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THE EPISTLE:
September 21, 2023
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New Adult Christian Formation begins this Sunday with Fr. Donavan
This Sunday, Fr Donavan is kicking off a new Christian Formation class in the Parish Hall entitled, "Remembering & Refreshing our Faith." This class will focus on the the primary foundations of our spirituality and faith, as Christians and as Episcopalians in the Anglican Communion. We will look at the Bible, the Creeds, the historical 39 Articles of the Anglican Reformation, and the present Catechism in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. If you're new to the Episcopal Church or if you just want to revisit the history and teachings of the church, this could be a great class for you. Within our weekly conversation, Fr. Donavan will lay out church history, how the Anglican idea of "Via Media" continues to attempt to hold us together, and what we do (or don't do) within our liturgy and worship! Come join Fr. Donavan at 9:30am in the Parish Hall for "Remembering & Refreshing our Faith."
This Sunday class is meant to go deeper than our monthly "Newcomer 1 & 2" classes, while being a bit lighter than our present Confirmation class on Sunday afternoons.
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BBQ For Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The BBQ Bandits are firing up the smoker for the first annual Breast Cancer Awareness event. This year’s event is just a couple of weeks away (Oct 7-8) so look for Charlie’s email on the menu items and pick up information. Order this week HERE!
Please email us at stthomasbbq@gmail.com to be included on our distribution list.
Please tell all of your friends so that we make this initial event for Breast Cancer Awareness a BIG One!
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Sign up now to sing with our Choir for Advent Lessons and Carols
The Choir is looking for additional singers to join us for our annual Advent Service of Lessons and Carols. This year’s service will take place on Wednesday, December 13 at 6:00 pm. Rehearsals for Lessons and Carols will kick off with an in-house mini Choir Retreat on Friday, September 29, 6:00 – 7:30 pm and Saturday, September 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Following the retreat, rehearsals for L & C music will be on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the choir room. We’ll rehearse for 30 minutes in October and 45 minutes beginning in November. Please contact Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org if you are interested in joining us!
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Thank you from the DOK
A huge “Thank You” to all who contributed so generously to the Daughters of the King sponsored Summer Diaper Drive! The diapers and wipes were recently delivered to the Athens Department of Human Resources case workers who were thrilled! All supplies are much needed, but the need is greatest for adult diapers. Thank you again for making the lives easier for foster children and adults in state care!
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For more information, click HERE! | |
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Calling All Pets
And Their Humans
Please join us for the annual Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis on Sunday, October 8 at 3:00 PM. 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 doggie 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 and one of the church's most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi. Don’t miss it!
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Youth Acolyte Training: "Wisdom and Works in our Church," beginning October 1st
Don't miss the Wisdom & Works in our Church series for 2nd-7th graders on October 1 and 8! Join Deacon Jeannie in the Nave from 9:30am-10:15am for acolyte training and learning about our worship space. Contact The Rev. Jeannie Randall jrann228@gmail.com for more information. Christian Formation for Pre-K through 1st graders will continue in Hiers Hall on those dates.
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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.
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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.
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Thank You!
to everyone who came out to the Lobsterfest 201 Fair! We need you to help us shell-abrate 30 years of fellowship, outreach, and hospitality! The Lobsterfest Volunteer Sign-Up sheets have moved to the Information Hall Bulletin Board-- we still have plenty of spots open for you to help out. Those that sign up to help a committee between now and National Lobster Day (Monday, September 25) will be eligible to win a t-shirt or $25 gift card for Lobsterfest food. The winner will be announced in the September 28 Epistle. If you have any questions about where you can get plugged in, please email Mike and Laura Beth Bestor at malbb12@gmail.com. Lobsterfest t-shirts and yard signs will be available in Information Hall on Sundays.
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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!
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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.
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Habitat for Humanity Work Opportunities
The Andros home is close to being finished. This is the week to floor the Nassau Drive House. Join us as we install a vinyl plant floor.
Please begin at 8 and work until it's done, about 3.
Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 for more information.
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ADULT CONFIRMATION CONTINUES 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 continues the Adult Confirmation class and luncheon this Sunday. Confirmation conclude October 22 with Bishop Glenda Curry.
If you have questions or have not signed up please email Fr. Donavan HERE.
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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.
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Adult Christian Formation Classes EVERY SUNDAY!
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.
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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.
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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.
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Give to St. Thomas through VENMO!
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.).
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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!
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AT A GLANCE: September 14 - September 20 | | | | |
