THE EPISTLE:

July 18, 2024

2024 EfM Graduates to be recognized this Sunday

This Sunday, July 21st, during the 10:30am Holy Eucharist, we will recognize our two EfM Graduates for this year, Jane Allgood & Byron Purves. Also, information will be available in the coming weeks for the next registration for the 2024-2025 session of EfM happening here at St. Thomas. If you'd like more information, read the rest of the article below and look for people with "Ask Me: EfM" pins around the church this Sunday!

Do you have an inquiring mind or heart?  EfM (Education for Ministry) has answers for you.  EfM is a 4 year Seminar plan designed by EfM staff at Sewanee and offered at St. Thomas on Tuesday nights, beginning in September. Each year, EfM helps participants to think through and address for themselves the following questions: Who am I?  Who should I be?  What’s the Bible really about?  What kind of service can I offer to the Glory of God?  Along with mutually inquiring minds, with diversity and inclusion, EfM offers a safe place to consider these questions. Through studying the Bible, Church History and Theology, plus learning to think using Theological Reflection, each learner is enabled to discern their own path to a more mature spirituality. This goal is to discern  the way in which God is calling them to be the hands and feet of Jesus in serving those in need, whether physical or spiritual. We will be in information Hall between services the next few Sundays, ready to answer your questions. You can also send your questions to Sally Barnett by clicking HERE.

Special VBS Music offered by our children THIS SUNDAY!

Aslan and Jesus have been on the move this past week at St. Thomas for this summer's Vacation Bible School! If you don't have time to make the VBS Closing Event TOMORROW, JULY 19TH, AT NOON IN THE PARISH HALL, you will still have a chance to hear a special song our VBS children have been learning on the other side of the Wardrobe in Narnia this week. This Sunday, the children will sing "God is on the Move" during the Offertory at the 10:30am Eucharist! And be sure to check out photos below of this year's "Aslan is on the Move" Vacation Bible School at St. Thomas!

Join us for Everybody's Pub Theology NEXT THURSDAY!

Sit down with Fr. Donavan and Deacon Jeannie next week, Thursday, July 25, from 6-7:30pm, at PaPPo's Pizzeria, at 7540 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!

Email Jeannie jrann228@gmail.com and let her know if you plan to join!

Our New Associate Priest, the Rev. Katie Kirk arrives August 1st!

We are thrilled to welcome the Rev. Katie Kirk to St. Thomas as our new Associate Priest! Mtr. Katie is an Alabama native and a graduate of Auburn, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy. She received her Master's of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, with an Anglican Studies diploma from Berkeley Divinity School. Mtr. Katie was ordained as a priest earlier this year at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Birmingham, and she is currently working as the Interim Global Relations and Networking Officer for the wider Episcopal Church. Katie's current job finishes later this month, and she will join us at St. Thomas on August 1st, with her first Sunday set for Sunday, August 4th. Plan for a special breakfast "Meet and Greet" with Mtr. Katie after the 8am Eucharist on August 4th and a welcome reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the 10:30 Eucharist. St. Thomas is very excited to welcome Mtr. Katie to our church community!

Youth Ocoee Rafting Trip

Save the Date: July 26

July 26, 2024

Cost is $20.00 - scholarships are available

(must be 12yrs of age)

Text or email Jeannie for more information 

256-348-9918 or jrann228@gmail.com.

EYC/YP where WE LEARN ABOUT GOD, INCREASE OUR FAITH,

AND SERVE THE PARISH.

Little Free Pantry:

SCHOOL BACKPACKS NEEDED

St. Thomas' Little Free Pantry is collecting backpacks for elementary students. Last year we handed out 25 backpacks! We aim to double that this year but WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can donate a backpack and place it in the Little Red Wagon or donate money to Irene earmarked for "Backpacks."

This weekend is tax-free shopping, making it easier to contribute! We'll distribute backpacks July 25-26. Please join us for this heartwarming experience!

If you have any questions or wish to join us handing out backpacks, contact Debbie Harriman at 256-509-6606 or dharriman5817@gmail.com.

Annual Parish Outing to Trash Pandas Game August 11

It's time to start purchasing our seats for our annual parish outing to a Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball game.  Join us on August 11 to help show the Rocket City some St. Thomas spirit as our choir sings the National Anthem before the Trash Pandas take on the Birmingham Barons. First pitch is at 4:05 pm at Toyota Field. If we have at least 50 in our group, we will become candidates for someone from our party to throw the first pitch, so buy your tickets early.  Purchase your ticket(s) online directly by clicking on this link. There is a deadline of August 10, 2pm CST to purchase tickets. Financial assistance is available by contacting Fr. Donavan or Deacon Jeannie. If you need help ordering tickets, contact the church office at 256-880-0247 or email Laura Beth (children@stthomashuntsville.org).

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat: Sod will be laid if you help on Saturday, July 20. We begin at 8 a.m. and should be finished by 11. Call Elouisa Stokes for more information at 256-604-8669.

Directions to 215 Lake Drive: Take Meridian north toward Drake State and turn left on McDonnell Ave. Take a left on N Plymouth Road and Lake Drive is on the left.

The Bailey Cove

Farmer's Market

Please come out this weekend, support our local farmers, and get a taste of all our Farmer's Market at St. Thomas has to offer! If you'd like to help, we still need volunteers for set up and take down throughout out the season! You can volunteer to help by signing up on the poster on the bulletin board in Information Hall. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to support and help our Bailey Cove Farmers Market!! Start making your Farmers Market grocery list now!

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist

This Sunday, and every Sunday, we have our "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist. Our 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal and gospel music chosen by our skilled keyboard master, Sam Wright. We also have good sermons preached from the floor. Come as you are and invite a friend to join you for the 5pm Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas.

We are looking for Eucharistic Ministers, greeters, and readers for our 5pm Holy Eucharist services. Please look for a signup sheet in the Narthex where the Hymnals are placed. No experience necessary!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org