THE EPISTLE:

September 4, 2025

Pray the Rosary TOMORROW,

Friday, September 5

12:05 PM

Join us to Pray the Rosary tomorrow and every other Friday at 12:05 p.m. 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, and written directions to help you fully participate in this meaningful, scriptural, and contemplative prayer practice.

Acolyte Training

Children and Youth

3rd Grade and Up

THIS Sunday, Sept. 7 at 10:30 AM

Are you in 3rd-12th grade? Do you want to carry the torches? The Cross? The Gospel Book? Have we got an opportunity for you! Saint Thomas wants YOU to come to Acolyte Training THIS SUNDAY, September 7, after the 10:30 a.m. service! Contact Ethan, our Youth Minister and Acolyte Director HERE or at youth@stthomashuntsville.org.

Treble Choir Rehearsals begin THIS Sunday, September 7!

The Treble Choir sings approximately once a month at the 10:30 a.m. worship service and our special services this year will include Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve. All children in 2nd-8th Grades are invited to join! Bring a friend!

The Treble Choir schedule is available HERE and is posted on the bulletin board leading to Hiers Hall, the choir bulletin board in Hudson Hall, and the St. Thomas Website. Rehearsals are Sunday afternoons 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. beginning THIS SUNDAY September 7. Please email Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for details!

Join the St. Thomas Adult Choir

You don't have to be a kid to sing! The St. Thomas adult choir is returning after the summer and welcoming new members. Click HERE to see and hear the St. Thomas choir practicing their anthem for this Sunday.

Sunday Suppers Are Back!

THIS SUNDAY, September 7

SIGN UP NOW!

The first Sunday Supper of the season is this Sunday after the 5:00 p.m. service We are planning an end of summer cookout with hamburgers and the trimmings. The youth will be joining us for a fun evening. Please help us make sure there's enough for everyone by signing up on the Sign-up Genius or text, or call, Carolyn Seaman at 256-797-4616 if you haven’t signed up yet.

If you'd like to join us, please sign up HERE.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

"Five Ways FAITH can Free us from Anxiety & Worry": THIS SUNDAY in the Parish Hall!

This Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, Sunday Adult Christian Formation continues with a series of classes led by Fr. Donavan! Through Sunday, September 14th, we will discuss the ways in which our Christian faith and the church can bring us the hope, balance, and rhythm of life we desperately need today, in our best times as well as during times of worry, anxiety, fear, and struggle in our life.

In his sermon on Rally Day this year, Fr. Donavan said, "The church is, above all else, a hospital and a health care facility for the care of our souls." With that proclamation in mind, this Adult Formation Class is meant to be a kick-off to an entire season of Christian Education offerings at St. Thomas focused on how our faith as Christians is meant to be medicine that heals our spiritual wounds, gives us strength to face the struggles of life, and keeps us spiritually resolved and focused. Whether you come to the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist or to the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, please plan to either come early or stay late for a great breakfast and this important discussion on putting Christian faith to work in our busy lives!

Sign up THIS SUNDAY for this year's Adult Confirmation Class, beginning Sunday, Sept. 21

Adults who are interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, as well as any St. Thomas parishioner wishing to Reaffirm their faith, are invited to sign up NOW for classes beginning next month on Sunday, September 21st! 

This year, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation will be offered on Sunday, October 26th, during Bishop Glenda Curry's visit to St. Thomas. Fr. Donavan & Mtr. Katie will offer an Adult Confirmation class with a light luncheon each Sunday, beginning September 21st, immediately following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist. The class will run from September 21st through October 19th this year.

To get on the list this year, SIGN UP IN INFORMATION HALL THIS SUNDAY or send an email to Kathie in the church office 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.

St. Thomas Book Club

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Monday, September 8, 10 AM

Please join us in the Parlor to discuss The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. It is a historical fiction based on Martha Ballard, a midwife in the late 18th century set in Maine. It is "a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community." Don't worry if you have not finished or read it! There will be plenty of discussion. Linda Hanson has prepared a presentation on Martha Ballard based on research and Martha Ballard's own diary. We also have an aspiring author joining us who will read a short chapter from their working novel, which is "set in a thinly disguised version of Huntsville". You don't want to miss this book club meeting!

Our October book is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. 

UPCOMING

Mom's Night Clothing Swap

Thursday, September 11

6:30 PM in the Parish Hall

This month our mom's group is hosting a clothing swap. Bring any clothing, accessories, shoes, purses, jewelry, or other wearable items that you haven't worn in a while and trade them for something new to you. It's like thrifting but FREE!

This is a ladies only event so that we can swap and trade and try on outfits. All sizes and styles are welcome! Bring a friend!

Be sure to have all clothes available on hangers — we have room and racks for that! Organize belts, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. We will also accept children's clothes to swap, so empty out those closets! Be sure to BYOB or a snack to share.

PSALM, PRAISES, AND PRAYERS

AVÉ Concert

Sunday, September 21 at 3 PM

Alabama Vocal Ensemble is making a comeback with their first post-pandemic concert! Our vocal ensemble, directed by Kathy Heim, will be performing music by old masters such as Palestrina, and Monteverdi, and Vaughan Williams, and present day composers including David Hurd, Eric Whitaker, and Ola Gjeilo. The concert is Sunday afternoon, September 21 at 3:00 p.m. here at St. Thomas. Admission is free and open to the public. Please come and join us!

Eco-Spirituality Retreat Hosted by William Thiele

Saturday, October 4, 9 AM–1 PM

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Join us for this experiential retreat with William Thiele, PhD. We will practice Mary Oliver’s poem "When I am Among the Trees" in real time and learn truths of contemplative living from the nature beings all around us after an experience of entering the inner sanctuary through centering prayer. Practices include periods of guided walking meditation in nature and sacred circle sharing of what we experience. Bring a sack lunch and walking shoes for the Aldridge Creek Greenway.  

There is no fee to register but we ask for a suggested donation of $25. Checks should be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church with Eco-spirituality in the memo line. They can be dropped off in the church office or mailed to PO Box 14509, Huntsville, AL 35815. REGISTER HERE.

This experiential retreat is open to all from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 4, with check-in at 8:30 a.m. There is no registration fee but we ask for a suggested donation of $25. Rain date is Saturday, October 11. CLICK HERE for more information.

LOBSTERFEST 2025!

Artisan Fair at Lobsterfest

Are You an Artist?

Showcase your talents with

St. Thomas Creates at Lobsterfest

We are seeking hand made items created by our members for our brand new “St. Thomas Creates” tent at Lobsterfest. Examples include stitching, knitting, painting, photography, woodworking, or stained glass. 

All proceeds go directly to Lobsterfest. 

Questions - please contact Donna Clark donnadfclark@gmail.com or

Maggie Hall Maggie.carter.hall@gmail.com

All proceeds go to Local Outreach and the Honduras Medical Mission. Support the cause by donating below. You can also CLICK HERE.

Registration for the Lobsterfest 5k is OPEN! CLICK HERE to register NOW!

ONGOING

Children's Sunday School continues this Sunday at 9:30am-10:15am! Join us in Hiers Hall as we gear up for a year of faith, love, and fun! 

Godly Play class for Pre-K through 1st graders is led by Renee' Redfield in Hiers 4. 

Storymakers for 2nd and 3rd graders is by Nichole Hargrove in Hiers 6. 

Thou Art class for 4th through 6th graders led by Laura Beth Bestor in Hiers.  

Our nursery is open from 7:45 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sundays for those younger than Pre-K. We have our Play'n'Worship curriculum available for those in the nursery to enjoy on Sunday mornings. Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator via email at children@stthomashuntsville.org.

Do you have questions about the Bible? Have you wondered about what everything in the Book of Common Prayer means? Come to Youth Sunday School to try and answer those questions and more! 7-12th graders meet during formation time in the Youth Room at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday to talk about Covenants in the Bible!

7-12th Graders! Weekly EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) has RETURNED. EYC meets Sunday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Got Questions? Contact our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, HERE for more information.

Request from the Flower Guild: Please Return Vases

Many of you have been blessed to receive flowers from our Flower Guild, and we are so grateful to share these arrangements as a sign of beauty and care within our parish family.

If you have received flowers recently, we kindly ask that you return the vases once you are finished enjoying them. Our supply is limited, and returning them helps us continue this ministry of sharing.

Vases may be placed outside the Flower Guild Room, which is the first door on the right inside Information Hall. Thank you for helping us continue to brighten our parish with flowers each week!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org