Dear Friends,

One of the things lost in our technical problems this morning was a chance to pray together about the events that have rolled across our television screens in the past few days.  As Christians, that should be our first instinct – to pray for the dead, for the living, and for the justice of God that we are told will roll down like waters.  

George Floyd and Derek Chauvin – we must say their names, make them real – collided in a way that cannot have any place in the heart of a follower of Jesus.  By one man’s action, the image of God was vandalized in both of them in those moments.  For the one, we pray for peaceful rest.  May his soul find perfection in the presence of God, and the honor as a child of God that he was denied in his last moments.  And for the other, we pray for a turning of his heart, honest repentance and acknowledgment of the terrible consequences of the power he chose to claim. 

In the days since, we have seen anger flow out of houses and apartments – places of isolation in recent times – and into the streets.  The anger is righteous, but the way it mutates into further violence risks the loss of additional lives, which can only compound the injustice it is trying to bring to an end.  As of when I write this, it appears that two people have been killed in the riots in Minneapolis.  That is already two too many – let us pray there are no more.

Too often, events of this kind seem to leave us having learned little.  I ask you to renew your prayers that we as a society will have a turning of heart, that the horror of the scenes played and replayed on television screens all across the United States (and, to our shame, around the world) will awaken in us a new will to work for justice.  Perhaps by the grace of God, anger will lead to constructive change and confrontation to understanding.

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God’s peace to you all
Howie+

The Reverend Dr. Howell C. Sasser, Jr., Rector
StThomassRector@googlegroups.com

Hello faith family! See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of May 24, 2020.  In it you will find the most recent message from our Bishop on reopening church buildings. Next week the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter will feature some of our congregations academic achievements.  I’d also like to add a section featuring all of the educators – 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. Please let me know if you have suggestions for what should be in our Helper. The Diocese of Delaware weekly newsletter called The Net, is always interesting, but I especially enjoyed this week (children’s worship, the fashions Jesus may have worn, and much more).

I have only received a handful of #SpiritSelfies.  Please send them in ASAP.  I’m willing to come and snap the selfie (from 10′ away with a mask) if you’d like.  I’d welcome the excuse for a quick visit!

Two dates to add to your calendars: Deacon Cecily will be offering Compline every Thursday, beginning June 4, 2020 at 7 p.m.  I will be sending info about a Zoom link and leaflet for this service early next week. And, on Sunday, June 7, 2020,  we will join with most other churches in the diocese to “attend” the Bishop’s livestream service. So, there will not be the usual 9 a.m. worship service at St. Thomas’s. Details about time and how to connect to the Bishop’s service will follow shortly.   

If there are any groups who would like to meet virtually, know that I’m here to help.  I have a Zoom account I’m happy to share, but also would be interested in exploring Facebook Rooms or any other meeting tool. 

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