Parish Weekly February 13, 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

Dear St. Thomas' Beloved,

Peace be with you.

I spoke about my work outside the parish in my Rector's address a couple weeks ago at our Annual Meeting. Specifically, I mentioned how my interfaith group has developed in the last year. We meet monthly and sometimes more than that, as concerns in our country and community continue to escalate.

I share this letter (click link below) as the fruit of that ever evolving work. In it, you will find an invitation to join the conversation on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 pm, at

the First Universalist Church, in Rochester. May we continue to work for justice; love abundantly and find ways to gather for healing and wholeness. WE are better together.

Keep the faith,

Amma Leslie+

Click to View the Rochester Area Faith Leaders and Clergy Letter

Mark Your Calendars

President's Day, Monday, February 16, Parish Office closed
Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Dinner, Tuesday, February 17, 5:00 pm (see registration link below)
Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 18, Noon and 7:00 Worship
Women of St. Thomas' Presentation, Thursday, February 19, 11:30 am, Lounge (see details below)
Quarterly Parish Potluck, Sunday, March 8, following service, Lower Hall

Click to View All Upcoming Events Listed in the Parish Calendar

Click to View the Prayers for Public Policy and Witness

Click to Register for Shrove Tuesday

Parish Office News

New Year, New Calendar

Please email Anita Herring at finance@stthomasrochester.org with meeting schedules

for 2026, and if you require a Zoom link or a Lounge/Conference room reservation.

Parish Drop Off Box

When the office is closed, please drop off items (i.e., checks, etc.) in the secure white Parish Drop Off Box located outside of the Parish Office. Thank you.

Formation

Episcopal 101

A class of confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation into the Episcopal Church will meet during Lent. It is a preparation for the Bishop's visit on Easter Sunday, April 5. It is a class for anyone who desires to know more about the Episcopal tradition or to renew their commitment to faith and to the church. We will meet after church on Sundays, March 1, 15, 22, with a walkthrough on March 29.

Please register for the class using the link below. If you have questions, please contact Amma Leslie at leslie@stthomasrochester.org.

Click to Register for Episcopal 101

Lenten Wednesdays

Living Well through Lent devotions will be available in

the Parish Office and at each of the church entrances beginning Sunday, February 8. We will gather for a small group reflection on Wednesdays, February 25, March 4,

11, 18, and 25, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Lounge. Please register for the class using the link below.

(There is an eight-person requirement to hold the class.)

For more information, contact Amma Leslie at leslie@stthomasrochester.org.

Click to Register for Lenten Wednesdays Classes

Fellowship Ministry

Women of St. Thomas’ February Meeting

Lisa Hand, a member of the Creation Care ministry, will be talking about the daily things we can do to be kinder to our earth at the next gathering of the Women of St. Thomas’ on Thursday, February 19.

The program will begin at 11:30 am

in the Lounge with lunch following

the presentation. Each attendee is requested to bring a sandwich, salad

or soup for themselves. Beverages, chips, pickles, and dessert will be provided. We hope you will join us.

Note: If the weather is inclement and prevents the group from meeting, the gathering will be canceled. Group members will be notified by 9:30 am via email. Please call or text Linda Coleman at 585.313.3164 for more information.

The Sunset House program by Sunset House Director Andrea Calloway and volunteer Maggie Detty, has been rescheduled for March. More details will be forthcoming.

Music Ministry

Ash Wednesday Choir

All teens and adults are invited to sing

for the 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 18, marking

the beginning of the season of Lent.

There will be a rehearsal at 6:00 pm

in the Choir Room on that same evening.

We will forego our usual robes in favor

of a coordinated white/black attire for

that liturgy.

Even if you have not sung in choir before, we wholeheartedly welcome you to join

us that evening. Please contact Rhonda Wright, Organist and Choir Director at

organist@stthomasrochester.org if you have questions, would like to peruse the music,

or plan to participate so that music and a folder can be made ready.

Community Engagement

Souper Bowl Sundays Are Back

St. Thomas' is collecting cans of soup and

boxes of crackers for the Brighton Food

Cupboard to address hunger and food

insecurity for those in need. It is especially

important for children and seniors to have

a helping hand this time of year. Drop off

your soup and crackers in the marked barrels located at the Highland entrance and in the

Lower Hall during the month of February.

Brighton Food Cupboard is a program of Jewish Family Service of Rochester

in partnership with the Brighton Central School District and Foodlink.

Children and Youth Ministry

The Transfiguration

This week in Sunday School, we will read the story of the Transfiguration found in Matthew 17:1-9.

In this passage, God transforms Jesus’ physical appearance in front of a few disciples and presents Jesus alongside Moses and Elijah. After performing this sign, a voice cries out, “This is my Son,

the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen

to him!” Here, Jesus’ identity as the Son of God

is confirmed, and the promises of hope and trans-formation that come with following Jesus are made known. Our lesson this week will focus on the ways in which God surprises us with transformation in our own lives. We will also talk about the formation of community that comes with following Jesus.

Youth Group's Bake with Love Cookie Challenge

This week in Youth Group, we will continue to explore prayer in different ways while making cookies to contribute to Hospitality Hour. As each ingredient comes together to make a whole cookie, we support each other in becoming a full version of ourselves. While we make cookies together, we will discuss

and pray for the people in our lives who make things better, show us God’s love, and encourage us when times get tough.

Click to Register for Youth and Children's Programs

Community Fellowship

Fourth Annual International Women’s Day Celebration

The International Women’s Fellowship of the Church of the Ascension is hosting its Fourth Annual International Women’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 am, at the Church of the Ascension on 2 Riverside Street in Rochester. Participants include women from diverse communities, in addition to a special address given by the Rev. Dr. Deborah Duguid May, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Greece, New York. Come celebrate the gifts of God’s creation and listen to the deep and resilient voices of women who journey with faith and hope. Registration is required. Please call 585.458.5423 or email at ascension@rochester.twcbc.com

to reserve your spot by February 28.

Click to View the International Women’s Day Flyer

In Case You Missed It

Episcopal Senior Life Communities Workshop

Episcopal SeniorLife Communities is hosting an educational workshop for those seeking to continue their growth and learn more about the community. Name That Scam, presented by Daniel Lyon from Lifespan, will be held on Wednesday, February 25, at 2:00 pm, at the Valley Manor Independent Living Education Center, located at 1570 East Avenue in Rochester. Please enter the building on the side with the carport and follow the signs to the Education Center.

Inspired by "Name that Tune," this activity will connect common scams to songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, where participants will have to guess the song, artist, and year, while learning about common financial scams.

Click to View Name That Scam Flyer

Diocesan Discernment Day

Each person has gifts and graces for ministry, whether it is as a lay person or as

an ordained person. If you are discerning a call, please speak with Amma Leslie

prior to registering for this event. Discernment is a communal effort, and pastoral guidance is necessary.

Diocesan Discernment Day will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Henrietta, New York. The day will begin with Holy Eucharist, followed by panel discussions exploring discernment and what calls us to lay or ordained ministry. After lunch, there will be time for private prayer and discernment, and quiet conversations with those who have recently discerned a call. All are welcome, including those who are curious about discernment, those in the ordination process, and those who are being nudged by the Holy Spirit. In-person attendance and registration are required.