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THE EPISTLE:
July 16, 2026
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Mtr. Katie's
St. Thomas Time
Winds Down
Our dedicated Curate, Mtr. Katie Kirk-Costas has just two more Sundays with us before she moves to Birmingham to begin her Chaplain residency at UAB Hospital. Mtr. Katie will be teaching during the Christian Formation hour and both preaching and celebrating the Eucharist on her final two Sundays.
Next Sunday, July 26, following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, we will have a special reception in honor of Mtr. Katie and her ministry with us over the past two years. Please plan on joining us in the Parish Hall on July 26 to give thanks for Mtr. Katie and to wish her well.
| | Vacation Bible School Closing Ceremony | | |
Tomorrow Friday July 17 at Noon!
Please join us for the closing ceremony of our Wizard Camp VBS and discover which house will win the Triwizard Cup! We will meet in the nave at noon and hear the children sing and share the lessons of their week with us.
This year, our Wizard Camp VBS Service project supported the Greater Huntsville Humane Society (GHSS) with a supplies drive. Check out the graphic to see what items the GHHS accepts to help pets in need. Parishioners are welcome to contribute to the effort and help the VBS children gain points for their houses in a friendly Triwizard Cup competition. Drop off donations in Information Hall no later than the morning of Friday, July 17 to help a house, or just bring supplies to the closing to help the animals and those who care for them.
| | Friday Bible Study, July 17 | | |
10:47 AM Bible Study
Join Fr. Donavan in the Conference Room for the 10:47 AM Friday Bible Study. Then join our VBS community in the Nave for their closing. This week you may also learn how Fr. Donavan had VBS students shouting about renouncing wickedness and choosing Christ.
| | Two Weeks Left in this Adult Series | | |
Faith, Hope, and Love
with Mtr. Katie
Join Mtr. Katie in the Parish Hall for her final series as curate at St. Thomas! Faith, Hope, and Love, also called the theological virtues, are the foundation of our Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13). This class will explore how each of these virtues shows up in the contemporary world; in art, culture, and real life!
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Youth Rafting Trip!
Get ready to paddle down the Ocoee July 24-25 with Saint Thomas EYC! All 7th-12th graders are invited to join us for the annual white water rafting adventure. Bring a friend or two!
The cost is $50, which includes lodging, meals, transportation, and of course, the rafting! To register for the rafting trip, please contact Ethan Evans via his email.
| | THIS Saturday's Blood Drive | | |
Save Lives at the
Farmers' Market
THIS Saturday, July 18, save lives and buy farm fresh goods all before noon at the Bailey Cove Farmers' Market and LifeSouth Blood Drive!
Two great ways to support your local community in the same place! The LifeSouth Blood Mobile will be in our parking lot providing air conditioned comfort either before or after you shop! Contact Paul Heim for more information. You do not need a reservation to donate. Walk-ins are welcome!
| | Scrapbooking THIS Saturday | | |
Scrapbook and Paper Crafter's Gathering THIS Saturday
Scrapbookers and paper crafters are invited to the Parish Hall this Saturday, July 18 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.
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July Book Club
Monday, July 20 at 10 AM
Our July book is The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King. We will meet on July 20 at 10 am in the St. Thomas Parlor. Please come even if you haven't read the book. Lunch is an option afterwards.
| | Sisters in Faith on Wednesday | | |
July Gathering - Book Swap
THIS Wednesday, July 22
at 5:30 PM
Make plans to attend the next Sisters in Faith gathering on July 22 at 5:30 pm in the Youth Room. Please wear your favorite comfy clothes or pjs and bring a favorite book to share. We will have a book swap and enjoy fellowship!
Contact Carol Roy 256-653-1133 with questions.
| | Everybody's Pub Theology NEXT Thursday | | |
Next Meeting
Thursday, July 23 at 6 PM
Even if you have never attended before, consider attending Everybody's Pub Theology next Thursday, July 23, at 6 pm at PaPPo's Pizzeria (7540 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville) for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!
| | Blessing of the Backpacks and Rally Day | | |
Mark these Sundays
in August!
Sunday, August 2 - Blessing of the Backpacks for students, teachers, and school employees
Sunday, August 16 - Rally Day Returns!
| | Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed-Build Opportunity Returns | | |
Build Beds for Children!
On Sunday August 23, St. Thomas parishioners will again have the opportunity to build beds for children in Huntsville who are currently without a bed to sleep in, often sleeping on the floor. Last year, we built 45 beds and hope to exceed that number this year. We will work alongside parishioners from Church of the Nativity at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace work site near the UAH campus. No special skills are needed, just the desire to help children in need. We will teach you everything you need to know. The Huntsville chapter of SHP has delivered over 3100 beds built by volunteers like YOU, and more children are waiting for their bed. Directions to the site, along with other details will be provided closer to the date, so watch this space!
We will once again collect new twin bedding for the children receiving a bed; more details on that to come as well. For now, direct any questions to George Harriman at 256-509-6666 or email at georgeharriman51@gmail.com.
| | St. Thomas Creates Lobsterfest Reminder | | |
Your creations are appreciated!
Do you realize that Lobsterfest is only four months away? Last year, the St. Thomas Creates booth at the Artisan Fair was a resounding success. We will once again be looking for hand-made creations from our talented congregation. Perhaps you would like to donate something you've created to Lobsterfest. This is just a little reminder to start thinking about what you might like to create this year, so you can plan ahead and get to work before November 14 arrives . Contact Donna Clark via her email with any questions.
| | Daughters of the King Training | | |
DOK Training for New Members Begins August 13
Ladies, if you are searching for more in your spiritual life and a deeper connection with God and His people (that's probably all of us!), prayerfully consider The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK). DOK will hold a six-week training program of discernment, beginning August 13 and continuing through September 17. The training will be from 6 pm until 7:30 pm in the the church conference room. You will learn about the Order and how it can enrich your life. Sessions include Study, Reflection, and Discussion. If this interests you, or you want to find out more, contact Barbara Meyer here or Gayle Dodson here. Commitment to membership is after the conclusion of the training.
| | Help with Refreshments Needed | | |
Cookies and Lemonade- Yum!
Sign up this weekend
Do you enjoy the cookies and a beverage when you catch up with old friends and make new ones after the 10:30 am service? Contribute to this ministry by signing up for a week on the sheet in Information Hall. No need to bake as store-bought treats are fine.
| | Build a House for a Habitat Family! | | |
Habitat Build Continues on Saturday, July 18
Join us this week for our Habitat for Humanity build as we work to finish wire shelves, baseboards, painting, caulking, and other finishing work. Katrina's house is nearing completion!
Work starts at 8 am and ends by 2 pm with lunch 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 | | |
Bailey Cove Farmers' Market Continues
Volunteers Welcome!
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!
| | Children's & Youth Ministries | | |
Sundays
9:30 am- 10:15 am- Summer Gatherings (Hiers Hall)
Upcoming
- July 17- Vacation Bible School Closing (12pm)
- August 2- Blessing of the Backpacks
- August 16- Rally Day
Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, here for more information.
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Youth Ministry
Sundays
9:30 am- 10:15 am- St. Thomas Summer Mornings, 7th-12th graders (Youth Room)
12 pm- 2 pm- EYC, 7th-12th Graders
Got Questions? Contact our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, here for more information.
| | Weekly Worship & Christian Formation | | |
This Afternoon, Thursday, July 16
4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room
Friday, July 17
10:47 am- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan, Conference Room
12:00 pm- Vacation Bible School Closing, Nave
Sunday, July 19
8 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Nave
9 am- Breakfast, Parish Hall
9:30 am- Christian Formation for Adults, Youth & Children- Parish Hall, Youth Room, Hiers Hall
10:30 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II with our Joyful Noise Ensemble, & Children's Moment, Nave
5 pm- "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist, Nave
Monday, July 20
8 pm- Compline (Book of Common Prayer, page 127) with Rev. Jeannie on Facebook page link here
Wednesday, July 22
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, July 23
7 am- Morning Prayer, St. Anne's Chapel in Hiers Hall
4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room
| | The Week in Review: July 9 - July 15 | | Sunday Morning Music Offertory (Janet McAlister) | | Scam Alert: Please know that you will NEVER receive texts or emails from our clergy or church staff asking you for money or gift cards. If this happens to you, please do not respond to the communication, and if you have questions, please contact the church office. | | | | |
