The Draft

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March 13, 2025

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Bulletin for Sunday - March 16, 2025

Dear People of St. Thomas',

You'll very likely have noticed last Sunday that the processional crosses are veiled in a purple shroud, and the big cross behind the altar is draped in purple and black cloth. If you've been an Episcopalian for a long time this is expected during this season and you may give it no more thought than that. You see what you expect to see. But, if you're relatively new to the Episcopal church (or any church in a liturgical tradition) you may be startled by this veiling. Both groups of people may actually wonder why we do that. Aren't we supposed to focus on the cross in Lent? Why cover it up then?

The practice may actually go back to 8th century Germany, where a cloth was draped across the entrance to the sanctuary through the rood screen, thereby fully blocking the altar from the view of the congregation (which was only partially obscured before by the rood screen). The tradition grew in favor and churches started draping their crosses beginning two Sundays before Easter. In many churches, this is still the tradition, though in most Episcopal churches the crosses, icons, and statuary are veiled from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday.

The theological idea behind veiling the crosses, icons, and statuary is that doing so obscures our vision of the holy images that normally help focus and inform our experience of worship. This mirrors how our sinful nature obscures our ability to draw closer to God. When we see the veils we are put in mind of this distance between us and God, and so it helps situate us in the right penitential disposition for the season of Lent, when we are to look inward for examination, and to God for reconciliation. When the veils are removed, the full glory of our worship is back in resplendence and its return is welcomed with joy, not unlike the Resurrection. Our vision of God is clearer and we are able to draw nearer in Easter triumph. Thanks be to God!

God bless you!

Faithfully,

Fr. Ryan+

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.

Isaiah's Place Ministry: Hot Meal Prep

Saturday, March 15

On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, Isaiah's Place makes hot meals for those who need food. They had been preparing meals at Allendale UMC but Allendale's kitchen is undergoing renovations.

We need helpers between 11:00am-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.

March Giving Plate: Honduras Mission Trip 2025

Sunday, March 16

Our next Giving Plate Sunday will be Suday, March 16. It cost $1000 for each individual traveling to Honduras for the week's mission trip. That does not include airfare. Any gifts you make will go to support the travel of our missionaries. We also need supplies (see below). Our trip will be May10-17. And we will have a packing night after Supper, Song, and Prayer on May 7th. Please join us if you can.

Donation Bins in Back of Church

We need the following supplies to take to Honduras.

For general Health Kits: washcloths (1200), toothbrushes (600), combs (1,000), hair ties (1,200), band aides (as many as possible), sewing kits (600), $$$ to purchase soap and toothpaste in Honduras.

For Women's Health Kits: tampons (200), pads (200) combs (200), washcloths (200)

For Kid's Gift Bags: pencils (as many as possible), crayons, small packs (600)

School Supplies: Crayons (large packs), pencil sharpeners, rulers, glue sticks, erasers, $$$ to purchase notebooks/paper in Honduras

Other Supplies Needed: surgical gloves (as many as possible), gallon plastic bags (1,500), large heavy duty garbage bags (50), AA batteries (20), blood pressure monitor (1), soccer balls, deflated (8 or more), jump ropes, fingernail polish, bright colors (as many as possible), frisbees (12), Mardi gras bead (as many as possible), alcohol wipes (as many as possible), glucose test strips and machines (600), glucose lancets (600)

Children's Choir

Sunday, March 16

On March 16 from 11:30am-12:00 pm we will continue our new children's choir!  The children will meet each Sunday following the 10 am service and will practice 1 song which they will sing on Easter Sunday at the 10 am service. While the ages are not set in stone, there is one requirement, being that the child can read. While it is true that they will do a great deal of learning from listening, being able to read and follow along on the page is very important to this process (reading music is not required). We will also invite any youth through 8th grade to join us. These will be the co-leaders, showing the younger singers how to behave and follow along. Imagine the look on the congregation's face when they see a choir of St Thomas' youth standing up front singing on Easter Sunday! What a joy that will be. Please feel free to invite outside youth to join as well. This will be the starting point for our formal choir program next Fall. Contact me directly for more information.

The Rev. David Gould to be Ordained

Sunday, March 16

On Sunday, March 16 at 2:00pm at St. Thomas', The Rev. David Gould will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests. Please make plans to attend this joyful celebration! The Right Rev'd Douglas F. Scharf will preside and The Rt. Rev'd Phyllis A. Spiegel, Bishop of Utah, will preach at the ordination service.

Chorus Angelorum & Iona Consort Concert

Wednesday, March 19

Please make plans to join us on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 pm. Together with the Iona Consort, Chorus Angelorum will perform superb vocal and instrumental music in a concert that is free and open to all. Mark your calendars and invite family and friends to join you for this beautiful winter musical experience.

I want to draw our attention to this week's anthem. I find the poem to be so beautiful and one easily meditated upon.

Lord, who hast form’d me out of mud,

And hast redeem’d me through thy bloud,

And sanctifi’d me to do good;

Purge all my sinnes done heretofore:

For I confesse my heavie score,

And I will strive to sinne no more.

Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,

With faith, with hope, with charitie;

That I may runne, rise, rest with thee.

The poem is written by George Herbert (1593-1633), an English poet, orator, and priest in the Church of England. He sat in Parliament under King James I, had an education from Cambridge, and is one of the foremost lyricists in the English language. If you attend the Chorus Angelorum concert this coming Wednesday evening, you will hear five more of his poems set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  

Jordan R. Markham

Organist and Choirmaster

Music for Sunday

March 16, 2025

 Voluntary: "Prelude on Beach Spring” Wayne L. Wold (b. 1954)

Processional Hymn #152, "Kind Maker of the world, O hear", A la venue de Noel

Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio, Tone VIII.1

Sequence Hymn, WLP #739,"Camina, pueblo de Dios”, Nueva Creación

Communion Hymn #331, "Now, my tongue, the mystery telling”, Grafton

Closing Hymn #598, "Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”, Mit Freuden zart

Voluntary: "Healer of our every ill”, Jeffrey Honoré (b. 1956)

Lights, Camera, Action!

FAST Rally on Monday, March 10. St. Thomas' was welcomed in as a covented congragation.

Just a few of our "home-made" Joomchi Stations of the Cross.

Youth Ministry

Truthseekers

No Class on Sunday, March 16.

Class will reconvene on Sunday, March 23.

Happening #89

April 4-6

Happening is a unique high school experience weekend that helps teens foster a personal more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. During a Happening weekend, participants will experience the love of Christ through music, talk, prayer, worship and a community led by fellow students, all of which is supported by clergy

and lay adults.  

Adult Learning Opportunities

LENTEN Formation Class

2025 Lenten Adult Formation Class. We will study this book together across the weeks of Lent. Class begins at 7pm, in the Guild Room, on Wednesdays following Supper, Song, and Prayer. See you there!

​Order your copy today from Tombolo Books, or wherever you like to buy books.

Reading Assignment Schedule:

March 12: Part I (Chapters 1-3)

March 19: NO CLASS (Chorus Angelorum Concert)

March 26: Chapters 4, 5

April 2: Chapters 6, 7

April 9: Chapters 8, 9

April 16: NO CLASS (Holy Week)

April 23: Chapter 10

April 30: Chapter 11

Women of the Word

Meets on Thursday morning at 9:30 am in the church. This year WOW is studying the book of beginnings, Genesis. This is the story of God’s purpose and plan for His creation, and it sets the stage for the entire Bible. Our guide will be A Journey through Genesis, edited by Marek P. Zabriskie and published by Forward Movement (2023).

Please contact Joan Barns if you have questions, 757-567-5488, or email joanmbarns@gmail.com.

Please note:

WoW will not meet on 3/6 or 4/17.

Men's Bible Study

The Men's Bible Study will be starting a study of Ecclesiastes on February 19. It's a great time to join! The group meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 am in the church chancel.

If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Ryan.

LARGE PRINT editions of the Forward Day by Day are now available in the back o the church at the usher's station.

News from the Farm

Outreach

Lent Black Bag Drive

Black bags will be available on the Welcome Table beginning March 23. Please take one home and bring back at the end of Lent with items you no longer want or need. All bags will be donated to Mercy Keepers.

“A mindful, methodical approach to the Lenten Season…with the goal of freeing up physical space while cleansing the spirit too! Place one clothing item in the bag each day of lent. Ending with 40 items to donate to Mercy Keepers when you return your bag to church!”

Pack-a-Snack

Thanks to all for your help with Pack-a-Snack at 

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of March 16

Staging: Mike and Linda Davis Tuesday March 18

Packing: Jordan Markham/Choir Thursday March 20 (or option to pack no later than Wednesday evening the 26th)

Delivery: None due to Spring Break

Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of March 23

Packing: Jordan Markham/Choir Thursday March 20 (or option to pack no later than Wednesday evening the 26th) 

Delivery: Bill Thomas Thursday March 27

Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of March 30

Staging: Mike and Linda Davis Tuesday April 1

Delivery: Mary Jane Cartier Thursday April 3

Upcoming needs: We need a Delivery person May 22. For May 22 we will have 6 plastic bins as it is the last delivery for the school year. Either a large enough vehicle or willingness to make two trips to the school is required. Please email Amy Kelso at askelso41@yahoo.com if you can help us. Thanks!

Our Next Sandwich Sunday

Sunday, April 6

Please join us at 9:00 am to make sandwiches for those in our community that need food. We will gather in the kitchen to prepare 200 turkey, ham, 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.

News from the Diocese of Southwest Florida

News from the Episcopal Church

and the Anglican Communion

Episcopal priest, poet receives award for ‘demonstrated consistent excellence’ in writing

The Rev. Spencer Reece, vicar of St. Paul’s, Wickford, Rhode Island, and an accomplished poet, is the recipient of the 2025 John Updike Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The award, which comes with a prize of $20,000, is given every two years to recognize a midcareer writer whose contributions to American literature have demonstrated consistent excellence. It was established by Updike’s widow, Martha.

Pastoral Care

Healing prayer is offered at the 10:00 am Sunday service. After communion you are invited to come to the back of the Cathedral and receive a confidential healing prayer from a trained parishioner. Prayer ministers share the heart of Jesus' love and care, and are guided by the Holy Spirit to listen, love, and pray into your prayer requests for physical, emotional, and/or spiritual needs. Intercessory prayers for others can also be given. If you have any questions about the healing prayer ministry or feel called to serve, please call Joan Barns, 757-567-5488 or email joanmbarns@gmail.com.

The Second Sunday in Lent: March 16



Acolytes: Hannah Wetmore, Caroline Whitley.

Altar Guild: Larua Labbee, Jean Irwin.

Camera Operator/Digital Commentary: Jackson Ball, Mike White.

Coffee Host: Ellen Burkhart, Viki Sheahan.

Flower Guild: Pam Holley.

Greeter (8am): Pat Bernfeld.

Greeter (10am): Russ Martin.

Healing: Bill and Joan Barns.

Lay Eucharistic Minister: Ann Leavine.

Lector (8am): Michael Labbee. 

Lectors (10am): Kay Mahoney, Nancy Day.

Master of the Blast (Baal Tekiyah): Luis Quixtan. 

Nursery: Angel Bickert, Joan Groendal-Patterson.

Oblation Bearers: Steve and Susan McMullen.

Prayers of the People (8am): Michael Labbee.

Prayers of the People (10am): Louise Chapin.

Ushers: David and Jane Anne Knowlton.

[Feast Day: March 17 ]

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.