The Draft

Our Weekly E-Newsletter

July 2, 2026

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Bulletin for Sunday - July 5, 2025

Fr. Ryan is away on vacation this week. We look forward to his return.

He needed the vacation after spending last week at camp with middle schoolers and was treated to some of their pudding!

PICTURE THIS...

St. Thomas' was very well represented at the 45th annual St. Pete PRIDE Parade. Members marched with many other faith communities and shared God's love with attendees.

GIVING PLATE - JULY

July Giving Plate: Episcopal Charities

Sunday, July 19

FELLOWSHIP

Click on the Name to go to the Website Information

St. Thomas'...let's get Rowdie!

Saturday, August 15

Come out for a fun night with the Rowdies and let's have some summer fun.

MUST have your paid reservation turned in on or by Noon, July 30th.

You can purchase your tickets on Realm! Use the drop down box and choose "Rowdies Soccer Tickets".

MUST have your paid reservation purchased online or turned in on or by Noon, July 30th.

Please let the office know if you are wanting an additional ticket for your child, so that we can make sure that gets purchased.

Men's Group and Women's Social Club

Summer Book Club

Virtual Happy Hour

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Click on the Name to go to the Website Information

Benison Farm

F.A.S.T.

Honduras Mission Trip

KAIROS

Pack-a-Snack

MA (Marijuana Anonymous)

Tuesdays, 4:00 PM*

Note: June 9 time changed to 4:00 pm

AL-ANON

Saturdays, 7:00 PM

STEWARDSHIP

If you would like to know more about Stewardship or become involved with the Stewardship ministry at St. Thomas', please reach out to our committee chair, Joni James, joni.james@gmail.com or 727-410-3892.

Stewardship Information

Sojourners (Adult Formation)

Truthseekers (6th-12th Grades)

Explorers (K-5th Grades)

Nursery

Our Nursery is closed for the Summer and will reopen on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026

New Beginnings

Happening

PASTORAL CARE

Parish Prayer List

Don't see your birthday or anniversary listed?

Please call the office so we can update our records.

Collecting for Venezuela

Sunday, July 5

Please take your items to St. Vincent's, 5441 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Sunday, July 5.

Walking the Mourner's Path: Facilitator Training

July 30 through August 1

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in facilitator training for "Walking the Mourners' Path" for people who are grieving. Let people know that they should reach out to Fr. David for more information.

Diocesan Stewardship Workshop

Saturday, August 8

Join us for this year’s Stewardship Workshop, Saturday, August 8, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 

Each year, the Diocese of Southwest Florida offers regular support for the stewardship efforts of our congregations through our yearly Stewardship event, held in August. The goal of the Diocesan Stewardship program is to assist congregations not only in their yearly campaigns but in cultivating the unique gifts in our congregations. This year's workshop will feature guest speaker Richard Rogers, Partner and Senior Vice President of Horizons Stewardship. With more than 25 years of experience helping churches strengthen stewardship and generosity, Richard has worked with congregations across denominations and has helped churches raise more than $150 million through campaigns and coaching initiatives. He is also the author of Generational Generosity and The E-Giving Guide for Every Church.

Diocesan Acolyte Festival

Saturday, August 22

Intergenerational and open to all, the 2026 Acolyte Festival invites acolytes, vergers, leaders, and volunteers with all levels of experience together on August 22, 2026, at the Cathedral. Through rotating workshops, a shared meal, and a closing service, we'll deepen our understanding of shared ministry at the altar and strengthen connections across our congregations.

The festival runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, with registration beginning at 9:30 AM. A light breakfast will be available before 10 AM, and a cookout lunch featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings will be provided.

Whether you are a longtime acolyte, server, or verger, or are new to this ministry, all are invited to join in this special day of learning, celebration, and worship.

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - July 5

Acolytes (10am): Colin Burkhart (C), Liam Kennedy(T1), Hannah Wetmore(T2).

Audio Visual (10am): Jackson Ball.

Greeters (8am): Jacob & Evy Rodrigues.

Greeters (10am): Diane Robinson, Russ Martin. 

Healing Ministers (10am): Liz Stiles.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (10am): Tom Shevlin, Yamilet Roman.

Lector (8am): Mike Bice.

Lectors (10am): Michael Mahoney (OT), George Burkhart (NT).

Oblation Bearers (10am): George and Ellen Burkhart.

Prayers of the People (8am): Mike Bice.

Prayers of the People (10am): Beth Gould.

Ushers (10am): George Burkhart, Bill Thomas.

Altar Guild: Pat and Dave Bernfeld, Susan McMullen.

Coffee Host: Liz Stiles.

Collection Counter: Diane Robinson.

Flower Guild: Caron Burgess, Laura Vrooman.

God has given us the ability to laugh for a reason. It may seem like a little thing, but laughter is vitally important in the battle against stress, anxiety, fear and worry.

Priscilla and Aquila

When Paul came to Corinth (probably in the year 50), he met Priscilla and her husband Aquila. Like Paul, they were tentmakers by trade, and had just arrived from Rome, from which the Emperor Claudius had recently expelled the Jewish community. It is not clear whether Aquila and Priscilla were already Christians before meeting Paul, or were converted by his preaching. After eighteen months, the three of them went together to Ephesus, where Priscilla and Aquila remained while Paul continued to Antioch. Soon after, a man named Apollos came to Ephesus, who had heard and believed a portion of the Christian message, and was promoting that belief with eloquent preaching, based on a thorough knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. Aquila and Priscilla befriended him and explained the Gospel to him more fully, after which he continued to preach with even greater effectiveness. Priscilla and Aquila were apparently in Rome when Paul wrote to that congregation, and in Ephesus with Timothy when Paul wrote his last letter to Timothy. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians from Ephesus, he joined their greetings with his own. Clearly they were dear to Paul, and were earnest and effective in spreading the Good News of Christ and His saving work. Altogether, Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned six times in the New Testament (Acts 18:2; Acts 18:18-19; Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19), and the observant reader may note that in half of these Aquila’s name comes first, while in the other half, Priscilla’s comes first, as if to emphasize that they are being mentioned on equal terms.

[Feast Day: July 8]

The Draft, our electronic newsletter is sent to you by noon every Thursday. Thank you!