THE EPISTLE:

May 8, 2025

Super Sunday Celebration

THIS SUNDAY: Youth Sunday with Grayson Brewer Preaching at 10:30 Eucharist, Welcoming of New Youth Minister, Ethan Evans, & Celebrating our Mothers!

YOUTH SUNDAY

THIS SUNDAY, May 11th, we will be recognizing our St. Thomas Youth and St. Thomas' graduating high school seniors! We will have Youth at the 10:30am Eucharist serving as ushers and readers, as well as providing special music at the beginning of worship. We will also have our children leading the Prayers of the People this Sunday.

One of our graduating high school seniors, Grayson Brewer, who will be graduating from Randolph School, is also set to preach the sermon at the 10:30am Eucharist this Sunday. And each senior will be recognized and presented with a special gift from our St. Thomas family.   Following the 10:30am Eucharist, we will finish the day off with a special reception in the Parish Hall to honor our youth, graduating seniors, and mothers! Please plan on staying to have a slice of cake and congratulate and wish well each one!

WELCOMING ETHAN EVANS

Our new youth minister Ethan Evans will also be joining us for his first Sunday on May 11 -- there are two opportunities to ask him about youth, raptors, and the can-jo! We will have a special Q&A during breakfast in the parish hall between the morning services. Then join us after the 10:30am Eucharist in the Parish Hall to welcome Ethan and celebrate our Youth, high school graduates, and moms over cake and some of Ethan's favorite snacks!

CELEBRATING MOTHERS

Finally, Mother's Day falls on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, and at St. Thomas, 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 special gifts presented by our amazing St. Thomas Flower Guild. 

IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CELEBRATION SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY, MAY 11TH, AT ST. THOMAS, SO PLEASE DON'T MISS IT!!

St. Thomas Presents:

Concert with

Parker Hastings,

THIS SATURDAY,

May 10, 5 PM

We are happy to announce an encore concert with award winning Nashville guitarist and singer, Parker Hastings, this Saturday, May 10 at 5 pm. Parker, has won numerous awards, including Thumb-picker of the Year for his Merle Travis/Chet Atkins style guitar playing, and he is a member of the Nat'l Pickers Hall of Fame. Parker performs in the spirit of "music to make you smile," so you don't want to miss this most entertaining, guitar swinging concert. All concerts are free of charge.

Scrapbookers and Crafters Event, this Saturday, May 10

9 AM-3 PM, Parish Hall

Please join us May 10 from 9-3 for fellowship and to work on your scrapbooking or crafting projects. Lunch will be provided. Contact Rebekah Callahan at 256-603-0219 if you plan to attend.

Rector's Forum with Fr. Donavan continues this Month in the Parish Hall

For the "Merry Month of May," Fr. Donavan will be hosting a Rector's Forum during the Christian Formation hour each Sunday in the Parish Hall. Every Sunday morning, Fr. Donavan will begin with a specific topic on his mind related to our faith and spirituality today. After that, you are invited to bring your own questions to add to the discussion. So come join the conversation! Enjoy a nice Sunday morning breakfast, grab a refill on your cup of coffee, and then stick around for a special May Rector's Forum with Fr. Donavan.

This Sunday, Fr. Donavan will be discussing the Conclave and the possible election of a new Pope (...no white smoke yet on Thursday morning!) until our new Youth Minister and Mtr. Katie arrive for their Youth Ministry Q&A.

Book Club

Monday May 12

10am in the Parlor

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The St. Thomas Book Club will meet on May 12 at 10 am in the Parlor. We are reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The story "follows residents of Chicken-Hill, a mixed race, working-class neighborhood[...] as they navigate secrets and challenges" in 1920s and 1930s Pennsylvania. For information call 256-604-8669.

UPCOMING

Silver Saints Presents:

"E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial"

Thursday, May 15 at 1pm

Come join us for May’s Silver Saints Matinee Movie on Thursday, May 15 at 1:00 PM. It is time to step back in time for a delightful and warm Steven Spielberg movie, “ET, The Extra-Terrestrial,” starring Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Henry Thomas, and Drew Barrymore (as a child), about the arrival of an alien into the lives of caring youngsters. A fun movie about friendships across the Universe. You loved it the first time. This is a MUST-SEE again.

The Silver Saints Matinee Movie offers you fun and fellowship with snacks and beverages, and we will even transport you if you wish. Comfortable seating and a mid-movie break make it comfortable. Please bring your friends and ask people from our neighborhood. Call Jack or Becky Stokes at 256-881-4748 or the church office with questions or requests. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride.

DOK Quarterly Meeting

Thursday, May 15

Parish Hall at 4:30pm

On Thursday, May 15th, we will be meeting in the Parish Hall at 4:30 for social gathering followed by our meeting at 5:00pm. The program presentation, continuing our discussions on prayer, will be given by our chaplain, Robin Kastanakis, and by Elysa Jones.

We will also be reporting on our outreach programs and a special event.

If anyone is interested in the Daughters of the King, you are welcome to come see what we are about. There will be a training this summer for those who may be interested in learning more about us.

Memorial Day Weekend

Blood Drive

Sunday, May 25

The LifeSouth Bus will be at St. Thomas Sunday, May 25 from 7am-1pm. This is a wonderful time of year to donate blood. Unfortunately, holiday weekends are always at an increased need for blood as injuries and accidents are more frequent. This Memorial Day weekend, if you are able, please donate to help those in need.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Link to sign-up online: https://donors.lifesouth.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/854498

Blevins Gap Holy Hike

Saturday, May 24 at 9am

Our next Holy Hike will be at the Blevins Gap Preserve on Saturday, May 24th at 9am.

We’ll hike sections of both the Certain and West Bluff trails to a spot with some spectacular views of the valley below (you can barely see St. Thomas from the top). The first half-mile has some uphill hiking, but after that it’s very flat. You may want to bring a snack and something to drink, as well as a hiking stick or trekking poles.

We’ll meet at the Blevins Gap Trailhead (3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802). There is a portable toilet near the trailhead. If you have any questions, please contact Brett Byford at brettbyford59@gmail.com or 256.808.5776.

Sponsor the Special Session Yearbook for just $10!



Please help us offer a much-beloved part of Special Session! The brainchild of Mary Nell Sloan, a yearbook commemorating Special Session, a session at Camp McDowell for adults with special needs, is gifted to each camper and staff member.

The yearbook is presented to campers and staff members shortly before the dance on the last night of camp. Campers and staff spend Happy Hour (a daily pause for lemonade, water, and snacks) signing yearbooks for each other. The yearbook is a vitally important part of the camp experience at Special Session. We know of one camper who carries two or three copies of his beloved yearbooks, covering different years, to his day center each day. His father tells us that he has had to replace their covers several times because they have worn out.

Each yearbook is roughly $10 to prepare and includes the costs of printing the yearbook and its binding. All photos are taken by staff and provided to us at no cost. To keep costs as low as possible, we bind the yearbooks ourselves once they are printed. Please consider sponsoring one or more campers. If you choose to sponsor, you may submit your donation to the Finance Office at St. Thomas or click HERE to donate. Please indicate SS Yearbook with your donation. We love and appreciate your willingness to consider this opportunity to bring joy to our community!

Special Session Needs Your Recyclables

Ruth Erwin is the resident decorator for Special Session and has been for nearly 20 years! She needs 3-4 empty metal coffee cans and No. 10 sized vegetable cans that will be used for decorations at Special Session. Size no. 10 cans are generally the restaurant size anywhere from 98 oz - 114 oz. Special Session takes place June 2-June 7 and this year's theme is BEACH! We can accept donations up until May 26.

The Bailey Cove Farmers Market is up and running!

Come check it out this weekend and sign up THIS SUNDAY to Volunteer

The Bailey Cove Farmers Market at St. Thomas is here! But we can’t make this year's biggest Farmer's Market ever work without you! Please volunteer to help this year by signing up on the poster on the bulletin board in Information Hall. We sincerely appreciate your willingness to help out! Then start making your Farmers Market grocery list!

Free Yoga Class

Saturdays on the Lawn

at BCFM at 9am 

St. Thomas will offer free yoga classes this summer as part of its Bailey Cove Farmers Market! Bring your own mat and move your body outdoors for 50 minutes. All classes will be beginner friendly. Participants must be able to stand and sit on the ground unaided. Wear comfortable, moveable clothing. Babies, kids, newbies, all are welcome.

Volunteers Needed for Sunday Morning Refreshments



We are almost out of volunteers and we still need a few more individuals or families to help to keep the refreshments coming on Sundays following the 10:30 am service. Bring homemade or store-bought sweet treats for a Sunday so that we can spend a few minutes gathering after worship. Please sign up using the poster in Information Hall. Instructions are in a manilla envelope under the signup sheet. Thank you for helping us keep this vital part of our parish thriving!

Non-Perishables Wanted

The Little Free Pantry needs your help! Please consider buying an extra jar of peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, tuna, chicken, soup, or anything you think would be a nice addition to the pantry. Donations can be dropped off in the Little Red Wagon in Information Hall or place it in the Little Free Pantry yourself. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.

Children's Chapel and Christian Formation

Children and Youth Christian Formation

See the regularly scheduled Children and Youth Sunday School offerings by simply clicking the link below. You can also find both Adult and Treble Choir rehearsal times and times for Bell Choir rehearsals with just a simple click of the button below!

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist

Every Sunday, at 5pm in the Nave, you are invited to a "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas. The 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal, special gospel music chosen by our amazing pianist and organist, Sam Wright, and casual sermons preached from the floor.

Please note that Sunday Dinners are taking a summer hiatus and will return in September.

Habitat for Humanity House

Calling all volunteers! Volunteers are needed for construction of this year’s Habitat house. The address is 4305 Blue Spring Rd NW. Please join in if you are able. Please contact George Harriman at 256-509-6666. We are also looking for a new lead contact person for Habitat for Humanity at St. Thomas, as our dedicated past leader, Elouisa Stokes, has stepped down after many years in that role.

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org