The Weekly Draft

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

June 6, 2024

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Bulletin for Sunday services - June 9, 2024

Dear St. Thomas' family,

Last Sunday, Fr. Ryan announced that my time at St. Thomas' is drawing to a close. Curacies are designed to prepare new priests to lead and serve in their own parishes. The final step is to discern a new call. Each stage of discernment is slow and filled with prayer. I knocked on doors in our diocese as well as the northeast so I could live closer to family. One exciting on-site interview led to a call to New England. As soon as the Bishop of Vermont signs the letter of agreement, I will share the details. Until then, I want to thank you for two-and-a-half years of enriching ministry, deepening trust and faith, and great joy. Special thanks to all of the souls who were moved by the Holy Spirit to get involved in the youth and pastoral care ministries--too many to name individually. It has been a privilege to learn and grow in this great parish.

I'm not sharing this news on social media yet, but don't hesitate to reach out to me by phone 954-253-4414 or email anneh@stthomasstpete.org if you have any questions or want to get together. Please keep me in your prayers. I'll be here all of June and at least the first week in July.

God's blessings on you all,

Mthr. Anne

This coming Sunday will be Interim Music Director Ruth Cobb's last at St. Thomas'. Please come wish her well and thank her at coffee hour after the 10:00 service on June 9th.

Our new Music Director, Jordan Markham, will be with us on June 16th. We will welcome Jordan at a brunch after the 10:00 service in the parish hall.

At the same brunch, we will say farewell to Mother Anne, who has accepted a call to serve as a parish priest in New England. Her last Sunday will be July 7th.

St. Thomas' is blessed to have Russ Martin as our new parish administrator. Russ works weekdays from 8:30am-12:30pm.

Music for Sunday, June 9, 2024

#371, Thou whose almighty word, Moscow; #567 Thine arm O Lord, St. Matthew; #321 My God thy table now is spread, Rockingham; #410 Praise my soul the King of Heaven, Lauda Anima. 



Organ offerings are by Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer credited with reviving the works of J.S. Bach, with a performance of the St. Matthew Passion. John Stanley was an 18th century English composer who was virtually blind from the age of two after a fall. He studied with Maurice Green, organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.

It is time to bid you farewell and offer my thanks for the opportunity to return to an organ bench and lead the wonderful choir in praise to God. When I first spoke with Fr. Ryan, I had not played the organ since the Sunday before the pandemic shut-down in March, 2020. It has been an interesting and humbling experience! Of the many positions I’ve held since 1975, St. Thomas' will hold a special place in my memory. I appreciate the chance to reclaim a few of my skills, to play some of my favorite hymns with descants ‘one more time’, and work with a great group of singers. The future is bright and the possibilities are many. It is good to say ‘good-bye’ with Jordan arriving to take up the permanent position. Support and encourage him, whether it is singing in the choir or picking up your hymnal and joining in with others.

Ruth

Youth Ministry

St. Thomas’ offers sacramental rites (Baptism, Communion Basics, Confirmation), Feasting on the Word for Grades 1-5, Truthseekers class for Grades 6-12, guild apprenticeship ("Behind the Scenes"), and fun activities throughout the school year. The nursery is staffed at both Sunday services during the school year. For an overview of our youth program, check out the website.

Our classes are on break until September. If you are interested in joining St. Thomas' outstanding team of educators in the fall, let Fr. Ryan or Russ know. God Help Me! A Group for Parents will also resume in September. Happy summer, all!

Adult Formation

Women of the Word meet on Thursday mornings at 9:15 in the Founders Room.

Along with the book of Galatians, we will use as a reference and/or workbook 'Now that Faith Has Come, A Study of Galatians' by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore. Together we can learn about the authenticity of the gospel, the superiority of the gospel and the freedom of the gospel. Amen! Click on the photo to see the schedule. Please contact Joan Barns for information, 757-567-5488.

Men's Bible Study - Wednesdays 7:30am

SUMMER SCHEDULE

June 5 - NO MEETING

June 12 - Regular Meeting

June 19 - Regular Meeting

OFF FOR SUMMER

August 7 - Reconvene

Pastoral Care

Healing Prayer is offered at the 10am Sunday service, and occasionally at 8am. After communion you are invited to come to the back of the church and receive a confidential healing prayer from a trained parishioner. Prayer ministers share the heart of Jesus’s love and care, and are guided by the Holy Spirit to listen, love, and pray into your prayer requests for physical, emotional and/or spiritual needs. Intercessory prayers for others can also be given. If you have any questions about the healing prayer ministry or feel called to serve, please call Joan Barns 757 567-5488 or email joanmbarns@gmail.com.

Outreach/Mission

Please join us on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in the parish hall for the return of The Festive Meal. The entrée will be provided and we will need table hosts to select their table theme and decorate. For more details and to sign up as a table host please speak with any stewardship committee member.

SABBATICAL / RENEWAL LEAVE PLANNING. St. Thomas’ Vestry and Sabbatical Planning Committee are using Dr. Robert C. Saler’s exceptional work, Planning Sabbaticals: A Guide For Congregations And Their Pastors (Chalice Press, 2019), to inform our planning and management of Fr. Ryan’s summer 2025 sabbatical leave. We invite you to stay tuned for periodic planning updates. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Sabbatical Planning Committee with questions: Mary Clark 832-332-5339, Pam Holley 727-481-4990, or Bill Barns 757-646-5146. Read more by clicking the button below.