THE EPISTLE:

May 7, 2026

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10. We will offer special prayers for all mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in our lives at all three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, as well as offer a special gift presented by our amazing St. Thomas Flower Guild.



Adult Christian Formation: Clergy Forum!

Over the next two Sundays leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 10th and May 17th, Fr. Donavan and the clergy will be leading a special Clergy Forum in the Parish Hall during Adult Christian Formation time from 9:30 am to 10:15 am. With the Great Fifty Days of Easter well underway, in addition to the new ordinations that took place at St. Thomas just a few weeks ago and the upcoming Consecration of the new Bishop of Alabama next month, there are certainly plenty of conversations to be had and questions to be asked! Expect at least one mention of the Shroud of Turin (one of Fr. D's favorite topics during the Easter season) and the possibility of vacation location discussions in the mix! Don't miss our Easter Clergy Forum in the Parish Hall this Sunday! 

NEW EYC Time

Sundays at 12 PM

Hey 7th-12th graders and families of 7th-12th graders! Don't forget that Saint Thomas EYC is meeting on Sundays after the 10:30am service. Lunch will be at 12:00pm in the Youth Room with an activity following. Pick up is at 2:00pm. We will continue to have EYC throughout the summer! We hope to see you there!



Next St. Thomas Book Club

Monday, May 11

Our book for May 11 will be The Great Reclamation by Rachael Heng, a book about Shanghai after the second world war.  Our book for June 8 is The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. It is supposed to be lighter than our last several books.

We look forward to your joining us at 10 a.m. in the Parlor of St. Thomas on these dates. Please come even if you haven't read the book. Lunch is an option afterwards.

Local & National Outreach Meeting- May 11

We are in the second quarter of the year, and it’s time for our second Local National Outreach Committee (LNOC) Meeting on May 11th at 6 pm in the conference room. The topic this quarter is Construction Projects. The LNOC meetings are also a great way to learn how to get involved and volunteer in our parish and community. If you have any questions, or if you would like to present about a project, please call Travis Lee at (850)-503-5587 or email him HERE.



Buildings & Grounds Meeting May 12, 6:30 PM

The Buildings and Grounds Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 pm in the library. Anyone with interest is welcome to attend.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study- May 13, 5:30 PM

Join Mtr. Katie in the Conference Room on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM for a new evening Bible study! As we read passages drawn from the upcoming Sunday’s lectionary, we will learn to read short selections from Scripture more deeply and allow the words of the text to illumine our understanding of the Bible and our lives.

Ascension Day Evensong

Thursday, May 14, 6 PM

The Great Fifty Days of Easter is coming to an end, and we will be celebrating Jesus' Ascension into heaven with a beautiful Service of Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of St. Thomas on Thursday, May 14, at 6:00 pm.



Come enjoy the music of English composers Richard Ayleward, William Crotch, Sir Joseph Barnby, and prolific American composer Robert J. Powell  as we commemorate this most holy feast depicted in our glorious east window.



Pentecost at Ditto Landing!

Eucharist and Parish Picnic

Sunday, May 24 at 10 AM

Pentecost Sunday is a great way to kick off summer and to gather the entire parish family together for worship and a community picnic! This will be our ONE MORNING SERVICE at 10am on Pentecost Sunday, May 24. Like last year, we'll be at the Kingston Pavilion at Ditto Landing. Our special music in celebration of Pentecost will be Shaped Note Gospel and Sacred Harp music, much of which will be learned at the preceding week's singing school.

As we recount the story of Pentecost according to Acts 2:1-6, it is the tradition of the church of have the reading read in multiple languages. If you speak a language other than English and would like to read a portion of Acts in that language for Pentecost Sunday, please email the Rector's Assistant HERE by 5 pm on Thursday, May 14. 

Sign-up sheets are available in Information Hall to help with set-up, serving, or clean-up. We’re planning to have two serving lines this year to help things move more quickly, and we’d love your help in making the day run smoothly.

To make transportation easier, the van will shuttle those in need of a ride and leave the St. Thomas parking lot at 9:30 a.m. to Ditto Landing before the service. If you need a ride, please call the church office at 256.880.0247 no later than 5 pm on May 21 to reserve a seat.

We will only offer the 10 AM Holy Eucharist that morning at Ditto Landing in order to bring the whole family together. But if you can't make it that morning, we will also celebrate Pentecost Sunday at the church that afternoon with our "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist at 5pm.

Wizard Camp VBS

July 13-17, 9 AM-12 PM

Registration Now Open!

Wizard Camp VBS is coming to St. Thomas from July 13-17, 9 am to 12 pm! Free early bird registration for rising pre-K through 5th graders is open now through June 14. On June 15, registration will be $25/child. There are limited nursery slots available for the week; nursery is free for parishioners and $25/week for non-parishioners. Use this VBS Registration link to sign-up. Feel free to invite extended family and friends to join us!

As always, adult and youth volunteers are needed for this exciting week at St. Thomas. Please consider helping out with this important ministry (part of a day is fine) and indicate your interest(s) by either filling out our online volunteer form here or emailing our Children's Ministry coordinator, Ms. Laura Beth, here.

Youth and rising 6th graders are invited to attend the VBS Takeover of EYC on Sunday, May 31 following the 10:30 am service. We'll be planning how our youth helpers will be helping with VBS this year. Let Ms. Laura Beth know if you (or your family members) are planning attend for lunch planning purposes. If you can't make the meeting but have interest in helping out, let Ms. Laura Beth know.

Notes from the Front Office

Lost & Found

Please check the rack by the front office to see if one of the following items belong to your family. Any of these items that are unclaimed by June 1 will be donated.

Children's Size

• Purple Puffer Jacket
• Brown Zip-Up Hoodie
• Purple Fleece Jacket

Adult Size

• Mint Green Zip-Up Hoodie
• Berry Zip-Up Jacket
• Light Blue Hoodie
• Teal Hoodie
• White Hoodie
• Grey/Red Hooded Jacket

Epistle Deadline

Please don't forget that the deadline to guarantee that your article will be in Thursday's Epistle is Tuesday by 3pm. Email communications@stthomashuntsville.org with your information.



UPCOMING

Memorial Dedication

Saturday, May 16

Many of us remember last year's tragedy, at the intersection of Green Mountain Road and Bailey Cove Road, when Kal Fox, an 8th grade Mountain Gap student died when his bicycle was struck by a car. We have witnessed the outpouring of love and support on display at the temporary memorial set up at the intersection. 

Earlier this year, one of Kal’s teachers at Mountain Gap, Amie Hope, and Kal’s mother approached St. Thomas about the possibility of a permanent memorial. After meeting with Fr. Donavan and our Senior Warden, Brett Tomlin, a presentation was made at the May Vestry Meeting.

Vestry approval for the permanent memorial, with plans in place for its upkeep, was enthusiastically given. The memorial will include a bench, a stone marker, and a special Pagoda Bells display. The sound of bells have called Christians to prayer for centuries in churches around the world and are a fitting tribute for the memorial on St. Thomas grounds for Kal Fox, a budding student musician. 

Set up of the memorial will begin this weekend. Everyone in the local community, the Mountain Gap School community, and the St. Thomas Church community is invited to attend the dedication of the memorial on Saturday, May 16 at 4pm. under the trees at the northwest corner of Green Mountain and Bailey Cove on St. Thomas property.



Save the Date for Youth Sunday- May 17

Attention Saint Thomas! Mark your calendars for Youth Sunday on May 17! The youth will be leading the service as ushers, greeters, lectors, artists, and in many other ways at the 10:30am Service! We will also be honoring our High School Seniors, so if you have a senior who will be in attendance, please contact Ethan Evans via email HERE. Youth Sunday will also be the last Sunday for Youth Christian Formation for the 2025-2026 School Year. We will begin summer programming and return for regularly scheduled events after Rally Day in the fall.



Come learn about gospel music used at 5 PM services!

Our organist, Sam Wright will be hosting the Madison County Gospel Singing Convention on May 23 from 10 am to around 3 pm with potluck dinner provided around noon. Leading up to this will be a week-long singing school from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 22 starting at 6 pm every night. If you want to learn how to sing the shaped note music used at the 5 pm services, or just want to learn a little bit more about the history of church music this is a great opportunity to learn alongside other St. Thomas friends, and others in our community. Both events are open to the public. For more information contact Sam Wright HERE or (256)520-9607.

Save the Date - May 20

Sisters in Faith Plant Swap

Join the Sisters in Faith from 5:30 pm to 7 pm in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, May 20 for food, fun and friendship!

Those that are enjoying this beautiful time of year by digging, planting, or watering are encouraged to bring 4-6 samples of your favorite plants to share. If you are not a gardener, come for the fellowship. For questions contact this month's hostess, Robin Kastanakis, at 256-479-9031.



Save the Date for the Silver Saints- May 21

We would like to share with you an excellent portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II by Helen Mirren offering a close replica of the Queen following Princess Diana’s unfortunate and untimely death and how the Royal Family responded. Please join us on May 21 to watch “The Queen” for a very entertaining afternoon.



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. 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 and be happy.

Special Session: May 30-June 5

Volunteers Needed

Have you heard about Special Session? This weeklong camp for people of all abilities began at St. Thomas in 1998 and is now a beloved part of Camp McDowell’s summer program.

This year’s session runs May 30–June 5 for staff and June 1–5 for campers. This will be the 29th summer! Special Session offers a joyful, Spirit-filled environment where campers are fully welcomed, supported, and free to enjoy all the fun of camp. Over the years, it has become a meaningful reunion for many, while continuing to welcome new friends each summer.

Get involved

We are in need of nurses and counselors and always especially male counselors. Ages 15 can serve as counselors-in-training and 16+ as counselors. Visit the Special Session webpage HERE to find out more.

*Location Change for Sat. 5/9*

Help serve in our community on Saturdays mornings!

Great to job to our volunteers for all their work on our Habitat for Humanity house for Katrina! We are waiting on inspectors this week, so we will be meeting at the Habitat warehouse at 600 Pratt Avenue, Huntsville to paint interior doors and trim on Saturday, May 9. Habitat for Humanity is a great way to work, play, and serve with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For more information, Call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669.

Bailey Cove Farmers' Market Season is OPEN!

Come be a part of this wonderful outreach as a shopper or a volunteer! Volunteers are always needed for set-up and take-down. Those helping with set-up need to arrive at 6:45 am to help put up tents and tables for our vendors. Set-up is generally completed in less than an hour. Those interested in take-down need to arrive by 11:45 am to help break down tents and tables. Take-down is generally completed in 45 minutes.

For questions, email Tracy Ganem by clicking HERE, or call her at 256-479-3925!

Adult Ministry

Monday Compline Online with Rev. Jeannie on

St. Timothy's Facebook Page

Looking for a new prayer opportunity and a way to center yourself in prayer each week? Every Monday at 8 p.m., you’re invited to join Rev. Jeannie online for Compline. Compline is a brief evening prayer service and a peaceful way to set your week with intention and to end your day with a sense of completion and stillness.

The service lasts just 15 minutes and can be accessed on St. Timothy's Episcopal Church Athens, AL Facebook page HERE. You simply need a Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and to turn to pg. 127. Please contact jrann228@gmail.com or the front office for more information.

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

Thursdays 7 AM

Every Thursday morning, join us for Morning Prayer in St. Anne’s Chapel at the end of Hiers Hall. Simply enter Hiers Hall and follow the hallway all the way to the end. There will be signs directing you. As we seek to expand our options for praying together during the week, we hope to see our early birds and any brave night owls at this service of prayer and Scripture. You don't have to know how to read Morning Prayer; we'll teach you!

Weekly Bible Studies

Wednesdays

9:30 am- Fr. Donavan- The Gospel of John

5:30 pm- Mtr. Katie- Lectionary

Fridays

10:47 am- Fr. Donavan- The Letter to the Hebrews

Children's & Youth Ministries

Weekly Offerings & Upcoming Events

Sundays

9:30am-10:15am- Sunday School

• Godly Play (Pre-K through 1st grade, Hiers 4)
• Storymakers (2nd-3rd grade, Hiers 6)
• Thou Art (4th-6th grade, Hiers 2)

10:30am- Children's Moment & Children's Chapel during Holy Eucharist

Nursery available on Sunday mornings from 7:45am until noon.

Upcoming

• May 17- End of Sunday School Year Celebration
• May 31- VBS Takeover of EYC for rising 6th graders & up (12 pm)
• July 13-17- Vacation Bible School (9am-12pm)

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

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 9:30am every Sunday to talk about Covenants in the Bible!

7-12th Graders! Weekly EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) continues! EYC meets Sunday afternoons from noon-2 pm.

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

Thank you to our parishioners who shared their photos this week!

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org