THE EPISTLE:

August 15, 2024

The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Sunday is Rally Day at St. Thomas, and we will have ONE MORNING EUCHARIST at 10 AM to bring our church family together, with special Southern Gospel Music, led by our Choir, our talented Gospel pianist, Sam Wright, and special musical guests! After worship, we will have a Parish lunch in the Parish Hall, where our 2024 Ministry Fair will be on display for the upcoming Fall season. And for children and families, we will have a big waterslide, a smaller waterslide/bouncy house combo, and a 2-station sports inflatable. --We do need responsible adults who can help make sure our young parishioners and friends are playing safely on the water slides and bouncy house. There are two shifts available: 11:30-1:00 and 1:00-2:30pm. Email our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth, (children@stthomashuntsville.org) if you can help.--

Do not miss St. Thomas' RALLY DAY worship, lunch, and ministry fair THIS SUNDAY morning, beginning at 10am! And, hey, here's a great idea! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!

In addition to the 10am morning Eucharist, there will also be a 5pm Holy Eucharist this Sunday in the Nave.

TONIGHT AT 6PM: Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on the church calendar every year today, August 15th! Tonight in the church at 6pm, St. Thomas will celebrate this important Feast Day of the Mother of Jesus with a special Choral Evensong, led by the St. Thomas Choir. Classic pieces from Richard Ayleward and Sergei Rachmaninoff will be offered, as well as compositions of the Phos Hilaron, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis from the St. Thomas Evening Service, composed by our own Director of Music, Katherine Heim! Fr. Donavan and Mtr. Katie will officiate and Fr. Donavan will offer a short homily. 

Please join us tonight, Thursday, August 15th for this special Choral Evensong for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

Silver Saints Matinee Presents:

Fried Green Tomatoes

Thursday, August 22

In August 2024 we are showing the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, on Thursday, August 22. This memorable movie is about friends, resilience, supportiveness, and love based in the Old South. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. A nursing home-bound lady shares an incredible story to an unhappy housewife with heartwarming results.

The Silver Saints Matinee Movie offers you fun and fellowship with snacks and beverages, and we will even transport you if you wish. Comfortable seating and a mid-movie break make it even more enjoyable. Please bring your friends and ask people from our neighborhood. Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748 or the church office with questions or requests. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride.

Everybody's Pub Theology

August 22

Sit down with Fr. Donavan and Deacon Jeannie tonight, Thursday, August 22, from 6-7:30pm, at PaPPo's Pizzeria, at 7540 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!

Email Jeannie jrann228@gmail.com and let her know if you plan to join.

St. Thomas Blood Drive

Sunday, August 25

7:30am - 1:30pm

So many people are in need and St. Thomas is always willing to help. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Link to sign-up online: CLICK HERE

All donors will receive a $20 e-gift card.

Daughters of the King

Diaper Drive

It is time for DoK’s End of Summer Diaper Drive! Your gracious contributions go to DHR in Athens, AL, where adults in the care of the state usually have to wait “as is” because there are not enough diapers to take care of the number of people needing them. When I asked the Huntsville DHR if they needed help, the reply was that they had plenty of everything except maybe a “box of birthday cards”. Please look for the “Diaper Drive” container in Information Hall. Diapers of all sizes- adult and children- are needed.

The family of St. Thomas has been extremely generous in response to Manna House’s plea for clothes for their clients. In fact, you could say that they have been overwhelmed, but in a positive way! With your help, I would like to continue this ministry as the need is so great. This is an excellent opportunity to clean out a closet or find a good home for clothes that no longer fit. Therefore, the Manna House container will remain in Information Hall for clothes, socks, underwear, and shoes.

2024 Lobsterfest Season is Here!

The 2024 Lobsterfest season kicked off in June, with David Hattaway and Tom Perry chaired as co-Kings. This year's Lobsterfest offers a variety of opportunities for everyone, featuring both Drive Through and Eat-in options.

Several committees play a crucial role in making Lobsterfest a success. If you're interested in leading one of these committees, please contact David Hattaway at (256) 337-0973 or hattaway.david@gmail.com, or Tom Perry at (256) 348-4313 or perrytbne@aol.com. You can also reach out to any member of the steering committee. There's a book in the Information Hall that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the committee chairs, and past chairs are available to provide guidance.

The committees include BBQ, Lobster Alley, Lobster Rolls, Parish Dinner, Kitchen (Preparation and Serving), Bake Sales, Soup & Savories, Concessions, Meal Distribution, Music Tent, Children's Activities, Artisans/Crafters, Event Set-Up, Parish Hall Clean-up, T-Shirts, Decorations, and Parking.

Stewardship of Creation

Needs Your Help!

We are trying to recycle what we can from our activities at St Thomas. There are 4 recycling bins around the building that need regular emptying. We invite those who have recycling pick-up services at their homes to sign up on a rotating basis to take the contents from the bins at the church and take them home to recycle. One bin contains mixed materials and needs emptying weekly; the other bins are mainly paper and will need checking every two weeks. For more information, contact Richard Williams rbwilliams67@gmail.com. Look for sign up sheets in Information Hall. You can also contact Belinda Greenaway at Belinda223@gmail.com, Stewardship of Creation Committee Chair.

The St. Thomas Choirs are back!

The choirs have returned this month and are behind the altar every Sunday morning at the 10:30 service.

Treble Choir - Grades 2-8 (4:30-5:15)

Adult Choir - Grades 9- Adult (7:30-8:45) rehearsals resume on Wednesday August 7.

Bell Choir - Resumes rehearsals on Wednesday, August 14 6:00-6:50.

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

If there's enough interest, we'll bring back a choir for the younger kids PK-Grade 2 on Sunday afternoons (3:45-4:15), starting after Rally Day.

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 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. Come as you are and invite a friend to join you for the 5pm Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas.

The Bailey Cove

Farmer's Market

Please come out this weekend, support our local farmers, and get a taste of all our Farmer's Market at St. Thomas has to offer! If you'd like to help, we still need volunteers for set up and take down throughout out the season! You can volunteer to help by signing up on the poster on the bulletin board in Information Hall. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to support and help our Bailey Cove Farmers Market!! Start making your Farmers Market grocery list now!

Take me out to the Ballgame! St. Thomas takes a trip out to the Trash Pandas Game.

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org