The Draft

Our Weekly E-Newsletter

April 2, 2026

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Bulletin for Sunday - April 5, 2026



Dear People of St. Thomas', 

Tonight, it begins again. The great drama unfolds in three acts.

Act I: Jesus enters Jerusalem and prepares to have the Passover meal with his friends. Tonight we remember that meal and all that happened at it, including Jesus instituting the Holy Eucharist in which he would always be with us through his Body and Blood; and the ceremony of the footwashing, a socially upside-down act of service that made no sense to anyone until he gave them the new commandment; and the retreat to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus would pray, afraid, while his friends could not keep awake; and then, the kiss of betrayal and the arrest. We will hear Psalm 22 tonight but another verse of Psalm 49 has always resonated with me for this night. Psalm 41:9 – “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

Act II: The awful crucifixion. Tomorrow, we hear the story of Jesus crucifixion beautifully sung by our choir and then we have the chance to interact with the Cross, to symbolically approach Jesus by physically walking up and touching the Cross, or kissing it, or praying before it. Few moments of the liturgical year are as profoundly moving and as deeply personal.

Act III: The surprise of Easter morning, when, despite having heard Jesus say he would rise again, we experience the shock and joy of the women at the tomb when we find it to be true. We celebrate our Lord’s victory over death with songs of Alleluia and beautiful flowers and festive clothes. It is truly the best of days. Death is defeated, sin is put to flight, the devil is sent packing.

And we have saved a seat for you for it all. If you have only ever come to Easter Sunday before, let me invite you and encourage you to make these three days a part of your devotion this year. It will change how you experience Easter Sunday, and every Sunday thereafter, I promise you. If you have come to Good Friday before, let me invite you to the Last Supper, which becomes the First of Suppers. Come tonight and participate with us in these dramatic events. Give yourself over to the discipline of being here for it all. It will be a blessing to you like no other.

Thank you to everyone who has put in extra time making this year’s Holy Week so special. I can’t wait to share it with you all. I love each of you and I hope you’ll come because it means so much to me and I want it to mean so much to you. God bless you!

Faithfully,

Fr. Ryan+

HOLY WEEK & EASTER AT ST THOMAS'

THE WATCH

“So could you not stay awake with me for an hour?”

~Jesus, Matthew 26:40~

The Watch begins tonight, April 2 and continues through the night until Good Friday morning, April 3. Please feel free to come for whatever hour you are able to sit with Jesus in the chapel.

AN INVITATION TO DINE IN COMMUNITY

Supper, Song & Prayer

Wednesdays, 6:00 pm

Supper, Song and Prayer will resume our potluck dinners on Wednesday, April 8. All are invited and we hope to see you there. You only need to bring something to share; a salad, side dish, main dish, desert, or beverage of your choosing. This is a great family activity and a fantastic way to get to know others in our St. Thomas' community. As always, please invite a friend or neighbor to come with you. At the conclusion of our meal we celebrate the end of the day with Compline and a glorious hymn. If for no other reason, come and have some ice cream cake with us on Wednesday, April 8.

ART PROJECT RECEPTION

Let Me Tell You a Story

Friday, April 10

Please join members of the St. Thomas' Art Project from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, for an opening reception to view the works of Jennifer Thomas Houdeshell. She is an award-winning narrative painter, children’s book illustrator, art educator and lifelong advocate. In addition to her joyful, colorful paintings of children, families and faith, her richly layered canvases often combine storytelling with social justice issues, from the life-shattering tragedy of human trafficking and the devastations of homelessness and racial discrimination to the dangers of damaging our environment. Come see her powerful work! The show runs in our main worship space through May 7.

For additional information, please contact Gina White (ginabwhite@yahoo.com) or Mary Jane Park (maryjanepark@aol.com).

LUNCH AND LEARN

PICTURE THIS...

Members of the Flower Guild and friends gather to dress the church in palms for Palm Sunday.

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Isaiah's Place Ministry:

The Next "Sandwich Sunday" is

Saturday, April 4

Please join us at 11:30 am to make sandwiches for those in our community that need food. We will gather in the kitchen to prepare 200 turkey-cheese, and cheese sandwiches. This is an important outreach ministry and the sandwiches we make go in support those who are food deprived in our community.

Please email Russ Martin if you like to become involved with this outreach ministry: office@stthomasstpete.org

Isaiah's Place Ministry: Hot Meal Prep

Saturday, April 18

We need helpers on Saturday between 11:30am- 3:00pm (you do not have to stay the entire time) to help with cooking, prepping and plating food. Please consider helping with this vital ministry.

Please contact Vickie Ryan if you'd like to be involved with this ministry: VickieRyan802@gmail.com or 727-390-9525.

F.A.S.T.

Thursday, April 16

St. Thomas's justice ministry invites you to join us at the Nehemiah Action on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg. 

We're carpooling from St. Thomas (meet in the parking lot at 5:45) or show up at First Baptist (1900 Gandy Blvd.). We'll be sitting as a group of St. Thomas parishioners.

This event is when elected officials attend and show their willingness to partner with the coalition to work on relevant issues. FAST's issues are: affordable housing; water quality/flooding; and youth concerns/behavioral health. 

The goal is to have 2,000 attendees (there were ~1500 there in 2025); St. Thomas’ goal is 50 (we had 34 last year). Bishop Scharf will be attending the Nehemiah Action. 

Giving Plate:

Sunday, April 19

Honduras Mission Trip

Honduras Mission Team 2023

Honduras Mission Team 2024

Honduras Mission Team 2025

This month's Giving Plate will go to support this year's Honduras Mission Trip. Unfortunately, we were not able to garner enough participants from St. Thomas' (only four) to form a full team to go in May as originally planned. So, we pivoted and a few of us will be joining forces with the mission team that is going from Radius Church, St. Pete. Our new mission trip dates are July 12-18.

This newly formed team will be led by Fran Mikuta, who is on the FFIM Board and some of you may have met her at the Gala. Russ Martin is also on the FFIM Board and will be going again this year for his ninth year! This year's trip cost each person $1,000 plus airfare.

Each year, the team stays in the bunk house on the grounds of New Hope Clinic and each day the team goes into the field to one of the 53 village communities supported by the clinic (it is the only health clinic around, located 3 hours from the nearest hospital). The team is directly involved in helping to better the health of the people we see in the villages; taking weight and height, blood pressure, glucose exams, eye exams, and other medical issues including women's health: pap-smears and breast exams. Dental services are also performed in the field. Each person receives a health kit to take home that includes such items as toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash clothes, combs, band aides, soap, and other hygiene items needed for daily use. All these items are donated by folks like you. This year we are specifically looking for reading glasses and we will be collecting those and other items as we get closer to our trip dates.

We hope to get enough folks from St. Thomas' in 2027 to form a full team. It takes a minimum of 12 people to be able to fulfill all the functions while there. If you are interested in participating, please let Russ Martin know, or speak to any of the folk listed below.

Thank you to all those who have gone on a Honduras mission trip in the past from St. Thomas':

Rick and Grace Smith, Colin Burkhart, Laura Reitan, Adrienne Ruga, Alden Huffner, Jordan Rose, Tracy Kelso, Judy McAllister, Luis Quixtan, The Rev. Janet Tunnell, Caron Burgess, Mary Clark, Lisa Hinkley, Jack and Nancy Day, Geordie Stutzman, Carlos Gomez, and others.

Pack-a-Snack

Our packing and delivery of food items for elementary children at North Shore has begun. Please see the schedule using the link below.

Questions about this ministry: contact program coordinator Amy Kelso, 727-430-8615 or askelso41@yahoo.com.

MA (Marijuana Anonymous)

Tuesdays, 5:00 PM

MA meets every Tuesday night at 5:00 pm in the Youth Room This group is for those struggling with marijuana or cannabis addiction. The group uses the basic 12 step program developed by AA. Members of MA collectively support each other as peers, sponsors, and friends. MA has a book called Life with Hope and a companion 12-Step workbook, along with other publications. We use the tools of the MA program to help free us of our addictive tendencies and physical dependence on the substance that has caused damage in our lives.

Sojourners - Adult Formation

Sunday mornings

Resuming on April 12, 19, and 26, OUTLINE OF FAITH (Part 2).

No Adult Class on Sunday, March 29 or Sunday, April 5.

Explorers (Grades K-5)

Sunday mornings

Explorers for grades K-5, is intended to introduce and explore Bible characters and stories to learn about God's love and plans for us. This semester we are working through the Old Testament. Classes are interactive, educational and fun! This group meets in the Founders Room.

Truthseekers (Grades 6-12)

Sunday mornings

Truthseekers for grades 6-12, is designed to engage and inspire, ensuring that spiritual growth is both fun and meaningful! We tackle provocative and challenging questions about our faith that students will inevitably face and sometimes struggle to address. This semester we are exploring Jesus' parables.

Weekday Adult Bible Study

The Men's Bible Study will continue to meet at 7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings, with the Gospel of Matthew.

March 18 (No Bible Study), March 25 -Chapter 15, April 1 (No Bible Study), April 8 - Chapter 16

The Women's Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM, with the Gospel of Matthew.

March 19 (No Bible Study), March 26 -Chapter 15, April 2 (No Bible Study), April 9 - Chapter 16

Wednesday evenings, 6:45-7:45 for all 6th to 12th grade student. We meet in the Youth Room.

Happening

April 10-12

Happening is a weekend retreat designed just for high schoolers (grades 9–12), who want to grow closer to God and explore what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world.

Led by youth who have already taken part, with the support of clergy and adult mentors, the weekend helps high schoolers from all denominations grow in their faith through meaningful talks, spirited singing, small-group conversations, worship, games, and a few surprises along the way. Adults, called “Magi,” are also invited to journey alongside one another as they share in this powerful experience. Over the course of two days, Happening offers a space where faith is renewed, community is built, and Christ’s love is encountered—so that teens return home ready to live it out in their daily lives.

FELLOWSHIP

Men's Club

Friday, April 10

The Men's club meets April 10 for a bowling night out at Sunrise Lanes, 6393 9th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33702, 6pm.

For more information, please contact George Burkhart, 727-692-6950 or Ted Badger, 727-295-9669.

Women's Social Club

Third Thursday of the Month:

April 19

The next club meeting will be April 19 at 12 noon following services at Outback, 1900 4th St N.

If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Lewis at 305-720-1422 or Vickie Ryan at 727-390-9525. We welcome suggestions for other times/locations.

Virtual Happy Hour

Every Thursday

Please join us on Zoom

Thursdays

6:00 pm - 7:15 pm 

Meeting ID: 852 5738 4996

Password: 220612

Tickets on sale April 6.

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

Our Mission:

Making a difference for others, because God is making a difference for us.

Our Vision:

To create a safe, loving, and accepting place for all people to grow in their faith and spread love out into the beloved community.

NEWS FROM THE FARM

DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS

EPISCOPAL CHURCHWIDE NEWS

PASTORAL CARE

Parish Prayer List:

Healing:

Geoff B., Carol W., Chris C., Larry S., Connie W., Laura V., Nancy D., Rene C., Suzette C., Susan H., Louise C., Marilyn L., James G., Ricardo R., Pat M., Marty G., Sue M. Emme, Bob M., Jim R.

Expecting:

Nick and Leah (August)

Traveling:

Jane Anne & David (late March)

Happening:

Emma K (April 10-12)

Baptisms:

Gabriel R. (April 12), Monica S. (July 12), Sophia S. (July 12)

The list of names in the Prayers of the People will be published in the bulletin every week and in this section of The Draft. To add someone to the prayer list, contact Fr. David Gould in the church office: 727-896-9641, ext. 102 or davidg@stthomasstpete.org.

Prayer request can be for healing, medical issues, expectant mothers, travel, personal needs, or a variety of situations. Names stay on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise requested.

Don't see your birthday or anniversary listed?

Please call the office so we can update our records.

Maundy-Thursday, April 2

Acolytes: Colin Burkhart, Hannah Wetmore.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Tom Shevlin, Yamilet Roman. 

Lectors: Kay Mahoney, Tom Alison.

Oblation Bearer: Russ Martin

Prayers of the People: Yamilet Roman.

Psalmist: Michael Mahoney

Ushers: Bill Vrooman. 

Altar Guild: Pat Bernfeld, Susan McMullen. 

Flower Guild: Caron Burgess, Pam Holley, Laura Vrooman. 

Good Friday, April 3

Acolyte: Joni James.

Lay Eucharistic Minister: Yamilet Roman. 

Lectors: Mary Ellen Shevlin, Liz Stiles.

Passion Choristers: Jordan Markham, Peter Barlow, Molly Goodwill, Jake Medlin, Alison Bernardi, Phillip Hubler.

Usher: Tom Shevlin.

Altar Guild: Pat Bernfeld, Susan McMullen. 

Flower Guild: Caron Burgess, Pam Holley, Laura Vrooman. 

Easter Sunday, April 5

Acolytes (10am): Daniel Nicolas, Caroline Whitley, Blythe Mitchell.

Audio Visual (10am): Taylor Biafora, Blake Biafora. 

Coffee Host: Liz Stiles.  

Greeters (8am): Jacob and Evy Rodrigues.

Greeters (10am): Diane Robinson.

Healing Minister (10am): Liz Stiles.

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

Lector (8am): Mike Bice.

Lectors (10am): Kanika Tomalin, Joni James.

Nursery Staff: Joan Groendal-Patterson, Haliegh McGrath.

Oblation Bearers (10am): Vickie Ryan.

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

Prayers of the People (10am): Mary Mellstrom.

Thurifer: Dominic Nicolas.

Ushers (8am): Dave and Pat Bernfeld.

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

Verger: Russ Martin

Altar Guild: Barb Bice, Susan McMullen, Courtney Bermudez.

Coffee Host: Liz Stiles.

Collection Counter: Diane Robinson.

Flower Guild: Flower Guild Members.

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.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), on February 4, 1906. He studied theology at the universities of Berlin and Tübingen, and his doctoral thesis was published in 1930 as Communio Sanctorum. Still canonically too young to be ordained at the age of 24, he undertook postdoctoral study and teaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. From the first days of the Nazi accession to power in 1933, Bonhoeffer was involved in protests against the regime. From 1933 to 1935 he was the pastor of two small congregations in London, but nonetheless was a leading spokesman for the Confessing Church, the center of Protestant resistance to the Nazis. In 1935, Bonhoeffer was appointed to organize and head a new seminary for the Confessing Church at Finkenwald. He described the community in his classic work Life Together. He later wrote The Cost of Discipleship, which quickly became a modern classic. Bonhoeffer was acutely aware of the difficulties of life in community, and the easy disillusionment that could come when the experience did not live up to the imagined idea. Yet he also wrote eloquently of the gift and privilege of Christian community. “It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all of his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work . . . So between the death of Christ and the Last Day it is only by a gracious anticipation of the last things that Christians are privileged to live in visible fellowship with other Christians.” Bonhoeffer became increasingly involved in the political struggle after 1939, when he was introduced to a group seeking Hitler’s overthrow. Bonhoeffer considered refuge in the United States, but he returned to Germany where he was able to continue his resistance. Bonhoeffer was arrested April 5, 1943, and imprisoned in Berlin. After an attempt on Hitler’s life failed on July 20, 1944, documents were discovered linking Bonhoeffer to the conspiracy. He was taken to Buchenwald concentration camp, then to Schoenberg Prison. On Sunday, April 8, 1945, just as he concluded a service in a school building in Schoenberg, two men came in with the chilling summons, “Prisoner Bonhoeffer . . . come with us.” He said to another prisoner, “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.” Bonhoeffer was hanged the next day, April 9, at Flossenburg Prison. There is in Bonhoeffer’s life a remarkable unity of faith, prayer, writing, and action. The pacifist theologian came to accept the guilt of plotting the death of Hitler, because he was convinced that not to do so would be a greater evil. Discipleship was to be had only at great cost.

[Feast Day: April 9]

Is there something you would like published in our weekly e-newsletter? For consideration, please email your submission to office@stthomasstpete.org no later than end of business on Tuesday.

The Draft is sent out by noon every Thursday. Thank you!