THE EPISTLE:

September 18, 2025

SILVER SAINTS Matinee Movie:

The Boys in the Boat

Today, September 18 at 1 PM

Due to multiple requests for this special film, we have moved forward for September’s Silver Saints Matinee Movie, the strong, inspirational movie; The Boys in the Boat. The film stars Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, and Peter Guinness, and is directed by George Clooney. It is about the University of Washington rowing team with their depression-riddled beginnings which represented the USA for the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. Excellent individual and team stories. Come join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September, 2025.

As always. the Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with our parishioners and visitors. We offer free 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 256-468-2743, or the church office at 256-880-0247. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride. Please come join us.

PSALM, PRAISES, AND PRAYERS

AVÉ Concert

THIS Sunday, September 21

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!

**There will be NO TREBLE CHOIR practice this Sunday, September 21, due to the concert. Please bring your children and families to this free concert!**

Special Sunday Morning Discussion

THIS Sunday, September 21 at 9:30 AM

in the Parish Hall during Christian Formation

Please join us during the Christian Formation hour this Sunday for an informative presentation about our new exciting outreach project, Sleep In Heavenly Peace. Learn about the organization, the bed building process, see one of the beds assembled, and find out how you can be part of this rewarding ministry. No experience or tools required, just a passion to help children in need. This is open to all families, regardless of age. There will be something for everyone to contribute to the process.

The actual bed build will take place on Sunday, October 19 from 2–5 p.m. We will work with parishioners from Church of the Nativity as co-sponsors of the event. We hope to build 50 beds that day! The local chapter has built close to 2500 beds, and over 50 kids are still waiting for a bed. HOPE TO SEE YOU SUNDAY!

EYC New Time THIS Sunday

September 21, 1–3 PM

Hey 7-12th graders, join us at St. Thomas for a Field Day with Nativity this Sunday from 1-3pm! We’ll be playing the games outside so bring a water bottle and sunscreen. No lunch is provided for this event, so please be sure to eat something before!

UPCOMING

Eco-Spirituality Retreat Hosted by William Thiele,

Saturday, October 4th, 
9 AM–1 PM

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.

Creation Care Project

Planting Trees and Shrubs on Greenway

St Thomas has an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Eric Obermann Linear Forest along Aldridge Creek Greenway. We have been invited by Stuart Obermann to raise funds to plant trees and shrubbery on City land at the back of St Thomas Church. They will provide much needed natural habitat, be a way to replace a few of the many lost trees in Huntsville, and provide much needed shade for members of our community who exercise along the Greenway.

This project will be done with the Friends of Trees Organization, the Eric Obermann Foundation, and the City of Huntsville Green Team. The goal is to raise funds for about 20 trees. A good sized sapling costs around $250 and The Friends of Trees with the Eric Obermann Foundation have offered to match up to $3000 of what we raise!

The planting will be done by the City of Huntsville Green Team who will choose and purchase the trees and then come and plant them.

How to Donate

To make a donation to this important project make checks payable to St Thomas and with “Creation Care-Trees” in the memo line, or place cash in an envelope marked “Creation Care-Trees”. To donate via Realm CLICK HERE or use the QR code above.

To donate in honor of someone please write their name on the donation envelope or contact Belinda Greenaway with 'Tree Project' in the subject line. Contact Belinda Greenaway HERE Or Brett Byford HERE with questions.

“Trees give us hope and the courage to persevere even in the harshest of conditions.” Eric Obermann Foundation

Mark Your Calendars for Blessing of the Animals

October 5, at 3 PM

Please join us on the field across the north parking lot for the annual Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis, on Sunday, October 5, at 3:00 p.m. No matter what type of animal you have – the 4-legged kind, the swimmers, the crawlers and the hoppers – bring ‘em on! Even if you don’t have a pet, you are invited. It is a fun celebration of all God’s creatures and one of the church's most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi. Don’t miss it! And don't forget to bring your lawn chairs or blankets.

LOBSTERFEST 32 Updates

Join us Next Sunday

September 28 at 9:30 AM

in the Parish Hall

On Sunday, September 28, the Lobsterfest 101 Fair will be in the Parish Hall between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Visit the different Lobsterfest committee booths to talk with the committee chairs and volunteer to help make our 32^nd Lobsterfest a success. This year's Lobsterfest t-shirt will be available for purchase, and yard signs and date stickers will be available for pick-up.  Make plans to join us for a crackin' good time!

Artisan Fair at Lobsterfest

Update for

St. Thomas Creates at Lobsterfest

St. Thomas Creates is ready to receive your art and craft donations. Please bring them to the Volunteer’s desk just inside the office door. There are stickers for you to mark the price and your name, and a form to accompany your donation(s) at the desk. All items will be kept in a secure room until Lobsterfest. We will continue to receive your creations until November 7th.

Thank you for donating your time and talent to St. Thomas Creates. All proceeds go directly to Lobsterfest. 

Please contact Donna Clark donnadfclark@gmail.com or Maggie Hall at 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

Treble Choir Rehearsals Continue through Fall!

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. Please email Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for details!

***No Rehearsal Sunday, September 21***

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.

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.

*Special time September 21

from 1–3 PM*

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org