THE EPISTLE:

October 17, 2024

Thursday Evening Book Study on William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist, begins TONIGHT at 6 PM!

With Halloween and All Saints Day just around the corner, Fr. Donavan will kick off a special book study TONIGHT, October 17th, at 6pm in conference room 1 on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 bestseller, The Exorcist.

If you’ve never read the book before, this is a unique opportunity to do so with the full support and spiritual guidance of a priest. And if you have read the book and maybe watched the 1973 film, this will be a chance to revisit it within a deep conversation on Christian faith, the struggle all believers can have with doubt, and the encounters we sometimes have with spiritual evil.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE STARTED READING THE BOOK TONIGHT. Fr. Donavan will begin with a personal introduction to the book and why he has chosen it for a church book study this Fall. He will also try to answer questions about the potentially disturbing content of the book for those who are not quite sure whether or not they want to read it.

The book is currently available on Amazon for $10 and assistance is available if you need help purchasing it. Just email Fr. Donavan HERE if you have questions or need assistance. And please note that this will be a conversation on the BOOK and not on the MOVIE, though comparisons and reflections on the film will certainly come up in the discussion. Finally, due to the disturbing and mature content, this book study will be for adults only. Please do not bring children.

For those without key fobs to access the office entrance to the church campus, please enter through the main Narthex entrance to the church, which will be open from 5:45pm to 6:15pm each Thursday evening.

Don't miss this chance to read and the discuss William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist with Fr. Donavan, beginning tonight, Thursday, October 17th, at 6pm! Happy Halloween!

INGATHERING SUNDAY IS THIS WEEKEND: If you haven't turned in your Pledge for 2025, please bring your Pledge Card THIS SUNDAY!

Our Fall Stewardship campaign for 2024 wraps up this Sunday, and our prayers are that St. Thomas will be "all in" this year, as prayers of thanksgiving and blessings are offered over our pledge cards during all three Sunday Eucharists!

THIS SUNDAY, October 20th, all pledges received, whether from the offering plate, mail, or online, will be brought to the altar. If you haven’t submitted your pledge card yet, pick one up in the Narthex or ask the ushers. You can also still give online by clicking the link below or sending an email to the church office. If you have a pledge card this Sunday, just drop it in the offering plate. 

There are still special "Walk in Love Stewardship 2025" tri-fold brochures available with more information on what making a pledge to St. Thomas supports and how to work towards proportional giving. These special stewardship brochures also contain pledge cards and will remain in the narthex after the campaign finishes this Sunday.

We ask everyone to please prayerfully consider how you can financially support your church next year and please make a pledge. Let us "walk in Love as Christ loved us," continuing our work together to expand our ministries of discipleship and outreach and to build up our St. Thomas family by opening our doors wider to our community and inviting and welcoming everyone to grow with us in faith in Jesus Christ!

Pledge online NOW by clicking HERE!

Sunday Book Study with Fr. Donavan continues THIS SUNDAY: Seculosity by David Zahl

The vast number of polls, studies, and reports say that religion in America is continuing to decline. But is religion and faith for Americans really going away, or is it just being REPLACED by other attempts to bring purpose and meaning to our lives? Join Fr. Donavan for a new book study during the Christian Formation hour in Conference Room 1, beginning at 9:30 AM each Sunday through the end of November, on the book, “Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance became our New Religion and What to Do About it”. The book’s author, David Zahl, is on the staff for Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has written numerous books on Culture, Religion, and Faith. The book is available on Amazon for $12 and there is assistance available if you need help purchasing a copy. Just let Fr. Donavan know by emailing him HERE. Come join Fr. Donavan this Sunday at 9:30 AM in what will be a conversation concerning our Christian faith and perhaps the greatest struggle it is facing in the 21st century.

New Class on the BCP led by Mtr. Katie continues this Sunday

Join Mtr. Katie in the Parish Hall this Sunday to hear about her love for our Book of Common Prayer and to learn about using the Prayer Book along with online tools for personal prayer and Bible reading in an ever-ancient, ever-new tradition practiced around the world: the Daily Office! If you own a Book of Common Prayer, please bring it with you (we will have extras)!

Don't miss this Adult Christian Formation class with our newest priest, Mtr. Katie Kirk-Costas, this Sunday at 9:30am in the Parish Hall!

Holy Hikes with the

Creation Care Committee

Next Saturday, October 26th at 9am



The Stewardship of Creation committee is changing its name to the Creation Care Committee, which brings it in line with the Diocese of Alabama and the National Episcopal Church.



We’re excited to announce that Brett Byford will soon begin leading new "Holy Hikes" for anyone who would like join him. These hikes will be great opportunities for members of our parish family to walk together and enjoy the beauty of nature. Our first one will be a gentle hike along Aldridge Creek Greenway on Saturday, October 26th at 9:00 am. We’ll meet in the South Parking Lot and walk for about an hour. Brett is also a member of the Alabama Water Watch out of Auburn University and each month he will be monitoring the waters of Aldridge Creek behind our church building. You can find out more about this important volunteer organization at

 aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch/.

For more information on our Creation Care Committee, contact Belinda Greenaway at belinda223@gmail.com.

Bishop Glenda Curry visits St. Thomas Next

Sunday, October 27

Bishop Glenda Curry will be with us at St. Thomas at both the 8am and the 10:30am Holy Eucharist on Sunday, October 27, to preach and to offer the sacrament of Confirmation. The Bishop will also receive new members into the Episcopal Church and reaffirm the faith of the St. Thomas members who have been attending Fr. Donavan's Sunday Confirmation class.

This year for Bishop Curry's visit, we are again planning a special, celebratory breakfast, beginning immediately following the 8am Eucharist, to welcome Bishop Curry and to honor our confirmands and new and reaffirmed members. At 9:45am, Bishop Curry will address the church in the Parish Hall, and everyone is invited to attend. There will also be a light reception after the 10:30am Eucharist.

Please plan on welcoming Bishop Curry and celebrating our newly confirmed, received, and reaffirmed adults on Sunday, October 27!

All Hallow's Eve Holy Eucharist, Trunk or Treat, and Halloween Dinner, Next Sunday, October 27th, beginning at 5pm!

We invite you to join us to celebrate Halloween by coming in your costumes to the 5:00 pm All Hallow's Eve Eucharist and then joining us for dinner in the Parish Hall, followed by a Halloween 'Trunk or Treat' in the parking lot. Costumes are, of course, optional!

A special dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and salad will be provided and will begin at approximately 5:45 pm, immediately following the Eucharist. We ask that you bring a ghoulish dessert to share. We will join the children after dinner as they go trunk or treating in the parking lot. This is usually very fun and popular so we hope to see you there!

We will need lots of decorated trunks to visit. There will be a sign up sheet in Information Hall or you can contact Laura Beth Bestor by emailing her HERE if you plan to be in the parking lot. Vehicles will be lining up outside the Parish Hall under the parking lot lights.

All Saints Sunday,

November 3: Remembering those we have lost over the past year

Sunday, November 3, is All Saints Sunday. Our custom is to read the names and ring the bell for those family members who have died within the last year. If you have a loved one whose name you'd like to include, please email the our Communications Coordinator, Carey McIntyre at communications@stthomashuntsville.org by October 30.

ELECTION DAY EUCHARIST NOVEMBER 5th at 6PM

On Election Day this year, St. Thomas will be opening up the church at 6pm to offer a simple, quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist with special prayers for our nation. This chance to come pray inside the church on the evening of Election Day, to hear the Word of God, and to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion is meant to provide anyone who needs it a place of peace and respite. Celebratory "I Voted" stickers are very welcome, but please do not bring or wear things that specifically promote or identify political parties or candidates. On that night inside our church, let us come together as we always do, as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and mutual members of our St. Thomas family. All are welcome.

Do You Love to Bake?

Lobsterfest Bake Sale Wants YOU (and your delectable desserts)!

Hey, St. Thomas bakers! It's time to share your favorite family dessert recipe with the rest of the world. We are having a Baker's Choice Bake Sale at Lobsterfest. Eight inch cakes, pies and holiday favorites are always big sellers. Everything from apple pie to zucchini bread (and anything in between) is welcome. There will also be a Dessert-by-the-Slice table selling individual servings. Make a cake or pie of your choice for our customers desiring a sweet finish to their meal.

Sign up sheets for both bakers and helpers are in information hall. For bake sale questions, contact Nancy Teasdale (256 652-1449) and for sliced dessert questions contact Debbie Harriman (256 509-6606).

Lobsterfest 5K 2024!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m. The race is family-friendly, with runners and walkers of all levels welcome. CLICK HERE to register.

Also, you or your business can help by becoming a Lobster Friend or LobSTAR race sponsor! As a sponsor, you directly support our St. Thomas Lobsterfest outreach ministries. If you'd like more information on how to become a Lobsterfest 5K sponsor USE THIS LINK or contact Crystal Knickelbein.

Lobsterfest Needs Your Help! Sponsorship Opportunity!

As we gear up for this exciting event, the Lobsterfest Steering Committee is still seeking sponsors for a very prominent area: the Music Tent!

As a sponsor for the Music Tent, your donation of $1200 covers the cost of the tent and provides significant visibility, and your company receives a sign that reads, “Your Company Name Lobsterfest Music Area,” ensuring your support is recognized and highlighted to all attending.

Partnering with us not only provides excellent exposure for your business but also demonstrates your commitment to supporting a beloved community event. We can’t wait to have you!



If interested, please contact Fr. Donavan, George Harriman, or Tom Perry at lobsterfest@stthomashuntsville.org.

Sing with the Choir for Lessons and Carols on December 11

As in the past, we’d like to invite additional voices to join the choir for our Advent Lessons and Carols Service on December 11 at 6:00 pm. Let Miss Kathy know if you’d like to join us. Rehearsals will be in the choir room on Wednesday evenings 7:45 – 8:30.

Watercolor of St. Thomas

A few years ago, a friend of Susan Smith surprised her with a birthday gift of watercolor note cards of three different views of the exterior of our church. Several parishioners purchased the cards for their personal use, with the proceeds going to First Stop. The cards are now being offered again at the original price of $1 per card (including envelope)! We have a few cards in stock but will take orders and have them printed. You can find Susan in Information Hall between morning worship services on the next three Sundays to take your order. Payment is required at the time of ordering.

Led by Laura Beth Bestor Hiers Hall

Room 6

Second through sixth graders will gather to explore their faith and express it through different art media. We will discuss the Church seasons, Bible stories, and topics unique to Episcopalians.

Led by Diane Hutson, Suzanne Mohler, & Friends Hiers Hall Room 1

Babies, toddlers, and their parents are invited to join us as we gather for a short Bible lesson and hands-on activities about our Bible stories. If your little one(s) are still getting used to the church, this new class is for you. Come help our little ones build their community!

Led by Renee’ Redfield Hiers Hall Room 4

Children ages pre-K through 1st grade will use their creativity and imagination in a Montessori approach to learn about Bible stories, worship life, and rituals and symbols of our faith. 

Sign-up to be a helper with a children's Sunday school class once a month by clicking here.  Email our Children's Ministry coordinator, Laura Beth, with questions at children@stthomashuntsville.org.

Led by Jane Allgood, Grace Casey, and Kathie Clayton - Hiers Hall Conference Room 2

Through artistic expression, community service, as well as reflection on scripture and the Book of Common Prayer, 7th -12th grade girls explore the ways being grounded in grace provides strength and courage to tackle the challenges of becoming a confident young woman in today’s world.

Led by Mike Bestor, David Hattaway, Brett Byford, John Conover, John Falco, and

Dan Morrison - Youth Room

The middle and high school young men’s group will explore the lectionary through discussion-based ministry to encourage a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teachings. This class will provide a space to belong, believe, and become better men, while sharing experiences and learning how the Bible is visible to us in everyday life.

Treble Choir has expanded and is open to Kids Grade K to Grade 8, and our rehearsal time has moved to Sunday afternoons at 3:30 – 4:15pm.

Treble Choir - Grades K-8, 3:30-4:15pm, Sunday

Adult Choir - Grades 9- Adult, 7:00-8:45pm, Wednesday

Bell Choir - 6:00-6:50pm, Wednesday.

Sunday Evening Gospel Choir - Rehearse just before each Sunday's 5pm service.

All of our choirs would be delighted to welcome new members. Contact Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for more information!

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist

This Sunday, and every Sunday, we have our "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist. Our 5pm parishioners find this Sunday evening worship service meets their needs or schedules better than our morning worship. The 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal, gospel music chosen by Sam Wright, and casual mini-sermons preached from the floor.

On the first Sunday of the month, the 5pm Eucharist also offers a supper immediately following in the Parish Hall. Many of the congregation stay to enjoy each others company and conversation. The next Sunday Supper is November 3. The menu for this month is a Taco or Taco Salad Bar. You can sign up to contribute to the supper on the sign up sheet at the 5pm service on Sunday, or by emailing or texting either one of the coordinators Contact Carolyn Seaman by clicking HERE or Rebekah Callahan by clicking HERE for more information. Come and join us for what we do best - worship!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org