Those who disagree with the abolishment of the Saint Thomas Choir School

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Uncle Gerre!

All. Due to bots trying to sell bogus items, I am going to remove all members. If you want to rejoin, please let me know your graduation year and the headmaster at time of your graduation. If a parent of a graduate, please advise of son’s name, year of graduation, and name of headmaster at the year of graduation.

Chad Newsome
Class of 1981

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the passing of Uncle Gerre. Can’t believe it. Seems like yesterday!

From the Church today…

Dear Saint Thomas Parish and Community,

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Dr. Alison J. Turner to the position of Dean of the Saint Thomas Choir School beginning January 1, 2026.

Dr. Turner, who is known as Mother Turner to her colleagues and the Choir School community, most recently served as Director of Transition, where she oversaw the beginning of a new collaboration between the Saint Thomas Choir School and the Professional Children’s School (PCS). Concurrently, she also served as Chaplain of the Choir School, led the expansion of our safeguarding initiatives, and established what is now a strong and thriving Children and Family Ministry at the Church.

A lifelong educator who qualified as a teacher in 1989, before joining Saint Thomas Church, Mo. Turner served as Head of School at Exeter Junior School, one of the leading independent preparatory schools in the southwest of England. Her nine-year tenure there was marked by exceptional success, including a 46 percent increase in enrollment. Before Exeter, she served for four years as Head of School at The Clinton Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School. Prior to that, Mo. Turner taught in Anglican and Roman Catholic Schools in East London, and her last position in London was Assistant Head in a large multi-cultural church school.

Mo. Turner earned her undergraduate degree, initial teaching certification, and first master’s degree from St. Mary’s University College in Middlesex, United Kingdom. After relocating to the United States, she earned a second master’s degree (S.T.M.) and her doctoral degree (D. Min) from General Theological Seminary in New York.

From January, the Choir School governance will be delegated to a special committee of the Vestry with representation of faculty, residential life, PCS, parents, alumni, those involved in education and social work, and the Vestry.

This appointment was made by the Vestry, following its established governance process, with the Rector offering his initial support when consulted. Mo. Turner will report to the Wardens and the Vestry representative on the Choir School committee.

Please join us in supporting Mo. Turner and wishing her the absolute best in this new role.

Sincerely,

Lloyd G. Stanford, Warden
Gregory Zaffiro, Warden
Darren Littlejohn, Vestry Representative, Choir School

Saint Thomas Church
Fifth Avenue, New York City

A Message from the Rector and Wardens

Dear Friends,

We are writing to share some important news regarding the recently pending lawsuit against our Church, the Diocese, and a current and a former staff member. We are very pleased to announce that the complainant has officially withdrawn his case. That decision comes on the heels of the thorough third-party investigation of the allegations. As the Vestry shared with you on November 29, the investigators found no evidence to substantiate the allegations of misconduct, and questioned the veracity of those allegations. To be clear, there has been no out of court settlement, and no payments have been made to the complainant or any third party.

The plaintiff’s decision to withdraw his allegations and voluntarily discontinue this lawsuit ‘with prejudice’ means that these allegations cannot be brought again. This finally draws to a close the matter, and offers great relief to our Saint Thomas Church community — most especially to those who were unjustly accused and personally suffered under the cloud of the baseless and unsubstantiated attacks.

The safety of all those in our communities is of paramount importance to Saint Thomas Church. Our commitment to our baptismal covenant, to respect the dignity of every human being, and our strict adherence to safe church protocols have guided us throughout in response to the allegations contained within the lawsuit. We take any allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and have taken steps to ensure that we have the highest regard for the safeguarding of our community. You can find our safeguarding policies for the protection of children and youth, and the protection of vulnerable adults here. This link also includes contact information for how to report concerns.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on Christ's love and the hope it brings to our lives. We are grateful to be able to put this matter behind us and to focus on celebrating the gift of our Lord’s redemption and the promise of renewal and compassion Jesus offers all people. Together, we are able to close this chapter and move forward in peace and unity as we strive to build a beloved community that seeks to worship, love, and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers for all who have been impacted by this.

Sincerely Yours,

The Rev. Canon Carl Turner, Rector
Lloyd Stanford, Warden
Gregory Zaffiro, Warden

Saint Thomas Church and Choir School | 1 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019 | (212) 757-7013

News from the Rector and Vestry of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, NYC…

A message from the Rector and Wardens:

We are writing to provide you with an update on the third-party investigation into the allegations made in the legal complaint that was filed against the Diocese, Saint Thomas Church, and certain named individuals.

On September 19, the Rector wrote on behalf of the Wardens and Vestry of Saint Thomas Church to inform you that a complaint had been filed in which an adult made allegations of sexual misconduct. To be clear, the claims in the lawsuit did not involve any allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor. Those who were accused of sexual misconduct, including Fr. Mark Schultz, denied these allegations. However, due to the nature of these allegations, as we previously advised you, Saint Thomas Church commissioned a third-party investigation. Fr. Schultz, in line with safe church policies, was placed on administrative leave while the investigation was ongoing.

The outside law firm, Ropes & Gray LLP, that conducted the investigation into the allegations in the lawsuit has completed its investigation into the allegations made against three individuals, including Fr. Mark Schultz. The law firm collected and reviewed a substantial number of documents and other evidence, interviewed witnesses regarding the allegations, and conducted site visits of the locations where the conduct was alleged to have occurred. In addition, the law firm conducted interviews of all three individuals who were alleged to have engaged in misconduct. The individual who filed the lawsuit declined to be interviewed.

The law firm recently reported its findings to the Vestry and concluded that it was not able to find evidence to corroborate the allegations of misconduct against any of the three individuals and that, after reviewing documentary evidence, conducting site visits, and interviewing witnesses and the three individuals alleged to have engaged in the misconduct, it is not likely that any of the three individuals engaged in the misconduct alleged in the complaint and there is reason to doubt the veracity of the allegations.

We take any allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and have taken steps to ensure that we have the highest regard for the safeguarding of our community.

You can find our safeguarding policies for the protection of children and youth, and the protection of vulnerable adults here which also includes contact information for how to report concerns.

Now that the investigation has concluded with no finding of any wrongdoing by any of the three individuals alleged to have engaged in misconduct, we consider the matter to be closed. We welcome Fr. Schultz back to full duty at Saint Thomas Church as Associate for Pastoral Care.

Sincerely Yours,

The Rev. Canon Carl Turner, Rector
Lloyd Stanford, Warden
Gregory Zaffiro, Warden


Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue | 1 West 53rd Street | New York, NY 10019 US

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Chad Newsome
STCS Class of 1981

https://www.saintthomaschurch.org/events/solemn-funeral-mass-in-thanksgiving-for-the-life-of-judith-eckerman-hancock-2025-10-22/

Solemn Funeral Mass in Thanksgiving for the Life of Judith Eckerman Hancock Wednesday, October 22, 2025 @ 11:00 a.m.Sung by the the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys. Sermon by Fr. Turner.

All. Just learned that Murray Olsen passed away. Sad news indeed

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St. Thomas Choir School Alumni specific note from St. Thomas 5th Ave please note that the link referenced did not copy over, but there is a contact to reach out to…

Dear Members of the Alumni Association,

As many of you will now know, Judy Hancock died peacefully a few days ago. You are warmly invited to join her family and friends to celebrate her life and ministry by attending her funeral at Saint Thomas Church on Wednesday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, and we invite alumni of the Choir School to sing an anthem during the service.

If you would like to sing with the Choir, please contact Margaret Carpenter-Haigh in the Music Office: [email protected]

The service will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. A reception will follow immediately after the Eucharist, and all are warmly invited to attend as we give thanks for Judith’s remarkable life and ministry.

To help us plan for catering, please take a moment to register your attendance using the link below:
Reception Registration
Livestream the Service
Yours In Christ,
The Rev. Canon Carl Turner


Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue | 1 West 53rd Street | New York, NY 10019 US

News from St. Thomas regarding Judith Hancock:

Dear Members and Friends of Saint Thomas Church,

You are invited to attend the funeral mass of Judith Hancock at Saint Thomas Church on Wednesday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys.

The service will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. A reception will follow immediately after the Eucharist, and all are warmly invited to attend as we give thanks for Judith’s remarkable life and ministry.

To help us plan for catering, please take a moment to register your attendance using the link below:
Reception Registration
Livestream the service
Yours In Christ,
The Rev. Canon Carl Turner


Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue | 1 West 53rd Street | New York, NY 10019 US

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