19 Jan 2020

Carpenter’s Helper news for the week of January 19, 2020

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Happy Friday faith family!  Most of us have a 3 day weekend, in honor of MLK Day on Monday.  The church office will be closed, so that the kiddos and I can dig into some service projects on our day “ON” (not the day “off”).  There are a few opportunities to honor MLK day over the long weekend in this week’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter.

Just a few reminders this week:

  •  Ladies’ Night Out on January 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Iron Hill Brewing Co in Newark.
  • Vestry is meeting this Sunday, and they will also be hosting Coffee and Fellowship hour.  This is a wonderful opportunity to speak with them, ask questions and make suggestions.  Also, vestry nominations are coming up.  If you have questions about this calling, this is a perfect time to ask!
  • The Novel Theology group will be meeting this Sunday at 9:15 a.m. to discuss “An Irish Country Love Story” by Patrick Taylor.  ALL are welcome to attend, even if, like me, you might not finish this juicy read in time.
  • ECM (Episcopal Campus ministry) Spring session dinner sign up is posted in the lobby. Our ECM college-age parishioners have been doing a tremendous job this year growing our Blue Hen Bounty, and will continue this important work all Spring. Let’s support them with some delicious sustenance by volunteering to bring dinner. They truly appreciate a home cooked meal and your company. However, a delivered pizza is always a hit!
  • Sunday Flower dedication sign up for 2020 is also posted in the lobby. This is a beautiful way to honor loved ones, and can be in memory of or in thanksgiving for.  Flowers can also be dedicated in honor of a place or event special to you.
  • Mark your calendar now: Sunday, February 9, 2020 for our Coffee Hour Event on  Prayer Beads – touching holiness.  More information to come soon.

  See all Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

19 Jan 2020

Children’s Ministries news for January 19, 2020

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On Sunday, January 19, 2020, Second Sunday of Advent, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m. Thank you to the Quinones Family for hosting this week. Don’t forget to sign up for your turn by using this link:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we wonder about the Good Shepherd in the PreK-K classroom and as we  explore the different names and titles for Jesus, the Lamb of God in grades 1-6.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Director of Children’s Ministries

15 Jan 2020

Ladies Night Out Winter-Spring 2020

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St. Thomas’s Ladies would love to have you join us for a night out to dine, relax and visit. We will be meeting for the next several months on the 17th at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17, 2020: Iron Hill Brewery – Main Street Newark
Monday, Feb. 17, 2020: Court Yard Marriott on Rt. 896
Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2020: Blue Crab Grill – Suburban Shopping Center
Friday, Apr. 17, 2020: Applebees Bar & Grill – Suburban Shopping Center

10 Jan 2020

Bread Baking Guild

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There has been home baked bread when the people of St. Thomas’s gather around the 10:30 a.m. communion table since the early 1980s.The recipe we use was developed by a former parishioner and has rarely been altered since then.

The recipe is very accessible for experienced bakers as well as folks who are learning how to make bread.The tools used are also easy to come by.Most of them are probably already in your kitchen.

Our bakers range in age from 6 to 80+. We welcome everyone who is interested in learning how to produce the loaves for the congregation.We will even offer instruction if necessary.We’ll also supply the cutters to make sure the loaves are always the same size and shape.

If you’re interested, speak with Fr. Howie or Sally Price.ALL are Welcome to join in this important ministry!

10 Jan 2020

Carpenter’s Helper news for January 12, 2020

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Good morning!  Happy Friday!  Please see the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for this week.  I have received only positive feedback regarding having these available electronically via email and also through our website.  Also, please keep in mind that there are still paper copies available in the Great Hall by the name tag station, for you to take home if you wish.

There are a few “extra” events coming up to put on the calendar:

  • This Sunday, January 12, 2020, at 9 a.m. between services, please join the Finance committee for Doughnuts and a finance update. They want your input! Please attend; we are all partners in Stewardship.
  • There will be Holy Baptism at the 10:30 a.m. service!  I’m so excited to welcome another member fully into our faith family!
  • Youth CREW (“Christians Ready, Equipped, and Willing”) is hosting an outing to a UD Basketball game at 1 p.m.  Please contact Belinda if you are interested.
  • This Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at noon, starts a NEW SERVICE of Intercessory Prayer with Holy Eucharist. Please come by if you are able, to pray for the needs of the Parish, our Hearts, and the World.
  • Novel Theology is meeting next Sunday, January 19, 2020, to discuss “An Irish Country Love Story” by Patrick Taylor.  There is still time to check out this good read, however reading is not required to attend this discussion.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

9 Jan 2020

Christian Education for Winter / Spring 2020

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The Christian life is a source of endless fascination. Just when we think we have seen and heard everything it has to offer, something new turns up. Committing to a life of learning and growing in the faith is an excellent way to make sure there is always enough fuel in the spiritual tank.

Ask, Seek, Knock from Matthew 7:7-8
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

All events are open to the public and are held at St. Thomas’s Parish, 276 S. College Ave., Newark Delaware 19711. See our web site at stthomasparish.org for more information and updates. Questions? Call the Parish Office at (302) 369-4644,

Lecture Series

An Absurdly Short History of Christianity
Six-Week Series on February 16 and 23 & March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

Who invented church? How did we go from a few fishermen to billions of faithful people? And, what relevance can the church have in a time when belief seems to have become a dirty word? In six sessions, we will follow the development of the Christian Movement from the time of the Apostles to the Electronic Age.

Along the way, there will be a few heretics and councils, but we will also talk about how our past shapes us and what we believe. Come along for new insights on familiar stories and maybe some new information too.

Guest Lecturer at noon

Prayer Beads: Touching Holiness on February 9, 2020

Most of us know about rosaries and how they are used in prayer, but there are many practices (in many faiths!) that incorporate beads as a way to connect the spiritual with the physical. This session will suggest a few prayer techniques you might try, but will also be hands-on. Beads and stringing materials will be provided and a knowledgeable beader will be on hand to guide us in making our own aids to prayer.

Faith and Fear: A Primer on Sentencing Reform on March, 29, 2020

Mandatory minimum sentences, “three strikes” laws, and the war on drugs. These and other social forces have combined to fill our prisons beyond their intended capacities. These are places that most faithful people rarely see of even think about. And yet our faith calls us to a special concern for prisoners. This session will give us an update on current conditions and future possibilities.

5 Jan 2020

Children’s Ministries News for January 5, 2020

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This Sunday, January 5, 2020, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Great Hall classroom at 9:30 am. Thank you to the McGough Family for hosting this week. (Don’t forget to sign up for your turn by using this link:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we conclude the cycle of nativity stories, combining the prologue to the Gospel of John with the story of Epiphany, inviting children to offer, with the kings, gifts for the infant Jesus.

Later in the day, join me and my family at 5 p.m. for St. Thomas’s Epiphany celebration.The evening will include Worship, Celebration, Potluck dinner and Burning of the Greens. Ham and pasta will be provided. If you want to contribute, please bring a side dish or dessert to share. And, please feel free to bring a friend or neighbor. Or just bring yourself!   

I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Blessings,Belinda Young-Payne, Director of Children’s Ministries

5 Jan 2020

First Sunday offering for Rector’s discretionary fund

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Don’t forget this Sunday is the first Sunday of the month so all loose plate (non-pledge) cash and checks are earmarked for the Rector’s discretionary fund.  The discretionary fund provides resources for Father Howie to help our friends and neighbors in need. Donations can he made anytime during the month by writing “discretionary fund” on your check or giving online at www.stthomasparish.org.  Grocery and gas cards are also helpful.