Save the Date

• 7/20/2025 - Guest Preacher - The Rev. Karen LeJoy Smith
• 8/20/2025 - Blood Drive

In This Issue

• News from the Pews: Spanish/English Songbook
• Episcopal Church Facts: Lectionary
• Music at St. Thomas - Derek Gripper 8/2/2025
• Coffee Hour: Family Team this Sunday
• The Rev. Terri's sabbatical
• Office space available

Updates on Parishioners

News from the Pews is a new feature of the newsletter. It is a way for us to stay connected, to learn about one another, and to support each other. If you have any news or prayer requests, please send them to Angela Pleasants at srwarden@saintthomasdenver.org.

Laurie Zant - If you don't see me at St. Thomas some Sundays this summer, it's likely that I'm off reviewing lyrics and music for the new Episcopal songbook Cancionero Nuevo Amanecer.  The committee to create this bilingual Spanish-English songbook meets weekly over Zoom but also in person whenever we can.

This summer we're combining our in-person working sessions with two conferences where we're presenting workshops on the story of the Cancionero and introducing attendees to some of the songs. In June we met in Washington, DC for the Tri-History Conference - did you know that every 3 years there's conference of Episcopal archivists and historians? - and in July we'll be participating in the ecumenical Hymn Society Conference in Detroit. I hope you'll feel a part of the Cancionero too the next time we sing "Siempre / Always / Njalo" at St. Thomas!

Episcopal Church Facts: Lectionary

A lectionary is a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The Lectionary (1969, revised 1981) developed by the Roman Catholic Church after Vatican II provided for a three-year cycle of Sunday readings. This Roman lectionary provided the basis for the lectionary in 1979 edition of The Book of Common Prayer, as well as for lectionaries developed by many other denominations. 

The Common Lectionary, published in 1983, was an ecumenical project of several American and Canadian denominations, developed out of a concern for the unity of the church and a desire for a common experience of Scripture. It was intended as a harmonization of the many different denominational approaches to the three-year lectionary. 

The Revised Common Lectionary, published in 1992 and officially adopted by The Episcopal Church in 2006, takes into account constructive criticism of the Common Lectionary based on the evaluation of its trial use, and as the current prayer-book lectionary, is a three-year cycle of Sunday Eucharistic readings in which Matthew, Mark, and Luke are read in successive years with some material from John read in each year.

Music at St. Thomas - Derek Gripper

Please join Concerts in America for an unforgettable evening with Derek Gripper, a guitarist who redefines the boundaries of classical music. Renowned for his innovative technique that evokes the rich sounds of the West African Kora (21 string harp), Gripper masterfully blends the intricate music of great African composers including Toumani Diabaté and Ali Farka Touré alongside the timeless compositions of Arvo Pärt and J.S. Bach.

The 8PM concert is sold out. Tickets are now on sale for the 5:30PM show on August 2, 2025.

Blood Drive August 20, 2025

Sunday Coffee Hour

The Family Team is responsible for coffee hour this Sunday. If you'd like to volunteer for a coffee hour team or wish to know what team you are on, contact Emma Jurado Hillenburg at emma.jurado@gmail.com

The Rev. Terri's Sabbatical

The Rev. Terri Hobart is on sabbatical and will return on August 20, 2025. All full-time clergy in the Episcopal Church in Colorado are expected and encouraged to take a sabbatical after five years of ministry. A sabbatical is a time for clergy to step away from daily parish duties for a time of rest, spiritual renewal, and recreation. Towards that end, Terri and Vanessa will be walking the Camino de Santiago and reconnecting with family and friends throughout Europe and the U.S. They ask for your prayers while they are away and look forward to returning with renewed energy. While Terri is on sabbatical, our parish life will continue. The Rev. Tory Moir will assume liturgical and pastoral care and the Wardens and Vestry will have oversight of administration and congregational life. If you need something, please contact our parish administrator at office@saintthomasdenver.org and she will direct you to the appropriate party. If your need is of a sensitive or urgent nature, please contact one of our senior wardens, Karmen Carter or Angela Pleasants at seniorwarden@saintthomasdenver.org.

Office / Studio Space Available

St. Thomas has one office available to lease. If you know of anyone who is looking for affordable office or studio space, please ask them to call us.

Faith Communities Against

White Christian Nationalism

Newsletter Editor: Angela Pleasants

St. Thomas Office Hours

Tuesday, 10:00 - 3:00

Send submissions to srwarden@saintthomasdenver.org