14 Mar 2021

Outreach Ministry report for March 2021

by | posted in: Outreach | 0

HOPE DINING  ROOM

Our Hope Dining Room event is Monday, March 15, 2021 and we are set to prepare 44 meals. The numbers have gone down to between 36 and 40 people / day at Hope Dining Room. I take the leftover meals to the Newark Empowerment Center.

2  SAINTS BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The 2 Saints Book Group will start up a couple weeks after Easter, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. by Zoom. We will be discussing  “Holy Envy – Finding God in the Faith of Others”  by Barbara Brown Taylor, who is an Episcopal priest and who now teaches a class at Piedmont College in Georgia on the world’s religions. Order your book now, so you’ll be ready to chat about the first 3 chapters on April 20, 2021.

HOPE CENTER

I took 3 big boxes of children’s books and toys to the Hope Center and they were thrilled to get them.   

Madeline Johnson, Vestry liaison for Outreach

14 Mar 2021

Easter Flower 2021 dedications

by | posted in: Easter | 0

This year we will be accepting flower dedications, but it will be a bit different.  Your Memorial or Thank offering will go towards outdoor plantings.  One reason for this change is due to the pandemic; with less people attending in-person worship, filling the building with flowers for only one day wouldn’t serve the majority.  With plantings outside, everyone will have the opportunity to visit on their own time, and the beauty will grow throughout the season.  A secondary reason is to be kinder to the environment. 

You will still see lovely flowers around the altar on Easter 2021, either in person or on YouTube, but it will be less lavish than in past years.  However, when you visit the church building throughout the season, please take time to admire the outdoor plantings, and know that they represent some of our Thanksgivings and Memorials: Matthew 6:21:  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If you would like to make a dedication, you may do so directly using our online donation form.  Or, you may use this printable dedication form.  You may choose to mail it in or drop by the office (if I’m not in, please leave it in the box on the front of the office door).  I will have extra forms available on the bulletin board in the lobby.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this change.

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

12 Mar 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 14, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Happy Friday!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 14, 2021. In it you will find a reminder to SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING next Sunday, March 21, 2021 via Zoom at 11 a.m., info about adult education’s “Sacramental Life” 3-week series (March 7, 14, and 28, 2021) starting this week, and an update on our hugely successful blood drive.  Also, one of the Girl Scout troops who meets at our church building is having a Smile Drive for dental products for kids in need.  See also this year’s Holy Week schedule.

  • Sunday, March 14, 2021: Daylight Savings Time – SPRING AHEAD!
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10-10:45 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Novel Theology will discuss “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” by Deborah Meggoch
  • Sunday, March 14, 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)
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 5 p.m.: Lenten evening prayer, live on YouTube
  • 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
  • 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

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.

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

10 Mar 2021

Worship service for March 14, 2021

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Hello faith family!  March 14, 2021 is the fourth Sunday in Lent. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. (streaming and in-person) and 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 at 10 a.m., no sign up necessary.  Please wear a mask.
  • Novel Theology will discuss “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom.
  • Adult education “Sacramental Life” will continue with week 2 of the 3 week series “Sacramental Life” this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. via Zoom.  You will receive an email invitation. This is a 3 week series on March 7, 14, and 28.
  • Next Sunday is the ANNUAL MEETING from 11-12 noon live 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.

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

10 Mar 2021

Hope Dining Room – Monday, March 15

by | posted in: Service | 0

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

Monday, March 15, 2021 is our opportunity to serve lunch at Hope Dining Room! IF you are free between 10 a.m. and noon that day, we’d LOVE for you to experience the joy that it gives you to be part of a team that makes a simple lunch  for people who really need it.

We begin cooking at 10 a.m. at Kingswood Methodist Church in Brookside Park on Marrows Rd. We finish cleanup a little after noon. Only 5 masked-people are allowed in the kitchen at any one time. Here is the Sign Up Genius for the cookies, fruit and volunteers:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DACA72AAAFF2-hope7

You may drop off your donations of food at St. Thomas’s on Monday through Thursday between 9 and noon or Sunday morning, if you are coming to church.  If those times don’t work for you, give me a call and I will pick it up at your house.

MANY Blessings,
Madeline Johnson (mad1240@comcast.net)

9 Mar 2021

Community Blood Drive Tomorrow

by | posted in: News | 0

Hi faith family!  The community blood drive, here at St. Thomas’s, is tomorrow from 1-6 p.m.!  It is wonderful to be able to offer the use of the church building for this worthy cause. Thank you to those of you who have already signed up and/or passed this information along to friends and family.  Half of the appointments have been filled.

I’m asking that you let one more person know today.  If we all mention this to one more person, and even a fraction of those people sign up, it could equal over a hundred lives affected- just by your mentioning this to one person.  What if you told two people?

To care for the health and safety of our community, donations are by appointment, social distancing will be observed, and masks are required.

To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call 888-8-BLOOD-8 or register online. Thank you for your help with this effort!

This event is sponsored by St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish, Newark, Delaware and Blood Bank of Delmarva.

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

6 Mar 2021

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 7, 2021

by | posted in: News | 0

Hello faith family!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 7, 2021.  In it, you will find a reminder to SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING on Sunday, March 21, 2021 via Zoom at 11 a.m., info about adult education’s “Sacramental Life” 3-week series (March 7, 14, and 28, 2021 at 10:45 a.m.), Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 1-6 p.m.: community blood drive, by appointment starting this week, and Jill shares an update on our Tarbiyah outreach.  Eye Spy” shows growth of the Blue Hen Bounty (BHB) ministry. Do you have a favorite vignette you’d like to see and learn more about?

  • Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up
  • Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 10-10:45 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
  • Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: adult education “Sacramental Life” lead by Fr. Howie
  • Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 5 p.m.: Lenten evening prayer, live on YouTube
  • Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 1-6 p.m.: community blood drive, by appointment
  • Wednesday at noon: Intercessory Prayers with Holy Eucharist, live on YouTube
  • Thursday, March 4, 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
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021: Daylight Savings Time – SPRING AHEAD!
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 9 a.m.: Holy Eucharist, rite II with music, live on YouTube and in-person via sign-up
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10-11 a.m.: Communion at the Curb, in-person with a mask please
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Novel Theology will discuss “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” by Deborah Meggoch
  • Sunday, March 14, 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.

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

4 Mar 2021

Worship service for March 7, 2021

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Hello faith family!  March 7, 2021 is the third Sunday in Lent. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. (streaming and in-person) and 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.

Continuing this Sunday, morning 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.

At 5 p.m. on every Sunday in Lent, there will be evening prayers on our YouTube channel and here is the leaflet for this Sunday evening.  There are paper copies available to be mailed.  If you would like one, please let me know.  

  • Communion at the curb will continue this Sunday at 10 a.m., no sign up necessary.  Please wear a mask.
  • Adult Education will begin “Sacramental Life” this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. via Zoom.  You will receive an email invitation. This is a 3 week series available via ZOOM on March 7, 14, and 28 at 10:45 a.m.

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

4 Mar 2021

The Sacramental Life study series

by | posted in: Adult Education | 0

The Sacramental LifeThe sacraments are intended to tie together our life in the world and our relationship with God. In words and gestures, they represent and embody what we believe. So, it is well worth the time to think about what the sacraments are saying to and for us.

In this Lenten series, we will take a look at three elements of Christian practice that are among the faithful: baptism, Eucharist, and the rites surrounding death and burial. We will also review more briefly some of the other sacraments, including marriage, ordination, and unction.

This is a 3 week series available via ZOOM on March 7, 14, and 28 at 10:45 a.m.