8 Apr 2021

Worship service for April 11, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: Worship | 0

Second Sunday in Easter Hello faith family! Sunday, April 11, 2021 is the Second Sunday of Easter. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. via our YouTube channel and here is the 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.

If you missed any of the stellar offerings over Holy Week, please know that they are all available on our YouTube channel!

Continuing this Sunday, services will 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 YouTube. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options.

This Sunday, 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 Intercessory noon prayer will resume next week, April 14, 2021.
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., Novel Theology will meet to discuss “Dimity and the Heart of Gold” by Nancy Atherton

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

2 Apr 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for April 4, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: News | 0

Magnolia Tree Easter 2021 Happy Friday! Spring is in the air, and the gorgeous trees and plantings around the church building are beginning to bloom.

See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for Easter Sunday and the week of April 4, 2021. In it, you will find an excerpt from Bishop Curry’s Easter message, a reminder that Communion at the Curb will continue (extra long this Easter Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m.), and Eye Spy looks at The Stations of the Cross.

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Thomas’s. The Great Vigil of Easter. We will gather for the Church’s most solemn observance – waiting and watching for Our Lord’s resurrection. We will light the new Paschal fire, renew our baptismal promises, and make a joyful noise (get your bells ready!!!) Bishop Kevin will be joining us in-person and Rev. Elizabeth Masterson will be with us virtually.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 from 10-11:30 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Monday, April 5, 2021: The church office will be closed. Please contact Fr. Howie with any urgent needs. I’ll be back in on Tuesday!
Wednesday, April 7, 2021: no intercessory prayer service this week. Noon intercessory prayer will resume next week.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 1-6:00 p.m.: Community blood drive at St. Thomas’s. Call 888-8-BLOOD-8 with any questions and to schedule your appointment. It takes less than an hour to save up to 3 lives!!! Please help spread the word.
Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up
Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 10-11:00 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.: Novel Theology will zoom to discuss “Dimity and the Heart of Gold” by Nancy Atherton

Two Magnolia trees 2021 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. If you have anything to add to the calendar, or the Carpenter’s Helper, email the office.

The new Forward Day by Days 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.

One more note, for those of you that read down to the bottom of this email (I know I’ve sent about a million this week). I wanted to share how successful the Smile Drive was. The girl scouts reported that 644 oral care items were donated! Wow!! They are very grateful for our support, and look forward to more community outreach in the future. Thank you for helping these young ladies learn about outreach, and thank you for your donations that will help children all over New Castle County.

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

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

26 Mar 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 28, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday! See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 28, 2021. In it you will find a reminder for Easter flower dedications, a reminder to fill out the talent survey, an announcement for a second blood drive, as well as the schedule for Holy Week. Eye Spy looks at the Julian Porch.

Holy Week is a very spiritual time, with services each day. ALL are Welcome to join us for all of them, but in particular, I’m hopeful for a large number (in-person and virtually) at Saturday night’s Great Vigil of Easter (April 3, 2021 at 8 p.m.). Bishop Kevin will be joining us in person and Rev. Elizabeth Masterson will be participating virtually. Get your bells ready to make a joyful noise!!

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up. Palms will be available at the service, as well as, during curbside communion. I will also have several palm crosses available to pick up throughout the week, and for mailing.
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10-11 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Palms will be available at the service, as well as during curbside communion. I will also have several palm crosses available to pick up throughout the week, and for mailing.
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:45-11:45 a.m.: conclusion of the adult education “Sacramental Life” 3-week series lead by Fr. Howie (March 7, 14, and 28)
Check the schedule for Holy Week for a full listing of services. You will receive invitations to sign up for in–person attendance for each service the day before. Each service will still be available on YouTube. You can look for an email 15 minutes before each service with the leaflet and a link to the YouTube channel. Please note, Friday’s two services will be held at St. Nicholas.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up. Palms will be available at the service, as well as during curbside communion. I will also have several palm crosses available to pick up throughout the week, and for mailing.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 10-11 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Monday, April 5, 2021: The church office will be closed. Please contact Fr. Howie with any urgent needs.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 : no intercessory prayer service this week

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.

Forward Day by Days 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.

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

24 Mar 2021

Worship service for March 28, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: Worship | 0

Palm Sunday 2021 Hello faith family! Sunday, March 28, 2021 is Palm Sunday. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. via our YouTube channel and here is the service program that accompanies the worship service. There are paper copies available to be mailed. If you would like one, please let me know.

Continuing this Sunday, services will 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 YouTube. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options.

Communion at the curb will continue this Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10 a.m., no sign up necessary. Please wear a mask.
Also available at the curb this Sunday will be palms! There will be a number of palm crosses available to pick up or be mailed out as well. Please contact the office if you’d like one mailed to you.
Also, this Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:45 a.m., Fr Howie will conclude the 3-week adult education “Sacramental Life” via Zoom.

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

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

24 Mar 2021

Invitation to in-person worship for Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: Worship | 0

Good morning faith family. If you wish to attend in-person worship, please sign up for in-person worship for Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 9 a.m. As always, we will continue to stream each service on our YouTube channel. All are welcome; please worship in whatever way is comfortable for you.

I will be sending invitations to each day in Holy Week. You will receive the invitation along with a preview of the leaflet the day before the service. See the full schedule for Holy Week. If you have any questions, please let me know; others probably have the same question!

This Sunday, March 28, 2021 from 10-10:45 a.m., Communion at the Curb will be offered for those who have not received the Sacrament in-person during the service, ALONG WITH PALMS TO-GO. You do not need to sign up for this. ALL are WELCOME!
Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:45 a.m., Fr. Howie will conclude the adult education 3-week series titled “Sacramental Life”
Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 5 p.m., there will be Lenten Evening Prayer only on YouTube; not in person.

Please continue to share your impressions and ideas for both in-person and online worship. Your thoughts are appreciated!

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

19 Mar 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 21, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday! See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 21, 2021. In it, you will find a reminder of the two Lenten educational offerings, an appeal to complete the time and talent survey that was mailed earlier this week, as well as the schedule for Holy Week. Eye Spy looks at the devotional prayer candles.

Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up
Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 10-11 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 11 a.m.: St. Thomas’s 179th ANNUAL MEETING live via Zoom. The meeting will open around 10 a.m. for socializing.
Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 5 p.m.: Lenten evening prayer, live on YouTube. Here is the leaflet.
Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayers with Holy Eucharist, live on YouTube
Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11 a.m.: Lenten Adult Education study of Jon Mechams, “The Hope of Glory”, considering the last words of Jesus on the cross, lead by Fr. Bill. Email the office for a Zoom invitation.
Thursday at 7 p.m.: Evening Compline Prayers with Deacon Cecily, live via Zoom with leaflet
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up. Palms will be available at the service, as well as during curbside communion. I will also have several palm crosses available to pick up throughout the week, and for mailing.
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10-11 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:45-11:45 a.m.: adult education “Sacramental Life” 3-week series lead by Fr. Howie continues (March 7, 14, and 28)

You will receive an emailed invitation to all the above events except Fr. Bill’s study (you have to email a request for that one) 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.

The new Forward Day by Days 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.

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

17 Mar 2021

Worship service for March 21, 2021

by Joy Lynam | posted in: Worship | 0

5th Sunday in Lent Hello faith family! March 21, 2021 is the fifth Sunday in Lent. We will be streaming LIVE on our YouTube channel from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. (streaming and in-person) and will worship again at 5 p.m. (only streaming, no in-person) Here is the service program and the service program in large print for Sunday morning worship and here is the leaflet for Sunday evening. There are paper copies available to be mailed. If you would like one, please let me know.

Continuing this Sunday, services will 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.

Communion at the curb will continue this Sunday from 10:00-10:45 a.m., no sign up necessary. Please wear a mask.

Sunday is the ANNUAL MEETING from 11-12 noon live via Zoom. On Sunday morning, you will receive an email invitation just after 10 a.m. You can log in early to catch up. At 11 a.m., Fr. Howie will begin the meeting.

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

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

17 Mar 2021

Time & Talent 2021 Survey

by Joy Lynam | posted in: Stewardship Campaign | 0

10) Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. (11) If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11

In the fall of 2020, we asked you to be generous with your financial giving to our parish home, and you responded more generously than we could ever have anticipated. We are blessed in your love for this place, for each other and for the community around us. Thank you to ALL of you.

We now turn to the offerings of our time and talent. With suggestions from Vestry members as to where help is most needed, we have created pledge cards for adults for you to look and see where your talents can be put to use to serve our parish and our community. Please prayerfully consider where you are willing to serve and check all the areas that interest you most.

We also created a pledge card for our children to fill out. If your child(ren) is/are interested in helping, discuss this with them and then have them fill out the card and sign it. Having an adult sign indicates that the parent/guardian is aware of the commitment the child is making.

There are always ways we can help, some of them more physical than others. Our monetary giving only goes so far – and then we have to provide some elbow grease to make the work go more smoothly. All things in Love, includes our labor as well as our purse strings.

Please return these cards to St. Thomas’s – ATTENTION: Stewardship Committee – by April 11, 2021 if possible, and the appropriate ministry chair will be notified. You can mail or email your reply. Or, you can stop by the church building and leave them in the office. If Cana is not in, please use the wooden mailbox on the office door. Please contact Kristin Sausville or Helen Spence with any questions.

This is a parish that takes All Things in Love seriously, and we all benefit from that.

Sincerely,

Kristin Sausville
Stewardship Chair

16 Mar 2021

Job Opening – Sexton

by Joy Lynam | posted in: News | 0

Good afternoon. Many of you may be aware that after many years of loyal service, our sexton, has retired. This position has now been publicly posted and I’d like to share it with all of you to pass along as you see fit. Here is the job description. Please direct any questions or interest to Fr. Howie at howell.sasser.jr@gmail.com.

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

14 Mar 2021

Episcopal Campus Ministry March 2021 update

by Joy Lynam | posted in: ECM | 0

Episcopal Campus Ministry (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. For our first and second meeting of the month, some of us met in person to celebrate the beginning of the semester and get some housekeeping done for Blue Hen Bounty (BHB). We pulled out all the expired food and set it aside to be taken to the Newark Empowerment Center. Everyone wore masks and all safety protocols were strictly followed including completing the contact tracing form. Virtual participation was made available to those who could not attend in person. Madeline collected the items and delivered them on our behalf the very next day to the Empowerment Center.

Blue Hen Bounty (BHB) has continued serving the community during the pandemic with spectacular support from Cana, Amy and Teresa. Patronage dipped for a few weeks but has begun to pick up—aligned with campus move-in and the start of the semester. We continue to see patrons among staff as well students.

Amy has submitted our accounting for the CARES grant that we received from New Castle County and it has been received with thanks for the work we continue to do to serve our community. We were asked to include testimonials about BHB, which we did. We remain truly grateful for the incredible support ECM and BHB receives from our parish.

Brian, the Dean of Students liaison, has put his offer to help us supply students in quarantine with snack bags on pause as UD deals with an “unprecedented” surge of Covid positives among the students. We remain really excited about this opportunity and look forward to working out the details so we can support dorm-bound quarantined students with food and snacks

We are planning another joint meeting with the St. Thomas’s CREW on March 27, 2021. C.R.E.W. stands for “Christians Ready, Equipped, and Willing” and welcomes youth in grades 7 through 12. The meeting will start with an ice breaker provided by ECM followed by a joint presentation of the options of local charities by Madeline Johnson to anchor our discussions about the Vestry appointed one thousand dollars for external ministry. The greater part of the meeting however will be spent in a joint Stations of the Cross experience which will be virtual and in person. Sue and Sally made sure that ECM members received Stations of the Cross kits to take home—which we really appreciated! Special thanks to Sally for the cookies!

Amy, St. Thomas’s Treasurer, has offered to present a session on stocks, bonds and the exciting world of finance to ECM. This suggestion was enthusiastically embraced and will need to be scheduled soon.

Our first Delmarva Blood Bank drive will take place on March 10, 2021! ECM has been spreading the word and we hope that the event will be really successful. Please do not forget to make your appointment and tell your friends! A fellow nursing classmate of an ECM member will be volunteering to take temperatures and assist with hydration.

Our focus on explicit spirituality has begun in earnest with the official start of the Beatitude Devotional by Father Howie. We started the conversation about being poor or rich in spirit. Included in the first devotional was a list of some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We identified which gifts of the Spirit we saw and admired in others and which gifts we would like to cultivate in ourselves. After a robust discussion, we each chose a gift of spirit to focus on for the week—patience, understanding wisdom, piety etc. I look forward to next week when we will share how or if a greater awareness of this principle made a difference in our week as we continue to develop our relationships with God.

The University of Religious Leaders Organization (URLO) continues to meet roughly every two weeks.

With regards,

Denise Burgher
ECM Convening Graduate Advisor