THE EPISTLE:

January 8, 2026

Pray the Rosary with Fr. Donavan, this Friday at 12:05 PM

Join Fr. Donavan tomorrow, Friday, January 9th, at 12:05pm to Pray the Holy Rosary. Each prayer session lasts around half an hour and includes the reading of each scripture passage from the five decades of either the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, or Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. If you’ve never prayed the Rosary before, we always have Rosary beads available, and written directions to help you fully participate in this meaningful, scriptural, and contemplative prayer practice.

"Christian Beginnings: Baptism and Catechesis," led by Mtr. Katie

Beginning this Sunday, January 11th, the Sunday dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus, Mtr. Katie will begin teaching a new Adult Christian Formation class entitled “Christian Beginnings: Baptism and Catechesis.” Is Christian baptism about sin or about death or something else? What did the ancient world think was most important to know about what it means to be a Christian? Join in the conversation and you may even learn how to say “mystagogical catechesis!” Join us in the Parish Hall at 9:30am THIS SUNDAY to learn more!

Alright Sharks, it’s time to hear from 7-12th graders about the next great inventions THIS SUNDAY, January 11, from 6-8pm. Break up into teams and create something within the timeframe of 10 minutes. Share your inventions with the Sharks (the rest of the groups). Dinner and invention supplies are provided.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Monday, January 12

10 AM in the Parlor

Our next book club selection is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, an Alabama lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Written in 2015, this powerful and eye-opening memoir reflects on Stevenson’s work "defending those most in need within the criminal justice system, including the poor, the wrongly condemned, and vulnerable women and children." Widely acclaimed, Just Mercy has received numerous awards and strong reader praise, and is often noted for its moral clarity and emotional depth. The book raises important questions about justice, mercy, and compassion, making it a meaningful choice for thoughtful group discussion.

Join us for book club Monday, January 12, as we gather for conversation and shared reflection. All are welcome, whether you’ve finished the book or are just getting started.

Election of the next Bishop of Alabama set for January 24th in Birmingham

Please join the entire diocese in praying for the upcoming election of the 13th Bishop for the Diocese of Alabama. You can view and hear the statements from each of our candidates, the Rev. Candice Frazer and the Very Rev. Richard Lawson, HERE, and you can watch the "Meet the Bishop Candidate" Q&A that occurred at St. Luke's, Birmingham on January 3rd by clicking HERE (...fast-forward to the timestamp 18:00 for the beginning of the event). 

The election will be held on January 24, and our new bishop will be seated in a special Consecration Eucharist in June. Please pray for Richard and Candice, our candidates, and for our electorate, especially our St. Thomas delegates and clergy, Laura Beth Bestor, Belinda Greenaway, Maggie Hall, Zach House, Brian Tipton, Kathy Heim, Paul Heim, Fr. Donavan, and Mtr. Katie.

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Bishop for The Diocese of Alabama, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will preach the Gospel, care for your people, equip us for ministry, and lead us forth in fulfillment of the Great Commission; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Nominations for the St. Thomas Vestry EXTENDED through January 25!

St. Thomas is preparing to elect four new Vestry members at the upcoming Annual Parish Meeting & Breakfast, now set for Sunday, February 15. If you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the vestry, please submit the name in the box marked VESTRY in the Narthex. If you'd like to nominate someone, please be sure to discuss it with that person first to be sure they are willing to serve the three-year term. 

Vestry responsibilities include:

·Attending vestry meetings on the third Tuesday evening of each month.

·Attending a Saturday Vestry Retreat.

·On a rotating basis, two vestry members count the offering and secure the building each Sunday after worship services.

·Vestry members also cook, serve and clean up breakfast on a rotating schedule, one Sunday per month. Each vestry member signs up for breakfast four times a year.

If you would like more information or have additional questions about the responsibilities and expectations of serving on the St. Thomas Vestry, you are very welcome to ask Fr. Donavan, Mtr. Katie, our Sr. Warden, Brett Tomlin, our Jr. Wardens, David Hattaway and Doug Eskew, or any current member of the Vestry. To set up a time to meet with Fr. Donavan, you can email him HERE and to set up a meeting with the Senior Warden, email Brett HERE.

Please prayerfully consider if you, or someone you know, may be called to serve our parish in this important leadership role. Nominations will now close Sunday, January 25, and nominations will not be accepted from the floor during the annual parish meeting.

To be nominated for the Vestry, a person must be a confirmed communicant in good-standing, known to the treasurer to be pledging, and a regular participant in the life and worship of the parish.

UPCOMING

Welcome St. Thomas Newcomers & Visitors! Meet & Mingle on Sunday, January 18th!

After the 10:30 Eucharist on Sunday, January 18, the St. Thomas IWC Committee will host a drop-in social in the Parish Hall for all newcomers and visitors. Stop in for a snack or a light lunch, a cup of coffee and a treat, or just to mingle with your fellow St. Thomas parishioners. We will also provide kid-friendly food and supervised activities for school-aged children. Members of the St. Thomas Invite, Welcome, and Connect Committee will be on hand to help answer your questions. We hope to see you there!

This month's Movie Matinee is moving to January 22nd

St. Thomas' Silver Saints Movie Matinee, led by Jack and Becky Stokes, will be moving from its usual third Thursday date this month to the fourth Thursday. That means you can go ahead and change your calendar to Thursday, January 22nd, so you don't miss the movie and the fellowship! The film will start at the regular time, at 1pm, on January 22nd. Be on the lookout for information on this month's movie in The Epistle next week!

Mark your calendars: St. Thomas' Annual Meeting set for Sunday, February 15

The St. Thomas Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 15. Your Vestry voted to change the Annual Parish Meeting from January to February each year for several reasons. This change allows more time to wrap-up our stewardship drive and ensure our annual budget is as up-to-date as possible for presentation to the parish. For this year, in particular, moving our Parish Meeting to February also allows for a report on both the election of the 13th Bishop of Alabama and the 195th Convention of the diocese. Moving our annual meetings to February after our Diocesan Convention, also makes it possible for St. Thomas to elect delegates for the next year's convention at the same time that we elect our new Vestry members.

Finally, because February 15 this year will be the final Sunday of Epiphany, also referred to as Mardi Gras Sunday, this year's Annual Meeting will be held AFTER the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist to incorporate a special Mardi Gras style lunch into our Annual Meeting reports and presentations! Watch the Epistle for more information in the coming weeks!

Thank you to our St. Thomas Vestry for all their hard work over the past year and a special THANK YOU to our four off-going Vestry members (Grace Casey, Kathie Clayton, David Hattaway, and Richard Williams) who agreed to continue for one additional month in 2026 to allow for this Annual Meeting/Vestry Election alteration. All future elected members of the Parish Vestry will begin their three-year term immediately following the February Annual Parish Meeting and will finish their term at the February meeting three years later.

Daughters of the King

Prayer Shawl Request

The DoK is asking for help making prayer shawls.

Prayer shawls are handmade expressions of comfort and prayer, lovingly given to those who are ill, grieving, or in need of encouragement. Each shawl is a reminder that the recipient is wrapped in God’s love and held in the prayers of our church community.

If you are able, please consider creating a prayer shawl over the coming weeks. Shawls may be knitted, crocheted, or made from fleece or another soft material. Completed shawls may be brought to the church office, where Fr. Donavan will bless them. If crafting is not your gift, you are welcome to donate materials, and a shawl will be made on your behalf. Thank you and many blessings from above on you and yours.

An Opportunity to help First Stop provide Showers for the Homeless

A group of friends of First Stop are building an office to shelter volunteers who will daily manage the new First Stop shower facility. The Diocese of Alabama recently donated a two shower unit trailer to First Stop. Now Habitat for Humanity, a local Rotary Club, and several churches have begun building an office to protect the volunteer shower workers from the weather. A generous donor has funded all of the materials for the project.

The floor, the framework for the walls, and structure for the roof have all been fitted together. In January, volunteers will assemble these pieces to form an 8 by 12 feet air-conditioned office and a covered patio. First Stop is planning a number of workdays to finish the project. Dates and jobs will be announced soon. If you wish to help complete the shower office, contact Tim Davis at 661-618-2978 or timdavis1968@gmail.com.

ONGOING

Compline Online

Mondays at 8 PM

with Dcn. Jeannie

Looking for a new prayer opportunity and a way to center yourself in prayer each week? Every Monday at 8 p.m., you’re invited to join Dcn. Jeannie online for Compline. Compline is a brief evening prayer service and a peaceful way to set your week with intention and to end your day with a sense of completion and stillness.

The service lasts just 15 minutes and can be accessed on St. Thomas’ Facebook page. You simply need a Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and to turn to pg. 127.

It will be LIVE every Monday at 8 PM.

Please contact jrann228@gmail.com or the front office for more information.

Morning Prayer at St. Thomas St. Anne's Chapel in Hiers Hall

Thursdays 7 AM

Every Thursday morning, join us for Morning Prayer in St. Anne’s Chapel at the end of Hiers Hall. Simply enter Hiers Hall and follow the hallway all the way to the end. There will be signs directing you. As we seek to expand our options for praying together during the week, we hope to see our early birds and any brave night owls at this service of prayer and Scripture. You don't have to know how to read Morning Prayer; we'll teach you!

Do you have questions about the Bible? Have you wondered about what everything in the Book of Common Prayer means? Come to Youth Sunday School to try and answer those questions and more! 7-12th graders meet during formation time in the Youth Room at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday to talk about Covenants in the Bible!

7-12th Graders! Weekly EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) continues! EYC meets Sunday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Got Questions? Contact our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, HEREfor more information.

Children's Sunday School Sundays from 9:30am-10:15am! Join us in Hiers Hall as we share a year of faith, love, and fun! 

Godly Play class for Pre-K through 1st graders is led by Renee' Redfield in Hiers 4. 

Storymakers for 2nd and 3rd graders is by Nichole Hargrove in Hiers 6. 

Thou Art class for 4th through 6th graders led by Laura Beth Bestor in Hiers 2.  

Our nursery is open from 7:45 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sundays for our Pre-K and under children. We have our Play'n'Worship curriculum available for those in the nursery to enjoy on Sunday mornings. Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator via email at children@stthomashuntsville.org.

Treble Choir

The Treble Choir sings approximately once a month at the 10:30 a.m. worship service and our special services this year will include Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve. All children in 2nd-8th Grades are invited to join! Bring a friend!

The Treble Choir schedule is available HERE and is posted on the bulletin board leading to Hiers Hall, the choir bulletin board in Hudson Hall, and the St. Thomas Website. Rehearsals are Sunday afternoons 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Please email Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for details!

Join the St. Thomas Adult Choir

You don't have to be a kid to sing! Click HERE to see and hear the St. Thomas choir practicing their anthem for this Sunday.

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org