|
THE EPISTLE:
September 14, 2023
| |
|
DON'T MISS
LOBSTERFEST 201
THIS SUNDAY!
Come to the Lobsterfest 201 Fair in the Parish Hall between 9:30am and 10:15am. It's a shell-abration of 30 years of fellowship, outreach, and hospitality! The big day- November 11- will be here before you know it, and we need YOU to help kick-off the season of Lobsterfest on Sunday, September 17!
Visit the different committee booths; and when you sign up to help with a committee, be entered into the raffle for Lobsterfest t-shirts or food.
We'll also have this year's long and short sleeve t-shirts for sale. Pre-orders for this year's 30th anniversary polo will be taken. Don't forget to pick-up a Lobsterfest yard sign! Buy Lobsterfest gift cards for friends.
On the fence about the Lobsterfest 5k? Talk with our on-site experts about how you can be part of the big start of Lobsterfest week.
| |
|
Spaghetti Supper for Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z & Gen Alpha this Sunday!
We want to get to know you more, provide an opportunity for fellowship, and fill you in on the ways St. Thomas is evolving to better engage younger generations. Please plan on letting us provide supper for you on Sunday evening, September 17th at 6PM in the Parish Hall. Childcare will be provided.
| |
|
ADULT CONFIRMATION BEGINS THIS SUNDAY!
For adults interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church and those wanting to Reaffirm their faith with Bishop Glenda Curry on October 22, Fr. Donavan will begin offering an Adult Confirmation class and luncheon THIS SUNDAY, September 17th. Confirmation will be on October 22 with Bishop Glenda Curry.
If you have questions or have not signed up please email Fr. Donavan HERE.
| |
|
Little Free Pantry
We continue to serve our neighbors in need with gifts from you, Outreach Funds, and our community outside this parish. Our volunteers are witnessing many days where people in the community are not just taking things from the pantry, but also putting in many needed items. We are grateful as this is what we had hoped; that it would become something the community could participate in with us.
We would like to ask that when you are able, please pick up extra food items at the grocery store and drop them off in the Little Red Wagon in Information Hall.
Thank you!
| |
|
LOBSTERFEST LOBSTER ALLEY
NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Lobster Alley flies in the lobsters from Maine, and with the Huntsville Cargo Facility closed, the lobsters are now flown into the Birmingham Cargo Facility. Lobster Alley rents a U-Haul that travels to Birmingham to pick up the lobsters.
We are looking for someone that may have a contact with a trucking company in Birmingham that that would be willing (no charge, if possible) to pick up the lobsters and bring to Huntsville.
For more information, contact Tom Perry (256) 348-4313.
| |
|
Lobsterfest 5K
It's the 30th anniversary of Lobsterfest at St. Thomas, and we want YOU to join us for the SHELL-ABRATION! Early bird (and best price) registration for the Lobsterfest 5k is now open. We have a NEW time and NEW swag this year...but we will still donate ALL proceeds to local and international outreach. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4 at 3:00 p.m. The race is family-friendly, with runners and walkers of all levels welcome. And with your race entry, you'll receive a cool sweatshirt to keep you warm all winter long. To sign-up NOW click HERE!
If you can't make the run/walk in person, you may order a sweatshirt for a minimum donation of $30 to the Lobsterfest 5k through mid-October. See Jenna or Lloyd for this option.
Also, you (or your business) can really help by becoming a Lobster Friend or LobSTAR race sponsor! As a sponsor, you not only directly support our St. Thomas Lobsterfest outreach ministries...your name will also be featured on the sweatshirt! If you'd like more information on how to become a Lobsterfest 5K sponsor, click HERE!
Let's have a great showing of parishioners at this wonderful community event; sign up TODAY to walk, run or sponsor the Lobsterfest 5K!
| |
For more information, click HERE! | |
|
Are you NEW to St. Thomas? Come learn all about our church and our history in our new monthly Newcomers Class!
Newcomers: We are really excited to have you here at St. Thomas. Newcomers 2 will be held on October 15. We will tell you the story of St. Thomas and show you where things are here. Just follow the blue signs each morning.
Call Elouisa Stokes for more information at 256-604-8669.
| |
Blessing of the Animals is set for Sunday, October 8th
Please join us for the annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 8 at 3pm. No matter what type of animal you have – the 4-legged kind, the swimmers, the crawlers and the hoppers – bring ‘em on! All families will receive a dog or cat goodie bag. Even if you don’t have a pet, you are invited. It is a fun celebration of all God’s creatures. Don’t miss it.
| |
|
St. Thomas Book Club meets October 9th
St. Thomas Book Club is trying some old classics for October 9, we will be discussing Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. We meet in the Parlor at 10 a.m. and would love to have you join us. Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 for more information.
| |
|
Habitat for Humanity Work Opportunities
The Andros home is close to being finished. This week we will be painting the interior of the house on Nassau Drive. Please join us as we work to get this house finished.
Please plan to come at 8 or later and help us get these homes ready with their homeowners.
Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 for more information.
| |
|
Children and Youth Christian Formation CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY!
St. Thomas' Children and Youth Christian Formation classes are now underway every Sunday! We're now offering five different Sunday school classes for our children and youth!
Pre-K - 1st grade: Godly Play- Renee' Redfield - Hiers 4
2nd grade-3rd grade: Love First- Laura Beth Bestor - Hiers 2 (new room)
4th grade-5th grade: Bible Stories & Art- Kathie Clayton & Lila Powell - Hiers 6
6th grade-7th grade: My Faith, My Life- Sonya Carrier & Jane Allgood - Hiers 5
8th grade- 12th grade: Science & Religion with the Rev. Jeannie Randall; Confirmation Classes starting Sept. 3 with the Rev. Ranie Neislar - Youth Room
Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, at children@stthomashuntsville.org or our Youth Ministries Coordinator, The Rev. Jeannie Randall at jrann228@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to help out with this important aspect of our ministries.
| |
|
Adult Christian Formation Classes EVERY SUNDAY!
Adult Christian Formation classes are available every Sunday morning at St. Thomas.
Fr. Donavan's Adult Christian Formation class will return after the Lobsterfest 201 Fair. Look in The Epistle next week for the new class Fr. Donavan will begin on Sunday, September 24th.
| |
|
In the Conference Room at 9:30am, the Adult Formation Book Study will continue the book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. Evans knows firsthand how a relationship with the Bible can be as real and as complicated as a relationship with a family member or close friend. In Inspired, Evans explores contradictions and questions from her own experiences with the Bible, including:
- If the Bible was supposed to explain the mysteries of life, why does it leave the reader with so many questions?
- What does it mean to be chosen by God?
- To what degree did the Holy Spirit guide the preservation of these narratives, and is there something sacred to be uncovered beneath all these human fingerprints?
- If the Bible has given voice to the oppressed, why is it also used as justification by their oppressors?
If you are interested in joining us we will be ordering books this coming week to purchase through the church for $10. Please email Ranie at associate@stthomashuntsville.org.
| |
|
5pm "Laid Back" Sunday Eucharist
St. Thomas' "Laid Back" 5pm Sunday worship service is here to stay, but we have made a change to our Sunday evening dinner offering. Dinner will now be offered only on the FIRST SUNDAY of each month. We will have dinner October 1st, November 5th, and December 3rd. Our special "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist will continue every Sunday, with simple hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal, good sermons preached from the floor, and Holy Communion. Come as you are and invite a friend to join you for the 5pm Evening Holy Eucharist EVERY SUNDAY at St. Thomas.
| |
|
TUESDAY NIGHTS AT ST. THOMAS!
Join us Tuesday nights in Conference Room 2 from 6-7:30PM, as we dive into Paul’s Letter to the Romans!
Many of our Christian beliefs are deeply formed by this sacred text from the New Testament. Bring a Bible, something to eat and drink, and come prepared to enjoy fellowship and learn "What Saint Paul is saying to the Romans" and what it means for modern-day disciples! Mtr. Ranie will be leading the class. If you have any questions please email her at associate@stthomashuntsville.org.
| |
|
St. Thomas Music Programs and rehearsals are back!
Rehearsals for Adult Choir, Bell Choir and Treble Choir have resumed! New members are always welcome.
Come sing and ring with us! Find rehearsal dates and times here:
-
Treble Choir Majors (Grade 2 – 8) will rehearse Wednesday afternoons 4:30 – 5:30
-
Bell Choir will rehearse Wednesday evenings 6:00 – 6:45
-
Adult Choir will rehearse Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 8:45
-
Joyful Noise rehearses as needed, usually on Saturday morning the day before a JN service.
Contact Kathy Heim music@stthomashuntsville.org for information about Treble & Adult Choirs.
Contact Donna Clark clarkdf@aol.com for information about Bell Choir.
Contact John Hanson johnspacecadet31@gmail.com for information about Joyful Noise.
| |
|
St. Thomas now has a VENMO account for easier online giving!
Forget your checkbook or cash and want to contribute to St. Thomas? Consider using our brand new VENMO account! If you have a VENMO account, you can now look for our new VENMO QR code (included here!) in the church and parish hall, or simply search on your VENMO app for @StThomasHsv. And please help the Finance Office by being sure to note where your contribution should go in the "What's it for?" line (e.g., breakfast, supper, donation, pledge, baseball game, Clergy Discretionary account, etc.).
And THANK YOU to Gail Perna and members of our Finance Committee for doing the hard work to bring the ease of VENMO to St. Thomas!
| |
AT A GLANCE: September 7 - September 13 | | | | |
