4 Jun 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for June 6, 2021

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Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the Second Sunday after Pentecost and the week of June 6, 2021. In it you will find a reminder of the upcoming Summer Worship Schedule, a reminder that Communion at the Curb continues, and Eye Spy looks at a beautiful book. 

St. Thomas’s college-age group, Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM), is featured in The Net, the weekly newsletter from the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.  We congratulate them for winning the YoUDee Award Leadership Award for Outstanding Program. 

  • This Sunday, June 6, 2021, begins our new summer schedule of 2 Sunday services!
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person with precautions and online at YouTube (8:00 booklet)
    • 9:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person with precautions and online at YouTube (9:30 booklet)
  • This Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 10:30-11am, 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!
  • Monday, June 7, 2021, at 2 p.m., Bob Kortvelesy’s funeral.  All are Welcome in-person with precautions and via YouTube.
  • Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 1-6 p.m., community blood drive. Be sure to sign up for your appointment.  Please share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors.
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.

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

3 Jun 2021

ECM Report for April & May 2021

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ECM has continued to meet via zoom on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Shannon, our president, sends out the Zoom link and reminders are issued over email and GroupMe. Since we were heading into our last meeting of the year on May 16, 2021, I decided to collapse the monthly reports into one.

Blue Hen Bounty (BHB) has continued serving the community during the pandemic with spectacular support from Cana, Amy and Teresa. We continue to see patrons among staff as well students. April 2021 did not see much by way of anything very special but May 2021 was a month to remember!

We met at St. Thomas’s to decorate the BHB and ECM letters on April 18, 2021. Everyone present practiced strict Covid protocols and a good time was had by all. On May 2, 2021, we did not have ECM in order to give students the space and time they needed to honor their mom for Mother’s Day.

On May 5, 2021, BHB participated in IHeartUDay. BHB’s original goal was $1,200, which we doubled receiving just over $2,610, which will go towards supplementing the food items which are donated to BHB for our clients. A heartfelt thanks to all those who donated and forwarded the link to their contacts!

On May 13, 2021, Shannon Murray our wonderful president won a leadership award at the YouD22 Awards and BHB won for Outstanding In person Program!!! Please see video link for the award ceremony: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=179614600696315&id=50425394582  

On May 16, 2021, we had our last meeting of the year and we hosted a guest speaker Carly Timmons, via zoom, who shared the details of a Reading Assistant position at schools in Wilmington, Delaware. During our meeting we held elections and now have a new cohort of ECM leaders. Shannon has transitioned from President to Coordinator of BHB, Aly Hall is our new president, our new treasurer is Claire Wadman with Noah Farnsworth as backup. After a quick discussion and vote, we have decided to move our weekly meeting time back to Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.

On May 29, 2021, we participated in a joint celebration of the end of the year with CREW at St. Thomas’s and had so much fun!

We received a large donation of food from UDs Dining Services and anticipate another donation by the end of the first week of June 2021.

The University of Religious Leaders Organization (URLO) held its final meeting of the semester last week. Denise attends these meetings.

With regards,   
Denise Burgher
ECM Convening Graduate Advisor

3 Jun 2021

Request to refinish a bench or two

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Outside Bench in CourtyardThe Property Committee is looking for someone to refinish the benches shown in the photos on this page. These benches are outside the building under the entryway portico to the front door and along the grassy courtyard area in front of the church.

We would like to have the paint removed and the beautiful teak returned to its former glory with teak oil. The work could be done at St. Thomas’s or you could take them home to work on it in the convenience of your own home.

Outside Bench in CourtyardIf you are interested or have any questions, please Amy a note at iloveoregon@hotmail.com. Thank you for your consideration.

Amy Keach, Property Ministry

3 Jun 2021

Our Book of Gospels

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Gospel Book CoverThe reading of Holy Scripture reminds us of the historical and contemporary relationship we have with God. A Gospel Book, Evangelion, or Book of the Gospels (Greek: Εὐαγγέλιον, Evangélion) is a codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels of the Christian New Testament, centering on the life of Jesus of Nazareth and the roots of the Christian faith, and it is an important part of our worship.

From ancient times the gospels have been collected in a large book with an ornate cover, often illustrated and adorned with icons and jewels. In the Middle Ages, the production of copies of the Bible in its entirety was rare because of the huge expense of the parchment required. Individual books or collections of books were produced for specific purposes. From the 4th century, Gospel Books were produced for liturgical use as well as private study and as “display books” for ceremonial and ornamental purposes. The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 decreed that icons, crosses, and gospel books may be venerated as sacred images, just as the incarnate Christ is the image of the invisible God. This practice was recovered with the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which suggests that the lessons and gospel “be read from a book or books of appropriate size and dignity” (BCP, p. 406). Following this advice, several publishers have produced gospel books for use in the Episcopal Church.

Gospel Book CoverThe Gospel book at St. Thomas’s is often clad in gorgeous decorative fabrics. And this week will be no exception. Martha H. and Sue H. have worked together to reuse an older tapestry with amazing embroidery, golden ribbon details and plush blue velvet, that had been damaged by water. Together, they have designed this book cover, and multiple other altar pieces. You will get to see these beauties as we progress into Ordinary time.

As I was admiring the newly sewn book cover, I noticed the brass stand on which it sits. It is also a special piece, and looking closely, you can see an inscription. Now, this piece is quite old, and has been lovingly polished countless times so the text is a bit worn. What I can make out is, “To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of W.A. Hopkins, 1844-1898. Presented to St Thomas’ Parish by his wife, Easter 1902.”
Wow; 119 years ago! I haven’t been able to find any history on W.A. Hopkins, but I invite anyone to share what they know or can find. Isn’t it awesome to be a part of a church with such history!

Stand for Gospel BookWe treat these special objects with much care and respect because they help us connect to God: everything that helps us connect to God is worthy of respect. Appreciating these special historical glimpses of our parish renews our awareness that we are part of something much greater, not just globally, but historically. We are reminded that our parents, and grandparents, and ancestors are in communion with us through communion with God in worship, and that communion will continue from here to eternity. We warmly welcome everyone to be part of this great heritage of faith and love, because God loves us ALL.

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

2 Jun 2021

Praying Shapes Believing: The Prayers of the People

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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.

The Prayers of the People

Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications… In peace, let us pray to the Lord…

What is it?

The prayers of the people is a structured way of naming before God the cares and concerns and thanksgivings that we share as a community. In any one of many forms, it leads us to pray for the church, the world, our community, the sick and those in trouble, and the dead.

Why do we do it?

We are instructed to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17) and for all things (Philippians 4:6).  Praying together reminds us of the concerns we share and of the Christian assembly’s call to serve God in the world.

What it says about God

God is present in every condition and concern of our lives.

We consecrate the world by bringing its joys and sorrows into worship.

Messages for how we live

Living the faithful life means making everything we do a prayer.

For more – Have a look at the Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions of Men (BCP, Pages 814-815).  Overlooking the archaic language, what concerns do you find mentioned, and which would you add?

28 May 2021

Worship service for Sunday, May 30, 2021

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Hello faith family!  Sunday, May 30, 2021 is Trinity Sunday. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. via our YouTube channel and here are the accompanying service program and the service program in large print.

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

See this week’s “The Nicene Creed” topic in the Praying Shapes Believing series. Also, please note that we have updated our web address to StThomasNewarkDE.church.  The former address stthomasparish.org redirects you to the new address of StThomasNewarkDE.church.

  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 is the last Sunday for a 9 a.m. service.  Next week starts the Summer Schedule!
  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 from 10-11 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 YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.

Starting June 6, 2021, we return to two Sunday services: 8 a.m. – Rite 1 spoken and 9:30 a.m. – Rite 2 with music. Both services will be Live on our YouTube channel, as well as, in-person with precautions.  Communion at the Curb will continue after the 9:30 a.m. service.

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

28 May 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for May 30, 2021

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Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for Trinity Sunday and the week of May 30, 2021. In it you will find a reminder of the upcoming Summer Worship Schedule, a reminder that Communion at the Curb continues, and Eye Spy looks at Brood X. 

  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 will still be one service at 9 a.m., live on YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 from 10-11 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!
  • Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 10 a.m., 2 Saints Readers will continue to discuss “Holy Envy: Finding God in the faith of others” by Barbara Brown Taylor, via Zoom.  You can jump into the conversation, even if you missed a week
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying booklet.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying booklet.

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. 

Starting June 6, 2021, we return to two Sunday services: 8 a.m. – Rite 1 spoken and 9:30 a.m. – Rite 2 with music. Both services will be Live on our YouTube channel, as well as, in-person with precautions.  Communion at the Curb will continue after the 9:30 a.m. service.

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

27 May 2021

Praying Shapes Believing: The Nicene Creed

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.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth…

What is it?

The Nicene Creed is a statement of our faith drafted by the Council of Nicaea (in modern Turkey) in AD 325, and amended by the Council of Constantinople (Istanbul) in AD 381.  It has been a standard part of the worship of Eastern and Western Christian churches since that time.

Why do we do it?

The Creed is an outline of what we believe. Reciting it together reminds us of the “home base” from which our individual experiences of God begin. By putting some complex theological statements into the mouths of all believers, the Church emphasizes that knowledge of God is not just the privilege of experts.

What it says about God

The nature of God is a firm foundation in a world of changes.

God’s desire to be known engages the mind as well as the heart.

Messages for how we live

What we do is rooted in who – and whose – we understand ourselves to be.

For more – Have a look at the historical documents section at the back of the Book of Common Prayer, especially Pages 864-865.

21 May 2021

Worship service for Sunday, May 23, 2021

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Pentecost 2021Hello faith family! Sunday, May 23, 2021 is Pentecost! Get your RED outfits ready. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. via our YouTube channel and here are the accompanying service program and the service program in large print. There are paper copies available to be mailed. If you would like one, please let me know.

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

See this week’s “The Sermon” topic in the Praying Shapes Believing series. Also, please note that we have updated our web address to StThomasNewarkDE.church.  The former address stthomasparish.org redirects you to the new address of StThomasNewarkDE.church.

  • Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 10-11 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!
  • Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., Novel Theology will meet via Zoom to discuss Fly Girls by Keith O’Brien.  Reading the book is not required to participate in the discussion.
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying worship program.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying worship program.
  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 will be one service at 9 a.m., live on YouTube and in-person with precautions.
  • Sunday, June 6, 2021 begins our new summer schedule of 2 Sunday services:

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

21 May 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for May 23, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the Seventh Sunday of Easter and the week of May 23, 2021. In it you will find a reminder of the upcoming Summer Worship Schedule, a reminder that Communion at the Curb continues, an invitation to May Novel Theology, and Eye Spy looks at the color Red. 

  • Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 10-11 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!
  • Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., Novel Theology will meet via Zoom to discuss Fly Girls by Keith O’Brien.  Reading the book is not required to participate in the discussion.
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion, live on YouTube and in-person with precautions. Here is the accompanying worship program.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m.: Compline Evening Prayer with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom. Here is the accompanying worship program.
  • Sunday, May 30, 2021 will be one service at 9 a.m., live on YouTube and in-person with precautions.
  • Sunday, June 6, 2021 begins our new summer schedule of 2 Sunday services:

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. 

Starting June 6, 2021, we return to two Sunday services: 8 a.m. – Rite 1 spoken and 9:30 a.m. – Rite 2 with music. Both services will be Live on our YouTube channel, as well as, in-person with precautions.  Communion at the Curb will continue after the 9:30 a.m. service.

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