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

Hello faith family!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of May 17, 2020. In it you will find an update from our Bishop on reopening church buildings, as well as an interesting article on Julian of Norwich (for whom I believe the Julian porch was named?) who lived through the Black Plague.  This content was suggested to me by Kristin. Thank you so much Kristin!  Please let me know if you have suggestions for what should be in our newsletter by writing to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

I need your help. In two weeks, the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter will feature some of our parishioners academic achievements.  I’d also like to add a section featuring all of the educators as 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 by writing to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

This Sunday will be LIVE from St Thomas’s.  If you missed Wednesday’s worship service, you are in for a treat when you see the major camera upgrade!  All of your feedback helps as we continue to improve online worship.

Right after the service, Novel Theology will be meeting via Zoom at 10:15 a.m. Write to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com if you’d like the link.  The book this month is Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  Reading this book is not a requirement to participate in the discussion, but it is a great read and available for download!

Monday night at 6 p.m., we will have the second Ladies’ Night IN, via Zoom.  Ladies, write to StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com if you need the link.  Last month was a hoot!  It was so wonderful to see faces and share laughs.  I can’t wait for Monday!

If there are any other groups who would like to meet virtually, know that I’m here to help.  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

Robert Bennett who was a parishioner at St. Thomas’s was also a professor of English at the University of Delaware. The University posted a lovely tribute in his honor. He was a Shakespeare scholar, environmental activist, and a runner.

A celebration of Dr. Bennett’s life will be held at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church in Newark, to be announced at a later date. In the meantime we pray for the repose of his soul and for the comfort of Joan and the extended Bennett family. Even while we are apart, we hold one another in love and concern.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church or The Nature Conservancy.

We are drawing near to the close of the weirdest academic year I can think of.  2020 celebrations will certainly be different this year.  Can we include our faith family in these celebrations?  

Who has a child, or who themselves are accomplishing a milestone this spring?  Any graduation seniors?  Moving from elementary to middle school?  Completing a degree?  Please share!  Write to the Parish Office with a short description and a picture if you’d like.  

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11  

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Hello faith family!  See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of May 10, 2020.  In it you will get to see some photos of the amazing work that is being done within our parish to feed Newark’s less fortunate. 

You should have received an email invitation to Novel Theology’s May meeting.  It is Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 10:15 a.m.  Please let me know if you have any questions or need the invitation resent.  The book looks great, and is available as a download.  Reading the book is not required to participate in the discussion; ALL are Welcome!

Please send me your stories, ideas, and pictures to share in the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter.  We would all love to get some glimpses of the many God moments that are happening.  Also, please let me know about meetings that you would like opened up to our faith family.  Is there an online performance that you are a part of, or have you made some art that you would like to share?

How cute are the pictures of our pets on Instagram and Facebook this week; national pets week?  Thank you for sharing!  It was so fun to see some of the friendly faces that we met at last year’s blessing of the animals.  

Have you been spending some extra time in the kitchen this spring?  I know I have been.  Would you be willing to share a recipe that you have enjoyed and/or a picture of something that you have made?

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

Fr. Bill Lane. St. Nicholas, will be hosting a bible study on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. via Zoom.

To get an invitation to this Zoom meeting, email Fr. Lane by Tuesday, May 5, 2020 evening at  wmblane@gmail.com.  Reaching out to Fr. Lane assures that he has your contact information to keep in touch regarding any changes and future meetings.  Because of security concerns with Zoom, he chooses not make a general distribution of the ID and password.

If you have any questions about this Bible Study, please contact either Parish Office at St. Thomas’s or St. Nicholas.