The Anticipation of Advent

On November 27^th, the first Sunday of Advent, the Church will begin a new year. From the Latin word adventus which means “coming,” Advent is the season of waiting and watching for Christ to be born anew in our lives as we await Christ coming again in glory.

         Each Wednesday evening, we will have a guest speaker and enjoy a meal together following a Taizé service. The schedule is below. Please make plans to join us during this holy time. 

November 30: The Rev. David Meginniss, retired Rector, Christ Church, Tuscaloosa December 7: The Rev. Michael Goldsmith, Rector, Church of the Nativity, Huntsville  

December 14: The Rev. Sarah Watts, Associate Priest, St. John’s, Decatur 

• 5:30 p.m. Taizé Service Nave 
• 6:00 p.m. Supper Parish Hall 
• 6:30 p.m. Program 
• 6:30 p.m. Children’s Program

December 21: Christmas Carols 

• 5:30 p.m. Christmas Carols Nave 
• 6:00 p.m. Supper Parish Hall

A complete list of Advent and Christmas events will be available this week.

Vestry Elections

St. Thomas will elect four new Vestry members at the 2023 annual parish meeting on Sunday, January 8. Cynthia Geis, Bob Harwell, Suzanne Mohler, and Jenna Pirani are completing their terms. If you or someone you know is interested serving on the vestry, please submit the name in the box marked VESTRY in the Narthex. If you nominate someone, please discuss it with that person first to be sure they are willing to serve the three-year term. Nominations will be closed after church on December 11.  Nominations will not be accepted from the floor of the annual parish meeting. Please prayerfully consider if you, or someone you know, may be called to serve our parish in this important leadership role.

Please remember that in order to be nominated a person must be a confirmed Episcopalian, a communicant in good standing, and known to the treasurer.

Vestry responsibilities include:

·Attend vestry meetings on the third Monday evening of each month.

·Attend the vestry retreat, an overnight at Camp McDowell in January.

·Serve on task forces or ad hoc committees as required throughout the year.

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

·Vestry members 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.

Advent Wreaths

Please make plans to join us on Sunday, November 20 at 9:30 A.M., as all ages gather in the Parish Hall to make Advent wreaths during the formation hour. Our parishioners at home will enjoy having these to look at all Advent. 

Save the Date!

Calling all young/young-ish adults to pull out those ugly Christmas sweaters or other festive clothing to join the ReGeneration group on the evening of Saturday, December 3. Our fellow St. Thomas parishioners and chocolatiers, Gary and Elaine Dinstuhl, will be showing us how to make some sweet treats for the holiday season. For those that are interested, we will have childcare from 5:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. You are welcome to bring friends! Contact Laura Beth Bestor ([email protected]) or Michell York ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Backpack Meal Program

If anyone would like to help pack meals for the Backpack Meal Program the packing dates and times are as follows: Wednesday at 12pm, after Bible Studies: 11\30; 12\14 and Sundays at 4pm: 12/4. Each time only 70 meals need to be packed. Email Travis Lee if you can help. [email protected]

5PM Sunday Service

Reminder - 5:00 PM Sunday Evening Service in the Nave will continue in November. Join us for the all-ages-welcome come-as-you-are service. This informal service includes a quick supper afterwards.

Reminders

If you need to borrow or use anything in the church, please check it out in the church office. This includes coolers, wheelchairs, kitchen items, tents, tables/chairs, etc. Please help us be good stewards of our church. 

Our deadline for the EPISTLE and Week At A Glance is Tuesday at noon.