#SpiritSelfies for Pentecost 2020

posted in: Pentecost | 0

Happy Monday family!  Pentecost is a Sunday we all look forward to, and this year should be no different.  We are celebrating celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus.  Typically we come together waving streamers, processing, and picnicking in our fun RED clothes.

This year, we are getting extra creative in how we join together to mark this important event.  Here is your assignment: write in BIG LETTERS on a piece of paper – I SEE THE SPIRIT MOVING IN (fill in the blank).  It might be in your own life or in the world more broadly.  Then get dressed in something spirit-colored (red!) and take a selfie picture with the sign, and send it to Cana or Fr. Howie to be added to a photo-montage to be streamed during church on Pentecost.

It would be fun for couples and families to do this together, and those with pets to get them in the picture, too. We will try to work any other creative ideas.  If you just can’t decide on one, please feel free to send in multiple.  Anyone who needs technical advice or help can contact Fr. Howie or Cana at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or contact pretty much anyone under the age of 20, lol.  St. Nicholas will be joining with us to create this powerful testament.  ALL are Welcome!  Send pictures to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com by May 25, 2020.  

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com

Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) Report for May 2020

posted in: ECM | 0

O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succor. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1928 BCP, 45).

This prayer aptly captures much of what Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) continues to try to do during this Covid-19 season. As grace would have it, the students who are members of ECM are largely unaffected by some of the struggles other students have had to confront. As a result, we are not trying to support our students as they confront difficulties with food, housing or other challenges occasioned by the pandemic. Instead, we are supporting our students as they deal with the stresses of completing classes that rapidly went online, develop their own spiritual practices all while trying to navigate a rapidly changing environment from the familiarity of their childhood bedrooms.

To that end, we have continued to meet via, zoom where we check-in with each student and discuss what is going on in their lives and with their studies, the ways they are coping with the pandemic and working with Father Howie’s, St Thomas’s Virtual Lent Retreat text, Into the Desert.

Blue Hen Bounty (BHB) food pantry continues to serve the community and Cana, our Parish Administrator, (again!) helped BHB and the University of Religious Leaders Organization (URLO) by printing the labels for the organized Insomnia cookie drop to the International House.

We have one graduation coming up, Susan Zaccaria, who has served in leadership and on the E-board with ECM and is a key team member of BHB. Susan will be graduating from the UD School of Nursing (yea!!!). Susan will be sorely missed during weekly meetings and in indefatigable service with BHB.

Please do keep the members of ECM in your prayers as students move into Finals week with exams, papers and projects. This is an unsettled time for students and the necessity to continue to produce and meet expectations during this period of global instability is challenging.

God’s peace,

Denise Burgher
ECM Graduate Convening Adviser

Children’s Ministries at home for May 17, 2020

posted in: Children's Ministries | 0

Happy Sixth Sunday of Easter, Everyone, 

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

I hope this finds you and your family well and safe. I miss seeing you all but I know that our stay at home efforts are helping keep our communities safer.

I pray for all of you who are still working in the public, that God may keep you safe. I thank God for your dedication and service to your families and our community.  

This week, we continue with stories of Jesus’ appearances to his friends after his Resurrection. I have posted a lesson which includes the story of Jesus Appearance at the Sea of Galilee on YouTube.  Here is the link to that video:  https://youtu.be/1RszWylJcuA

The scripture for today, according to the Revised Common Lectionary, actually goes back a bit further and tells of Jesus’ promise to the disciples during the Last Supper that He will send the Holy Spirit to comfort them after he is “gone”.  I have attached a kid-friendly version of that scripture as well as activities that correspond to both stories. Please use what works for you and your family. There is something for everyone.   

Blessings,

Ms. Belinda, Children’s Ministries

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Worship Service on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Good morning faith family!  It’s wonderful to be worshiping together this morning! Please join us LIVE on YouTube for this morning’s service at 9 a.m.  May 17, 2020 is the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

Connect to our service at St. Thomas’s YouTube channel. Please subscribe and ring the notification bell (twice) so you never miss a presentation. Here is the service leaflet  that accompanies the service.

In this strange 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 page

As always, please share your thoughts. What did you find meaningful, and what suggestions do you have for the next service?  Thank you for all of the suggestions and comments sent- they are very helpful.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for May 17, 2020

posted in: News | 0

Hello faith family!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of May 17, 2020. In it you will find an update from our Bishop on reopening church buildings, as well as an interesting article on Julian of Norwich (for whom I believe the Julian porch was named?) who lived through the Black Plague.  This content was suggested to me by Kristin. Thank you so much Kristin!  Please let me know if you have suggestions for what should be in our newsletter by writing to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

I need your help. In two weeks, the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter will feature some of our parishioners academic achievements.  I’d also like to add a section featuring all of the educators as they certainly have had a year like no other, and we should celebrate their service.  Many have already sent in names and a few pictures of graduates.  Please continue to send them in, and also help me collect a list of educators by writing to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

This Sunday will be LIVE from St Thomas’s.  If you missed Wednesday’s worship service, you are in for a treat when you see the major camera upgrade!  All of your feedback helps as we continue to improve online worship.

Right after the service, Novel Theology will be meeting via Zoom at 10:15 a.m. Write to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com if you’d like the link.  The book this month is Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  Reading this book is not a requirement to participate in the discussion, but it is a great read and available for download!

Monday night at 6 p.m., we will have the second Ladies’ Night IN, via Zoom.  Ladies, write to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com if you need the link.  Last month was a hoot!  It was so wonderful to see faces and share laughs.  I can’t wait for Monday!

If there are any other groups who would like to meet virtually, know that I’m here to help.  Please send in those graduate and educator names and pics, and I’ll see you Sunday on YouTube!

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

Ladies’ Night IN on Monday, May 18, 2020

posted in: Women's fellowship | 0

This Monday, May 18, 2020 at 6 p.m., we will have another Ladies’ Night IN!  Ladies, please send email to the parish office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com requesting your ZOOM invitation.

I am looking forward to seeing your faces and sharing some laughs.  My wish is that in the next few months, we might be able to set up lawn chairs in the lawn, maybe 10 feet apart, and enjoy each other’s company in person.  Until we can safely meet in person, let’s plan to continue Ladies’ night IN once a month. ?

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Robert Bennett remembrance

posted in: News | 0

Robert Bennett who was a parishioner at St. Thomas’s was also a professor of English at the University of Delaware. The University posted a lovely tribute in his honor. He was a Shakespeare scholar, environmental activist, and a runner.

A celebration of Dr. Bennett’s life will be held at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church in Newark, to be announced at a later date. In the meantime we pray for the repose of his soul and for the comfort of Joan and the extended Bennett family. Even while we are apart, we hold one another in love and concern.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church or The Nature Conservancy.

Wednesday Intercessory Prayer service today at noon

posted in: Worship | 0

Hello friends! There will be an Intercessory Prayer service today, Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at noon. Please join us. The service will be LIVE on YouTube and here is the accompanying service leaflet for Wednesdays in Easter Season.

This is a quiet, spoken service of Intercessory prayer.

After today, our next LIVE worship service will be at 9 a.m. on Sunday.  By Friday, we will publish the Sunday leaflet for preview and email a reminder on Sunday morning a few minutes before the service. This Sunday’s worship service will come to you LIVE from St. Thomas’s this week!  

As we continue to improve the online service delivery, your feedback is needed.  Please share your thoughts and suggestions either in the live chat in YouTube or by sending email to the parish office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Let’s celebrate our 2020 academic accomplishments!

posted in: News | 0

We are drawing near to the close of the weirdest academic year I can think of.  2020 celebrations will certainly be different this year.  Can we include our faith family in these celebrations?  

Who has a child, or who themselves are accomplishing a milestone this spring?  Any graduation seniors?  Moving from elementary to middle school?  Completing a degree?  Please share!  Write to the Parish Office with a short description and a picture if you’d like.  

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11  

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Feeding the homeless

posted in: Outreach | 0

Dear Families of St. Thomas and St. Nicholas,

Our homeless friends are still being sheltered at the Red Roof Inn! Last Thursday, April 30, 2020 we handed out 40 turkey dinners. See our food assembly and volunteers! MANY thanks to Miss Belinda and Jill Jensen for the turkeys and cranberry sauce, and to David Payne for carving up all the meat! Also, many thanks to our WONDERFUL bakers for the homemade cookies and to all those who provided fruit, soda and lunch bags, prayers and funds! Special thanks to Teresa Coons for doing the dishes after we scooped out the hot stuff and took off to feed our friends! She stayed behind and cleaned up our mess!

Here is the plan for this week: Tortellini and meatball casserole with garlic bread and green beans. Below, you will find the link to the sign up genius. As always, only look at the black and gold part, the rest is advertising. If you would bring your items to St. Thomas’s kitchen on Thursday, May 14, 2020 between 2 and 4 p.m., that would be great.

MANY Blessings for your care for our friends,
Madeline Johnson