THE EPISTLE:

May 30, 2024

St. St. Thomas Presents Concert Series with Parker Hastings

THIS Saturday, June 1st at 5pm!

St. Thomas Presents will open a new concert season THIS Saturday, June 1st, at 5pm, with talented Nashville guitarist and singer, Parker Hastings. You will be highly entertained by the music of Parker, who is an award-winning guitar “thumb-picker,” in the style of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Parker is also a new country singer-songwriter who released his first album, “Kentucky Sunshine” last year. Come hear the styles of Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, and a touch of James Taylor, plus Parker’s original songs. St. Thomas Presents will welcome Parker from his home base in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee, to share some Alabama hospitality. Family and friends welcomed! As always, there is NO CHARGE for our concerts, so put Parker Hastings on your calendar and don’t miss it on Saturday, June 1st, at 5pm!

Pray the Rosary with

Fr. Donavan

for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, May 31st

Join Fr. Donavan TOMORROW, May 31st, to pray the Rosary in the church at 12:05pm for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day on the church calendar commemorates the Blessed Mother’s visit to her maternal aunt Elizabeth, immediately following the Annunciation. Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John the Baptist, feels her baby leap in her womb when Mary arrives, leading Elizabeth to proclaim to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” This phrase continues to make up a portion of the prayer known as the “Hail Mary,” which we will recite 53 times during the Rosary. If you’d like to join in this special scriptural and contemplative prayer with beads, the church now offers the Rosary twice monthly, every other Friday, at 12:05pm in the Nave. Please join us tomorrow, May 31st, in praying the Rosary for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Thank You for Donating Blood!

Many thanks to all who participated in the spring blood drive. Even with families out of town on this holiday weekend, St. Thomas donated 26 units of blood. Y’all are terrific! Because of you, lives will be saved. From those folks, from Life South, and from me – Thank you again!

Betsy

Rector's Forum THIS Sunday

in the Parish Hall

This Sunday, June 2nd, Fr. Donavan will be offering a "Rector's Forum" in the Parish Hall during the Christian Formation Hour for conversation, questions, and discussion about the church, the Bible, our faith, or what Fr. Donavan feels about entering his 50th journey around the sun this Summer! Have a nice breakfast, grab a refill on your cup of coffee, and join Fr. Donavan for his "Rector's Forum" THIS SUNDAY!

Children's Ministry Summer Schedule wraps up this Sunday

Concurrent with Adult Christian Formation, the Children's Ministry will have one more Sunday school session before taking a summer break. Join us at 9:30am in Hiers 2 on June 2nd for painting our favorite Bible stories on concrete pavers.

10:30 Children’s Moment & Chapel taking a "Summer Break," starting June 9th

With both Fr. Donavan and our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, taking some much needed vacation time in the month of June, the Sunday morning “Children’s Moment & Children’s Chapel” during the 10:30am Holy Eucharist will take a short break. The final Children’s Moment and Chapel will be this Sunday, June 2nd, and will return on Sunday, July 7th. As always, children are welcome at every worship service at St. Thomas, and there are always “Wiggle Bags” with children’s activities on the children's rack outside the Nave on Sunday mornings. Please use this short time to worship with your children in the pews, and, for the younger children, the St. Thomas nursery is always available and free every Sunday morning from 8am to 12pm for ages 0 to 5 years old. 

Scrapbooking and Paper Crafter's Event is Next Saturday, June 8th

Scrapbookers and paper crafters, please meet in the Parish Hall to work on your projects, Saturday, June 8th, from 9-4 pm. Lunch will be provided. 

Please contact Rebekah Callahan at 256-603-0219 if you plan to attend or have any questions. 

St. Thomas Book Club

Monday, June 10th

St Thomas Book Club will meet on Monday, June 10th, at 10 am in the Parlor. We will discuss the first 5 Parts of the Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Please join us. For information call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Silver Saints Movie Matinee Presents: Moonstruck

Thursday, June 13th

Our June 2024 movie will feature a really real great, fun movie of a New York Italian family at their best. Please come join us for an entertaining afternoon. Your Silver Saints Matinee Movie group will meet in the St. Thomas Parish Hall on THURSDAY, June 13 at 1:00 PM. Our movie this month, Moonstruck, with Cher, Olivia De Havilland, and others is a fun-filled comedy with a family living under a full moon. You will leave with a smile in your heart.

As many will attest, the Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with our parishioners and visitors. with free movies and a social time with those we love. Snacks and beverages are available, and we will provide transportation if you wish. We offer comfortable seating and a break half way through the movie. Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748 or the church office for planning purposes. Please call a day ahead if you will need a ride with us. A rewarding afternoon awaits you. Please come join us.

SAVE THE DATE: Golden Girls & Boys Luncheon on June 15th!

Our Parish is excited to honor our eighty and ninety-somethings on Saturday, June 15 at 11:30 with a luncheon in the Parish Hall.  If you or your spouse are 80 or over, you are the honoree: no cooking or baking or salad-making. You are our guests! We will have ham and side salads, cake, and lots of conversation with lots of people we haven’t seen in ages.

Remember, this is a parish-wide party; those who can’t claim Golden status are encouraged and invited to attend. The only difference is that we do the salad-making to share with the honorees: green salads, potato salads, fruit salads, deviled eggs, dips and spreads, nuts and olives, cheese and crackers. All are welcome. If you can't attend but would like to honor these cherished members of our church, feel free to make a salad and drop it off in the Parish Hall!

Aslan Is on the Move VBS,

July 15-19, 

Registration Now Open!

Sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, join us from

9am until noon July 15-19 as we explore the land beyond the wardrobe doors!

Aslan Is on the Move VBS registration for rising pre-K through 6th graders is now open. Register online here or use the QR Code below, and invite your friends to join us! Please note that a Realm account is not necessary to register for VBS, but it should reduce the information parishioners need to fill out. Volunteers are needed to help our youngest parishioners and friends learn about their call to Christian duty as we venture through the magical land of Narnia. 

Register online to help by clicking here or look for the sign-up sheets in Information Hall. Nursery care is available for volunteers' family members.  

Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor via email at children@stthomashuntsville.org for more information.

The Bailey Cove

Farmer's Market

The Bailey Cove Farmers Market at St. Thomas continues this weekend and every Saturday through September. Please come out this weekend, support our local farmers, and get a taste of all our Farmer's Market here at St. Thomas has to offer! And if you'd like to help, we still need volunteers for set up and take down, this weekend and throughout out the season! You can volunteer to help this year by signing up on the poster on the bulletin board in Information Hall. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to support and help our Bailey Cove Farmers Market!! Start making your Farmers Market grocery list now!

"Come As You Are"

5PM Holy Eucharist

Our 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal and gospel music chosen by our skilled keyboard master, Sam Wright. We also have good sermons preached from the floor, and Holy Communion. Come as you are and invite a friend to join you for the 5pm Evening Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat: Habitat is nearing the end of this year’s build. The brick is done and we will lay the floors on Saturday and hang cabinets. Please join us at 215 Lake Drive. We begin at 8, and lunch is provided. Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669 for information.

Directions to 215 Lake Drive:

Take Meridian north toward Drake State and turn left on McDonnell Ave. Take a left on N Plymouth Road and Lake Drive is on the left.

Parishioners and vendors enjoying the Bailey Cove Farmer's Market!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org