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Parish Weekly November 6, 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.
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Dear St. Thomas' Beloved,
Please join me this Sunday, November 8,
for worship, then stay for our special all-parish forum, "Beyond the Headlines: How Current
Laws & Policies Affect Transgender and Non-
binary People and Those Who Support Them,"
led by Dr. Emma Forbes-Jones. This is an opportunity to learn, to ask questions, to engage
in thoughtful conversation about things you didn't know you needed to know. Please come with an open and curious heart and mind.
Dr. Emma is a well-respected clinical psychologist licensed in New York State. I have had the delight of learning from her for years and the privilege of working alongside her on the Rochester Transgender Coalition. It is an honor to have Dr. Emma with us this Sunday. I hope you can join us.
Faithfully,
Amma Leslie+
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A Service of Secularization of a Building at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Sunday, November 8, 3:00 pm, 350 Chili Avenue, Rochester
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Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, Parish Office Closed
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Women of St. Thomas' Meeting, Thursday, November 19, 11:30 am, Choir Room (see below)
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2027 Nominations Now Open
Have you ever wondered how decisions that help our parish function smoothly are made? If you are interested in learning about our parish operations and want to make
a meaningful impact, consider joining St. Thomas’ Vestry. This dedicated and active group works collaboratively with the wardens and clergy to oversee St. Thomas' vision and mission. Vestry members serve three-year terms, meet monthly, rotate as the “Vestry Person of the Day” at the 10:00 am worship service, respond to parishioner questions, and more.
Who can be nominated for Vestry?
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- Baptized members at least 18 years of age
- Members who have not served on the Vestry for the most recent term (3 years)
- Members in good standing, as determined by the Rector, and who attend services regularly; contribute time, talent, and treasure (pledge)
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Are effective role models (see page 409, Book of Common Prayer)
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Please submit nominations by Monday, November 23, 2026. For more information about Vestry duties, visit the website, contact Jane Andrews, Warden, at jane@andrews.me,
or speak with any Vestry member.
| Children & Youth Ministries | |
Ten Bridesmaids
This week in Sunday School,
we will read the Ten Bridesmaids parable found in Matthew 25:1-13.
In this parable, Jesus teaches a lesson about preparedness and patience. All the bridesmaids are
all ready for the bridegroom’s arrival, but some did not expect to wait so long. When we must wait for things to happen in our lives, it can be hard to be patient. It can also be hard to remember that while we are waiting for something, we still have other things to give. We can still share the light God has given us while we wait for God in other ways; and when we are patient with each other, we reflect God’s light. This lesson will focus on how we can be light for each other. Please direct any questions to Rev. Lydia at lydia@stthomasrochester.org.
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Youth Group
The Youth Group will meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. All are welcome. Please direct any questions or concerns to Rev. Lydia at lydia@stthomasrochester.org or Paula Gitlin at paula@stthomasrochester.org.
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2027 Pledge Campaign Update
Contribute your gifts and resources to sustain and grow our parish and community partnerships. To date, St. Thomas' has collected $270,306 in pledges, almost three-quarters of the way to our goal of $390,000.
If your pledge card hasn't arrived in the mail, you can now pledge and pay online
by using the links below. We appreciate your continued support!
During the first week of November 2026, parishioners will receive their 2027 pledge statements in the mail. The 2026 annual comprehensive giving statements will follow
in an additional mailing scheduled for mid-January 2027. Direct questions and concerns
to Jaime Berthold, Finance and Office Manager, at finance@stthomasrochester.org
or 585.442.3544, extension 102.
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2027 Altar Flowers Sign-Up Now Open
Whether you have a special occasion or celebration, or you wish to honor a loved one, consider sponsoring flowers for one of next year's weekly worship services.
Altar flower sponsors can choose to have our Watchcare ministry deliver them to a home-bound parishioner or someone who needs floral cheer, or can take them home after the service. Signing up is easy and fast! Call the Parish Office at 585.442.3544 or use the link below. For more details, contact Vicky Rupley at vrupley@gmail.com or 585.233.2546.
| | Note: 2026 Altar Flower donations are full, and the 2026 sign-up page link is no longer active. | | |
Women of St. Thomas’ November Meeting
At the next Women of St. Thomas’ meeting
on Thursday, November 19, organist and
choir director Rhonda Wright will play our favorite hymns on the piano. The program
will begin at 11:30 am in the Choir Room
(down the hall from the Lounge), followed
by lunch. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own sandwich, salad, or soup. Beverages, chips, and dessert will be provided. We hope you will join us. Contact Linda Coleman at 585.313.3164 for more information.
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A huge thank you to the St. Thomas' Choir for a beautiful offering of movements from Mozart's Missa solemnis (K. 337)! It was moving and a perfect addition to our All Saints' Day celebration! A special thank you to Rhonda Wright for her leadership and ministry among us.
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If you have thanksgivings to share, please email Amy Holowczenko, Communications
& Reception, at communications@stthomasrochester.org.
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Wegmans East Avenue Grocery Run
The Youth Group will be participating in this year’s Wegmans East Avenue Grocery Run on Saturday, November 7. Please consider joining the team or supporting them by donating using the QR codes on the flyer. All donations will benefit St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church and House of Mercy feeding ministries.
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Get Ready
for Sunday
Read the Revised Common Lectionary
for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
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Parish Weekly Deadline
The deadline for submitting articles for
the Parish Weekly is Tuesday at 9:00 am. Unless noted, the newsletter is published
on Fridays at 10:00 am. Please send
articles directly to Amy Holowczenko at communications@stthomasrochester.org.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
| | Copyright ©2026 St. Thomas' Church of Rochester, NY. All rights reserved. |
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