Parish Weekly May 29, 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,

I am happy to share that St. Thomas' has a new staff member. Terrance Grimes joins the team as our Property Manager. With over a decade of expertise in property management, Terrance has recently joined the team as our Property Manager, and he is already making himself at home in his new third-floor office.

Originally born in Rochester, Terrance was raised in

a bustling household with seven siblings. His formative years were marked by a passion for basketball, a sport that continues to inspire his active lifestyle. Family remains at the heart of Terrance’s life. He is the proud father of five children—three daughters and two sons—and a grandfather to three energetic grandchildren. Much of his free time is devoted to supporting his children’s pursuits, particularly at sporting events and music recitals, and exploring Rochester’s vibrant cultural scene. He is a regular attendee at music concerts and events

at the public market. Gardening is another of his favorite pastimes, tending to a small but thriving vegetable plot. Terrance’s love of travel has taken him and his family

to numerous Caribbean destinations, creating lasting memories along the way.

As Terrance settles into his new role, his wealth of experience, deep community roots, and dedication to family make him a valued addition to the parish. He may be contacted at property@stthomasrochester.org. Please join me in welcoming him to our team.

Faithfully,

Amma Leslie+

Mark Your Calendars

Education for Ministry (EfM) Sunday, Sunday, June 7, following worship, Youth Room (off Lower Hall)
Parish Potluck Luncheon, Sunday, June 14, following worship

Click to View All Upcoming Events Listed in the Parish Calendar

Click to View the Prayers for Public Policy and Witness

Worship Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) Sunday

Are you interested in deepening your understanding of your faith in community with other curious Christians in a setting where there are no wrong answers? Then the EfM program might be for you!

In either a 4-year or a 1-year mentored program held here at St. Thomas’, we learn through exploring the bible, church history, ethics, and spirituality, as well

as through rich group discussion. Each person comes to our EfM group with their own story. What is yours?

Would you like to learn more about EfM? Contact Maggie Detty at loganchem@aol.com, Jane Smith at jemsmith@frontier.com, or Cathy Dahler at dahler88@gmail.com, or join us for an informal gathering after the worship service on Sunday, June 7.

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

Music Ministry

Join the Choir

All teens and adults are invited to join

the Choir for any or all of the Sundays through June 28. Our attire starting

May 31 is white and black, rather than

the usual formal robes. Rehearsal begins

each Sunday at 8:45 am in the Choir Room, where we review three anthems plus service music for that morning. If you prefer, you may also elect to sing most

of the service from your favorite pew and come forward to join the choir for the anthem and Doxology.

The second invitation is for everybody as we sing inclusive words to our usual Eastertide Doxology tune:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Beginning June 7, we will sing the above Doxology words through the summer. As the psalmist says, "Make a joyful noise…!" [Psalm 100:1; Psalm 98:4]

Contact Rhonda Wright at organist@stthomasrochester.org with any questions.

Attitude of Gratitude

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

& Reception, at communications@stthomasrochester.org.

Children and Youth Ministry

Creation

This week in Sunday School, we will read

the Creation story found in Genesis 1:1-2:4a.

The children will learn about the days of creation through vibrant pictures and exciting

sounds from the Story Bible. Our lesson

this week will explore all the creatures and

things God made, including ourselves, and encourage us to give thanks for all creation.

Property Commission

Gardening Gathering

Save the date for a bit of gardening on our beautiful grounds on Sunday, May 31, after the service. No planting knowledge needed. Shovels and gloves will be provided. For more information, contact Lisa Hand at lisahand711@gmail.com.

Community Engagement

2026 Rochester Pride Parade

Mark your calendars to join the Episcopal Diocese

of Rochester in the Rochester Pride Parade on

July 18, 2026. See the form below to sign up and

for more information about other upcoming Pride events throughout the Diocese.

Click to Sign Up for Upcoming Pride Events

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. 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!