16 Aug 2021

Children’s and Youth Ministry Activities

by | posted in: Children's Ministries | 0

Several of us have been working on a wonderful plan to start regular children’s and youth activities again with safety precautions in September 2021.  Last week, I emailed the parish two lists of supplies we need help with via a SignUp Genius list and an Amazon wish list. 

As a next step, I have three more invitations:
1)  If you are in 9th grade or above (including adults), please let me know if you are interested in helping to lead Children’s Ministry (ages preschool to 7th grade)
2)  If you are an adult, graduated from high school, please let me know if you are interested in helping to lead youth group activities.
3) If you are a youth in grades 6 to 12 or in college, please let me know if you are interested in being a member of the St. Thomas’s Youth Group steering committee, who will help with planning youth group activities for the coming year.

Thank you for all you do. I look forward to hearing from many of you!!

Blessings, Belinda Young-Payne 

16 Aug 2021

Children’s and Youth Ministry Parish-wide Project

by | posted in: Children's Ministries | 0

Greetings St. Thomas’s Family,

Our Children’s and Youth Ministries invite you to play a part in our rebuilding project. The Undercroft has been cleaned and refreshed. As a result of this effort, the majority of our supplies and furnishings were removed and need to be replaced. We also need a few extra things because we want to create spaces that follow COVID safety guidelines and that are mold resistant. If you are able to help us rebuild by purchasing something on the list or donating the item from your own supply, we would greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Belinda Young-Payne at belmar43@aol.com.

Please review the lists and sign up to donate if you can.  I have provided two links: one for a SignUp Genius list and one for an Amazon wish list.  Thank you for consideration of our requests. 

Blessings,Belinda Young-Payne

6 Aug 2021

Worship services for week of August 8, 2021

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Hello faith family!  Sunday, August 8, 2021 is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Here is Sunday worship service information:

We welcome a special guest preacher this week- it’s a young familiar face!  You won’t want to miss it.

Services will also be open to in-person worship with precautions. However, please do not feel pressure to return until you are ready; all services are available on our YouTube channel.  Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options.

Other worship this week:

  • Sundays from 10:30-11 a.m., Communion at the Curb will be offered for those who have not received the Sacrament in-person during the service.  You do not need to sign up for this.  ALL are WELCOME!
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on our YouTube channel and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.

See this week’s “Blessing” topic in the Praying Shapes Believing series that is included in the Worship Booklet.

The new 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

6 Aug 2021

COVID Policy Update July 31, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Dear St. Thomas’s Community,

With the rising Covid-19 case numbers in New Castle County, the Vestry would like to recommend that everyone over the age of 2, vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear a mask when they are attending services or other indoor activities at St. Thomas’s, effective immediately. This is not a requirement, but we strongly encourage it, along with maintaining a safe distance, hand washing, and staying home when you don’t feel well.

Unfortunately, the Delta variant of Covid-19 is extremely contagious, and we are learning that even vaccinated people can contract it and spread it if they aren’t wearing masks. Also, New Castle County is now an area of “substantial” transmission, which is when the recent CDC recommendation that vaccinated people wear masks kicks in.

Our few weeks of freedom were wonderful. We don’t like to be returning to restrictions, but it’s where we are right now and we must do what we can to protect ourselves and others, both individually and as a community.

During all children’s and youth ministries activities this year, we will be following COVID guidelines recommended by the diocese, the CDC, Christina School District, and St. Thomas’s precautions. We will choose the strictest guidelines. This means that masking is expected by everyone age 2 and older.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Connie Cooper
Senior Warden

6 Aug 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for August 8, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost and the week of August 8, 2021. This week, you will see a reminder for the Grove Gathering next weekend, see a note from our Senior Warden, Connie Cooper, regarding Covid safety precautions, and you’ll want to read the second page to find out who is the exciting guest preacher is for this Sunday!

  • Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 10 a.m., Sande Bloom funeral live at our YouTube channel and in-person with precautions.
  • We are in our new summer 2021 schedule of 2 Sunday services:
  • Sundays from 10:30-11 a.m., Communion at the Curb is offered for those who have not received the Sacrament in-person during the service.  You do not need to sign up for this.  ALL are WELCOME!
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on our YouTube channel and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • NEXT WEEKEND: Saturday, Aug 14, 2021 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Come to a gathering in the grove!  Mark your calendar for some fun and fellowship!

You will receive an emailed invitation to all the above events and their accompanying leaflets. 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.

The new 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

5 Aug 2021

Praying Shapes Believing: Blessing

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Fr. Howie is writing a series of “Praying Shapes Believing” articles that appear in our weekly Sunday worship bulletins. Whether it is your first time, or your thousandth, reading, reciting, and praying the traditional Rite II worship from the Book of Common Prayer, it is worthwhile to ask why. We will examine some of our prayers and collects to help us find more meaning and connection in the ritual. See all topics in the Praying Shapes Believing series.

Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.

What is it?

As the liturgy ends, the priest (or the Bishop when present) pronounces God’s blessing over the congregation.    

Why do we do it?

As the people leave worship, they are made aware that God’s blessing goes with them. This is always the case, but taking this message with them especially as they return to the cares and duties of the world reinforces the awareness of God’s presence in every moment of our lives.

What it says about God

God goes with us into every sorrow and joy.

God’s blessing is given freely to all, even to those who can’t or won’t ask for it.

Messages for how we live

Blessing may not prevent trouble, but it can transform how we perceive it.

Awareness of our blessedness is the beginning of a holy life.

For more – Read Matthew 5:3-12.  Which categories have you been in?  Did they feel “blessed?”

30 Jul 2021

Worship services for Sunday, July 25, 2021

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Tenth Sunday after PentecostHello faith family!  Sunday, August 1, 2021 is the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Here is Sunday worship service information:

Services will also be open to in-person worship with precautions.  However, please do not feel pressure to return until you are ready; all services are available on our YouTube channel.  Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options.

Other worship this week:

  • Sundays from 10:30-11 a.m., Communion at the Curb will be offered for those who have not received the Sacrament in-person during the service.  You do not need to sign up for this.  ALL are WELCOME!
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion suspended on July 28 and August 4, 2021. This service resumes on August 11, 2021.
  • Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.

See this week’s “Post-Communion Prayer” topic in the Praying Shapes Believing series that is included in the Worship Booklet.

The new 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

30 Jul 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for August 1, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost and the week of August 1, 2021. This is just a short little update with a SAVE THE DATE for a parish get-together on August 14, 2021 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  • We are in our new summer 2021 schedule of 2 Sunday services:
  • Sundays from 10:30-11 a.m., Communion at the Curb is offered for those who have not received the Sacrament in-person during the service.  You do not need to sign up for this.  ALL are WELCOME!
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., lectionary bible study in the classroom
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion suspended on July 28 and August 4, 2021. This service resumes on August 11, 2021.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 10 a.m., Sande Bloom funeral live on YouTube and in-person with precautions.
  • SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, Aug 14, 2021 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Com to a gathering in the grove!  Mark your calendar for some fun and fellowship!

You will receive an emailed invitation to all the above events and their accompanying leaflets. 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.

The new 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 Jul 2021

Intercessory prayer service update

by | posted in: Worship | 0

This is a reminder that there is no LIVE intercessory prayer service on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, nor is there one next week on August 4, 2021. This service will resume on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

For these weeks, please do pray over our parish prayer list. To view any of the past intercessory prayer services, please St. Thomas’s YouTube channel.  Do you have a favorite?

Here is an interesting article on intercessory prayer titled “Intercessory Prayer and the Butterfly Effect”, by Maria L. Evans, a surgical pathologist from Kirksville, MO, who writes about the obscurities of life, medicine, faith, and the Episcopal Church on her blog, Kirkepiscatoid

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

28 Jul 2021

Praying Shapes Believing: Post-Communion Prayer

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Fr. Howie is writing a series of “Praying Shapes Believing” articles that appear in our weekly Sunday worship bulletins. Whether it is your first time, or your thousandth, reading, reciting, and praying the traditional Rite II worship from the Book of Common Prayer, it is worthwhile to ask why. We will examine some of our prayers and collects to help us find more meaning and connection in the ritual. See all topics in the Praying Shapes Believing series.

Post-Communion Prayer

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee…

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us…

What is it?

After all have received Communion, the celebrant and people say a prayer, thanking God for the blessing they have received and asking for the inspiration to serve faithfully as God’s people in the world.

Why do we do it?

At the level of etiquette, saying thank you for what we have received is the least we can do; but these prayers have more than just the basic message of gratitude.  They also put in our mouths the intention to do “all such good works” as God has given us to do.  They are a promise that we will live gratefully.

What it says about God

God gives more than we could ask for, or give thanks for.

Messages for how we live

Faithful action is the sincerest form of thanks to God.

An “attitude of gratitude” is the path to Godly service.

For more – If you were to write a thank you note to God for what you have received in your life, what would you say?  Would it cover only the past, or also what you plan/dream of for the future?