We've reached the Crossroad...

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

We have made good stride with VBS since our last posting.  I would like to share our accomplishments and let you know our plan from this point as we stand at the crossroad of our decision.

Last Wednesday night at Supper, Song and Prayer we shared the background of VBS in our church community. We posed the question that should be asked of all ministries especially those with such long standing history... 

• Is the ministry still strong, is it vital and most importantly is it relevant? Looking from the outside in you would certainly say 'yes' to all of those questions.  Our week is full of energy - children everywhere with fun, laughter, and learning surrounding them.  Much work goes on prior to the week to ensure this and lays the foundation.  The foundation is what we're looking at right now.  We need infusion of new energy including new creativity, ideas and people.  This allows for the answers to stay" yes".   Amongst all the changes in our world, we then stay strong, vital, and relevant.
• Does this ministry, at a minimum, work to maintain the goals and support the mission of our church? In addition is it helping them to grow? These are great questions. St. Thomas' goals include the development of Faith Formation through innovative means, the growth of parishioners in the age range of 18-30, single, coupled and with families and the strengthening of our commitment to pastoral care. This ministry relates to all three but stands out prominently in reaching out to our young families to strengthen faith formation through education and fellowship of our children and by extension their families.

We are very sure of what we hope for.  Can we be certain of what we cannot see? Strong and committed faith says yes.  Soin faith we have made great changes in our program and here they are:

• Our program moves to the evening, 5:15 to 8:00 p.m. with an early bedtime option for 3&4 year olds. This allows for infusion of new volunteers.
• Each night we will begin with a Family Potluck Dinner. This allows families to visit and ensures all participants time to have a meal before the evening begins. We'll stay in large group for opening,  introduction of the bible lesson through story and music.  
• Four great workshops make up the rotation for the evening; Art, Games, Science, and Multi Media. We'll keep the dessert bar open and this will serve as snack.
• Closing will be done in small group and this will  'bring home' the bible story and wrap up the activity for the day. It also addresses the long standing 'confusion' of dismissal in the church.

There is a vision here but we cannot see it's outcome.  We have the chance to build upon a strong foundation.  Here are the basic elements we need:

We need to raise a total of $1000 after registration fees.  We currently have the potential of $400. Thank you to our Outreach Committee for taking the lead on this effort with their proposal of $300.  And thank you to our individual donors thus far.

We need commitment of 20 adults to volunteer full time for that week.  The positions are broken out this way:

• 6 committee members willing to meet twice a month in the months leading up to VBS and head up the various workshops during that week. We currently have 3 
• 10 group leaders who work in teams of 2 with the children throughout the week.  We currently have 2
• 4 members of the hospitality committee who will work with various families to put on the dinner each night, Monday through Thursday.  Friday will be our traditional closing program with a new twist. 
• To open registration we will need to fill these commitments and meet our monetary goal.

All of our other duties can be filled in from there.  And believe me there are plenty!  There is a possibility for everyone.  If you have interest and a bit of time we have a place for you. 

Pass It On

Promise

Posted: Feb 04, 2014 01:00 am

In Jesus, God has promised to find us, and heal us and love us. God has not promised us a simpler life but an abundant one, and in that abundance we will find, not nostalgia but blessing “for blessed are those who know their need of God, for they will be given a saviour.”

-Br. James Koester
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Vote YES for VBS! Important and Time Sensitive

It's a big decision this year....

Our usual time to open registration for VBS is early February. So here we are trying to make a timely decision: How shall we approach the program this year? It's always difficult to determine how to handle budget adjustments. So, I have to ask the question. What are you prepared to do? As you ponder the answer,  let me share some information with you.

A Few Facts about VBS

VBS is one of the longest standing ministries of our church. It is without question the largest outreach we do for young families within our Parish and extended out to our community.  If you were to look at our registration logs you would easily see that:

• 30%  or more of the children come from our surrounding community and are not necessarily parishioners at St. Thomas. This is before taking into account that we have for many years provided scholarship slots for the Happy Workers Child Care Program. 
• We have ranged anywhere from 70-100 children in our week-long  program over the span of 34 years. Our program is first class and has a very strong reputation within our community. 
•  Families return year after year. Children grow up waiting for their turn to attend and after having attended for the full number of years, to become a youth volunteer.

It is extremely hard work with every bit of it paying off.  It is service and it is leadership in action in our community. It is outreach to young families. Generations coming together.

We know we need to make changes. We have options available to us, ways to be more efficient, to bring new energy.  This Sunday,we'll have the program options with opportunities to sponsor, volunteer and assist prior to the event.  We'll take approximately 10 days to decide based on your response what our next step should be.

If you believe in the program, find a way to get involved, VOTE YES for VBS.

Pass It On

God

Posted: Jan 26, 2014 01:00 am

Some days we need to know God as someone not groveling on the same plane in which we live, but someone lifted up, revealing the glory of the God whom Jesus calls “Father.” What may seem more important to you – Jesus’ humanity or Jesus’ divinity – may depend on the day. Both are true. Call on him.

-Br. Curtis Almquist
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Time to Reflect, Renew and Act

January is an interesting month...

It feels like a new beginning but somehow we can't help but look back at the past. The balance between the two can be delicate with the hope that the result allows us to reflect practically and move on to renew. It is important practice to give our 'history' its rightful place yet at the same time look to the future as a light. As in everything the balance is the key. It makes the future newer, brighter and of course lighter.

The schedule at St. Thomas this January has been intentional.  Two weeks ago we celebrated Ministry Sunday with prayers, recognition pins and a lovely  reception in the garden. It was a great way to reflect on the past year and enjoy all that we have had the privilege to be involved in. It was a beautiful day of worship and fellowship for our church family.

This past Saturday we gathered to participate in the St. Thomas Saturday Seminar with representation from  ministries throughout the church.  We shared ideas to strengthen our congregation in the coming year as we take our mission out into the community. We talked at length about caring for ourselves and each other as we set out to do God's work.

"Making a difference for others because

God is making a difference for us"

We also spoke at length about the changing role of the church in our world.  This impacts us greatly not only as a congregation but  as we serve as Christians in our community.  This experience was very enriching and enlightening. It resulted in  renewed energy that we can now draw from one another. The support that came from just having each conversation can move mountains. We shared personal  vision for our church and made visible commitment to that. You need to know that you have great and loving leadership in the ministries of this church.  They are awesome.

Finally, we come together at our Annual 'Town Hall' Meeting, this Sunday, January 26, following our 10:00 a.m. Services.  We'll meet in the Parish Hall, share coffee and bagels, and discuss a bit about the past year and plan for the future. We'll vote for new Vestry members, take a look at the budget and programs of the church and God's plans for us will begin to take shape.


For those of you following the sequence of the title,this is the action step. Commmitt to being a part of this process. Join us as we plan.

It is an important time, don't miss it...Come share in the future.

See you there!

P.S. Childcare will be provided in the Nursery until 12:15 p.m.

Pass It On

Happy day after hump day, first week back!

Think twice about this entry, then imagine the world in a new way. Could be awe striking!

Wisdom

Posted: Jan 09, 2014 01:00 am

Jesus is the Wisdom of God, the Word made flesh, the One through whom all things came to be. All things. Ponder those words: all things. It’s a mistake I think to make a distinction between so-called secular knowledge and so-called religious knowledge. A Christian worldview rightly embraces all things: all knowledge, all inquiry, all exploration.

-Br. Mark Brown
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Extreme Grandparenting General Meeting this Sunday

Grandparents, you are a member of the best "club" on earth, you have

 GRAND love in your hearts!

We have been experiencing such great success in our "Grace based Parenting" class that we are extending the opportunity to grandparents and extended family care givers to experience the JOY of raising children in a home filled with God's grace. Our children and grandchilren live in a world that completes for their time and attention constantly.  The challenge of raising truly great kids who can deal with massive exposure to the adult world and develop biblically based moral values seems far fetched at best and impossible to many parents.  Grandparents can help. We can team up with our children.

Here's how:

We invite you to become a part of a Grandparent Class which will share, explore, discuss, debate and plan how to make a positive difference in the lives of our God given gift of grandchildren.

January 5th will be an organizational meeting to discuss class logistics and introduce the proposed resource "Extreme Grandparenting: The Ride of Your Life" by Dr. Tim and Darcy Kimmel of Grace Based Parenting fame. All grandparents or people who interact with and impact children are welcome!!!

GRAND LOVE, Sunday, Jan. 5, 9:00 -9:50 a.m. in the Guild Room -

 Join us, you'll be very glad you did!

QUESTIONS? Contact Julie Songster or Elaine Patrick