Parish Weekly July 31, 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,

Our liturgical color has been green since June 7; this is reflected in the green hangings in the Nave and in the color of stoles the clergy wear on Sundays. We are in Ordinary Time, or what I like to call the green growing season. A season that takes us from spring to summer and into fall when creation is playful and vibrant with color.

As intense as our country's political arena is at the moment, the green growing season reminds me that all work and no play can deplete the soul and facilitate a feeling of numbness and stuckness. We need to carve out space to be replenished not only for our benefit, but also for the care of our work to do in this world as allies and advocates for the marginalized and vulnerable.

The instructions we receive on an airplane have an everyday life application: "Put

your mask on before assisting others." We can't support others if we can't breathe ourselves. And our world needs us too much for us to become depleted and nonresponsive. We need each other. Jesus needs us to be present to our community and world by word, deed, love, and action.

So, dear ones, take the time to fill your bucket, laugh, spend time in creation, rest,

and be renewed. Our world depends upon it.

Faithfully,

Amma Leslie+

Mark Your Calendars

Harvesting Justice & Rural & Migrant Ministry Gathering, Sunday, August 2, Lounge, 11:15 am
Summer Choir Rehearsal, Sunday, August 16, 9:00 am, Choir Room
Back Parking Lot Closure & Tree Removal, Tuesday, August 25-Wednesday, August 26 (please park in the loop and on the streets)

Note: The Parish Weekly newsletter will be emailed every other week throughout the summer.

Click to View All Upcoming Events Listed in the Parish Calendar

Click to View the Prayers for Public Policy and Witness

Children's & Youth Ministries

This week's Family Commentary provides a brief interpretation of the Gospel readings

for Sunday, August 2 and Sunday, August 9, with questions for reflection, and Saints

to Know highlights Joseph of Arimathea, a Biblical figure who took responsibility for Jesus' burial after his crucifixion. Both resources are intended to guide family discussion with children/youth of all ages. Consider spending some time together each week as a family, reading and reflecting on upcoming scripture and leaders of our faith.

Direct any questions to Rev. Lydia at l ydia@stthomasrochester.org.

Click to View this Week's Family Commentary

Click to View this Week's Saints to Know

Worship Ministry

Upcoming Baptism

On Sunday, August 9, we will celebrate the sacrament of baptism for baby Josiah Mistretta, son of Markette Pierce and Jared Mistretta. Though the Book of Common Prayer offers specific days for baptism, the priest takes into consideration pastoral circumstances. Sometimes the pastoral consideration is out-of-town family visiting,

and that is the case in this situation. For August 9, our liturgical color moves from green

to white to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism! Please come to renew your baptismal vows and join in the resounding communal "yes!" in support of this precious child, the family, and their life with God.

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 one

of our weekly worship services.

When you sponsor an arrangement, you have the option of our Watchcare ministry delivering them to a parishioner who is homebound or in need of some floral cheer, or you may take them home after the service. Many dates

are available this summer for you to sign up and 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

Vestry Report

The second quarter of 2026 has been an active one for our parish and the Vestry.
Below are some highlights:

Asbestos abatement was completed to fix a leak that was causing an issue in the Choir room. Mold was remediated in the ceiling of the Lower Hall.
Monroe Pipe & Steam fixed a gas leak from the stove in the kitchen.
Training of new Offering Stewards, including some Vestry members.
A new Property Manager was hired, and a new office was created for him, using part of the conference room.
We had a Parish Potluck event on June 14, 2026.
Youth room window replacements were approved and are in the works.
A new Finance & Office Manager was hired.
The final sections of roof repairs have been completed.

Community Engagement

Reflect, Share Resources, and Find Hope

The social justice ministries groups will gather on Sunday, August 2, from 11:15 am

to noon in the Lounge to check in, reflect, and share resources. All are welcome!

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. July and

August donation needs for the Brighton

Food Cupboard (BFC) include granola bars

and toilet paper. Look for healthier granola

bars and fruit bars in regular-size boxes and toilet paper in bulk packages

Our generous donations of essential community items are making a meaningful difference for the individuals and families who rely

on the organization during these challenging times. Last year, BFC's staff and volunteers distributed more than 164,426 pounds of food to hundreds of families across our community are grateful for the generous contributions made by our congregation. St. Thomas' donations help keep their pantry shelves stocked and reassure the community that we care and that they do not have to face food insecurity alone. Donations may be dropped off in the collection boxes located at each church entrance. Thanks for caring and sharing in the love!

Diocesan News

New Diocesan T-Shirt

Available in black or white

and in unisex sizes from

small to 2XL, each cotton shirt proudly displays the "Loving, Liberating, Life-Giving" design on the front and celebrates

our local churches on the back. Order shirts online using the link below, and complete your payment easily through the order form or the Diocese's website donation page.

Orders can only be picked

up at the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester's Office, at 3825 East Henrietta Road, as no mailing or delivery services are currently available. Please direct any inquiries to Sarah

at sarah@episcopalrochester.org.

Click to Purchase Diocesan T-Shirts

Click to Purchase Red Wings Episcopal Night Tickets

Attitude of Gratitude

United Thank Offering extends heartfelt thanks to St. Thomas' for the generous

gift of $764.31 gathered during Lent. Next year, this gift will help spark new innovative mission and ministry efforts across the globe. Discover more about the inspiring work UTO supports at www.unitedthankoffering.com.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Diocese of Rochester in the Rochester Pride Parade earlier in July.

Despite the stormy weather, the group spread the news that all people are made

in God’s image.

If you have thanksgivings to share, please email Amy Holowczenko, Communications

& Reception, at communications@stthomasrochester.org.

Stewardship

Keep Your Gifts Up To Date

Your ongoing financial support is vital for sustaining

St. Thomas' community and programs throughout the

year. Please consider maintaining your support during

the summer months to keep our community thriving.

Pledges may be made online or by mail. The St. Thomas’ Connect (STC) site offers a convenient way to manage your gifts anytime and from anywhere for a seamless and user-friendly online giving experience. STC is accessible using

a desktop computer, a laptop, the link provided below, or by scanning this QR code

with a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

Click to Make an Online Donation

In Case You Missed It

STC User Interface Changes

The Church Management Software/St. Thomas

Connect (STC) program recently updated its email interface. Group members can still send messages within their group using the Messages tab, but can

no longer message only leaders or select specific members by name.

Messages from group members now go to all group participants, unless the sender is a leader or an administrator. Leaders and administrators can still choose to message all, only leaders, or specific members, but must select all participants for all replies and comments to be visible to everyone. Attachments sent as links will continue to be added to the group's file library.

Contact Amy, Communications & Reception, at communications@stthomasrochester.org

or 585.442.3544, weekdays during Parish Office hours for assistance.

Summer Choir

All adults and teens are invited

to participate in the Summer Choir on Sunday, August 16. There will

be a one-rehearsal, no-robe, sit-in-your-usual-pew choir that morning. Attire is comfortable church clothing, and rehearsal begins at 9:00 am

in the air-conditioned Choir Room.

Even if you have not sung with the Choir before, or any choir, all are encouraged to join us. Our singers are welcoming and spirited. Contact Rhonda Wright, Organist and Choir Director, at organist@stthomasrochester.org with questions. We hope to see you there!