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THE EPISTLE:
September 7, 2023
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New Mom's Group at St. Thomas kicks off TONIGHT Thursday, September 7th
@6:30 P
St. Thomas’ brand new Mom's group for mothers with children age 0 - 18 is about kick off a wonderful new ministry with its first meeting tonight, September 7th.
The monthly Mom's Group will be a time to come together as mothers with young children and support one another, to share in the love and laughter, and to help each other through the challenges and struggles that parenthood brings. Being a mom is not always easy, so one night a month we hope to come together to ask the good Lord for patience and strength and to lean on one another in this shared experience. We hope you’ll join us from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall beginning TONIGHT, Thursday, September 7th. Feel free to bring a friend! If you have questions contact Audrey Cain at audreysherkin@gmail.com.
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HEY ST. THOMAS YOUTH! Ready for a another CHESS TOURNAMENT??
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENT FOR SEPTEMBER
On Sept 10th, come to the Parish Hall immediately following the 10:30 Eucharist for another YOUTH CHESS TOURNAMENT, for Grades 6 - 12. All levels of players, from beginners to advanced, are welcome, and a lunch will be provided!
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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. We have two one-time classes especially for you. Newcomers 1 will be held at 9:30 a.m. on September 10 in the Crossroads Room. This will cover The Episcopal Church from Jesus' death to today.
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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Young Adult Pub Theology
Calling all young adults out in the working world! Young Adult Pub Theology will meet September 11 at Melt in downtown Huntsville from 6-7:30PM. If you have any questions please email Ranie at associate@stthomashuntsville.org
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Choral Evensong
This Wednesday,
September 13th
6 PM
The St. Thomas Choir, with Fr. Donavan officiating and preaching, will present a special service of Choral Evensong on Wednesday, September 13, at 6pm to commemorate the Eve of the Feast of the Holy Cross.
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SILVER SAINTS MOVIE MATINEE
September 14, 2023
We have a wonderful movie from your childhood; ET; the Extraterrestrial. Steven Spielberg's classic movie is one of the greatest family films ever made, with themes of loyalty, trust, and caring; a story of friendship and love. It's about a relationship between a little boy and a creature from outer space who become best friends. Tears of happiness are expected.
Come join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 14.
The Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with free movies. We offer snacks and beverages, and we will even pick you up and return you home if you wish. We have comfortable seating and a half-time break in the movie. Please bring your friends and ask people from our neighborhood.
Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748, or the church office at 256-880-0247. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride. Please come join us.
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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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SIGN UP FOR ADULT CONFIRMATION/
REAFFIRMATION CLASS NOW!
Sunday Lunch Class begins September 17th!
Adults interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, and those wanting to Reaffirm their faith with Bishop Glenda Curry on October 22, can SIGN UP IN INFORMATION HALL THIS SUNDAY! Fr. Donavan will begin offering an Adult Confirmation class and luncheon on Sundays, starting Sunday, September 17th. If you have questions about confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation as an adult, email Fr. Donavan at dcain@stthomashuntsville.org.
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Want to be part of a Foyer Group at St. Thomas?
Interested in getting to know your fellow parishioners better? Then sign up to join a Foyer Group! These groups meet on a regular basis in the homes of Foyer Group members for potluck meals and fellowship. Sign up this Sunday on the list posted in the breezeway or simply get online and sign up here.
Questions? Email Julie Williams at juliewilliams1968@gmail.com
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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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LOBSTERFEST 30!
IT'S A SHELL-ABRATION
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! Come to the Lobsterfest 201 Fair in the Parish Hall between 9:30am and 10:15am. 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.
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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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Spaghetti Supper for Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z & Gen Alpha on Sept. 17th!
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.
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Habitat for Humanity Work Opportunities
The Andros home is close to being finished. We will complete the baseboards this week and touch up paint. We will paint the interior of the Nassau home on Saturday.
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.
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St. Thomas Book Club meets September 11th
St. Thomas Book Club is trying some old classics for the next two months. For September 11, our book is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggins and on 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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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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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!
Adult Christian Formation classes are available every Sunday morning at St. Thomas.
Fr. Donavan's Adult Christian Formation offering the first two Sundays in September will be a "Rector's Forum" at 9:30am in the Parish Hall. Each Week, Donavan will teach the ancient way of "Praying the Scriptures" known as "Lectio Divina." Using a visual or aural piece that he feels brings the Bible verses and message together, he will share something that speaks to him directly from the Sunday morning scripture. After his short presentation, he will invite you to share your thoughts or ask questions that go with Sunday's scripture or something completely different to add to the discussion.
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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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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:
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Treble Choir Majors (Grade 2 – 8) will rehearse Wednesday afternoons 4:30 – 5:30
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Bell Choir will rehearse Wednesday evenings 6:00 – 6:45
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Adult Choir will rehearse Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 8:45
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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.
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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!
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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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AT A GLANCE: September 1 - September 6 | | | | |
