The church office will be closed Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day

THE EPISTLE:

August 29, 2024

THIS WEEK

LAST CHANCE to place order for Annual BBQ Bandits benefit for

St. Jude's Children Hospital

Order your BBQ TODAY for pickup this weekend, Aug 31-Sept 1. The website is still available for online orders HERE and there will also be a link on the church website. Please email us at stthomasbbq@gmail.com to get included if you are not already on our distribution list!

Bailey Cove Farmer's Market

The LAST Bailey Cove Farmer's Market of the Season is THIS Saturday, August 31

Please come out THIS SATURDAY for the LAST weekend of the season, support our local farmers, and get one last taste of all our Farmer's Market at St. Thomas has been offering this summer! And thank you to EVERYONE who volunteered this season for set up and take down each week, for those who organized, managed, and kept the market running this entire season, and for anyone and everyone from St. Thomas who assisted our farmers and visitors, helped welcome our community, or just chose our market as the place to pick up you fruits, vegetables, and goodies from week to week!

Come out this Labor Day Weekend to enjoy our 2024 Bailey Cove Farmers Market one more time and finish off our season with a bang!

Sunday "Come As You Are" Eucharist

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist with Dinner THIS Sunday,

Sept. 1

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. THIS SUNDAY, our main course will be BBQ from the St. Thomas BBQ Bandits, with sides provided by members of the 5pm congregation.

Come and join us on this first Sunday of the month for two of the things St. Thomas enjoys most - food and fellowship. On the remaining Sundays join us again 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.

St. Thomas Children's Sunday School is back! Every Sunday, 9:30 - 10:15am

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.

St. Thomas Youth Sunday School, Every Sunday,

9:30 - 10:15am

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.

Adult Christian Formation: Every Sunday in the Parish Hall, 9:30am-10:15am

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

Fr. Donavan Cain, through Sept.15th

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.

Sign up for new Book Study Now!

Season of Creation

Book Study: Earth Gospel

by Sam Hamilton-Poore

Beginning 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.

UPCOMING

Pray the Rosary with Fr. Donavan again on 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.

Newcomer Classes at St. Thomas

Are You New to St. Thomas? Newcomers 101

Sept. 8 in 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.

Upcoming Events in the Diocese!

Episcopal Day at Trash Pandas Sept. 8 at 6pm

Join in the launch of our diocesan capital campaign, Equipping the Saints, with three special events at minor league baseball games in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Huntsville. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate our faith, and support our mission to equip the saints. Huntsville’s is next up at bat on September 8th @ 6pm. Currently, tickets are sold out to this game but please CHECK HERE in case it re-opens.

Check-In: Visit our check-in table in front of the box office to receive your ticket.

Tickets: $15 for all ages, includes access to our seating area and a $10 loaded value for use at concession stands.

Parking: Can be pre-purchased for $6.75 through CLUTCH or for $10 on gameday.

Tickets are limited, so register today!

Patterson Place Fundraiser!

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

Lobsterfest 2024!

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.

ONGOING

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.