THE EPISTLE:

September 5, 2024

Mom's Group

TONIGHT, Sept. 5

St. Thomas’ Mom's group ministry for mothers with children ages 0 - 18 is meeting again TONIGHT, Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall!

The monthly Mom's Group is a time to come together as mothers with young children to support one another, share in the love and laughter, and help each other through the challenges and struggles that motherhood brings. Being a mom is not always easy, so one night a month we come together to ask the good Lord for patience and strength and to lean on one another in this shared experience. Please bring a mom friend! Contact Audrey Cain at HERE for more info.

Pray the Rosary with

Fr. Donavan

TOMORROW, Friday, Sept. 6

The St. Thomas Rosary Prayer Group is now gathering every other Friday in the church at 12:05pm to pray the Rosary. Each prayer session lasts around half an hour and includes the reading of each scripture passage for the five decades of either the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, or Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. If you’ve never prayed the Rosary before, we always have Rosary beads available, as well as written directions to help you fully participate in this meaningful, scriptural, and contemplative prayer practice.

Are You New to St. Thomas? Newcomers 101

THIS Sunday, Sept. 8

Crossroads Room

Newcomers: We are so glad you are worshipping with us. Please join us for a 1 hour class Sept. 8 to learn the history of the Episcopal Church from the death of Christ to present day. We will meet in the Crossroads Room at 9:30 between the services. Follow the blue signs to find us. Sept. 22 we will have another class that tells the history of St. Thomas and includes a tour of the church. We will meet in the Crossroads Room at 9:30 and have the blue signs out. We look forward to meeting you. Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Season of Creation

Book Study: Earth Gospel

by Sam Hamilton-Poore

Beginning This Sunday, Sept. 8

Interested in praying for out natural world? For four weeks during September, which is the church's "Season of Creation", Belinda Greenaway will be offering a prayerful gathering around Sam Hamilton-Poore's book, Earth Gospel. We will meet in the parlor Sunday afternoons from 3:30pm-4:30pm, beginning September 8th. You will need a copy of the book. Contact Belinda for more information at belinda223@gmail.com.

The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman

Sept. 9 in the Parlor

St. Thomas Book Club: Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 9 at 10 a.m. in the Parlor. We will discuss The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. We'd love to have you whether you've read the book or not. For more information, please call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Sign up NOW for Youth & Adult Confirmation Classes, beginning Sept. 29th!

Youth, 9th Grade and up, and Adults who are interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, as well as anyone wanting to Reaffirm their faith are invited to sign up NOW for classes beginning Sunday, September 29th! This year, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation will be offered on Sunday, October 27th, during Bishop Glenda Curry's visit to St. Thomas. Fr. Donavan & Mtr. Katie will offer a Youth & Adult Confirmation class, with a lite luncheon, each Sunday, beginning September 29th, immediately following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist. The class will run from September 29th through October 20th.

To get on the list this year, SIGN UP IN INFORMATION HALL THIS SUNDAY or send an email to Irene in the church off by clicking HERE! And if you have questions about confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation, email Fr. Donavan HERE or Mtr. Katie HERE, or simply catch them this Sunday before or after the church services.

From the St. Thomas Stewardship of Creation Committee

Along with Christians around the world, our Episcopal Church celebrates the Season of Creation in September each year. It is seen as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of Creation. To reflect this important season in the church, listen for an additional prayer for our natural world in the Prayers of the People each Sunday in September. The theme for this year’s season is ‘To Hope and Act With Creation,’ and you can take a look at HERE for more information from the Episcopal Church website.

Belinda Greenaway

Stewardship of Creation Committee

Cursillo #234 Stations of the Cross, Sept. 12

Come walk the Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary, on Thursday, September 12th, at 5:30pm. Prayers will be offered for the support of those attending Cursillo #234. Everyone is welcome! Members of St. Stephen's Episcopal church will be joining us.

Questions? Contact Patty Moy 256-655-2756

Silver Saints Movie Matinee: The Hundred-Foot Journey

Sept. 19

After last month’s well-attended Silver Saints Matinee Movie, we want to offer you a most interesting movie; The Hundred-Foot Journey. This British movie starring, Helen Mirren, Om Puri, and others, produced by Steven Spielberg, is a movie “bursting with flavor, passion, and heart” about great food and wonderful personalities. If you liked the movie Chocolat, you will love this story. Come join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

The Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with our parishioners and visitors much like going to a theater, but with no fee. We offer snacks and beverages, and we will even pick you up and return you home if you wish. We offer comfortable seating and a time-out break half way through the movie. Please bring your friends and ask people from our neighborhood. Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748, or the church office at 256-880-0247. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride. Please come join us.

2024 Lobsterfest Season is Here!

The 2024 Lobsterfest season kicked off in June, with David Hattaway and Tom Perry chaired as co-Kings. This year's Lobsterfest offers a variety of opportunities for everyone, featuring both Drive Through and Eat-in options.

Several committees play a crucial role in making Lobsterfest a success. If you're interested in leading one of these committees, please contact David Hattaway at (256) 337-0973 or hattaway.david@gmail.com, or Tom Perry at (256) 348-4313 or perrytbne@aol.com. You can also reach out to any member of the steering committee. There's a book in the Information Hall that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the committee chairs, and past chairs are available to provide guidance.

The committees include BBQ, Lobster Alley, Lobster Rolls, Parish Dinner, Kitchen (Preparation and Serving), Bake Sales, Soup & Savories, Concessions, Meal Distribution, Music Tent, Children's Activities, Artisans/Crafters, Event Set-Up, Parish Hall Clean-up, T-Shirts, Decorations, and Parking.

Led by Laura Beth Bestor Hiers Hall

Room 6

Second through sixth graders will gather to explore their faith and express it through different art media. We will discuss the Church seasons, Bible stories, and topics unique to Episcopalians.

Led by Diane Hutson, Suzanne Mohler, & Friends Hiers Hall Room 1

Babies, toddlers, and their parents are invited to join us as we gather for a short Bible lesson and hands-on activities about our Bible stories. If your little one(s) are still getting used to the church, this new class is for you. Come help our little ones build their community!

Led by Renee’ Redfield Hiers Hall Room 4

Children ages pre-K through 1st grade will use their creativity and imagination in a Montessori approach to learn about Bible stories, worship life, and rituals and symbols of our faith. 

Sign-up to be a helper with a children's Sunday school class once a month by clicking here.  Email our Children's Ministry coordinator, Laura Beth, with questions at children@stthomashuntsville.org.

Led by Jane Allgood, Grace Casey, and

Kathie Clayton - Hiers Hall Conference Room 2

Through artistic expression, community service, as well as reflection on scripture and the Book of Common Prayer, 7th -12th grade girls explore the ways being grounded in grace provides strength and courage to tackle the challenges of becoming a confident young woman in today’s world.

Led by Mike Bestor, David Hattaway, Brett Byford, John Conover, John Falco, and

Dan Morrison - Youth Room

The middle and high school young men’s group will explore the lectionary through discussion-based ministry to encourage a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teachings. This class will provide a space to belong, believe, and become better men, while sharing experiences and learning how the Bible is visible to us in everyday life.

St. Thomas Youth Sunday School, Every Sunday,

9:30 - 10:15am

How the Bible Became THE BIBLE:  Canon and Controversy, led by

Fr. Donavan Cain, through Sept. 22

The history of the Bible is as complicated as any book in the world.  The different parts that make up the Bible were written over thousands of years in several ancient languages and have been argued over and translated constantly by church and council down through the centuries to the present.  In recent times, “New” Biblical writings and “gospels," such as “The Gospel of Judas,” have been discovered, published, and publicized, raising questions about the accepted Canon of the Christian New Testament.  This class will take a look at how Christians today can open the Holy Bible and better understand its history in the Church through the centuries.

Daughters of the King

Diaper Drive

It is time for DoK’s End of Summer Diaper Drive! Your gracious contributions go to DHR in Athens, AL, where adults in the care of the state usually have to wait “as is” because there are not enough diapers to take care of the number of people needing them. When I asked the Huntsville DHR if they needed help, the reply was that they had plenty of everything except maybe a “box of birthday cards”. Please look for the “Diaper Drive” container in Information Hall. Diapers of all sizes- adult and children- are needed.

The family of St. Thomas has been extremely generous in response to Manna House’s plea for clothes for their clients. In fact, you could say that they have been overwhelmed, but in a positive way! With your help, I would like to continue this ministry as the need is so great. This is an excellent opportunity to clean out a closet or find a good home for clothes that no longer fit. Therefore, the Manna House container will remain in Information Hall for clothes, socks, underwear, and shoes.

The St. Thomas Choirs are back!

Treble Choir has expanded and is open to Kids Grade K to Grade 8, and our rehearsal time has moved to Sunday afternoons at 3:30 – 3:45.

Treble Choir - Grades K-8, 3:30-4:15pm, Sunday

Adult Choir - Grades 9- Adult, 7:00-8:45pm, Wednesday

Bell Choir - 6:00-6:50pm, Wednesday.

Sunday Evening Gospel Choir - Rehearse just before each Sunday's 5pm service.

All of our choirs would be delighted to welcome new members. Contact Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for more information!

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist

This Sunday, and every Sunday, we have our "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist. Our 5pm parishioners find this Sunday evening worship service meets their needs or schedules better than our morning worship. The 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal, gospel music chosen by Sam Wright, and casual mini-sermons preached from the floor.

On the first Sunday of the month, the 5pm Eucharist also offers a supper immediately following in the Parish Hall. Many of the congregation stay to enjoy each others company and conversation.

Come and join us for what we do best - worship! Contact Carolyn Seaman at carolyn.seasman1127@gmail.com or Rebekah Callahan at Rebekah-Callahan@comcast.net for more information.

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org