THE EPISTLE:

September 19, 2024

Silver Saints Movie Matinee: The Hundred-Foot Journey

TODAY at 1 PM!

After last month’s well-attended Silver Saints Matinee Movie, we want to offer you a most interesting movie; The Hundred-Foot Journey. This British movie starring, Helen Mirren, Om Puri, and others, produced by Steven Spielberg, is a movie “bursting with flavor, passion, and heart” about great food and wonderful personalities. If you liked the movie Chocolat, you will love this story. Come join us in the St. Thomas Parish Hall at 1:00 PM TODAY, September 19.

The Silver Saints Movie Matinee offers fun and fellowship with our parishioners and visitors much like going to a theater, but with no fee. 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 256-881-4748, or the church office at 256-880-0247. Please call 24 hours ahead if you will need a ride. Please come join us.

Pray the Rosary

TOMORROW, Sept. 20

The St. Thomas Rosary Prayer Group is now gathering every other Friday in the church at 12:05pm to pray the Rosary. 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. If you’ve never prayed the Rosary before, we always have Rosary beads available, as well as written directions to help you fully participate in this meaningful, scriptural, and contemplative prayer practice.

Final Sunday to Sign up for Youth & Adult Confirmation Classes

Youth, 9th Grade and up, and Adults who are interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, as well as anyone wanting to Reaffirm their faith are invited to sign up NOW for classes beginning Sunday, September 29th! This year, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation will be offered on Sunday, October 27th, during Bishop Glenda Curry's visit to St. Thomas. Fr. Donavan & Mtr. Katie will offer a Youth & Adult Confirmation class, with a lite luncheon, each Sunday, beginning September 29th, immediately following the 10:30 am Holy Eucharist. The class will run from September 29th through October 20th.

To get on the list this year, SIGN UP IN INFORMATION HALL THIS SUNDAY or send an email to Irene in the church off by clicking HERE before TUESDAY, SEPT. 24TH! And if you have questions about confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation, email Fr. Donavan HERE or Mtr. Katie HERE, or simply catch them this Sunday before or after the church services.

Lobsterfest Needs Your Help! Sponsorship Opportunities & Search for Two More Committee Chairs!

As we gear up for this exciting event, the Lobsterfest Steering Committee is still seeking sponsors for a very prominent area: the Music Tent!

As a sponsor for the Music Tent, your donation of $1200 covers the cost of the tent and provides significant visibility, and your company receives a sign that reads, “Your Company Name Lobsterfest Music Area,” ensuring your support is recognized and highlighted to all attending.

Partnering with us not only provides excellent exposure for your business but also demonstrates your commitment to supporting a beloved community event. We can’t wait to have you!



If interested, please contact Fr. Donavan, George Harriman, or Tom Perry at lobsterfest@stthomashuntsville.org.

Baking Sale & Parish Hall Chairs Still Needed

Both the Bake Sale and Parish Dinner Committees play a crucial role in making Lobsterfest a success. If you would be interested in leading one of these committees, please contact David Hattaway at (256) 337-0973 or hattaway.david@gmail.com, or Tom Perry at (256) 348-4313 or perrytbne@aol.com. Bake Sale is changing this year to on-site/day of sales only this year, and Parish Dinner is always about the joy and celebration of Lobsterfest for the St. Thomas community on the Sunday morning following Lobsterfest! The co-Kings have information and outlines for the roles and responsibilities of committee chairs for both committees, and past chairs are always available to provide guidance. If you'd be interested in taking on these final two committees for Lobsterfest 2024, contact David or Tom now! Thank you!

Are You New to St. Thomas? Newcomers 2

Sunday, Sept. 22

Crossroads Room

Our Newcomers 2 class tells the history of St. Thomas and includes a tour of the church! We will meet in the Crossroads Room at 9:30, Sunday, Sept. 22 and have the blue signs out. We look forward to meeting you.  Susie Thurber will tell you the story of St. Thomas and take you on a short tour of our facility along with names of places. For information call Elouisa Stokes at 256-604-8669. Come learn all about our church and our history in our monthly Newcomers Class.

Everybody's Pub Theology

Sept. 26, 6pm

Sit down with Fr. Donavan, Mtr. Katie, and Dcn. Jeannie Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6-7:30pm, at PaPPo's Pizzeria, at 7540 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, for great fellowship, good food, tasty drinks, and hearty discussion!

Blessing of the Animals this year is set for Sunday,

October 6, at 3pm

Please join us on the field across the north parking lot for the annual Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis, on Sunday, October 6th, at 3:00 PM. No matter what type of animal you have – the 4-legged kind, the swimmers, the crawlers and the hoppers – bring ‘em on! Even if you don’t have a pet, you are invited. It is a fun celebration of all God’s creatures and one of the church's most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi. Don’t miss it! And don't forget to bring your lawn chairs or blankets.

Led by Laura Beth Bestor Hiers Hall

Room 6

Second through sixth graders will gather to explore their faith and express it through different art media. We will discuss the Church seasons, Bible stories, and topics unique to Episcopalians.

Led by Diane Hutson, Suzanne Mohler, & Friends Hiers Hall Room 1

Babies, toddlers, and their parents are invited to join us as we gather for a short Bible lesson and hands-on activities about our Bible stories. If your little one(s) are still getting used to the church, this new class is for you. Come help our little ones build their community!

Led by Renee’ Redfield Hiers Hall Room 4

Children ages pre-K through 1st grade will use their creativity and imagination in a Montessori approach to learn about Bible stories, worship life, and rituals and symbols of our faith. 

Sign-up to be a helper with a children's Sunday school class once a month by clicking here.  Email our Children's Ministry coordinator, Laura Beth, with questions at children@stthomashuntsville.org.

Led by Jane Allgood, Grace Casey, and Kathie Clayton - Hiers Hall Conference Room 2

Through artistic expression, community service, as well as reflection on scripture and the Book of Common Prayer, 7th -12th grade girls explore the ways being grounded in grace provides strength and courage to tackle the challenges of becoming a confident young woman in today’s world.

Led by Mike Bestor, David Hattaway, Brett Byford, John Conover, John Falco, and

Dan Morrison - Youth Room

The middle and high school young men’s group will explore the lectionary through discussion-based ministry to encourage a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teachings. This class will provide a space to belong, believe, and become better men, while sharing experiences and learning how the Bible is visible to us in everyday life.

How the Bible Became THE BIBLE:  Canon and Controversy, led by

Fr. Donavan Cain, through Sept. 22

The history of the Bible is as complicated as any book in the world.  The different parts that make up the Bible were written over thousands of years in several ancient languages and have been argued over and translated constantly by church and council down through the centuries to the present.  In recent times, “New” Biblical writings and “gospels," such as “The Gospel of Judas,” have been discovered, published, and publicized, raising questions about the accepted Canon of the Christian New Testament.  This class will take a look at how Christians today can open the Holy Bible and better understand its history in the Church through the centuries.

Season of Creation

Book Study: Earth Gospel

by Sam Hamilton-Poore

Interested in praying for out natural world? For four weeks during September, which is the church's "Season of Creation", Belinda Greenaway will be offering a prayerful gathering around Sam Hamilton-Poore's book, Earth Gospel. We will meet in the parlor Sunday afternoons from 3:30pm-4:30pm, beginning September 8th. You will need a copy of the book. Contact Belinda for more information at belinda223@gmail.com.

Treble Choir has expanded and is open to Kids Grade K to Grade 8, and our rehearsal time has moved to Sunday afternoons at 3:30 – 3:45.

Treble Choir - Grades K-8, 3:30-4:15pm, Sunday

Adult Choir - Grades 9- Adult, 7:00-8:45pm, Wednesday

Bell Choir - 6:00-6:50pm, Wednesday.

Sunday Evening Gospel Choir - Rehearse just before each Sunday's 5pm service.

All of our choirs would be delighted to welcome new members. Contact Miss Kathy at music@stthomashuntsville.org for more information!

"Come As You Are"

5pm Holy Eucharist

This Sunday, and every Sunday, we have our "Come As You Are" Holy Eucharist. Our 5pm parishioners find this Sunday evening worship service meets their needs or schedules better than our morning worship. The 5pm Holy Eucharist features joyful hymns from the Alleluia III hymnal, gospel music chosen by Sam Wright, and casual mini-sermons preached from the floor.

On the first Sunday of the month, the 5pm Eucharist also offers a supper immediately following in the Parish Hall. Many of the congregation stay to enjoy each others company and conversation. The next Sunday Supper will be on October 6. The menu for this month is a Taco or Taco Salad Bar. You can sign up to contribute to the supper on the sign up sheet at the 5pm service on Sunday, or by emailing or texting either one of the coordinators Contact Carolyn Seaman by clicking HERE or Rebekah Callahan by clicking HERE for more information.  Come and join us for what we do best - worship!

From the St. Thomas Stewardship of Creation Committee

Along with Christians around the world, our Episcopal Church celebrates the Season of Creation in September each year. It is seen as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of Creation. To reflect this important season in the church, listen for an additional prayer for our natural world in the Prayers of the People each Sunday in September. The theme for this year’s season is ‘To Hope and Act With Creation,’ and you can take a look at HERE for more information from the Episcopal Church website.

Belinda Greenaway

Stewardship of Creation Committee

Phone: 256.880.0247

Email: StThomas@stthomashuntsville.org