Good morning dear friends!  In the this week’s April 5, 2020 newsletter, you will see a list of online worship opportunities, similar to last week, as well as information about contemplative prayer and a special prayer from our parishioner Kate Burchess.  Also, did you receive the email with information about feeding the hungry in Newark?  Today, our first round of meals will be distributed: see more info in the Helper newsletter.

I’m thrilled that we are joining with our brothers and sisters at St. Nicholas for this whole Holy Week!  Palm Sunday will be LIVE from St Nicholas, and “drive-through” palm distribution will take place at both parishes.  Please look for a separate email with more details about palm distribution.

Also, big shout out to Belinda for making sure that Children’s worship continues…and for helping to set up a fellowship ZOOM meeting for our youth.  Please let me know if you have missed any of her communications and I’ll be happy to help you connect.

And finally, the Blue Hen Bounty is OPEN.  If you have a chance to spread the word, please do.  Our pantry is open to ALL college students with an ID – not just UD students.  So, if a student is unexpectedly “home” from their school elsewhere, we welcome them.  There is no paperwork to fill out or explanation necessary.  It is by appointment only by emailing bluehenbounty@gmail.com, by calling 302.368.4644, or by contacting Cana directly 302.354.3277.  Curb-side pick up is available for those practicing self-quarantine.

While Delaware remains under a “shelter in place” order through at least May 15, 2020 and services are broadcast on YouTube, please consider continuing your giving to St. Thomas’s Giving page.  Contributions can also be mailed to the church at 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE  19711.  The mail is collected daily so checks do not remain in the mailbox for long.

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

Good morning faith family!  Here is your leaflet for April 5, 2020 – Palm Sunday.

I’m feeling so filled with JOY because our two congregations are joining together for our Holy Week observances.  CHURCH is is about doing life together with other people, and CHRIST is at the center of that.

You will receive a reminder email on Sunday morning, but please plan to join us LIVE from St. Nicholas on YouTube at 9 a.m. for worship, Liturgy of the Palms, and Holy Eucharist. If you have not already done so, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit that notification bell (twice to receive notifications EVERY time) ? to receive alerts every time we go LIVE.

Drive-through palm distribution will take place at both St. Nicholas and St. Thomas’s.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

While Delaware remains under a “shelter in place” order through at least May 15, 2020 and services are broadcast on YouTube, please consider continuing your giving to St. Thomas’s Giving page.  Contributions can also be mailed to the church at 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE  19711.  The mail is collected daily so checks do not remain in the mailbox for long.

With a grateful heart,
Finance Committee

Greetings faith family!  This week’s newsletter talks about prayer; specifically, the cycles of prayer that are included each week in our Prayers of the People.

Additionally, you will see an invitation to join with many others lighting a candle in your window this Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 7 p.m. as a symbol of solidarity and thanks to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight.  We have invited our neighbors at St. Nicholas Episcopal Parish to join with us.

Please see the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 29, 2020.

Personally, I for one, am glad to have my prayer beads from our fun fellowship activity.  See prayer bead instructions.  If you do not have prayer beads, no worries. String some together, draw symbols on a piece of paper to follow along with your finger, make a log out of play dough and make impressions along it to keep your rhythm. Last week, I shared some news that brought a smile to my face, and many of you replied with your moments of joy. THANK YOU!  This week, I’m asking you to share your prayer ideas. I’m a craft lady, so of course, I think of making tangible prayer aids.  I look forward to your ideas!

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

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis have jointly called on Christians everywhere to say the Lord’s Prayer at noon (in their various time zones) on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, as a symbol of Christian unity.  We will do this at the Noon Eucharist and I invite everyone to do so wherever they may be at that time.

Please join us LIVE on YouTube for our service of Intercessory Prayer with Holy Eucharist. Here is the accompanying service program. Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you will never miss a LIVE presentation.

Peace and be well
Howie+
Rev. Dr. Howell Sasser, Jr., Rector

Greetings faith family!  I hope this finds you well.  It has been so beautiful to see everyone’s kindness and consideration during these unusual times.  With regular services suspended, we have had opportunity to learn more about using technology to stay connected.That being said, if you would prefer a printed copy of the leaflet, or carpenter’s helper, or of any of the worship materials, please let me know. I will do my best to print and deliver any requested materials.

WE are the CHURCH- so, while access to the building may be limited, our CHURCH is never closed!!!

See this week’s Carpenter Helper newsletter. In this week’s newsletter, you will find a list of resources for online worship, as well an invitation from Bishop Curry to his new series, “Habit’s of Grace”.
And, for those of you who have stuck around to the bottom of this email, let’s chat about some of the absolutely amazing things we have seen this week:

• Three words that have me floored: Italian.balcony.singing.  Videos of this phenomenon have me absolutely shook.
• The water has cleared and fish, swans, and dolphins have returned to the Venetian canals!
• And honestly, if you google “kindness stories from quarantine”, you can fall down a mushy and uplifting rabbit hole for hours!

Last week, I shared a favorite verse that has helped keep me calm and flexible.  And several of you replied with your favorite verses!  Thank you!  This week, share something that has made you smile: in person, or online, or maybe just an act of kindness that you heard about.

As the news of COVID-19 continues, I find it necessary to remind myself that If we keep God in the forefront of our minds, we will have perfect peace. Trust in Him brings the greatest peace. Then, once I feel more settled, I can be more flexible. 

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