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THE EPISTLE:
April 11, 2024
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The Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus & the Shroud of Turin: New Adult Christian Formation class for Easter CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY!
The stories in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances have fascinated and inspired Christians for centuries. As we continue to celebrate the Great 50 Days of the Easter season, come join Fr. Donavan for a special Easter study of these amazing stories from the New Testament and discuss the deep meaning of bodily resurrection for our Christian faith. Also, we will consider the mysterious Shroud of Turin, and discuss whether or not it is the greatest of Christian relics or the slyest of Medieval frauds! Don’t miss a single session of this intriguing Easter meditation on the resurrected Christ, THIS SUNDAY, at 9:30am in the Parish Hall!
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"Wisdom & Works" Spring Stewardship Drive continues THIS SUNDAY!
As we enter our Spring season of growth here at St. Thomas and in the world around us, we have decided to kick off a second phase of our annual Stewardship drive, Giving for Growth, focused exclusively on WORKS & WISDOM! We will use the month of April this year to encourage everyone at St. Thomas to consider ways that we can all share time, talent, and knowledge to keep our many ministries growing and expanding here at the church.
And for our “WORKS & WISDOM” Spring Stewardship drive this year, we are going to focus on two of our biggest outreach ministries, the summer Bailey Cove Farmers’ Market and this November's Lobsterfest! Have a listen to speakers each Sunday, read special inserts in our Sunday worship bulletins, and reach out to the ministry leaders to get signed up and help! "Giving for Growth" needs all of our works and wisdom, as well as our pledge drives, so consider signing up to help an outreach ministry at St. Thomas this month!
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Are you NEW to St. Thomas? Join the Newcomers Class THIS SUNDAY!
Come learn all about our church and our history in our new monthly Newcomers Class! We are really excited to have you here at St. Thomas.
Newcomers 1 will be held at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday April 14th. Follow the blue signs leading to the Crossroads Room where we'll meet. This will cover The Episcopal Church from Jesus' death to today.
Newcomers 2 will be held April 28th and we will take a tour of St. Thomas during which you will learn the story of St. Thomas.
Call Elouisa Stokes 256-604-8669 for more information.
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The Bailey Cove Farmers Market Opens on Saturday, May 4th! Sign up to Volunteer THIS SUNDAY!
The Bailey Cove Farmers Market at St. Thomas kicks off this year on Saturday, May 4th! But we can’t have it 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!
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"Come As You Are" and sing some great Gospel hymns at St. Thomas'
5 PM Holy Eucharist!
St. Thomas' "Come as You Are" 5pm Sunday worship service is every Sunday, with dinner served on the first Sunday of every month immediately following worship! Our 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal and gospel music chosen by our skilled keyboard master, Sam Wright. We also have good sermons preached from the floor, and Holy Communion. Come as you are and invite a friend to join you for the 5pm Evening Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas.
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Thank you for signing up and signing into Realm at St. Thomas!
Thank you to everyone who signed in, set up, and added a photo during the 40 days of Lent to St. Thomas’ Realm online service. Our online directory via Realm has expanded and grown exponentially. And thank you to our dedicated members of our Invite, Welcome, and Connect Ministry and our volunteers for their help taking photos and getting our parishioners signed in! If you still need assistance setting up Realm or getting your photo upload, please call the Church Office.
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St. Thomas Book Club Wednesday, April 15th
St. Thomas Book Club will meet April 15 to discuss The Women by Kristen Hannah. We meet at 10 am in the Library. On May 13 we will discuss Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and on June 16 our book will be Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. You all are welcome even if you have not read the book. Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 for more information.
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Silver Saints Movie Matinee Presents: The Five People You Meet in Heaven
April 18th at 1:00 pm
We will offer in April, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. This story, starring Jon Voight, Ellen Burstyn, and others, “explores the unexpected mysteries of the afterlife by reminding us what really matters here on Earth.” Come join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 18.
The Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with free movies. We offer snacks and beverages, and we will even pick you up and return you home if you wish. We have comfortable seating and a half-time break in the movie. Please bring your friends and ask people from our neighborhood. Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748, or the church office at 256-880-0247. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride. Please come join us.
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Next Scrapbook and Paper Crafter's Gathering coming up on April 20th
Scrapbookers and paper crafters, please join us in the Parish Hall to work on your projects on Saturday, April 20th, from 9am to 5pm. Lunch will be provided, but you may bring a snack to share. If you have any questions, please phone Rebekah Callahan at 256-603-0219. Future scrapping dates are scheduled for Saturday, May 18th, and Saturday, June 8th.
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Find out what Cursillo is all about with a special presentation on April 21st!
Have you heard people talking about their deep faith experience attending Cursillo? Ever wondered what it's all about and how you might attend? Well, come find out all about it on Sunday, April 21st, during the Christian Formation hour, starting at 9:30 in the Parish Hall! While Fr. Donavan is away in Honduras and his Adult Christian Formation class is on hold, a special presentation will be offered by members of the St. Thomas Cursillo group to outline the events of the 3 day Cursillo weekend. We will be available to answer any of your questions, so come find out about Cursillo on Sunday, April 21st!
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Coming to St. Thomas on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 10am! You are invited! Sign up and learn more HERE | |
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Sunday Children and Youth Formation at St. Thomas
We offer five different Sunday school classes for our children and youth!
Pre-K - 1st grade: Godly Play- Renee' Redfield - Hiers 4
2nd-3rd grades: Love First- Laura Beth Bestor - Hiers 2
4th-5th grades: Thou Art- Kathie Clayton & Lila Powell - Hiers 6
6th-7th grades: My Faith, My Life- Sonya Carrier & Jane Allgood - Hiers 5
8th-12th grades: Youth Room
Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, at children@stthomashuntsville.org if you have questions or would like to help out with this important aspect of our ministries.
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Habitat for Humanity
Habitat: We are moving fast this year. We have the house under cover and ready to put up the metal flashing, j channel, and siding on the gables and soffits this Saturday. Please come and help. You will probably learn something for your house. We resume work THIS Saturday, April 6th. The house is at 215 Lake Drive.
Directions:
Take Meridian north toward Drake State and turn left on McDonnell Ave. Take a left on N Plymouth Road and Lake Drive is on the left.
We are looking for someone to take over the Habitat for Humanity Coordinator role at St. Thomas. If you are willing to take on this role, please call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 or contact our Senior Warden, George Harriman, or Fr. Donavan.
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New Acolyte Sign-Up Genius is now available!
Calling all youth and children 2nd grade and older! A new St. Thomas Acolyte Sign-Up Genius is available by clicking here for 2nd graders and older. We'd appreciate it if you could sign up to serve once a month. If your child(ren) need to be trained or refreshed, feel free to reach out to Deacon Jeannie (jrann228@gmail.com) or me and we will get something scheduled. Contact The Rev. Jeannie Randall at jrann228@gmail.com or our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor at children@stthomashuntsville.org.
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Medical Supply Ministry at Latham Church
St. Thomas is currently directing all medical item donations to Latham Church, located on Weatherly Road. Latham Church operates a Medical Supply Ministry that accepts walkers, wheelchairs, potty chairs, bedside commodes, canes, and crutches. The Medical Supply Ministry is free of charge and requests your help in expanding their inventory. If you have any of these items or if you need them, you can eliminate "the middle man" (St. Thomas), and now go straight to Latham Church!
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AT A GLANCE: April 4-April 10 | |
Did you catch the Solar Eclipse on Monday afternoon? Well, the Bishop of Alabama did! She and her staff reached their own "Totality" for the eclipse just outside Carpenter House in Birmingham! | |
And did you miss the Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Annunciation on Monday at St. Thomas after the Solar Eclipse? If so, click on the image below and you can watch and listen now! | | | | |
