Parish Weekly April 24, 2026

Mission: St. Thomas' Episcopal Church is a welcoming spiritual community dedicated to following the teachings of Christ Jesus. We grow through learning, celebrate joyful worship, and serve our neighbors.

Vision: We open hearts and minds to create community in Christ.

Rector's Notes

Easter Graces

As we continue to celebrate Easter, I think of how creation has a way of living out the process of life, new beginnings, and opportunities to begin again. This week, as the weather moves from 70s to 30s, sun to snow, and then to sun and into the 50s, what remains constant is creation’s ability to adjust, persevere, and bloom. And so do we.

If we are grumpy about the snow, all we have to do is wait a little while for the sun to come out and notice the resilience of the daffodils and forsythias that remind us that creation does not stop. Life, creation, moves on, and new life, new opportunities will make a way even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Creation has a way of teaching that we, too, have the capacity to blossom and create

in unpredictable seasons of life. Part of blooming is dependent on our awareness to

take time for that which feeds our soul, allows space for self-care, and the ability to be self-reflective.

Jesus teaches healthy practices. The gospels tell us stories of Jesus sharing meals

with friends; being vulnerable and allowing others to be vulnerable right back. He offers healing through conversation and grace. Jesus shows us what courage and love looks like, feels like, in the best of times and the worst of times.

So, in the spirit of Jesus, pay attention to what your soul needs. It might be a moment-

by-moment discernment. As much as we are called to be present to our vulnerable siblings, we also need to extend grace to nurture healing. This is part of the Easter graces we find in our living and our loving; they are important to the world, too.

Be gentle, dear ones,

Amma Leslie+

Mark Your Calendars

Spring Cleanup, Sunday, May 3, following service (see details below)
Fiber Arts Ministry, Tuesday, May 5, 1:30-3:00 pm, Lounge

Click to View All Upcoming Events Listed in the Parish Calendar

Click to View the Prayers for Public Policy and Witness

Vestry Report

The first quarter of 2026 has brought a class of three new Vestry members and a transition to our new accounting system, as well as many parish events and activities.

Just a few of the Q1 events in the life of St. Thomas’ are the collection of soup and crackers for the Brighton Food Cupboard during February, the quarterly potluck lunch in March, a Wednesday Lenten study led by Amma Leslie, a series of classes to prepare for confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church during Bishop Kara’s Easter visit, and the outdoor Palm Sunday procession (which was blessed with good weather!). And Hospitality Hour after the Sunday service every week!

At the Parish Annual Meeting on January 25, we welcomed our three new (class of 2029) vestry members, Kearie Baumgartner, Kristie Elias, and Norm Marshall.

In case you have wanted to put names to faces of Vestry members, old and new, as well as the Wardens, photos of all are in a frame at the Highland church entrance. Please feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you have for us.

In February, Amma Leslie provided an orientation to Vestry and its roles in the parish, as well as a review of the structure of the Episcopal Church. A thread that ran through the presentation is that of accountability: At every level, everyone is responsible to someone else in the Church. Vestry members demonstrated this important principle through reviewing the annual Parochial Report prepared by the parish for submission to the Diocese, and voting to approve it.

Vestry has an important fiduciary role within the parish. In March, the parish financial team provided “Finance 101” to support the Vestry members’ understanding of our financial reports, particularly given that January 1 marked the first day of a new accounting system. We also want to be able to more effectively communicate the financial information to the parish on a regular basis, and here is our first effort to do so.

Worship Ministry

Altar Flowers

If you appreciate the beauty of altar flowers,

have an occasion to give thanks for, wish to celebrate a special event, or want to honor
a loved one, consider sponsoring flowers for our weekly worship services. There are many available dates in the coming months for you to make a donation.

Signing up is easy and fast! Call the Parish

Office at 585.442.3544 or click the link below. For more details, contact Vicky Rupley at vrupley@gmail.com or 585.233.2546.

Click to Sign Up for Altar Flowers

Fiber Ministry

May Meeting

St. Thomas' Fiber Ministry will meet on Tuesday,
May 5, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Lounge to discuss upcoming fall projects. We have connected with the

Mary Cariola Center and have gathered information about their current needs. They are especially looking for lap robes for individuals in wheelchairs; however, we plan to create hats, scarves, and mittens for the winter months. Please bring any projects you are working on and join us for conversation and refreshments.

The Fiber Ministry would also like to remind the parish that prayer shawls are available for anyone who is ill or undergoing treatment. Recipients do not need to be parishioners. For more information, please contact either co-chair, Jan Gates at ladygates47@gmail.com or Carol Oldenburg at oldenburg.carol@gmail.com.

Property Commission News

Volunteers Needed for Spring Window Cleanup

Come chip in to spruce up the church's interior
and exterior windows for spring on Sunday, May 3. Cleanup volunteers will meet in the Lower Hall following the service, where paper towels and Windex will be distributed to the crew. All are welcome to join in, as many hands will make light work of the effort.

For more details, contact Lisa Hand at lisahand711@gmail.com.

Community Engagement

Brighton Food Cupboard Requests

The Brighton Food Cupboard is a program of Jewish Family Service of Rochester in partnership with the Brighton Central School District and Foodlink. May and June donation needs for the Brighton Food Cupboard include rice and unscented soap.

Drop off your donations in the collection boxes located at each church entrance. Thanks for caring and sharing in the love!

United Thank Offering 2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in the United Thank Offering this Lent.

Through your generosity, $816 was raised! Your gifts make a meaningful difference

in the lives of those served by social programs, schools, and individuals in need,

both here and abroad. Every dollar donated directly funds one-time grants that

support mission and ministry outreach. I pray this experience inspired gratitude

and deepened your spiritual journey during Lent.

Gracious God, source of all creation, accept, we pray, these outward signs of our profound and continuing thankfulness for all of life.

For 34 years, Wendy Petry has dedicated herself to serving as St. Thomas’ UTO Chairperson. As the year's campaign concludes, Wendy will be stepping down

from her role. If you are interested in learning more about the UTO or would like

to consider taking on the chairperson position next year, please reach out to Wendy at wendywhp@yahoo.com.

Children and Youth Ministry

Early Believers

This week in Sunday School we will read

an account of some of the earliest practices

in the Christian Church found in Acts 2:43-47, 4:32-37. In these passages, we hear that

the believers held their possessions in common, shared meals together, took care

of each other, and shared the Good News about Jesus with those around them. Our lesson will focus on the ways we share with one another. We will also discuss how our church continues these faithful practices

of long ago and how we carry on the witness of God’s love in the world.

Youth Group

The Youth Group will meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. All are welcome.

Please contact either Rev. Lydia at lydia@stthomasrochester.org or Paula Gitlin
at paula@stthomasrochester.org with any questions or concerns.

Click to Register for Youth and Children's Programs

Children and Youth Ministries Survey

As we prepare for our next program year at St. Thomas’, we are hoping to hear the

needs of the families in our parish. If you are a parent of a child(ren) in our parish,

please fill out the survey below. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Questions, concerns, or further thoughts may be directed to The Rev. Lydia Arnts at lydia@stthomasrochester.org.

Click to View the Children and Youth Ministry Survey

Attitude of Gratitude

Congrats to Kearie Baumgartner for receiving a Monroe County Volunteer Achievement Award. Kearie will be honored on June 6th at an award ceremony. We are proud and grateful for you, Kearie!

Congrats to Gary Harris for being a Featured Member at Pittsford Fine Art. Gary’s exhibit will be on view throughout May from 5 to 8 pm. Gary, we celebrate with you!

Thank you to the Property Committee and Vestry for your help in keeping the leak from overflowing the dish room while we wait to turn off the boiler. I give thanks especially

to Kearie Baumgartner, Susan Chazan, Maggie Detty, Tom Dinse, Brian Eshenaur, and Lee Loomis for joining the staff and me

as we keep things moving forward during this time between Property Managers.

Join me in giving thanks to Wendy Petry's leadership as coordinator of the United Thank Offering (UTO). Wendy has served in

this role for 30+ years and has represented St. Thomas' faithfully. Thank you, Wendy,

for your service.

Thank you to Susan Hughes, Nancy and Jim Stefano, Caroline Yates, and Lisa Hand

for representing St. Thomas' in providing a meal for The Table Ministry—a Lutheran/

Episcopal College Ministry at RIT. Each semester, St. Thomas' seeks to provide a meal on a Sunday evening following a worship service. I am particularly grateful for Susan Hughes' leadership and ministry of hospitality.

If you have thanksgivings to share, please email Amy Holowczenko at communications@stthomasrochester.org.

In Case You Missed It

Diocesan Peace & Justice Committee

St. Thomas' member, Carolyn Mok, has been asked to convene a diocesan Peace
& Justice Committee. If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact
Carolyn at dokmok@gmail.com.

Push Pay Online Giving Login

Effective as of Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the appearance

of the STC Online Giving login page will change. Although
the login page appears different from the previous version,
your login and account security remain unchanged.

Please contact Anita Herring, Director of Finance & Administration, at f inance@stthomasrochester.org or 585.442.3544, regarding assistance with setting up an account or navigating the site.