THE EPISTLE:

July 23, 2026

Reception for Mtr. Katie

THIS Sunday!

The time has come to bid farewell to our dedicated Curate, Mtr. Katie Kirk-Costas!



Join us at one, two, or three of our Sunday services as Mtr. Katie will be preaching and celebrating the Eucharist at all three services on this, her last Sunday. She will also teach one last time during the Christian Formation hour!

Mtr. Katie has blessed us all, along with our vintage vehicles, beloved pets, cherished children, and ailing loved ones. Come bless Mtr. Katie with your presence at the reception in her honor this Sunday after the 10:30 service. At the reception, we will honor Mtr. Katie and her ministry with us over the past two years.

If you would like to contribute to the reception, please bring a plate of brownies or cookies. Your Fellowship Committee will be providing light lunch items. Please plan on joining us in the Parish Hall to give thanks for Mtr. Katie and to wish her well.  

Next Meeting

Thursday, July 23 at 6 PM

Even if you have never attended before, consider attending Everybody's Pub Theology tonight, July 23, at 6 pm at PaPPo's Pizzeria (7540 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville)! Join Mtr. Katie and Fr. Donavan this evening for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!

Thank You St. Thomas!

St. Thomas Family, thank YOU for supporting this year's Wizard Camp Vacation Bible School! Last week, we had 53 excited children traversing our halls. With a full nursery of 8, the older 45 kiddos engaged in learning about blessings, waters of baptism, prayer, worship, liturgical colors and symbols, and the Bible in our Defence Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic classes. They also learned about anointing oils and made incense in Potions Class. We even got in a few matches of quidditch.

I am immensely grateful for the 21 youth who helped with decorating, games, skit development and performance, shepherding the kiddos, and leading crafts. It was great to see so many of them stepping up to help and be a role model for the younger generation. Adult shepherds, teachers, kitchen staff, musicians, characters (Prof. McGonagall, Hagrid, Gryffindor door lady), check-in/out, time turners, setup, clean-up, and decorators, I appreciate you putting your time, energy, and love into helping us pull the week off. Thank you to the groups who shifted their monthly gatherings to accommodate VBS and to my fellow staff members and our clergy for your support last week.

I received many compliments from VBS families at the Friday lunch and via email, so thank you for your part(s) in making it happen. The light of Christ shined bright at Wizard Camp VBS! Well done, St. Thomas! 

God's Peace,

Laura Beth

Come to One or Come to Both THIS Friday July 24

10:47 AM Bible Study with Fr. Donavan in the Conference Room

12:05 PM Pray the Rosary with Fr. Donavan in the Nave

If you have never prayed the rosary, try it out tomorrow, July 24, and every other Friday at 12:05 pm in the Nave of the church. 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. We always have Rosary beads available and written directions to help you participate in this meaningful, scriptural, and contemplative prayer practice.

Faith, Hope, and Love

with Mtr. Katie

Join Mtr. Katie in the Parish Hall for her final series as curate at St. Thomas! Faith, Hope, and Love, also called the theological virtues, are the foundation of our Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13). This class will explore how each of these virtues shows up in the contemporary world; in art, culture, and real life!

UPCOMING

Important Sunday Events

in August!

Sunday, August 2 - Blessing of the Backpacks at the 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist

Sunday, August 2 - Drop In Newcomer Social at 6:00 PM after the "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist at 5:00 PM

Sunday, August 16 - Rally Day and St. Thomas Ministry Fair Returns! ONE morning service at 10:00 AM!!

August Book Club

Monday, August 10 at 10 AM

Our August book is a mystery! Pick up a copy of Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters and join us on August 10 at 10 am in the St. Thomas Parlor.

With so many good books, our list is growing. For your planning purposes, mark your calendars for:

September 14 - This is Happiness by Niall Williams

October 12 - In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

The group will take a bread in November. Please consider joining even if you haven't read the book. Lunch is an option afterwards. For more information, call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669, and look for the Book Club table at Rally Day!

Build Beds for Children!

Mark your calendars for Sunday August 23 and join your fellow St. Thomas parishioners and members of the Church of the Nativity as we once again build beds for children in Huntsville. Last year, we built 45 beds for children at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) site near the UAH campus. No special skills are needed; the SHP staff will teach you everything you need to know. Directions and other details will be provided closer to the date, so watch this space!

This is an outreach program for everyone wanting to help! If you are unable to attend, we are once again collecting new twin bedding to be delivered with each bed. Vendors like Walmart, Amazon, and Target have twin bedding sets for a reasonable price in bright colors and themed for boys and girls. Older children typically like something more gender neutral. These "bed in a bag" sets contain sheets, pillow cases, and comforters and make every delivery a special event for the children. Bring your new bedding sets to the office. For questions, reach out to George Harriman at 256-509-6666 or email at georgeharriman51@gmail.com.

LNOC Meets August 24

Everyone is invited to join us at our next LNOC meeting on Monday, August 24 at 6 pm. We will be hearing from representatives of Alabama Credit Union's Secret Meals Charity and Patterson Place. We invite anyone who has a food or school related charity that they would like to present to the LNOC for funding or participation to join us and make a presentation. If you have any questions, or would like to be placed on the agenda, please contact Travis Lee by emailing him 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.

DOK Training for New Members Begins August 13

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 will hold a six-week training program of discernment, beginning August 13 and continuing through September 17. The training will be from 6 pm until 7:30 pm in the the church conference room. You will 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.

Cookies and Lemonade- Yum!

Sign up this weekend

We still need more volunteers to bring cookies for the brief fellowship time after the 10:30 am service? Contribute to this ministry by signing up for a week on the sheet in Information Hall. No need to bake as store-bought treats are fine, and instructions are available when you sign up! Can you help us out this fall?

Habitat Build Continues on Saturday, July 25

Join us this week for our Habitat for Humanity build as we lay sod. To beat the summer heat we'll start at 7 am. With a good turnout, we should be able to complete the job before temperatures get too high. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and gloves. Rakes, spades, sod knives, and a wheelbarrow would also be helpful if you have them. Work inside Katrina's house may also include painting, caulking, and cleaning. We are nearing completion!

Work starts at 7 am this week and ends by 2 pm with lunch served at 11 am. The address is 206 Lake Drive; it is near Alabama A&M University off Meridian Street. Habitat for Humanity is a great way to work, and serve with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For more information, Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Bailey Cove Farmers' Market Continues!

Next Blood Drive August 1

Come be a part of this wonderful outreach as a shopper or a volunteer! Volunteers are needed to man the St. Thomas Information Tent from 8 am to noon. On August 1 you can also volunteer to give blood! For questions or to volunteer at the Farmers' Market email Tracy Ganem by clicking here, or call her at 256-479-3925! To give blood on August 1, contact Paul Heim by clicking here.

Children's & Youth Ministries

Notes for the Summer

Sundays

9:30 am- 10:15 am- Summer Gatherings (Hiers Hall)



Upcoming

• August 2- Blessing of the Backpacks
• August 16- Rally Day



Contact our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Laura Beth Bestor, here for more information.

Youth Ministry

Sundays

9:30 am- 10:15 am- St. Thomas Summer Mornings, 7th-12th graders (Youth Room)

THIS WEEK: NO EYC due to the Rafting Trip!



Got Questions? Contact our Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, here for more information.

This Afternoon, Thursday, July 23

4 pm- Centering Prayer, Crossroads Room

6 pm- Everybody's Pub Theology, Pappo's Pizzeria

Friday, July 24

10:47 am- Bible Study with Fr. Donavan, Conference Room

12:05 pm- Rosary with Fr. Donavan, Nave

Sunday, July 26

8 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Nave

9 am- Breakfast, Parish Hall

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

10:30 am- Holy Eucharist, Rite II with our Joyful Noise Ensemble, & Children's Moment, Nave

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

Monday, July 27

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

Wednesday, July 29

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

5:30 pm- Bible Study - Lectionary, Conference Room

Thursday, July 30

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