Informational meeting for this years Natvity Play, Wed. 10/21,5:30p

Sacred Arts Series continues with  Journey to Bethlehem

The Information
It's time to gather and plan.  We invite all families wishing to take part in this years Nativity Play to come and see what we have in store. This year brings a new approach to the age old tradition of the celebration of the birth of Christ from a child's eyes.  It is always a  beautiful sight from the first of the sheep herd and littlest angel to the proud parents of the new born. All these God filled children working so hard to get it just right! This year we'll look inside the miracle of the story.

The Series
Each Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:00 beginning with November 4th, we will explore each aspect of the 'put together' of the play. Clinics will include script writing, costume & prop construction, the setting: including flowers, preparing of the altar, lighting & sound and of course music. 

The Result
All of this preparation (and learning) will come together on the weekend of December 18-20.  Friday, Dec. 18 we will experience  a  live Nativity (animals and all) on the point in front of the church from 6-8 p.m., Sat. Dec. 19 beginning at 9:00 we will have a run through practice of the play followed by baking and building Gingerbread Nativity, and Sunday Dec 20 the Nativity Play will take place in Harmony Service at 10:00 a.m.

All in all our hope is to have our families, especially our kids, experience this Advent and Christmas season like never before!

CASA Kaboom! Join the team today!!

A New Outreach Opportunity with an Old Friend

As St. Thomas gets reacquainted with CASA  we look for ways to support their Capital Campaign to raise funds for their new facility and also hope to provide helping hands in building out the grounds of this brand new "home away from home".  The outreach committee has dedicated funds and the Sunday School has raised money through their first bake sale and hope to do one more in November. Our tour there was very informative and beyond impressive. You definitely leave the facility and the staff with the feeling of hope and a wish and prayer of being a part of a very important movement in our community.

In addition we would like to round up ten (10) volunteers to help build a Kaboom! Playground for the many children (and their families) who find themselves in need of CASA's shelter and many services.  This project commitment has quick turn around so our deadline for sign up is TOMORROW, October 21st!

Please call the church office at 896-9641 to have your name put on the sign up sheet. Pam Hamby will be back in touch with you to confirm and relay any additional details.

Pecan preorder time!

This week only for Pecan Preorders - Send it our way NOW

Pecans are a sure sign that the holidays are close here at St. Thomas.  For your convenience we are send you the order form electronically this year. You can print and go! All order forms are to be returned by Sunday, October 25th and our order will be phoned in on the 26th. 

As always there will be forms available in the portico, parish hall and church office.

In the thick of things

Bringing People Together

Please bring an appetizer or bottle of wine to share

We are all in the middle of many activities all the time.  This week and next at St Thomas we hope you'll  check out some of the special opportunities designed to pause the busy schedule and come together. RSVP as needed to the Church office @896-9641 or tidings@tampabay.rr.com

Also, please let us know if child care is needed in  for you to participate  and we will do our best to assist you!

     Cardboard Box City

Sleep Out, Rock Out, Knock Out

HOMELESSNESS

Raising funds for Family Promise

Let's support progress in Pinellas County

 

If you are interested in checking this out, meet us there!

 

 

 

 Trunk or Treat / Wed. Oct. 28th

Let the decorating begin!

 

 

 5:30 p.m. just before Supper, Song & Prayer

Share in the Halloween Fun then join us for a "home cooked "

pot luck dinner and a look at youth ministry leadership!

 

 

Kids Weekend at St. Thomas - check for changes

Lock In Tonight!

Children's Lock In/ Fall Edition
The tradition continues...

Hello everyone.  Quick reminder that tonight is our Fall Lock In. Please RSVP to the office today if you plan on attending. Here's the scoop:

Ages K - 6th Grade

Youth are welcome to come and help out also (no cost f you are volunteering

and yes you can stay over night too!)

Cost is $10 per child

Includes dinner, snacks and lite breakfast 

Don't forget to bring:

sleeping bag with blanket or mattress, optional

pillow

pj's and change of clothes

toiletries

flash light with fresh batteries

Begins 7:00 p.m. with sign in and dinner in the Library. Drop off will be in the Snell Isle lot and enter through the Nursery door. 

From there we will move directly outside to pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples in the Curry Garden.  We'll have all the usual favorites with a scavenger hunt, sardines (hide and seek) and more.

PJ Chapel at 9:00 p.m. and the movie and Sundae Bar to follow.

Don't forget we will have our Blessing of the Animals Service on Saturday Morning at 9:00 a.m.

We will need a few parents to help set up for Harmony Service in the Parish Hall also.

Please also note that we will be rescheduling the youth pool party that was on the calendar for tomorrow, 10/3, 1-4 pm.

We will bring it back to the youth to determine the new date and let everyone know as soon as possible.  Thanks!

Calling all bakers, join the celebration!

It's a full out baking weekend!

This weekend we celebrate with Moravian Music in our 10:00 a.m. Traditional Service. We will follow worship with a touch of  cultural tradition know as the Moravian Love Feast.  A reception will take place in our Garden (weather permitting, prayer please!) where we will serve specialty coffee and Moravian treats including fresh baked buns.

If you love to bake or just enjoy gathering around a kitchen with a cup of good coffee, please join us Saturday afternoon at around 11:30 am for a lite lunch of salad and ice tea after which we will bake buns, decorate baskets and get set for Sunday.

Please RSVP to the church office by this afternoon by 4:00 p.m.

In addition the Sunday School will hold a bake sale to support CASA this Sunday during the reception.  If you would like to help us raise funds to support the new shelter building and to increase awareness on domestic violence, please bring bake goods, ready to sell grouped or individually wrapped to the kitchen any time Sunday morning.  We'll take it from there!!

Calling All Ringers,"Chime In" family ring this Wednesday at 5:30

Just when you think you are familiar with St Thomas something NEW pops up!

Over the years we have launched a variety of musical opportunities for children and youth.  Chime in is new and very different.  It will be the first in a series of segments all focused on the Sacred Arts.

Here's a quick announcement as we begin this week. More to come on the series in the Youth & Family Exchange Enews coming out this week.

Fall “Chime-In” for kids & youth

This is “Mr. Rick” calling all kids and youth! Come, learn how to play chimes and bells, on Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:10, right before Supper, Song & Prayer. We’ll start September 16 with a “Group Ring”, for kids, youth and their parents. Then 9-23, 9-30 & 10-7 the kids and youth will prepare to ring for worship on Sunday 10-11. Come on out and “Chime in”!