See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of October 20, 2019.

Reminders: 

• Ladies’ Night Out is Friday at the Olive Tree Cafe at 6 p.m.
• Poet’s Corner is tomorrow, Saturday, at 4pm in the Nave.  “You REALLY do not want to miss this one. I previewed some pieces, and Miriam Sagan’s poetry reads like painting in the air with sensory memories and emotions (I realize that sounds very strange, but that’s the closest I can come to describing her sumptuous work).”  Thank you Devon for the introduction to her works.
• Please continue to pray for team #brownsvillelove in Texas this week.  They are observing, making connections, learning how we can best help, and COOKING FOR OVER 600 people!

See all Carpenter’s Helper newsletters and announcements.

For those who could not make it to Fr. Sasser’s installation as St. Thomas’s 22nd Rector on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, here are a few videos from the evening.

The Right Reverent Kevin S. Brown’s sermon – https://youtu.be/9mmsKLPa3xY

Presentation of gifts to Fr. Sasser – https://youtu.be/k8dnImJbAJQ

The Anglican Way is a six-week crash course in our:
History
Spirituality
Theology
Worship
Mission
Experience in America

The course takes place beginning October 6 through November 10, 2019, in the Parlor at 9:15 a.m.for an hour each week. This series serves as both a sort of inquirer’s class and a refresher course on who and why we are as Episcopalians and members of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Who or what is a prebend? Is is polite to tell a bishop that his/her rochet is showing? Are the hamburgers any good at the Court of Arches?

Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or have been around your whole life, it’s worth stopping to ask questions about who we are, why we do what we do, and what we believe. The Anglican Way will answer a few questions, look with fresh eyes at a few debates, and share the richness of our heritage. Join us to learn about theology, worship, mission, and even a few kinds and queens and rochets and prebends.

Everyone is welcome to attend this brief 6 week class. The bishop will be visiting our Parish again this spring for our Youth confirmation. At that time, adult confirmations and reaffirmations can be done. Wouldn’t it be a blessed sight to see a large group at the alter this year? Oh, the cake we could have!

But in all seriousness, this is a series for everyone; whether you are considering confirmation, or just want to learn more about this faith that we share. If you have any questions about confirmation or reaffirmation, please speak with Fr Howie.

This is the first series in St. Thomas’s offerings for the 2019-20 Christian Education Season.

On Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at 6 p.m., we will celebrate the installation of Father Howie Sasser as the 22nd Rector of our beloved Parish. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. Please mark this important event on your calendar and plan to join us at St. Thomas’s Church to welcome our new Rector.

The language of the church can sometimes be strange, and the term “installation ceremony” when used for welcoming a new priest is certainly one completely inadequate to describe the deeply personal and spiritual festival that involves all members of the church, some with “key” roles as they come one by one to present
the candidate with the tools of his work. The tools presented included a Bible, water, a stole, a Prayer Book, oil, a symbolic key to the church, the Canons and Constitution, and bread and wine.

The Celebration of New Ministry service is a cherished tradition of our church. The liturgy is from our Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical supplements. It is a time when the parish stands as a united community before the bishop to request that the new Rector be installed.

Fr. Howie has been with us for a short while now, but let us gather together at this blessing as we make it official. In the short time that he has been here, there has already been so much excitement: new educational programs and religious offerings, a push towards utilizing social media, literally pounding the pavement (in a race between services!) reaching out to our larger community, and of course his incredible sermons, that are now available on YouTube. Let’s make this an evening to remember.

Happy Fall Yall! (it’s official on Monday)  Please see this week’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter.  Just a few notes for this week:

• The Coffee Hour series starts THIS SUNDAY following the 10:30 service.  Dr Annemarie Carr will speak with us about her personal faith and about the Friends Movement.  Beverages and refreshments will be provided.  ALL are welcome; bring a friend!
• Poets Corner will pick up next Saturday, 9/28, 5-8pm in the sanctuary: Jane Miller is the first featured artist.
• Blessing of the Animals will take place on Sunday, October 6th at 2pm.  More information to follow; ALL God’s creatures are welcome to receive a blessing.
• Fr Howie’s installation will take place on Wednesday, October 9th at 6pm.  That’s right; we are making it official!  More information will be coming, but mark your calendar now.
• INSTAGRAM- we are excited to now have an Instagram account.  There are more details about this in the Helper.  Would you “follow” us, please, into this fun modern era?  This should be a great tool to widen our reach, and spread the #GoodNews.  

See all Carpenter’s Helper newsletters.