THE EPISTLE:

May 29, 2025

ASCENSION DAY

Introduction to the Episcopal Faith

Newcomer's Class

THIS Sunday, June 1 at 9:30 AM

If you're a newcomer to St. Thomas and would like to know more about the Episcopal faith and how it came to be, come join Mtr. Katie Kirk-Costas this Sunday, June 1 at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 1 for this welcoming introduction.

Rector's Forum Continues this Sunday in the Parish Hall with a discussion on Christian Pilgrimage

For the final Sunday in the Great 50 Days of Easter, Fr. Donavan will be hosting one more Rector's Forum during the Christian Formation hour in the Parish Hall.

This final Sunday, with summer time vacations coming up in many people's plans, Fr. Donavan will open with a discussion of one of his favorite 'Spiritual Exercises," the Christian tradition of PILGRIMAGE. Why have Christians (along with Jews, Muslims, and many other religious traditions) made pilgrimage such an important and essential part of their faith? And if pilgrimage is so important for us as followers of Jesus, how can we work religious pilgrimage into our own busy lives and the limited amount of time we might have to get away on a vacation this summer? Come join Fr. Donavan in the discussion and bring your own stories of religious pilgrimage to share. After that, if we have time left, the floor will be open to any addition, unrelated questions or discussion about our faith and the church. 

So come enjoy a nice breakfast this Sunday at St. Thomas, grab a refill on your cup of coffee, and hang around for a special Rector's Forum on Pilgrimage with Fr. Donavan, starting at 9:30am, in the Parish Hall!

Pentecost at Ditto Landing is ALMOST HERE!

Eucharist and Parish Picnic

Sunday, June 8 at 10 AM

St. Thomas joyful celebration of Pentecost Sunday will happen this year at Ditto Landing NEXT SUNDAY, June 8! 

Pentecost Sunday is a great way to kick off summer and to gather the entire parish family together for worship and a community picnic! This will be our ONE MORNING SERVICE at 10am on Pentecost Sunday, and will be in the Kingston pavilion at Ditto Landing. The pavilion is easily accessible to all, and will will have signs posted for St. Thomas attendees to help everyone find their way. With the beauty of the great Tennessee River behind us this year, we will celebrate Pentecost together with the music of a Jazz Eucharist arranged by our own Director of Music, Kathy Heim.

Following our worship, we will gather on the other side of the pavilion for our annual Parish Picnic! St. Thomas will again provide fried chicken, cole slaw, rolls, Pentecost-themed cupcakes and cookies, and plenty of cold drinks to keep us refreshed. We invite everyone to bring a favorite picnic side dish to share—enough for your family and a few others! Some ideas include potato salad, macaroni salad, tossed salad, broccoli slaw, deviled eggs, sliced watermelon, fruit salad, strawberries, tomatoes, or cucumbers. There are several picnic tables available, but we recommend bringing your own camp chairs, especially for the Eucharist. There’s plenty of lawn space to enjoy this year, so feel free to spread out and make yourself comfortable.

St. Thomas will also offer rides to Ditto Landing from the church parking lot. If you need a ride, please call the church office at 256.880.0247 to reserve a seat. The church van will depart St. Thomas at 9:30 a.m.

Volunteer sign-up sheets are available in Information Hall for help with set-up, serving, or clean-up. We plan to have two serving lines this year to help things move more quickly, and we’d love your help!

And finally, don't forget to wear something RED to celebrate Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit! 

Again, we will only offer the 10 AM Holy Eucharist that morning at Ditto Landing in order to bring the whole family together. But if you can't make it that morning, we will also celebrate Pentecost Sunday at the church that afternoon with our "Laid Back" Holy Eucharist at 5pm.

Make sure you have June 8, Pentecost Sunday, on your calendar, for our annual Pentecost Service & Parish Picnic at Ditto Landing!

Family Pool Party

Saturday, June 7, 4 PM–6 PM

The St. Thomas Children's and Youth Ministries invite all children, youth, and their families to our 3rd annual Pool Party and pizza on Saturday, June 7 from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Join us at the pool and clubhouse across the street from 700 Marina Park Drive, Huntsville 35803. In order to help us plan for food, please let our Children's Ministry Coordinator Laura Beth at children@stthomashuntsville.org or Youth Minister Ethan at youth@stthomashuntsville.org know if you and your family are coming or RSVP through this Realm link.



Many thanks to St. Thomas members and neighborhood friends who donated blood (or tried to donate) on Memorial Day weekend. We provided 15 units of blood. On a holiday weekend that is a good number and will be much appreciated.

UPCOMING

Book Club

Monday, June 9, 10 AM

Meet in the Parlor

The St. Thomas Book Club will meet Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor. We are reading "The Rose Code" by Katie Quinn. Set in 1940 "as England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes." For information call 256-604-8669.

Search for Bishop Listening Sessions in June and July

The Diocese of Alabama invites all members to attend Listening Sessions in June and July as part of the search for the 13th Bishop.

These sessions provide a chance to share experiences, hopes for the future, and desired qualities in the next bishop.

Feedback will help the Search Committee discern the leadership needed.

Everyone’s participation is important to this process. Click HERE for the bishop search website for more details.

First Stop Needs a Scrambled Egg Volunteer!

Do you have a heart for service and a knack for scrambling eggs? First Stop is looking for a volunteer to scramble 36 eggs on the first Friday of each month. You don’t need to deliver them, just cook them, and our team will handle the rest, ensuring delivery to First Stop by 8:30 a.m.

If you’re willing to help with this small but meaningful act of service, please contact Patty Moy at 256-655-2756.

Save the Date

Saturday, June 21 at 11:30 AM

Our Parish looks forward to celebrating our Golden Girls and Boys on Saturday, June 21 at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon in the Parish Hall. If you or your spouse are 80 or over, you are the honoree: no cooking or baking or salad-making. You are our guests! We will have ham and side salads, cake, and lots of conversation with lots of people we haven’t seen in ages.

This is a parish-wide party; those of us who can’t claim Golden status are encouraged and invited to attend. The only difference is that we do the salad-making to share with the honorees: green salads, potato salads, fruit salads, deviled eggs, dips and spreads, nuts and olives, cheese and crackers. All are welcome!

If you can't attend but would like to honor these cherished members of our church, feel free to make a salad and drop it off in the Parish Hall.

If you do plan to attend, please RSVP by calling the church office at (256) 880-0247.

 It’s gonna be great!

Have Empty Ink Cartridges?

Recycle with Purpose!



The Creation Care Committee invites you to bring your used and empty ink cartridges to the church for recycling. They will be taken to Staples, gaining points towards the church’s future purchases.

This is a chance to help the planet and for St Thomas to save money on office supplies.

Drop off your used ink cartridges at the volunteer window inside the front door.

ONGOING

Non-Perishables Wanted

The Little Free Pantry needs your help! Please consider buying an extra jar of peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, tuna, chicken, soup, or anything you think would be a nice addition to the pantry. Donations can be dropped off in the Little Red Wagon in Information Hall or place it in the Little Free Pantry yourself. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.

The Bailey Cove Farmers' Market is up and running!

Come check it out this weekend and sign up THIS SUNDAY to Volunteer

The Bailey Cove Farmers' Market at St. Thomas is here! But we can’t make this year's biggest Farmers' Market work without you! Please volunteer to help this year by signing up on the poster on the bulletin board in Information Hall. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to help out! Then start making your Farmers' Market grocery list!

Free Yoga Class

Saturdays on the Lawn

at BCFM at 9 AM 

St. Thomas will offer free yoga classes this summer as part of its Bailey Cove Farmers' Market! Bring your own mat and move your body outdoors for 50 minutes. All classes will be beginner friendly. Participants must be able to stand and sit on the ground unaided. Wear comfortable, moveable clothing. Babies, kids, newbies, all are welcome.

Volunteers Needed for Sunday Morning Refreshments



We are almost out of volunteers and we still need a few more individuals or families to help to keep the refreshments coming on Sundays following the 10:30 am service. Bring homemade or store-bought sweet treats for a Sunday so that we can spend a few minutes gathering after worship. Please sign up using the poster in Information Hall. Instructions are in a manilla envelope under the signup sheet. Thank you for helping us keep this vital part of our parish thriving!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org