THE EPISTLE:

June 18, 2026

• The church office is closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.
• However, there will be Bible Study at 10:47 with Fr. Donavan.

Scrapbook and Paper Crafter's Gathering THIS Saturday

Scrapbookers and paper crafters are invited to the Parish Hall this Saturday, June 20 from 9 am to 3 pm to work on your projects. Please bring a snack to share. RSVP for a free lunch by calling Rebekah Callahan at 256-603-0219.  



Regularly scheduled EYC will be taking a two-week hiatus! This Sunday, June 21, there will be no EYC in observance of Father’s Day. Saturday, June 27 is Youth Space and Rocket Center Trip, which will be replacing EYC that week. We look forward to seeing you all back on the regular schedule on Sunday, July 5 at 12:00 pm!

To sign up for the Space and Rocket Center trip, contact Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, via his email by Monday, June 22. Be at the church to ride the van by 1 pm. We will return by 4 pm.

St. Thomas is collaborating with Church of the Nativity and Holy Spirit for Chorister Camp- 3 days of music culminating in a service of Choral Evensong. The camp is open to all kids grades 3-9. No previous experience necessary. Register through this link now! Contact our Music Director, Kathy Heim, for more information.

Wizard Camp VBS Teachers Needed

Calling adult volunteers for Wizard Camp VBS which will be held July 13-17 from 9 am to noon. Teachers for our bless-pray-baptize-worship lessons are needed. Please consider helping out with this important ministry (part of a day is fine) and indicate your interest(s) by either signing up in Information Hall, filling out our online volunteer form here, or emailing our Children's Ministry coordinator, Laura Beth, here.

Use this VBS Registration link to register rising pre-K through 5th graders. Feel free to invite extended family and friends to join us for a week of faith, formation, and friendship!

Manna House Update

from Nell Fisher

Thanks to the generosity of Alexander and Frances Steel, the Manna House ministry has a shiny new collection bin in Information Hall. Gone is the ratty plastic laundry basket; may it rest in peace.

We are almost to summer, and this is a good time to clean out your closets for those less fortunate. Remember, they need EVERYTHING, but especially underwear, socks, and shoes (used is fine). At the last drop off, I asked if they take old prescription glasses. The reply was a definite "YES" as this is a great need among the homeless.

The Manna House ministry runs year-round because the need is year-round. Thank you for your generosity!

Little Free Pantry Update

from Jennifer Leon

For a NEW list of needed pantry items, check out our Little Free Pantry poster this Sunday, June 21, and

contact Jennifer Leon, LFP chair, at 256-280-7713 with any questions.

Read these inspirational stories about how you are making a difference through your generous support of the Little Free Pantry!

Chris, a lovely lady in the community, fills the pantry on a regular basis. Another donor, who chooses to remain anonymous, fills the LFP multiple times a week.

Tristan is a young man between jobs and hungry. He was on a skateboard and waiting on one of the concrete benches hoping someone would fill the pantry. He took only what he could carry in the small bag he had with him. After helping him, I returned inside the church to gather the items to replace what he had taken. By the time I came back outside, someone had filled the pantry to the brim.

Lacoa is a working mother who struggles to put food on the table. She takes only what she needs and leaves the remaining food behind for others.

A grandmother raising her 3 grandchildren doesn't have enough money to feed them. She is using our ministry to help with their needs.

Grace, a senior adult, brings apples to our pantry.

Janet is a heart and lung patient who is between jobs due to her health situation. Because we are able to provide some fresh fruits and vegetables, she is able to eat the diet her doctor instructed her to eat.



Annual Honduras Mission Trip Featured in Latest Issue of The Alabama Episcopalian

Check out the latest The Alabama Episcopalian, our quarterly diocesan magazine, for an article on our 2026 mission to Honduras. Linda Hanson, World Mission co-chair, wrote the feature, which is on pages 18-19 of the magazine accessible by clicking here.

UPCOMING

June Matinee

Thursday, June 25 at 1 PM

Come join our “merry family of movie viewers” to watch Tom Hanks transfer into the incredible Mr. Rogers for a most special true story of a friendship between Mr. Rogers and journalist Tom Junad (played by Matthew Rhys). Please join us on June 25 in the Parish Hall to watch “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

As always, the Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship much like going to a theater but the snacks, beverages, and movie are free. We offer comfortable seating and a time-out break half-way through the movie. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join us. Call the church office at 256-880-0247 at least 24 hours in advance if you need a ride.



Next Meeting

Thursday, June 25 at 6 PM

Make plans to attend Everybody's Pub Theology next Thursday, June 25, at 6 pm at PaPPo's Pizzeria (7540 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville) for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!

Live-Stream at St. Thomas

June 27, 10 am

St. Thomas will live-stream the ordination and consecration of The Very Rev. Richard T. Lawson III as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in the Parish Hall starting at 10 am on Saturday, June 27.

The service will also be live-streamed on the consecration webpage and the YouTube, and Facebook pages of the Diocese of Alabama. For more information about the service and the bishop-elect, click here for the diocese's webpage on the ordination and consecration.

Next Blood Drive

June 28 from 7:30 AM-1:00 PM

Our next Sunday morning Blood Drive with LifeSouth is Sunday, June 28 from 7:30 AM to 1 PM. Reserve your timeslot by clicking here. All donors will receive a beach towel for their gift.

Starting July 18, you can also give blood on selected Saturday mornings. Buy your veggies and save lives all by noon. What a great way to start a weekend!

Drop-In Social

Sunday, June 28

Welcome St. Thomas Newcomers and Visitors! After the 5pm service on Sunday, June 28, we will be hosting a drop-in social in Parish Hall for all newcomers and visitors. Stop in for a light supper and dessert, a snack and a soft drink, or maybe just to meet and mingle with some fellow parishioners. Members of the Invite, Welcome, and Connect Committee will be on hand if you're interested in finding out more about St. Thomas ministries, committees, and activities. Can't wait to see you there!

Newcomer Contacts

Volunteer Opportunity

Your Invite, Welcome, and Connect Committee is planning to offer a personalized point of contact or "coach" to our newcomers should they desire one. As a volunteer in this role, you would be the familiar face at church who helps ease them into our community or the person they can ask tough questions like, "Where is the Narthex?" and "What's the deal with all the lobsters?" We have begun to create a list of St. Thomas parishioners who want to be placed in a catalog of coaches covering a range of backgrounds, interests, and demographics to match with our newcomers. To volunteer, look for volunteer forms in Information Hall or complete an on-line volunteer form here.

You don't have to be the reigning St. Thomas Jeopardy champion or an esteemed Episcopal theologian to participate. If you enjoy sharing the warm St. Thomas spirit, we hope you'll join the roster.

For questions about this ministry, contact Kurt Dietz at kabhmk2017@gmail.com.

July Book Club

Monday, July 20 at 10 AM

Looking ahead, July's book is The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King. We will meet on July 20 at 10 am in the St. Thomas Parlor instead of our usual second Monday due to VBS. Please come even if you haven't read the book. Lunch is an option afterwards.

Help with Floor Installation

Work on our Habitat for Humanity house is moving along. Painting was finished last week. This Saturday, June 20 , we will begin flooring installation. Work typically starts at 8 am and ends by 2 pm. Lunch is served at 11 am. The address is 206 Lake Drive; it is near Alabama A&M University off Meridian Street. Habitat for Humanity is a great way to work, play, and serve with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For more information, Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Bailey Cove Farmers' Market Season is HERE for the summer!

Come be a part of this wonderful outreach as a shopper or a volunteer! Volunteers are needed to man the St. Thomas Information Tent from 8 am to noon. For questions or to volunteer, email Tracy Ganem by clicking here, or call her at 256-479-3925!

Weekly Offerings

Sunday

8:00 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Nave

9:00 am- Breakfast, Parish Hall

9:30 am- 10:15 am- Christian Formation for Adults, Youth, & Children,

Parish Hall, Youth Room, Hiers Hall

10:30 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Children's Moment, Nave

5:00 pm- "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist, Nave

Monday

8:00 pm - 8:15 pm- Compline (Book of Common Prayer, page 127) with Rev. Jeannie on Facebook page link here

Wednesday

9:30 am- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan - The Gospel of John, Conference Room

5:30 pm- Bible Study with Mtr. Katie- Lectionary, Conference Room

Thursday

7 am- Morning Prayer, St. Anne's Chapel in Hiers Hall

4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room

Friday

10:47 am- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan- The Gospel of John, Conference Room

12:05 pm-every other week(June 26, July 10, July 24)- Pray the Rosary, Nave



Children's & Youth Ministries

Notes for the Summer

Sundays

9:30 am- 10:15 am- Summer Gatherings (Hiers Hall)



Upcoming

• July 13-17- Vacation Bible School (9am-12pm)
• August 2- Blessing of the Backpacks
• August 16- Rally Day



Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, here for more information.

Youth Ministry

Sundays

9:30 am- 10:15 am- St. Thomas Summer Mornings, 7th-12th graders (Youth Room)

Take a look at the summer events by clicking on the graphic below.

Got Questions? Contact our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, here for more information.

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org