2 Oct 2020

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for October 4, 2020

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Hello faith family!  I hope this finds you all well.  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of October 4, 2020.  In it, you will see an invitation to an outdoor movie screening for John Lewis: Good Trouble, as well as get an exciting update on ECM (Episcopal Campus Ministry).  The annual Blessing of the Animals will take place next Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Grove.  See the attached flyer, the Facebook event, or contact the office for more info.

This week, we will have our 3 regular services, as well as continuing the Christian Education season and the animal blessing:

ALL are Welcome!  Please let me know if you’d like a paper copy of any of the leaflets mailed to you.  Here is a link to sign-up for in-person attendance for this week, 9/20/20.  Please do not feel pressure to return to the church building until you are comfortable.  We may be in different locations, but we are celebrating TOGETHER.

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. 

Please let me know if you have any meetings – virtual or otherwise – that you would like to have included on the Parish calendar.   

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

30 Sep 2020

Episcopal Campus Ministry Fall 2020 update

by | posted in: ECM | 0

ECM campfireEpiscopal Campus Ministry (ECM) for college-age students at St. Thomas’s is alive and well during these strange times. These amazing young adults are really showing their flexibility and commitment.

On Friday evening, they gathered in our Grove for some Fun and Fellowship. This was in place of the traditional hayride and bonfire at Milburn Orchards, which we look forward to continuing once conditions permit.

Their food bank ministry, Blue Hen Bounty, a food pantry that provides supplemental nutrition to University of Delaware students who are food insecure and cannot provide ample nutrition for themselves, continues to serve and grow. Efforts continue to advertise this resource. The college students who visit the pantry are of all ages and walks of life, and all are grateful for the assistance. As the motto goes: taking care of the rest, so you can be at your best.

ECM campfireRecently, ECM applied for funding from the CARES Act, and was awarded $10,000. It’s overwhelming to think of all the good that money will do for our community, and all of the students who will be helped.

Please keep these youths in your prayers, as they continue to let their lights shine in our community and in the world.

25 Sep 2020

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for September 27, 2020

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Hello faith family!  I hope this finds you all well.  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of September 27, 2020. In it we honor the memory of a brave pioneer and get excited for the new season of Christian Education, beginning this Sunday.

This week, we will have our 3 regular services, as well as the start of the Christian Education season:

  • Sun., Sep. 27, 2020 at 9 a.m. – Worship Service, Rite II with music LIVE on YouTube and in-person. Sign up for in-person attendance.
  • Sun., Sep. 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. – Christian Education via ZOOM and in-person
  • Wed. noon – intercessory prayer LIVE on YouTube a leaflet for Pentecost.
  • Thurs. at 7 p.m. – Compline evening prayers with Deacon Cecily via Zoom.  ALL are Welcome.  Let me know if you need a Zoom link for this calming and prayerful end to the day.
  • Fri.. Oct. 2, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. – Youth (grades 6-12) get-together in the Grove (details coming soon!)
  • Sun., Oct. 4, 2020 at 9 a.m. – Worship Service, Rite II with music LIVE on YouTube and in-person.
  • Sun., Oct. 4, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. – Christian Education via ZOOM and in-person  

ALL are Welcome!  Please let me know if you’d like a paper copy of any of the leaflets mailed to you.  Please do not feel pressure to return to the church building until you are comfortable.  We may be in different locations, but we are celebrating TOGETHER.

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. 

Please let me know if you have any meetings – virtual or otherwise – that you would like to have included on the Parish calendar.   

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

24 Sep 2020

Worship service for September 27, 2020

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Pentecost 17Hello faith family!  I hope this finds you well.  Sunday, September 27, 2020 is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. as well as worshiping in person. On Sunday, connect to our worship service at St. Thomas’s YouTube channel – this is the same link each week. Please subscribe and ring the notification bell (twice) so you never miss a service. Here is the accompanying  service program,  and the service program in large print. There are paper copies available to be mailed.  If you would like one, please let me know. 

Beginning this week, you will see our prayer list back in the Sunday leaflet. Please take a moment to look over this list and send me any updates or additions. These names are read aloud and prayed for each Wednesday at the service of intercessory prayer and sharing this list each week gives us all the opportunity to participate.

Following the service, the Christian Education seasons begins at 10:30 a.m. with a 4-week course “What we believe, What we share”, comparing religions.  This will be held in-person in the church building, as well as, on Zoom.  All are WELCOME.

Yesterday, I emailed an invitation to in-person worship for this Sunday with a link to a sign-up genius.  Here is the FAQ about the precautions and procedures for doing so safely.  Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about this option. Each service will continue to be streamed, and I suspect many of us will still be participating from home.  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.

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. 

See past sermons or bulletins on our Recent Sermons page.

I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday!   

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

24 Sep 2020

Christian Education season starts this Sunday, Sep. 27, 2020

by | posted in: Events | 0

The Christian Education season starts this Sunday, Sep. 27, 2020, and it looks fascinating!

Comparing Religions CourseSunday, Sep. 27, 2020 officially kicks off our Christian Education season here at St. Thomas’s.  We are beginning with a 4-week series on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. “What we believe, What we share” is a short course comparing religions.  This will be offered via Zoom and in-person in the church building with social distancing. The dates for this series are Sundays Sep. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, and Oct. 18, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

This four-session course will cover the theologies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, using a comparison with Christianity as a way of pulling the threads together. Our goal will be to see how the major faith traditions approach the same questions- creation, sin, eternity, and the righteous life. Come learn what we have in common, how we see the world, and maybe even what others can tell us about our own faith.

Please use the following iCalendar (.ics) link to add this event to your calendar: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZEpdu-trj4vHNQf1BX8lhpOR3of2fdrkSje/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGtqjosH9SQtR-HRpwMBoj4M-_ziCVYgo1smk7HO3hfahPZBLFNNOB5FMrb

Following this series, on November 4, 2020, our own Connie Cooper will tell us the story of St. Thomas’s Parish and its work in Newark. 

This year’s schedule looks phenomenal.  See the 2020-21 Christian Education program in its entirety.

I will be sending an invitation this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. with the link.  If you have questions about the upcoming 4-week course or any of the educational offerings, please contact the office or Fr, Howie.

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

22 Sep 2020

Youth Back to School Check-in

by | posted in: CREW | 0

HI EVERYONE!!
(If you have already graduated high school, please pass this message on to someone in grades 6 to 12)

You are cordially and enthusiastically invited to a St. Thomas’s Youth Back to School Check-In. It’s a been a while since we have been together but I have not for even one day stopped thinking about you all and praying that you were well and safe. I can’t wait to hear what you have all been up to. Lots of changes in my life and in our church. I’ll bet there have been some in your life too. 

With that being said, I hope you will meet me on Zoom next Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at noon for our first CREW check-in of the 2020-2021 year. C.R.E.W. stands for “Christians Ready, Equipped, and Willing” and youth in grades 7 through 12 are encouraged to join us!

It’s time to check in  with each other, tell everyone how you are doing, how school is going, how your family is, etc, etc,……. and give the grown ups some ideas and feedback about what you all want to do this year. Also, find out when we will have our first in-person gathering in the Grove!

—Ms. Belinda

19 Sep 2020

What we believe, what we share education series

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Comparing Religions CourseA short course comparing religions will cover the theologies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, using a comparison with Christianity as a way of pulling the threads together. Our goal will be to see how the major faith traditions approach the same questions of creation, sin, eternity, and the righteous life.

Come learn what we have in common, how we see the world, and maybe even what others can tell us about our own faith. This series will take place in-person and via Zoom.

Dates are Sundays Sep. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, and Oct. 18, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

19 Sep 2020

Children’s/Youth Ministries feedback for 2020

by | posted in: Children's Ministries | 0

A group within our parish has been working hard to put together a youth and children’s worship and Sunday school program for this unprecedented season of Covid-19, and create a solid structure to carry us forward into the future.  We are asking for your input.

Adults and youth ages 12 and up — we need your input on the future of Children’s and Youth Ministries at St. Thomas’s during the pandemic and beyond! Please take our survey by Friday, Sep. 25, 2020. Your opinion and ideas are wanted! 

Not to be too corny, but it’s true: the children are our future. A Sunday school program is important to fostering that future. Youth can not only learn about God and the faith, but they also find mentors, meet friends, form good habits, and foster a feeling that they are loved and valued members of our faith family.

This survey is not only for adults, but also for youth ages 12+. It will help to build a program where our kids can explore the biblical stories, and connect God’s story to their own.  Even if you have no children, and zero interest in teaching- your viewpoint is important!  It takes less than 5 minutes.  Please take this survey to help grow and strengthen our faith family!

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

19 Sep 2020

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for September 20, 2020

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Hello faith family!  I hope this finds you all well.  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of September 20, 2020.  In it, you will read about “Sea Sunday”, and receive an invitation to participate in the children and youth program survey. Please participate!  Your opinion and ideas are wanted!  And finally, on a third page there is a flyer for the Hope Dining Room fundraiser at Boscovs store on Oct 14 and 15, 2020.

This week, we will have our 3 regular services, as well as a memorial service:

  • Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. – Harmon Banning memorial live on YouTube and here is the leaflet.
  • Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. – Worship Service, Rite II with music LIVE on YouTube and in-person. Sign up for in-person attendance.
  • Wednesday noon – intercessory prayer LIVE on YouTube a leaflet for Pentecost.
  • Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline evening prayers with Deacon Cecily.  ALL are Welcome.  Let me know if you need a Zoom link for this calming and prayerful end to the day.
  • Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 9 a.m. – Worship Service, Rite II with music LIVE on YouTube and in-person.

ALL are Welcome!  Please let me know if you’d like a paper copy of any of the leaflets mailed to you. Please do not feel pressure to return to the church building until you are comfortable.  We may be in different locations, but we are celebrating TOGETHER.

Ladies – I need to apologize.  I have not organized a ladies’ night out/in for September.  I know how special and wanted these get-togethers are.  Please send me your thoughts and ideas for October!  Zoom?  Rent out a movie theater (I did this with the kids for $15 total)?  Show a move in the great hall with social distancing?  Bonfire in the grove or my backyard?  Attempt one of the Newark Al Fresco dining nights?  Mini Golf at the waterfront?

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. 

Please let me know if you have any meetings – virtual or otherwise – that you would like to have included on the Parish calendar.   

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

16 Sep 2020

Worship service for September 20, 2020

by | posted in: Worship | 0

Pentecost 16Hello faith family!  I hope this finds you well.  Sunday, September 20, 2020 is the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. On Sunday, connect to our worship service at St. Thomas’s YouTube channel – this is the same link each week. Please subscribe and ring the notification bell (twice) so you never miss a service. Here are Sunday’s  service program  and the service program in large print. There are paper copies available to be mailed.  If you would like one, please let me know.  

We will be streaming LIVE from St. Thomas’s at 9 a.m. Yesterday, I emailed an invitation to in-person worship, for this Sunday with a link to a sign-up genius.  Here is the FAQ about the precautions and procedures for worshiping in-person safely.  Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about this option. Each service will continue to be streamed and I suspect many of us will still be participating from home.  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.

This week we are recognizing Sea Sunday.  Here is a link to a beautiful seafarers video, showing the sacrifice these seafarers make as they play a vital role in the fight against COVID-19. They’re not just keeping our supermarket shelves stocked through the crisis, but they’re also transporting PPE and vital medical equipment to keep the world safe.  Please keep these brave men and women in your prayers this week.

Along those lines, beginning next week, you will see our prayer list in the Sunday leaflet. 

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. 

See past sermons or bulletins on our Recent Sermons page.

I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday!   

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