Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Weekly Events at St. Thomas


Hello Everyone,
 
Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days.  Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.


YOUTH MISSION TRIP
The Youth Mission Trip departs for Vero Beach
Sunday, August 4th
returns Friday, August 9th 

The cost per Youth for this year’s Mission Trip will be
$300 per Youth.  We have families that need sponsors
so if you are interested in supporting a Youth for this
 year’s Mission Trip please indicate so on the
NOTE section of your check that says “Mission Trip.”  
Any amount helps. Thank you! 

 
DONATED VBS ITEMS
Thank you donating items for VBS this year.
They are ready for pick up and are located
on the counter in the Guild Room.  Please pick up
any time this week and/or weekend.


Tuesday, July 9th
 
 

Wednesday, July 10th
Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
The Holy Eucharist is at 12 noon. in the Chapel.
Supper, Song & Prayer is in the Parish Hall beginning at 6 p.m.   Everyone is welcome!
Godly Play is at 6:30 p.m. in the Library.  Godly Play is for Pre-K thru 5th grade children.
We will explore the Heroes of the Church: What make a saint?
Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

 
Thursday, July 11th
Women of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Harvey’s Pub Theology is at 7 p.m. at Harvey’s Restaurant.


Friday, July 12th
Holy Folders is at 10a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.



Saturday, July 13th
Silent Saturday is at 7 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Memorial Service for Anne Morgan is at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary; with a reception following in the Parish Hall.
Harmony Band Rehearsal is at 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

 
 The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 14th
Sunday Services are at 8 and 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary,
10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall and 6 p.m. in the Chapel. 
Youth Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room.  Come and be a part of this great group!
Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery.
Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery coordinating with each service.  Children will return to the service at the Offertory time.
Sunday School is on hiatus for the summer.




Monday, July 15th
AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.
Yoga is at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

 
See you at many—or all—of these events.

 
Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary

Friday, July 5, 2013

Memorial for Anne Morgan


Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Anne Morgan
will be Saturday, July 13th at 10 a.m.
 
 

 

Ryan Hebert's Tribute to the Fourth of July


RYAN HEBERT’S TRIBUTE TO THE FOURTH OF JULY
 
Sunday, July 7th, Ryan Hebert’s prelude will be Dudley Buck’s
“Concert Variations on the Star Spangled Banner, Op. 23.” 

Mr. Buck was an American composer, organist and writer on music.  His most notable book was the Dictionary of Musical Terms and Influence of the Organ in History.  His best known composition for organ today is the “Concert Variations on the Star Spangled Banner, Op. 23.  Buck, who lived around the end of the 19th century, was born in Hartford, Connecticut.  He was the son of a merchant who encouraged him to develop his musical talents.  After attending college, he studied in Leipzig at the Conservatory and was a pupil of Louis Plaidy.  He also continued his studies in Dresden and Paris.  When he returned to the states, he was organist in Hartford, Chicago and Boston.  You will want to hear every note of this 10 minute prelude.  Be sure to come early for the Sunday 8:00 or 10:00 a.m. Eucharist on July 7th and enjoy our “Patriotic Salute!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Weekly Events at St. Thomas


Hello Everyone,

Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days.  Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP

The Youth Mission Trip departs for Vero Beach
Sunday, August 4th
returns Friday, August 9th 

The cost per Youth for this years Mission Trip will be
$300 per Youth.  We have families that need sponsors
so if you are interested in supporting a Youth for this
 year’s Mission Trip please indicate so on the
NOTE section of your check that says “Mission Trip.”  
Any amount helps. Thank you! 
 
DONATED VBS ITEMS
 
Thank you donating items for VBS this year.
They are ready for pick up and are located
on the counter in the Guild Room.  Please pick up
any time this week and/or weekend.

Tuesday, July 2nd


Wednesday, July 3rd
Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
The Holy Eucharist is at 12 noon. in the Chapel.
Supper, Song & Prayer is in the Parish Hall beginning at 6 p.m.   Everyone is welcome!
Godly Play is at 6:30 p.m. in the Library.  Godly Play is for Pre-K thru 5th grade
children. We will explore “Paul’s Discovery”.
Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

 
Thursday, July 4th
Church Office Closed



Friday, July 5th
Holy Folders is at 10a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.



Saturday, July 6th
Silent Saturday is at 7 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Harmony Band Rehearsal is at 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

 
 The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 7th
Sunday Services are at 8 and 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary,
10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall and 6 p.m. in the Chapel. 
Youth Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room.  Come and be a part of this great group!Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery.
Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery coordinating with each service.  Children will return to the service at the Offertory time.
Sunday School is on hiatus for the summer.

 

Monday, July 8th
AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.
Yoga is at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

 
See you at many—or all—of these events.

 
Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Passing of a Parishioner


Dear Parishioners,

It is with great sadness but also in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection that I inform you that Anne Morgan, a longtime parishioner, entered into eternal life this morning. 

Anne served as an Altar Guild Member for many years. Her outgoing and welcoming personality will surely be missed.  

A service celebrating her life will be held at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in the near future.  We will notify everyone when we have the date and time.

 With hope in Christ,
John Suhar

 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

An Invitation Parish Wide- Eformation is Waiting

Forming and Informing Faith World Wide

"E Formations is on Fire"

This post begins with an ENORMOUS thank you first to the Parish of St. Thomas and the wisdom of it's leadership (yes that would be Father John and the Vestry) for providing me with the opportunity to be a part of the E formation Conference held over this last week end at Virginal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA.  Second to Lisa Kimball, John Roberto and all the brilliant and loving people who built the experience.

It is very excting to know that we are in the midst of a movement that though it seems fast paced and ever changing is at the same time very stationary, positioned at the very center of our mission and calling as Christians.  It is dead bang on; a bullseye.

Before I elaborate on that thought let me set the stage.  People are gathered by the hundreds. They come from many denomination, cultures and geographic locations. Their roles vary; clery, church staff,  lay leaders,  parishioners. All together as one and they have two main things in common - they are seekers and followers.

The place was on fire.  Human desire to move mountains with the touch of a finger or in this case strokes of a keyboard.  Some may say this is impersonal or even lazy I say its genious. Genious inspired by the Holy Spirit.  As we moved from place to place the energy grew.  Connecting with each other, sharing ideas, asking the hard questions.  It takes a great plan to cultivate spontiaity. Yes, that's right a plan-.I watched people with a few items in common and many differences in toe (some would say baggage) agree and dissagree, embrace and reject all for a greater cause. At the end of the expierence we all know this: The plan  has already been laid out for us in Scripture. the creativity and spontieity comes with the delivery and the delivery comes from us.  It should be timely and reach the broadest base possible, while at the same time peak interest and curiousity and challenge the all senses and intellect. God created thiswithin us - we have the tools and now the technology.

 The concern I hear the most and that I also owned myself for a while is what about the personal contact.  We are one in Christ- a community like no other. This is the' no person left behind' iniative of the present day church. It is not meant to isolate it is meant to include, to reach out.

 While the whole weekend was amazing; two experiences touched me deeply. I invite you to share them with me at Supper Song & Prayer, soon
as we continue grow as a Parish from the inside out.
Peace,
Elaine

Post VBS thoughts

VBS: New faces, New places, New Friends

Every year it takes us a few days to rest before we can reflect on our week together. A long walk on the beach this morning allowed some thoughts to crystalze in my mind.  As adults we sometimes forget what really makes a child tick.  I think VBS is our reminder of how simple life really is.  How simple, how beautiful and how precious. For weeks, months even we are busy preparing.  Some of these preparations are smooth some not so smooth but no matter.  All always ends well. 
 As we open the doors the first day children run in, joy and excitement overflowing.  The air is electric. No matter how tired we all get that electric feeling stays. The children work hard, play hard, for play is their work. We work hard to play and end up exhausted. What are we missing?

And they learn. Some of the learning is direct and some is unknowing.  We study the Bible through storytelling and play acting, sharing a snack with another or running, bouncing, taking turns and working things out; simply caring enough to try.
                               .                        Who is teaching and who is learning?
Watching the actions of these children
 reminds us what Jesus is about. They make it simple. Their hearts are open when they come to us. It is a beautiful thing. We use all the talent, skill. and resource we have to show them what it is to be human and to be loved by God.  It is our job to fill their hearts with love and we do. That is beautiful too. That is what Jesus is about: simple, beautiful. and
                                                              how preciousis that?

Yes, I am exhausted but I have learned and I have loved. There is no better feeling in the world.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to all who gave of their time, talent, and love.  To those who prayed for our success.  And to each and every parent willing to share their family with us. Once again, St.Thomas has shared, cared and ROCKED  the love of God. How awesome is that?!


             Peace & Prayers, 
                Elaine