20 Jan 2022

From a boatful, to billions: An absurdly short history of Christianity

by | posted in: Adult Education, News | 0

Adult Education invites you to this 6-week series on Sundays beginning at 9 a.m., January 30 – April 13, 2022 except February 27, in-person with precautions and via Zoom. Sessions will be recorded.

Who invented Church? How did we go from a few fishermen to billions of faithful people? And, what relevance can the church have in a time when belief seems to have become a dirty word? In six sessions, we will follow the development of the Christian Movement from the time of the Apostles to the Electronic Age. Along the way, there will be a few heretics and councils, but we will also talk about how our past shapes us and what we believe. Come along for new insights on familiar stories and maybe some new information too.

16 Jan 2022

Children’s and Youth ministries update for January 16, 2022

by | posted in: Children's Ministries, CREW | 0

I hope this note finds you and your families well. If you are not well, please know that I am praying for your healing and well-being.  And, please reach out if I can help in some other way.  

Two notes today about today:
1) Mrs. Madeline is looking forward to meeting with children and youth up to grade 7 this morning at 10:15 a.m. for  Sunday School / Children’s Worship.
2) Our CREW youth group meeting that was scheduled for today is postponed until January 23, 2022.  However, everyone is encouraged to participate in the virtual ecumenical service for racial reconciliation and healing that we are all invited to tonight at 7:00 p.m. You can also go to delaware.church//healing-service to join via YouTube.  The worship leaflet for the service can also be found there.

Two notes about next week:
1) Mrs. Belinda looks forward to meeting with children and youth up to 7th grade on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. for Sunday School, Children’s Worship.
2) Mrs. Belinda looks forward to meeting with youth in grades 6 to Grade 12 on Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. for our CREW youth gathering. This gathering will include a light lunch and board games.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Blessings, Belinda Young-Payne

14 Jan 2022

Bring and share a meal with ECM – Spring 2022

by | posted in: ECM | 0

Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) is for College-Age Students. ECM is a place to explore and live spirituality in community with University of Delaware students, faculty, staff and parishioners.

These amazing young adults show up, not just for themselves, but for their community. They are always willing to participate with our children and youth, setting an excellent example of growing with God’s grace. Taking time out of their own fellowship, they keep the Blue Hen Bounty food pantry clean, stocked, and running smoothly. Blue Hen Bounty provides supplemental nutrition to University of Delaware students who are food insecure and cannot provide ample nutrition for themselves. And, on occasion, we are blessed to have ECM members participate in our Sunday morning worship services.

They are amazing.

ECM meets every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to help provide the group of approximately 7 with dinner for a future meeting, please sign up for a meeting date on the sign up sheet in the lobby or online through the Sign-up Genius. You are welcome to stay and join this group for the meal and some excellent conversation, or you can drop off or have food delivered. Please do what makes you most comfortable. Your generosity and kindness in providing a meal (home cooked or take-out!) will be greatly appreciated!

If you are not comfortable using Sign-up Genius, contact Sally Price via email.

Thank you God for food and prayer. Teach us how to Love and Share. Amen.

14 Jan 2022

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for January 16, 2022

by | posted in: News | 0

Good morning faith family. See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for news and events information for the Second Sunday after Epiphany – January 16, 2022, Year A. This week, you will find an invitation to share a meal with ECM, and information about a special ecumenical service, on the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr, Day. It will be a service racial reconciliation and healing, attended by our Bishop Brown.

“Life’s piano can only produce melodies of brotherhood (and sisterhood) when it is recognized that the black keys are as basic, necessary and beautiful as the white keys.”- MLK, Jr.
The church office will be open by appointment only on Monday, January 17, 2022, for MLK, Jr. Day of Service. We will be out in the community striving to make beautiful music with our sisters and brothers of color, and listening intently to the important notes that they add to the song.⁠

Some of our worship events are as follows. We encourage you to worship in whatever way is comfortable for you: in-person or on YouTube.  Thank you to everyone involved in making these decisions; these are heavy questions and the decisions are made prayerfully and carefully.

Other events follow:

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

13 Jan 2022

Worship services for week of January 16, 2022

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Second Sunday after EpiphanyHello faith family! Sunday is the Second Sunday after Epiphany – January 16, 2022, Year A. Services are held in-person with precautions and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe during this pandemic.

This Sunday marks our faith family member Beryl King’s 101st birthday! I know we are all sending her tons of virtual love and hugs, but you know she loves getting letters in the mail.

Worship this week:

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday!

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

13 Jan 2022

Hope Dining Room volunteers for January 17, 2022

by | posted in: Outreach, Service | 0

Dear Families of St. Thomas’s and St. Nicholas,

Monday, January 17, 2022 is our opportunity to serve at Hope Dining Room  We begin cooking at 10 a.m. at Kingswood Methodist Church on Marrows Road in Brookside Park. We are finished cleaning up by noon and we always have fun.

Now is your opportunity to have fun in January! Below is a link to a Sign Up Genius for items we need.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DACA72AAAFF2-hope18  

You may bring your items to St. Thomas’s, on Tuesday through Thursday from 9 to noon. Or, bring them on Sunday, when you come to church. If you are stuck at home and have items to donate, email or call me and I will pick them up at your house.

Many Blessings to ALL of you,
Madeline Johnson    mad1240@comcast.net

7 Jan 2022

Worship services for week of January 9, 2022

by | posted in: Worship | 0

First Sunday after EpiphanyHello faith family! Sunday is the First Sunday after Epiphany – January 9, 2022, Year A. Services are held in-person with precautions and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe during this pandemic.

This Sunday marks Deacon Cecily’s last Sunday celebrating with St. Thomas’s faith family.  We will shower her with love and well wishes this week, and present her with cards and gifts. But, the real celebration will take place this summer, when we can gather in the Grove and really do it right.  Please let the Cana or Fr. Howie know if you are interested in joining the party committee.  

Worship this week:

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday!

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

7 Jan 2022

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for January 9, 2022

by | posted in: News | 0

Good morning faith family. See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for news and events information for the First Sunday after Epiphany – January 9, 2022, Year A. This week, you will find the announcement of Deacon Cecily’s retirement, an invitation to January Novel Theology, and a Covid-19 update from Bishop Kevin.

This Sunday marks Deacon Cecily’s last Sunday celebrating with St. Thomas’s faith family.  We will shower her with love and well wishes this week, and present her with cards and gifts. But, the real celebration will take place this summer, when we can gather in the Grove and really do it right.  Please let the Cana or Fr. Howie know if you are interested in joining the party committee.  

Some of our worship events are as follows.

Other events follow:

  • Sundays at 9 a.m. – Youth Confirmation in the Undercroft.
  • This Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. – Novel Theology will Zoom to discuss “The Runaway Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries in the Undercroft.
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

31 Dec 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for January 2, 2022

by | posted in: News | 0

Good morning faith family. See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for news and events information for the Second Sunday in Christmas and the week of January 2, 2022. This week, you will find the Epiphany chalk blessing, an invitation to January Novel Theology, and a message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Some of our worship events are as follows.

Other events follow:

  • Sundays at 9 a.m. – Youth Confirmation in the Undercroft.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries in the Undercroft.
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. – Novel Theology will Zoom to discuss “The Runaway Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini.

You will receive an emailed invitation to all the above events and their accompanying booklets. As always, there are copies available to be mailed, so please let me know if you’d like a paper copy.

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

Forward Day by Day booklets are available.  Please feel free to stop into the lobby for a copy, or let me know if you’d like one mailed out to you!  There are plenty in both large and small print.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

30 Dec 2021

Worship services for week of January 2, 2022

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Second Sunday of ChristmasHello faith family! Sunday, January 2, 2022 is the Second Sunday in Christmas. Services are held in-person with precautions and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe during this pandemic.

During the service this week, we will be blessing Epiphany chalk for “chalking your door.”  See the blessing for this tradition.  If you are not attending in-person this Sunday, there will be blessed chalk available next week Monday-Thursday from 9-noon or I am happy to mail some out to you.

Another note on the schedule: this Thursday is the last week that Deacon Cecily will be hosting Evening Compline Prayer. After her retirement, this weekly service will continue and be led by a member of our faith family.  So, if you want one last opportunity to participate in Deacon Cecily’s Evening Compline Prayer – this is your last week!  Look for your email invitation on Thursday evening.

Worship this week:

The Forward Day by Day booklets are available. Please feel free to stop into the lobby for a copy, or let me know if you’d like one mailed out to you!  There are plenty in both large and small print.

In this strange pandemic time, the church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to your church or online giving. See our Giving information.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday!

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644