the fall and Collin (age 14)- a freshman at Greeley.

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Meet the Parish Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner

Tom & Barbara Doss February 2015

Tom & Barbara live in Pleasantville, NY. They have two grown daughters, Paula and Annie, and 3 grandchildren: Gwendolen, Leroy and Sampson.

Barbara is a substitute teacher and a freelance violinist who plays primarily chamber music.

She has served as the concert manager for Ars Antiqua since it moved to our church 12 years ago.

Tom is a semi-retired banker who still does consultant work. Their daughter, Paula, is a teacher who runs math programs at Primrose Elementary school in Somers. She is married and has three children. Annie is a dancer and choreographer, completing her masters degree in movement therapy at Pratt.

Barbara followed Tim Vernon when he was recruited as music director. Lured by his music program, she joined the choir. Her first time at SMTV was just a few months before Bill Harper left as rector.

The wonderful community and the incredible rectors and interims: Bill, Claire, Joel and now Gwyneth, keep Barbara coming to St. Mary's. She calls the parish "a machine of love" that always jumps into action when a need arises.

Formerly a Presbyterian, she took confirmation classes and was confirmed by Joel. We thank Barbara for her many years of service 'checking people in' at our annual outreach auction dinner. She hopes that St. Mary's continues to grow and attract new families and wishes that more people knew about this wonderful place. Meet the Parish

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Meet the Parish Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner January 2015

Gail DeDona lived with her husband Bob in Chappaqua for over 31 years. Bob passed away on March 5th four years ago. She has remained in Chappaqua, living with her three Yorkies.

Children: Linda, Laurie, Jim & Bobby who live in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Millwood, NY and LA. She has one grandchild - Caitlin Ann.

Gail owns DeDona Enterprises in Yonkers, an automotive aftermarket business that her husband Bob started 36 years ago. She works there with her son Jim, who manages the business. As an active member of Chappaqua, Gail is a trustee at the historical society and has been president of both the Chappaqua Neighbors and the Garden Club.

Looking for community after Bob died in 2010, she came to St. Mary's, introduced by Thora Easton and Suzanne Keay. Joel and his sermons kept her coming, as did the comforting ways of SMTV. Michael Lanzano & Molly Holmes roped Gail into the choir a few years ago, which she really enjoys. She also works on the altar guild. Gail said she feels there is an energy about St. Mary's and great people. She hopes that it continues to be a source of guidance to the community in the future.

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Meet the Parish Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner (Family) December 2014 Comstock Family

The Comstock Family has been part of SMtV for a long time! Jamie and Rich met at SMtV and married in June 2005. Rich has two children: Richard, and Meredith, who are both married, and both now live in California. Jamie has two children: Henry is a senior at HGHS and Ivy is a sophomore at Concord Academy in Massachusetts. All four of the kids are veterans of many Christmas Pageants and Strawberry Festivals. Ivy and Henry were both baptized by Joel Mason during his wonderful tenure at SMtV. Joel and Mary Jo became close family friends and were frequent visitors at Bread Parties in our kitchen where we had the pleasure of baking communion bread together many times. Richard III and his wife Yanna have a 2 year old - Richard Comstock IV! (he is called Rhys), and have just had another baby boy named Asher last month. Meredith and her husband Michael Kelchen have an 18 month old named Harrison. Harrison is the spitting image of Rich which makes us all happy every time we see him. All of us have had many years of joyful participation at SMtV. Rich trained the acolytes for 30 years, but has now retired from that position. Rich and Jamie have both been on the Vestry in the past. Jamie co-chaired several Auction Dinners over the years, and has auctioneered for the event as well. All the kids took part in the Sunday School program for many years. Ivy participated in the junior choir, and also served as acolyte from time to time. Jamie taught Sunday school for many years. We all look back fondly at so many other great events - Holiday Parties at the Rectory, outings with Midnight Run, shopping for the Giving Tree each Advent, preparing the Easter Egg hunt, Sunday School Picnics each fall and spring. And we look forward to enjoying many more of them.

Meet the Parish

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Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner (Family) November 2014 Gene & Marianna Cayten

We started at St. Mary's when Chris said he wanted to be baptized by Bill Harper and go skiing, perhaps 1990. We liked Bill very much. Also I was getting to know Tim Vernon through singing with him. So when Tim came to St. Mary's that was another reason to come to the church. We have not been very active, but have continued to be members for 25 or so years. We value the friendships we have developed at St. Mary's, and the very great support from many people through our numerous tragedies. Joel was supportive of

me and Gene and was helpful in our various situations. That is what has kept us as involved as we are. Also we felt that the political persuasions of Joel and others were compatible with us. We feel strongly about gun control, feminism, openness to all faiths and people, non-violence, and doing away with racism. I think it is called being a Progressive Church. Unfortunately we have not been able to be active in such matters, as we used to be. The personal life has taken over. I hope that the new minister will be as progressive as Joel, maybe even more outspoken. Also I hope the music can continue to develop. I as a singer value that aspect of the service. A little more about Marianna After college I lived with Pima Native Americans in Arizona for one year in VISTA. Then I taught in the Philadelphia Public Schools in North and West Phil. for 3 years. I became extremely active in the peace movement, organizing, demonstrating and in jail 3 times for non-violent actions. I was active in the Women's Movement, started a coop nursery, eventually as part of my Ph. D. program worked with Domestic Violence clients, support groups, etc. I was a teacher and leader in the Re-evaluation Counseling Community, a world-wide organization, and helped to start a school which continues today. I completed my Ph. D. in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, taught there, and at Pace and Fordham in NY, worked at Barnard College, had a small practice in NY and Chappaqua, focusing on women's issues. When our daughter Cara became ill with cancer, I devoted all my time to her, her daughter and husband. Cara's death has been a devastation to us. Now I am caring for Gene who has Parkinson's Disease. Enjoying family and friends. Singing and gardening, children and grandchildren are great pleasures in my life. A little more about Gene Gene did his residency in surgery at the Univ, of Pennsylvania, and a master's at Yale. He was director of surgery at what is now Montefiore North in the Bronx for 25 years. He did much research and teaching world-wide in trauma. He is a great father and loved to attend the athletic events of Christopher and Cara. Gene now has Parkinson's Disease which is very difficult for him. He was a very active person, always working professionally or at home.

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Meet the Parish Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner (Family) October 2014 Rob, Marianne Campolongo and their Daughter, Lizzy, age 21.

Rob is a financial adviser with Stifel Nicolaus. Marianne is a freelance writer and photographer. Lizzy just graduated from NYU with honors. She is in the process of applying to graduate school to get a doctorate in pure mathematics. We enjoy traveling and cooking together.

When did you first come to St. Mary's/ what brought you here? We've been members of St. Mary's since the summer of 2002. We had grown disillusioned with the Roman Catholic Church but felt very strongly that we wanted to raise our daughter, who was nine at the time and had just received her First Holy Communion a year earlier, as a Christian, as our faith has always been a source of strength for us. Marianne met with various ministers and priests, including Joel, who made her feel that St. Mary's might be a good fit. The three of us attended church one Sunday and felt welcome.

What keeps you coming?  The people.

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Meet the Parish Monthly Interview of a St. Mary's Parishioner September 2014Laurane Carnevale, White Plains Son: Thomas Christian McIntyre, age 26

Occupation: Parish Administrator, Church of St. Mary the Virgin (see website bio), where it is my privilege to work with men and women who have been called to lives of good works and charity, and who are dedicated to teaching and sending compassionate children into the world. Interests: Comparative literature, art, music, religion, Eastern philosophies & practicing their respective meditative techniques. My pastimes are reading, drawing, swimming, ballroom dancing and singing in the shower. When did you first come to St. Mary's? I first came to St. Mary's in the year 2000 for an Ars Antiqua concert. I was introduced to Tim Vernon by a mutual friend who had studied with him at Columbia University. My (ex)husband and I were enthralled by the program, became subscribers to Ars Antiqua, and saw Tim & our mutual friends socially. What brought you here? Why? A few years later I was taking life-drawing classes at SUNY Purchase. One day a new gentleman showed up, set his easel next to mine, and after we introduced ourselves said, "You're an alto. My chorus needs altos." I was taken aback; was that 'a line', or had Marty Taylor (known to many St. Maryans) just invited me to sing great music? Fortunately, it was the latter. Marty brought me to a Westchester Choral Arts Society rehearsal and there, to my amazement, was Tim Vernon conducting. Before long I learned that many of my fellow choristers were members of SMTV and that Tim was the music director. In time I followed those choristers and that graceful man to St. Mary's because I knew the music would be sublime. Never could I have foreseen that I'd find a rector who knew the Sufi poets and parishioners who read The Gnostic Gospels! What keeps you coming? In his introduction to The Prophet Khalil Gibran asks, "A seeker of silences am I; and yet what secrets have I found in silences that I can dispense with confidence?" Thanks to the religious tolerance that our diocese embodies and our parish affirms, I can 'dispense with confidence' my steadfast belief that there are as many paths to God as there are souls of men. How many Christian houses of worship chant the Hebrew Sh'ma at theirSunday services? quote Rumi in their bulletins? use Tibetan singing bowls instead of bells? (those are Tim's singing bowls sitting on the chair by the organ :-). At SMTV I can worship in a Christian community where I am free to follow the Sufi path and the Tao Te Ching. What would you like to experience or see happening in the future? I'd like to see that brand new floor in the parish hall put to good use. Shall we dance? On a bright cloud of music shall we fly? Many dancers experience dance as a form of prayer. I do (yes, even ballroom). I'd like to fly across the floor in praise of Our Father with Rev. Gwyneth and my amazing SMTV family!