Pecan Orders due Tomorrow, 10/27

Reminder Sunday, October 27th is our deadline for turning in pre-order forms for pecans this year. Forms can be found in the church office. We are planning on putting the order in on Monday, October 28th.

Sunday Morning Ministries to visit Nursing Home Sunday 10/27

This is the week to wear your costumes!!

All are welcome to join Sunday Morning Ministries as they visit Shore Acres Nursing Home. This outing will take place during the regular class time. The Nursery will remain open as usual for ages infant to 5 years for those families that do not attend the outing. All other ages will be going on the outing and we ask that parents check in with our teachers to be sure that there is transportation for everyone.

Halloween Visit to Shore Acres Nursing Home

We ask that children dress in costume if possible. Keep in mind that we want to stay on the lighter side of the holiday so no dark,super scary or gory costumes please.

We will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:50 a.m. and return by the end of Service.

We will deliver the cookies made earlier in the month and meet and greet the residents.

Please contact Judi Sayles if you have any questions.

Pass It On

Faith that Forms Us

Restoration

Posted: Oct 16, 2013 01:00 am

God so loves us – and the world – that he comes looking for us, like the shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep to go find the one who has gone astray. This is grace: God’s gift of himself to us. It has nothing to do with our efforts, nothing to do with pumping iron or spiritual gymnastics. God longs to restore us to relationship with him, but that is only the beginning.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

As we give thanks for a Festive Meal more nourishing in friendship, love and belonging than I can ever remember and the most welcoming and beautiful Consecration Sunday Services we could ask for, a thought of restoration seems most fitting.   What a sense of security, knowing that God comes looking for us! We can show gratitude knowing that our cup is full. So if this is only the beginning what is our next step?

Line Up for this Week in Formation

Featured this Week:

Centering Prayer

Be Still and know that I am God

                                                  Psalm 46:10

St Thomas is fortunate in that we have two offerings of Centering Prayer each week.  The gathering on Tuesday evening is a larger group and follows a traditional format for Centering Prayer. This group has been meeting for a number of years and welcomes new members at any time.

Silent Saturdays originated during Lent last year as a weekly devotional time set aside from the hustle and bustle of the season.  Each week we spend time with the Gospel reading for the following day before beginning Centering Prayer time.    This practice has continued, finding that its position in the week helps to prepare for celebrating Eucharist on Sunday. 

Thomas Keating, Trappist Monk and  leader in the
Centering Prayer movement 

Centering Prayer is a meditative practice where by each individual prepares to enter into a more intimate presence with God.  It is a process of inviting God to that relationship with a word, phrase or image then clearing one's mind of thought in order to experience that exchange.  Each persons experience within the group is very individual in nature yet the group experiences a calmness and support of each other that is quite unique.  Over time  a new awareness can be developed strengthening ones daily devotion to God and Faith.

"In centering prayer,the sacred word is not the object of the intention but rather the expression of the intention of will"Thomas Keating

Please note that our Guild Room is still under renovation. This week new ceiling tiles are still being installed and  it is scheduled to be available by Wednesday. This may change from week to week.  Please watch for signs and posting as we work through the process. Thanks for your patience!

Tuesday Evening:

Centering Prayer meets in the Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m.
Whine & Cheese meets in the Guild Room at 7:00 p.m.  This is time for the older generation! 40's and up spend time together talking about the topics that are present in their lives, what presses upon their beliefs or brings joy to their heart. Topics change from week to week.  Led by  Fr.John Suhar.
Wednesday Evening:

The usual Supper, Song, and Prayer, Godly Play & Youth Group, begins at 6:00 in the Parish Hall.

Stronger by Angela Thomas, A Women's Study led by Erica Kramer begins at 6:30 in the guild room. Childcare is provided and the children will be picked up from the Parish Hall at approximately 6:25 p.m. 

Thursday Morning:

Women of the Word - Women's Bible Study begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Guild Room led by Barbara Suhar

Thursday Evening:

Raising Kids who Turn Out Right / Part II in Grace Based Parenting, 6:30- 8:00 p.m., Guild Room. Child care provided. Please don't hesitate to join us. Each weeks' discussion is self contained with a tie- in summary to the big picture. Updates at stthomasfaithformation.weebly.com.  Under Relationships/ Raising a Family.

Saturday Morning:

Silent Saturdays  begin at 7:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. 

Last Call For Children's Lock In

Fall is HERE!

And That Means... Children's Lock IN Time

This Friday 7:00 p.m. to 

Saturday 9:00 a.m.

 Come Celebrate God’s Creatures Large and Small

Remember to RSVP to the Church office by Thurs. 3 p.m.

Schedule of Events

7:00 Arrival 

Group Introductions

Snacks/Drinks

7:15 Dinner 

Pizza, Salad, Fruit and Drink

Creative Space

Holy Spirit Pumpkin Carving

Leaf Rubbings

Pet Snack Bags

Dessert: Ice Cream Bar

8:00 Games, Games & More Games

Treasure Hunt

Sardines

Flashlight Tag

Bobbing for Apples

9:00- P.J. Chapel--Worship / Devotions

  

       10:00 Movie

  

       BEDTIME!!!!!

Blessing of the Animals 9:00 am

Outreach to Benefit

SPCA

Food, towels, newspaper, cat litter

Begins at lock in & will be collected all week, Oct 4-13

This Week in Formation

Time

Posted: Oct 02, 2013 01:00 am  God created time, and hallowed time – and I think God likes us to spend time, and not try to beat it!

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

October 1 begins the start of the new month and a new formation offering. As you look through the list you may find your place to spend time.  Information on our Monday night class is listed below. In addition, please note updates in each area listed with times, places and summaries.

Featured this week:

ADULT EDUCATION

MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
 
Begins Monday, October 7^th at 7 p.m., Guild Room
Presented by The Rev. Dr. Chuck Jones
 

For the next seven weeks we will do an overview of the major religious traditions of the world. Their basic perspectives will be presented along with their particular understanding of the world, concepts of the sacred, and the purpose that humans have in life. We will have one session for each—a handout will accompany each presentation.

Recommended reading for this class is:

God Is Not One: The Eight Religions That Run the World  by Stephen Prothero (Harper Collins Publishers: New York, NY; 2010) and it is  available for $10 in the church office.

Session 1             Hinduism:  The Path of Ancient India

Session 2             Buddhism:  The Way of Enlightenment

Session 3             Daoism—Confucianism

                             Getting at the Yin and the Yang of It All

 Session 4            Judaism:  The Essence of a Tradition

 Session 5             Islam:  Followers of the Prophet

 Session 6            “New Religious Movements:” Why All These New Religions—And What’s So New

                              About Them?

 Session 7             Christianity:  Diversity/Transition/Challenge

Please note that our Guild Room is still under renovation. This week new ceiling tiles are being installed and  it is scheduled to be available by Wednesday. This may change from week to week.  Please watch for signs and posting as we work through the process. Thanks for your patience!

Wednesday Evening:

The usual Supper, Song, and Prayer, Godly Play & Youth Group, begins at 6:00 in the Parish Hall.

Stronger by Angela Thomas, A Women's Study led by Erica Kramer begins at 6:30 in the guild room. The group is under way and numbers are growing. so if you 're thinking about joining the group, now  is the time. Childcare is provided and the children will be picked up from the Parish Hall at approximately 6:25 p.m. 

Thursday Morning:

Women of the Word - Women's Bible Study begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Guild Room led by Barbara Suhar

Thursday Evening:

Raising Kids who Turn Out Right / Part II in Grace Based Parenting, 6:30- 8:00 p.m., Guild Room. Child care provided. In a small intimate setting we pulled apart Faith; great time together talking about important things. this week we'll move on to Integrity. Please don't hesitate to join us. Each weeks' discussion is self contained with a tie- in summary to the big picture.

Pub Theology  will meet at 6:00 p.m. at Gator's Restaurant. This gathering brings 20/30's together to share views and fellowship.  

Saturday Morning:

Silent Saturdays  begin at 7:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.