The Draft

Our Weekly E-Newsletter

November 27, 2025

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Bulletin for Sunday - November 30, 2025



Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

If you would like to know more about Stewardship or become involved with the Stewardship ministry at St. Thomas', please reach out to our new 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.

This past Saturday marked the occasion of former St. Pete Mayor David Fischer's funeral services here at St. Thomas'. Attending the service were all the living Mayors of St. Petersburg (L-R: Bill Foster, Rick Kriseman, Bob Ulrich, Ken Welch, and Rick Baker.)

Christmas Tree Donations Needed

We will be decorating the church with Christmas trees again this year and are looking for folks who would like to make a donation. We are needing three trees. Please let Russ know if you have any questions.

Adult Bible Study

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

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

Both Bible Study groups will follow the same track and Fr. Ryan will lead both groups. The study guide we will be using is: The Story of God Commentary: The Gospel of Matthew, by Rodney Reeves. Amazon sells it in both hardback and e-book formats, and you should choose whichever format is best for you. Click here to buy your book. As always, if the cost of the book will prevent you from joining, a whispered word to Fr. Ryan is all that is needed to make sure a book is made available for you, gratis!

"[The Bible] is shallow enough for a child not to drown, yet deep enough for an elephant to swim."

~Saint Augustine

Sojourners - Adult Formation

Sunday mornings

Fr. David concludes his four-part study on Philippians this Sunday, November 30.

Please plan on joining in at 9:05-9:50 in the Guild Room for this engaging learning.

Fr. Ryan and Seminarian Yamilet will conduct a three-week course on Advent, beginning December 7, 14, 21.

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.

We need Sunday School volunteers for Spring 2026! Click below to volunteer.

Nativity Play

The Nativity Play is an important part of the 4:30 pm Christas Eve Family Service at Saint Thomas, and I hope you will consider having your child be a part of it! I will run an information session for parents who would like their young children (elementary age or younger) to participate in this wonderful experience!  We will meet right after the 10:00 am service in the church sanctuary this Sunday, November 30. If you are unable to make this meeting but want your child to participate, then just reach out to me.  

We will hold rehearsals after the 10:00 am service on December 7 and 21.

Also needed: volunteers (parents, middle, and high school students) to assist me. If you are interested, please let Fr. David know.

Donations of some favorite holiday cookies for

Lessons & Carols would be greatly appreciated. 

Please contact Liz Stiles (ecscss@aol.com) to let her know

what you can bring. 

Thanks very much.

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Men's Club

First Thursday each Month

The Men's Club will meet this month at Lee and Teri Coryell's home on Thursday, December 4 at 6:00 pm.

Teri will be cooking chili and having salad and peach cobbler. Just bring your own libation.

If you have any questions, please contact George Burkhart, 727-327-6950 or email at george@usaxray.com.

Bring a friend.

Women's Social Club

Third Sunday each Month

The next club meeting will be Sunday December 21 at 12 noon .

Questions? 

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

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

New AA Group Starts

Tuesday, December 9

After a long hiatus due to hurricane issues, AA comes back to St. Thomas' and we are so glad to have this important outreach ministry continue here. The group will meet on Tuesday nights, 5-6 pm, in the Youth room. If you have questions, please call the office and a contact name/number will be provided. Welcome back!

Isaiah's Place Ministry: Hot Meal Prep

Saturday, December 6

We need helpers on Saturday between 12:00pm- 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.

Isaiah's Place Ministry:

Sandwich Sunday

Sunday, December 7

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.

Please email Angie Ford it you like to become involved with this outreach ministry: angiefordsemail@yahoo.com 

FAST

Monday, December 8

Faith and Action for Strength Together (FAST) Update. If you were unable to make our House Meetings last month and have a passion to join the justice ministry, here is an opportunity for you! The FAST Research Kickoff will be held on Monday evening, 8 DEC 6:45 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, located at 13255 118th St. Largo, FL 33770. This is an important occasion to become involved in the actual ground work of the three focus areas for the year: affordable housing, water quality / flooding, and the new initiative:  youth considerations. Won’t you please consider adding your expertise, perspective, and voice to one of these undertakings? We at St. Thomas’ have considerable value to contribute! For anyone interested in a ride, we will definitely carpool from the church for the event.

Contacts: Adrienne Ruga 727.488.0356 / adrienneruga@yahoo.com;

Bill Barns 757.646.5146 / wfbarns75@icloud.com.

Giving Plate - Resurrection House

Sunday, December 21

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.

NEWS FROM THE FARM

DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS

Diocese of Florida issues statement affirming marriage equality during new bishop search

The Diocese of Florida Standing Committee released a statement Nov. 19 seeking to provide greater clarity on the diocese’s prohibitions against discrimination and its accommodations for all couples seeking to marry, “regardless of sex or gender.” The statement includes a general acknowledgement of past instances of discrimination while offering one of the Diocese of Florida’s most robust endorsements of marriage equality since the 2023 retirement of former Bishop John Howard, who had been accused of a pattern of discrimination against LGBTQ+ clergy and their supporters.

Pope Leo considers removing filioque clause

On the 1700 anniversary of the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV issues In Unitate Fidei. A block to Chistian unity was the clause in the creed "who proceeds from the Father and the Son" (referring to the Holy Spirit). The filioque clause remains a contentious issue, with both Catholic and Orthodox churches still debating its implications for their respective doctrines and practices. Read Pope Leo's In Unitate Fidei here.

PASTORAL CARE

Parish Prayer List:

Geoff, Sharon Joanne, Yvonne, Jo, John, Rosalie, Rick, Carol, Chris, Beverly, Pam, Larry, Connie, David, Laura, Mary, David, Nancy, Don, Linda, Evy, Carrie, James, Rene, Bill, Angie, Kevin, Suzette, Sally, Sue Trish, Jamie, Marilyn, Gabe, Martha, Michael.



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 long-term prayer list, contact Russ Martin in the church office: 727-896-9641 or office@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.

 First Sunday of Advent, November 30:

Acolytes (10am): Charlie von Alt, Hannah Wetmore, Garrett Hine, Colin Burkhart.

Audio Visual (10am): Graham Stineman.    

Greeters (10am): Russ Martin. 

Healing Ministers (10am): Bill and Joan Barns.  

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

Lector (8am): Mike Bice.

Lectors (10am): Kay Mahoney, Kanika Tomalin.  

Nursery Staff: Angel Bickert, Joan Groendal-Patterson.

Oblation Bearers (10am): TBD.

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

Prayers of the People (10am): Laura Hine. 

Usher (10am): Bill Vrooman.

Altar Guild: Barb Bice, Laura Vrooman.

Coffee Host: Liz Stiles. 

Collection Counter: Diane Robinson. 

Flower Guild: Pam Holley, Elizabeth Walters Alison.  

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.

Kamehameha and Emma

King and Queen of Hawai'i

Within a year of ascending the throne in 1855, the twenty-year-old King Kamehameha IV and his spouse, Emma Rooke, embarked on the path of altruism and unassuming humility for which they have been revered by their people. The year before, Honolulu, and especially its native Hawaiians, had been horribly afflicted by smallpox. The people, accustomed to a royalty which ruled with pomp and power, were confronted instead by a king and queen who went about, “with notebook in hand,” soliciting from rich and poor the funds to build a hospital. Queen’s Hospital, named for Emma, is now the largest civilian hospital in Hawai‘i. In 1860, the king and queen petitioned the Bishop of Oxford to send missionaries to establish the Anglican Church in Hawai‘i. The king’s interest came through a boyhood tour of England where he had seen, in the stately beauty of Anglican liturgy, a quality that seemed attuned to the gentle beauty of the Hawaiian spirit. England responded by sending the Rt. Rev. Thomas N. Staley and two priests. They arrived on October 11, 1862, and the king and queen were confirmed a month later, on November 28, 1862. They then began preparations for a cathedral and school, and the king set about to translate the Book of Common Prayer and much of the hymnal. Kamehameha’s and Emma’s lives were marred by the tragic death of their only child, a four-year-old son, in 1862. Kamehameha seemed unable to survive his sadness, although a sermon he preached after his son’s death expresses a hope and faith that is eloquent and profound. His own death took place only a year after his son’s, in 1863. Emma declined to rule; instead, she committed her life to good works. She was responsible for schools, churches, and efforts on behalf of the poor and sick. She traveled several times to England and the European continent to raise funds and became a favorite of Queen Victoria’s. Archbishop Longley of Canterbury remarked upon her visit to Lambeth: “I was much struck by the cultivation of her mind . . . But what excited my interest most was her almost saintly piety.” The cathedral was completed after Emma died. It was named St. Andrew’s in memory of the king, who died on that saint’s day. Among the Hawaiian people, Emma is still referred to as “our beloved Queen."

[Feast Day: November 28]

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 at noon every Thursday. Thank you!