The St. Thomas Church office will be closed this Monday, January 15th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The office will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, January 16th.

THE EPISTLE:

January 11, 2024

THIS WEEK

Silver Saints presents

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

TODAY, Jan 11th, at 1pm

It is a new year and time for some more fun movies.

The January 2024 movie will be Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman, a funny comedy adventure that is a “delight for adults and a jubilation for kids.” It is about the most amazing store in the World which can get an attitude. Please come join us for a fun afternoon at the St. Thomas Parish Hall on January 11, beginning at 1:00 PM. As always, we will serve snacks and beverages, provide comfortable seating, and transport you to/from the Parish Hall if you so desire. This will be a great way to start your New Year. Please join us and bring your friends and neighbors. Please give us 24-hour notice if you will need a ride. Call the Church Office at 256-880-0247; or Jack & Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748.

Annual Parish Meeting BREAKFAST: Beginning at 9:15 am THIS SUNDAY, January 14th

This year, for our Annual Parish Meeting and Vestry Election, we are shifting from an afternoon lunch to a morning breakfast meeting! This means our Annual Meeting will happen between the 8am and 10:30am Eucharists, during the breakfast/Christian Formation time.

THIS Sunday, January 14th, all Adult Christian Formation classes will be put on hold, while Christian Formation for children and youth will still be offered, allowing parents to attend and take part in the Annual Meeting. The World Missions team will be on Breakfast duty and will provide a faster, "Continental Breakfast" to get everyone settled with their food for our Annual Meeting start time, which has been set for 9:15am. At that time, Fr. Donavan will begin the meeting this year with a "State of the Parish" report, followed by the presentation of the 2024 Budget by the Treasurer, and the election of new vestry members. The nominees for the vestry this year are Tracy Ganem (Roberts), Cynthia Geis, Mark Mohler, Elisa Stucker, Brett Tomlin, and Peter Wilson. Vestry Bios are available to download by clicking HERE.

We hope this time change will make the Annual Meeting more available to attendees of BOTH worship services, as well as making use of our already scheduled breakfast and clean-up teams.

Please plan on being present for this important Parish Meeting this Sunday, January 14th, beginning at 9:15am in the Parish Hall!

Habitat for Humanity Homes Dedicated this past Saturday!

Our St. Thomas Habitat for Humanity team led by Al and Elouisa Stokes welcomed Vickie Wade and her family and Cynthia Neal and her family into their new homes this past Saturday, January 6th. Both new homeowners were presented Bibles and the keys to her new home, and Fr. Donavan helped in leading prayers at both houses. Pictures of this dedication are below in "At a Glance".

Little Free Pantry

Update for the Little Free Pantry!

We ask that you leave Little Free Pantry food donations in the little red wagon located in Information Hall. The shopping cart in Lobster alley has been removed. Bags and a shopping lists are in the little red wagon, and when you are able, please pick up a couple of extra food items and drop them off in the Information Hall. Thank you!

UPCOMING

Are you NEW to St. Thomas?

Newcomers: We are really excited to have you here at St. Thomas. We look forward to telling you a bit of the history of the Episcopal Church on Sunday, January 21st, at 9:30 in the Crossroads Room. Simply follow the blue signs. You will take a short tour of our facility along with names of places. For information call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669. Come learn all about our church and our history in our new monthly Newcomers Class! On January 28th, Susie Thurber will tell you the story of St. Thomas and take a short tour of our facility along with names of places. For information call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669. Come learn all about our church and our history in our new monthly Newcomers Class

Everybody's Pub Theology Thursday, Jan. 25th!

Sit down with Fr. Donavan, Mtr. Ranie and Deacon Jeannie on Thursday, January 25th, from 6-7:30pm, at PaPPo's Pizzeria, at 7540 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion! And don't forget, buying the clergy a beer is fully encouraged and supported by the Bishop of Alabama (...Fr. Donavan asked her this back in October)!

Email Jeannie at jrann228@gmail.com and let her know if you plan on joining us!

ONGOING

Flower Dedications

Dedicating flowers for Sunday worship is a wonderful way to offer remembrance of a loved one or in celebration of special occasions such as Baptisms. You can sign up for dedications on the list tacked next to the Flower Guild room in Information Hall. We ask for a minimum donation of $60. As always, our dedicated team will make beautiful arrangements for your loved ones.

Christian Formation Offering for Adults: Bible Study on Romans Returns this Sunday

Each Sunday in Conference Rm 1, we will be studying Paul's Epistle to the Romans with Mtr. Ranie. Bring a Bible and all your questions and wonderment involving Saint Paul and the messy, fascinating theology his works foster. Mtr. Ranie will be leading the class. If you have any questions, please email her at associate@stthomashuntsville.org.

Children and Youth Christian Formation Information - Returns This Sunday

St. Thomas' Children and Youth Christian Formation classes are now underway every Sunday! We offer 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: Thou 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: 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.

Acolyte Sign-Up Genius is now available!

Calling all youth and children 2^nd grade and older to help serve our Church by being an acolyte! Click to access the 10:30am Acolyte Schedule Sign-Up Genius which schedules through January 2024. Please consider signing up 2-3 times to share your works. Contact Jeannie at jrann228@gmail.com with questions.

"Come As You Are"

5 PM Holy Eucharist

St. Thomas' "Come as You Are" 5pm Sunday worship service is every Sunday. Dinner is now offered on the FIRST SUNDAY of each month. We will have dinner Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 7, and May 5. Our 5pm Holy Eucharist features 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.