THE EPISTLE:

August 27, 2026

New Adult Formation Class: ONE FAITH, MANY MEMBERS - Different Denominations & the Episcopal Church

Starting this Sunday, Fr. Donavan will be leading our Adult Christian Formation class on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall on a discussion of different Christian church denominations. We will discuss where each denomination comes from, how they have developed in the United States and their presence here in North Alabama, and how each one is related to and different from our Episcopal Church. Each week, Fr. Donavan, who himself grew up in Baptist & Pentecostal Churches, will invited anyone who comes from another denomination to share their own memories and to discuss what brought them to the Episcopal Church and to St. Thomas. So if you’d like to know what makes a Baptist different from a Presbyterian or a Missouri Synod Lutheran different from a ELCA Lutheran, or if you’d just like to be prepared to explain what makes the Episcopal Church different but also similar to the Disciples of Christ Church your neighbor attends, then this is a conversation you will not want to meet! Join us this Sunday and throughout the month of September at 9:35 am in the Parish Hall! 

Children and Youth Sunday School

The Children's Ministry is gearing up for another fun year of learning about our faith. For pre-K through 1st graders, Ms. Renee' will be leading our Godly Play class in Hiers 4. Second through 5th graders will be participating in the Love First class led by Ms. Laura Beth in Hiers 2. We can use a few volunteers to assist or substitute throughout the year.

Email our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, here if you are interested in helping or if you have questions. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces this weekend!

This year, we have a new Sunday School class just for our middle schoolers (6th-8th graders) titled Expanding Our Roots. It will be led by Kathleen Brewer and Kathie Clayton. 9-12th graders, please join us for the senior high Sunday School titled Sharing the Fruits led by Ethan Evans. Both Youth classes will meet in the Youth Room on August 30 from 9:30 am-10:15 am for the first Sunday School class of the year. On September 6, Expanding Our Roots will be in the new Middle School classroom in Hudson Hall and Sharing the Fruits will be in the Youth Room. Email our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, here if you have questions.

Join us THIS SUNDAY, August 30, at 12 PM

Are you a 3rd-12th grader? Are you looking for a way to help in the parish? Saint Thomas wants YOU to come to acolyte training! Whether you are a first-time acolyte or a veteran acolyte, join us on August 30 after the 10:30am service to celebrate our current acolytes and their service, learn more about the roles, and hone your skills! We'll have training for torchbearers, crucifers, and servers. If you are a returning acolyte, please come to learn a new position, refresh your knowledge on your current one, or help a new acolyte learn their role. Lunch is provided! Email our Youth Minister Ethan Evans here to let him know your family will be participating.

Treble Choir Pool Party

THIS SUNDAY

All kids from grades 2 through 9 are invited to the Treble Choir Welcome Back Pool Party this Sunday, August 30 from 2:15 pm-4 pm at 1917 Lynnbrook Drive. Come have fun with Miss Kathy and Treble Choir friends and learn about which Sunday morning Eucharist and special services the Trebles will be singing in. Next week, Treble Choir practices will resume in the Choir Room in Hudson Hall from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm on Sunday afternoons. Contact our Music Director, Miss Kathy, via her email.

THANK YOU, ST. THOMAS!

Thanks to you, 52 children in Huntsville will soon have a bed to sleep in! Our August 23 bed build was a resounding success, and all of the bedding and pillows donated will be put to good use. Thank you again, and we hope to see you next year!

Pre-Order NOW for

Pick up Sun. Sept. 6 & Mon. Sept. 7

The BBQ Bandits are firing up the smoker to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in their annual Labor Day Weekend event. Due to the church schedule, pick up is on Sunday, September 6 and Monday, September 7 from noon until 2 pm. Get in your online orders now via the BBQ Bandits webstore link. Email the BBQ Bandits here to be included on our distribution list!

August Pub Theology

TONIGHT at 6:00 PM



Everybody's Pub Theology is tonight, Thursday, August 27, at PaPPo's Pizzeria (7540 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville 35802). Come at 6:00 pm for great fellowship, good food, drink, and hearty discussion! 

How to Dedicate Flowers

Ever wonder how to dedicate flowers in honor or memory of a loved one or special persons in your life? It's easy! Just stop by the sheet posted outside the Flower Guild Room in Information Hall to provide your name and information about your dedication and donate $60 via check or cash. If you wish to make your contribution online, be sure to choose "Flowers" when you use this link.

UPCOMING

Make plans to join us on

September 12

Make plans to join us on Saturday, September 12 from 9 am to 1 pm. "An Introduction to Centering Prayer" will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, AL. Members of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Homewood, Alabama will be conducting this free program collaborating with Church of the Nativity, St. Thomas, and Contemplative Outreach Ltd. 

Next Book Club

September 14 at 10 AM

The Monthly Book Club is looking forward to This Is Happiness by Niall Williams. We will discuss that on September 14 in the Parlor at St. Thomas at 10 am. We are glad to have folks from outside St. Thomas so if you know someone who would like to join us, please invite them. Some of us go to lunch afterward. Come meet fellow book lovers!

Next Showtime: September 17, 1 PM

As a thank you to Dolly Parton and all that she gave us throughout her life, the Silver Saints wish to nostalgically run the epic movie, Nine-to-Five, which offers a cute, fun, and delightful Dolly-type story. This movie, starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Dabney Coleman, and others offers a satire about three female secretaries and a bad boss who ”must go down.” You remember it being funny. Come laugh again and join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

As always, the Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with our parishioners and visitors much like going to a theater, but free. We offer 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. Friends and neighbors are welcome to attend. Call the church office at least 24 hours in advance if you need a ride.



Save the Date- September 26

St. Thomas Presents pianist Jackson Love in concert on Saturday, September 26 at 4 pm. Make plans to join us!



Sign up for this year's Adult Confirmation Class, beginning this October

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 later in the Fall. 

This year, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation will be offered in a very special worship service on Lobsterfest Sunday, November 15th. This will be the first visit of our new Bishop Richard Lawson to St. Thomas. Fr. Donavan and Deacon Dave will offer an Adult Confirmation class with a light luncheon each Sunday, beginning October 18th, immediately following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist. The class will run from October 18th through November 8th this year.

To get on the list this year, please 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 simply catch him or Deacon Dave any Sunday before or after the church services.

If you have a youth who wants to be confirmed, please contact either Ethan Evans here or Laura Beth Bestor here.



Your creations are appreciated!

Do you realize that Lobsterfest is only four months away? Last year, the St. Thomas Creates booth at the Artisan Fair was a resounding success. We will once again be looking for hand-made creations from our talented congregation. Perhaps you would like to donate something you've created to Lobsterfest. This is just a little reminder to start thinking about what you might like to create this year, so you can plan ahead and get to work before November 14 arrives . Contact Donna Clark via her email with any questions.

First Stop Explained

By Tim Davis, Board of Directors, First Stop



First Stop was conceived in 2004 and opened its doors in 2008. In 2016, it was struggling and needed guidance and energy. In that fall, some dedicated Huntsville citizens met at the Dallas Deli for sandwiches, sodas, and a plan. What they decided has worked and First Stop has grown and become the Huntsville organization that puts homeless people in houses.

Along the way, a number of ideas, programs, services, and tools were developed to move people from the streets and camps to housing. The list is long. In the next several months, we will highlight many of the items on that list to explain why, what, and how we serve the homeless of our community.

First Stop’s Mission

Soon after the Dallas Deli luncheon, the Board of Directors agreed that a Mission Statement was needed to guide First Stop. After some discussion Encounter, Connect, and Empower homeless people to Independent Sustainable Living was chosen. That has been First Stop's steady guidepost for the past 10 years. It is at the center of all we do.

We encounter homeless people where they are, on the streets and in the camps. We encourage them to come First Stop to connect with services and programs and meet our professional Case Managers. Once connected, our Case Managers empower homeless people to overcome barriers to reach an Independent Sustainable Living condition. All of our programs, services, and partnerships are focused on and by this mission statement.

DOK Training for New Members Continues on Thursday Evenings

Ladies, if you are searching for more in your spiritual life and a deeper connection with God and His people (that's probably all of us!), prayerfully consider The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK). DOK is holding a six-week training program of discernment, which began on August 13 and continues through September 17. The training is from 6 pm until 7:30 pm in the the church conference room. You learn about the Order and how it can enrich your life. Sessions include Study, Reflection, and Discussion. If this interests you, or you want to find out more, contact Barbara Meyer here or Gayle Dodson here. Commitment to membership is after the conclusion of the training.

Bailey Cove Farmers' Market Continues!

The regular Bailey Cove Farmers' Market season will end on September 5. Don't be in despair though...mark your calendars for the pop-up markets on September 26, October 24, and November 21. Consider being a part of this wonderful outreach as a shopper or a volunteer! For questions or to volunteer at the Farmers' Market email Tracy Ganem by clicking here, or call her at 256-479-3925!

This Afternoon, Thursday, August 27

4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room

Friday, August 28

10:47am- Bible Study, Conference Room

Sunday, August 30

8 am- Holy Eucharist Rite II, Nave

9:30 am- Christian Formation for Adults, Youth, & Children (Parish Hall, Youth Room, Hiers Hall)

10:30 am- Holy Eucharist Rite II with Children's Moment & Children's Chapel, Nave

5 pm- "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist, Nave

Monday, August 31

8 pm- Compline (Book of Common Prayer, page 127) with Rev. Jeannie on Facebook page link here

Wednesday, September 2

9:30 am- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan - The Gospel of John, Conference Room

5 pm- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan - Lectionary, Library

Thursday, September 3

7 am- Morning Prayer, St. Anne's Chapel in Hiers Hall

4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org