Parish Weekly January 9, 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.

As many of you know, December marked Amma Leslie’s 10th anniversary serving

as rector here at St. Thomas’. This is a wonderful milestone that we will be celebrating after the church service this Sunday. Please be sure to join us in the Great Hall for

a festive celebratory reception as we express our gratitude for all that she has given

to our parish.

If you would like to recognize Leslie personally, feel free to bring a congratulatory

card to the reception. We will have a basket on one of the tables.

Rector's Notes

Dear St. Thomas', 

Sunday, January 25, is our Annual Parish Meeting. I hope you will plan to join us after worship for a time of refreshment, celebrating what we have done and our leadership, as well as electing our new leadership. Due to the NYS Corporations Act, the polls for the meeting need to be open for an hour, so at the end of our worship, I will call the meeting to order. We will close the worship and move to the Great Hall for a light breakfast and meeting. The meeting will be done by NOON. 

I am thrilled to have a full slate of Vestry 2026-2029, along with a Warden to elect. 

Vicky Rupley has agreed to serve another year as Warden 2026-2027. Please read their brief bios to learn more about them.

So, mark your calendars, pray for good weather, and bring an open and grateful heart as we celebrate our common life.

Faithfully, 

Amma Leslie+

Senior Warden — One-year term

Vicky Rupley (she, her, hers)

I have been a member of St. Thomas for 17 years and immediately felt at home that first day I walked through the church doors. Over the years, I became involved in various programs and ministries such as Altar Guild, Member Resources, Council

of Ministries, Fiber Arts, Bible Study, Vestry, College of Congregational Development, Finance, and Education for Ministry (EfM). All of these and attending the Sunday services have enriched my life in ways that are difficult to describe. When Amma

Leslie asked me to serve an additional year as Warden, I accepted with gratitude, happy to give back for all that St. Thomas' has given me. There are so many

positive things happening in our parish, and I am excited to continue supporting our parish and growing together in faith.

Vestry Candidates —Three-year term

Kristie Elias (she/her)

I have been a member of St Thomas’ since 1994. After graduating from SUNY Brockport, I moved to Brighton with some friends from college. St Thomas’ was

within walking distance from where we lived. I was always an active participant

in my childhood congregation as an acolyte, in the Christmas pageants, and as

a youth representative on the vestry. I wanted that same experience for my children.

I live in the North Winton section of the city with my husband, Javier, and our daughter. Our son, Mateo, currently lives in Brooklyn. My daughter, Lizzie, is

a freshman at Our Lady of Mercy. We have a dog, Skippy, and two cats, Polly

and Henry. 

I have found that the Episcopal church aligns with my values and beliefs. This congregation has always felt warm and welcoming. My participation has varied

over time. It has always felt that everyone is welcome to be as engaged as they

are comfortable, which makes my participation more personal. It aligns with where

I am in life, and it is truly a service that fills my cup instead of being another obligation

to fulfill. As my family has grown, I have more time to recommit to my interests and passions. I have always found that time with this congregation leaves me feeling refreshed, energized, and optimistic about the world. I want to serve on the vestry because I believe that it is important to tend to the things that are important to me. I support the vision and mission of St Thomas, and I want to put that support into action.

Kearie Baumgartner (she/her)

My family and I have been part of the St. Thomas community for almost 10 years.

St. Thomas' has truly become our spiritual home because of the genuine warmth

and openness of this parish. From the very beginning, the message has always

been one of love and acceptance, and that message is lived out every day. Whether someone is brand new to the church or has been attending for decades, everyone

is welcomed and made to feel like they belong. St. Thomas is a place where faith, community, and compassion come together, and it has been a constant source of support and spiritual growth for my family.

Todd and I have been married for five years, but we’ve been together for 15 years.

We have three children: TJ (9), Charlie (4), and Caitlin (26). Our family grew this year when Caitlin married Jared in November, and we were thrilled to welcome him as our son-in-law. Family is very important to us, and we value the love, connection, and support we find both at home and within our church community.

I want to serve on Vestry because I feel called to give back to a church that has given so much to my family and me. St. Thomas has played an important role in our lives, and I would like to help support and guide its continued growth. I care deeply about the future of our parish and want to be part of thoughtful conversations and decisions that help ensure St. Thomas' remains a welcoming, loving, and vibrant community. I believe serving on Vestry is a meaningful way to contribute my time, perspective, and commitment to the church we all call home.

Norm Marshall (he/him)

I live in Henrietta with my two boys, George and Jamie. St. Thomas’ has officially been our spiritual home since shortly after the pandemic. We visited once or twice in 2019

in our search for a new parish when we moved to Rochester, but all through 2020 and 2021, members of our church made sure we felt connected and cared for. I love St. Thomas’ for its commitment to radical hospitality and inclusion, as well as our clergy’s focus on preaching real-world, relevant examples of peace and love. It makes me feel so welcome that no one seems to be bothered when our kids get a little noisy, and I’ve been so blessed to participate in the children’s formation ministry. I would be honored

to help support the Vestry’s work of tending to the ongoing health of the parish, carrying forward what is already good at St. Thomas’, and discerning God's call to grow into our shared mission.

Mark Your Calendars

• Women of St. Thomas January Meeting, Thursday, January 15, 11:00 am, Lounge
• Recycling Recycled Presentation, Sunday, January 18, following worship service, Lower Hall
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, Parish Office closed
• Annual Parish Meeting, Sunday, January 25, 2026, Great Hall
• Easter Sunday With the Bishop's Visit, Sunday, April 5

Financial News

Year-End Statements Available

2025 tax statements are available by logging into your St. Thomas Connect (STC) account and following these simple steps:

Select "Giving" from the menu on the left of the homepage ($ icon)

Select "My Giving" from the submenu

Click "Giving Statement" (black box, right side of page)

Select "Family" for type and "Last Year" for range

Select "Run Report"

If you require assistance or need a copy sent via email or USPS, please email
your request to Anita Herring, Director of Finance & Administration at finance@stthomasrochester.org, or call 585.442.3544, x102.

Submitting a Pledge & Setting Up Automatic (Recurring) Donations

Join Anita Herring, St. Thomas' Director of Finance & Administration, after worship on Sunday, February 1, in the Great Hall to learn about the differences between pledges and donations, and how to set up and maintain an automatic (recurring) donation. 

Stock Transfers

Thank you for your continued support of St. Thomas'. Please note that the information needed for the broker/firm has changed:

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

DTC#: 0164

Receiving Account: 6270-2009

Account Registration: St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

Schwab's Address: 200 S 108th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68154

Please contact Anita via email at finance@stthomasrochester.org to alert her of any incoming deposit to this account, or call 585.442.3544, x102 with any questions.

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.

Spiritual Formation

Episcopal 101

In preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday, April 5 (Easter morning), we will hold classes for those who want to learn more about the Episcopal Church. It is a class that prepares one for Reaffirmation, Reception from another tradition, such as Catholic or Lutheran, and Confirmation. This class will meet on Sundays, March 1, 15, and 22, after worship in the lounge. Please register for the class using the link below. If you have questions, please contact Amma Leslie at leslie@stthomasrochester.org.  

Fellowship Ministry

Women of St. Thomas’ January Meeting

The next gathering of the Women of St. Thomas’

will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 11:00 am

in the Lounge. Andrea Calloway, the Director of The Sunset House, a home for the dying in Irondequoit,

and fellow parishioner Maggie Detty, a volunteer at the home, will discuss the ministry's work.

.

The program will begin at 11:30 am, followed by lunch. Each attendee should bring a sandwich, salad, or soup. Beverages, chips, pickles, and dessert will be provided.

We hope you’ll be able to 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 contact Linda Coleman at 585.313.3164 for more information.

Creation Care Ministry

Recycling Recycled: Now What? Presentation

Join St. Thomas' Creation Care Ministry's Lisa Hand

on January 18, after service, for an engaging, informative presentation on sustainability and learn more about

caring for our earth. Prizes will be given.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hand

at lisahand711@gmail.com.

Community Engagement

Brighton Food Cupboard Requests

January donation needs for the Brighton Food Cupboard include life staples such as rice, cereal, shelf-stable milk, and instant oatmeal packs. Shop grocery sales now and stock up for our February Souper Sundays soup and crackers tradition, which supports this wonderful cause. We all know food

is love!

Collection boxes are located at each of the church entrances. Thanks for caring and sharing in the love!

Community Education

City of Rochester Public Education Sessions: Opioids in Our Community

Join the discussion and share your perspectives on how the opioid epidemic is affecting our community and its families, what resources are available to prevent overdose, and what you observe as barriers to care at the Cameron Community Ministries.

Cameron Community Ministries, a City of Rochester Neighborhood Ambassador Program member and nonprofit service organization that provides food, clothing, and K-6

after-school programs in the Northwest neighborhood

of Rochester, will host two public education sessions on Wednesday, March 18, and Wednesday, June 24, from

4:30 to 6:30 pm, at 28 Cameron Street in Rochester.

For more information, contact the Office of Special Projects and Educational Initiatives at 585.428.7192.

Children and Youth Ministry

Jesus’ Baptism

This week in Sunday School, the children will read

the story of Jesus’ baptism, found in Matthew 3:13-17. In this story, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove. The story concludes with God’s famous blessing upon Jesus, “You are my Son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” The lesson this week will focus on the love and grace given in baptism that unite us all. We will also discuss the ways in which we are God’s beloved, and nothing can stop God’s love for us.

Youth Group

The Youth Group will meet the first and third Sunday of each month. All are welcome.Please contact either Paula Gitlin at paula@stthomasrochester.org

or Rev. Lydia at lydia@stthomasrochester.org with any questions or concerns.

Sunday Live Stream Service at 10:00 am is available on St. Thomas' YouTube channel—St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Rochester, NY. The live stream can

be viewed any time after 10:00 am throughout the week. 

Daily Devotional (Forward Day by Day): click here for the link.

For Prayer Requests, click here or on the link at the bottom of this page.

Emergency Contacts

Brighton Food Cupboard

(585) 271-5355

Centers for Disease Control

cdc.gov

Episcopal Relief

& Development

(faith-based response

to epidemics)

bit.ly/2VMcNuu

Interpersonal

Violence Hotline

(for physical and mental related to interpersonal violence and trauma)

(585) 275-HEAL

Monroe County Department of Health

monroecounty.gov/health-coronavirus

National Child

Abuse Hotline

(800) 342-3720

National Suicide Prevention

988

New York State Mental

Health Provider Hotline

(844) 863-9314

NYS Office of

Addiction Services https://oasas.ny.gov/ 

Rochester AA Support

(585) 232-6720

Willow Domestic
Violence Center

(585) 222-SAFE

The Trevor Project

(for LGBTQ youth, 13-14)

1 (866) 488-7386

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church of Rochester, New York, is proud to stand with the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group and its declaration that “Racism is a Public Health Crisis." As a community

of faith and followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that every person

is continually made in the image of God beautifully and wonderfully.

We are committed to doing the hard work of love. We are dedicated

to the practice of growing and learning how to know and love our neighbors as we seek to create community. We hold the hope that

love does win through forgiveness, kindness, and transformation.

We desire to be a people who work for the equity of all. We work to acknowledge our complicity

and part in racism, and we are committed to working together to tackle injustice in our lives, in our church, in our community, and in the world.