Candlemas prayer and fellowship, 3PM 2/1
This Sunday marks the Eve of Candlemas also known as the Feast of the Presentation. Saint Luke's is delighted to be hosting a service of Evening Prayer with hymns prior to our Deanery convocation. We would like to be hospitable to our guest and provide food between worship and business. I was thinking fingers foods, sandwiches, meatballs,.stuff like that. If you are able to pitch in please let us know.
All are welcome, not just those attending the business meeting! Below is an email that went out from
The Very Rev. Jane Brady-Close, Dean:
Dear Friends in Christ:
We hope you are planning to attend the meeting of the Hudson Valley Deanery this Sunday, 2/1, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 50 William Street, Catskill, NY.
This meeting is for all clergy, parish delegates to the Hudson Valley Deanery, wardens, and members interested in the health and various ministries in Episcopal churches in Columbia and Greene counties and possibilities for working together.
We will gather at 3 p.m. for a service of Evening Prayer, with Fr. John Thompson, officiant, and Fr. Matt Stromberg, preacher. Tom Martin of Christ Church, Hudson, will be our musician. We will continue with refreshments and our business meeting. If there is something you can bring for our refreshments, please let me know. This will help our host church better plan for our gathering.
Preliminary Agenda
Roll Call of Clergy and of Lay Representatives
Introduction of Fr. Matt Stromberg as newest priest in our deanery
Election of Officers (as needed)
Treasurer's Report
Proposed changes to Constitutions and Canons of Diocese of Albany
Update on St. Luke's, Chatham, and St. Mark's, Philmont
Role of Deaneries in Discernment of Applicants for Holy Orders
Sanctuary Diocese Task Force
Safe Church mandatory training
visioning for cooperation and deanery-based programs such as Sacred Ground
reports from parishes
Reminders parochial reports due 3/1
Available resources from Diocese:
Parish Assessments for financial support of Hudson Valley Deanery
Please make your best efforts to be with us for our meeting. I look forward to being with you.
P.S. At yesterday's meeting with the Deans, Bishop Jeremiah Williamson and Canon Neal Longe noted the deadline of 1/31 for completion of Parish Self-Assessments: This effort is part of Albany Blooms, funded by the Lily Endowment. Completion of the survey is required for parishes seeking to apply for grant funding in 2026 and 2027 for parish-based spiritual growth and development initiatives.
Invite, Welcome, Connect, a program which provides practical information for growing churches, fostering hospitality, and building relationships (next session 1/28, 5:30-6:30 p.m. See attachment for registration information.
ABC's of Lay Leadership, a monthly offering by Bishop Jeremiah and/or Diocesan Staff for parish lay leaders to discuss aspects of leadership. Join Canon Neal Longe on 2/11, 12 Noon, for an overview of The Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs, which provides mandated financial practices for all parishes in The Episcopal Church.
Also check out other Meetups in Catskill, Workshops in Catskill, Music events in Catskill.
