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!

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

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.

Carpenter’s Helper news for January 5, 2020

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Happy 2020!  A new year gives us all the opportunity to make adjustments to align ourselves with our goals, and to reexamine our goals.  One of my goals is to be a better creation steward.  I pray to be made aware of small adjustments that can add up to significant change.

So, to that effect, this week I will not be printing out 120 Helpers to put into all of the leaflets.  I am sending this electronic link, and will have copies available in the Great Hall and lobby.  Please give me your feedback!  This amounts to a savings of around $20 per week, so not huge, but a small change that can add up to saving both money and paper.  However, if this change is at the expense of you knowing what is happening in our parish, and being connected to the excitement, then it’s totally not worth it.  All past Helpers are available from our website and Facebook.

So, without further delay, see the January 5, 2020 Carpenter’s Helper newsletter. See all Newsletters or Announcements.

A few reminders:

  • EPIPHANY Fellowship, Pot-Luck, and burning of the greens is this Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 5:00 in the evening.  I hope to see you at our favorite pot-luck of the year!
  • Next Sunday, January 12, 2020, the Finance Committee would like to have everyone attend their update at 9 a.m. There will be doughnuts!
  • Novel Theology will be meeting on January 19, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. in the Classroom .  An Irish Love Story by Patrick Taylor will be discussed.
  • Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at noon, starts a new service of Intercessory Prayer with Holy Eucharist.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Novel Theology for January – May 2020

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Novel Theology is a lively discussion group that meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Classroom. Meetings are the second Sunday of September through May. For January, April and May 2020, we will meet on the third Sunday.

The reading list for the 2019-20 is:
Sept. 8, 2019 – The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan
Oct. 13, 2019 – Love Heals by Becca Stevens
Nov. 10, 2019 – The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
Dec. 8, 2019 – Gabriel’s Angel by Nora Roberts
Jan. 19, 2020 – An Irish Love Story by Patrick Taylor
Feb. 9, 2020 – A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans
March 8, 2020 – A Live Coal in the Sea by Madeline L’Engle
April 19, 2020 – The Other Side of the Sun by Madeline L’Engle
May 17, 2020 – Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Please join us! Reading the book is not a requirement. For more information, contact Susan Hechter at susanahechter@gmail.com.

Sunday, December 29, 2019, ONE service at 10 a.m.

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This Sunday, December 29, 2019, there will be ONE SERVICE only at 10 a.m.  This will be a special service of Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist Rite II.  

We will return to our regular schedule the following week, January 5, 2020:
8 a.m. Rite I
10:30 a.m.Rite II

On Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at noon, a new service of Intercessory Prayer with Holy Eucharist will be added.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Lay Eucharistic Ministry – a glimpse into this important ministry

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Celebrant: In the name of God and of this congregation, we send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the body and blood of Christ.
All: We who are many are one body because we all share in one bread and one cup.

On Sunday mornings at the end of the Eucharist, you see Eucharist Visitors be charged by the priest to take Holy Communion to our house-bound parishioners. This is a way to make our brothers and sisters know that they are indeed an essential part of the congregation, even though they cannot be physically in the building with us. Our lay Eucharistic visitors are rewarded beyond measure for their service. If there are others of you who think you might like to be part of this ministry, you are invited to go along with our lay Eucharistic visitors and see what it’s like. Then, you can tell Larry Duggan that you’d like to be scheduled once a month as a visitor yourself, perhaps as part of a team of two.

Carpenter’s Helper news for December 15, 2019

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Happy Advent friends!  As you’ll see in the reminders below, it certainly is a busy time of year!  I hope that you have found ways to make this season extra special.  

I haven’t had the pleasure of attending one yet, but I hear that the Sunday evening Advent prayers have been marvelously intimate and meaningful. If you go, share your experience with others, in person or through social media (or throw some photos or text my way and I will be glad to share!).

Please see this week’s Carpenter’s Helper, and be sure join us at noon this Sunday for our next Coffee Hour Speaker: Dorothy Thayne will speak to us about the symbolism of icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.

Save the dates:
*Dec. 15, 2019 at 6 p.m. – Advent Evening Prayers
*Dec. 22 , 2019 at noon – Greening of the Sanctuary
*Dec. 22 , 2019 at 5:30 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Pageant & Advent Prayers
*Dec. 24 , 2019 5:30 p.m. carols and 6:00 p.m. service with Eucharist. Also, 10:30 p.m. carols and 11:00 p.m. service with Eucharist
*Dec. 25 , 2019 CHRISTMAS! 10:00 a.m. service
*Jan. 6, 2020 EPIPHANY potluck and burning of the greens- more info to come, but save the date!!!  The fire permit has been pulled, and the pink slip for the potluck is turned in.  This will be Fr Howie’s first time attending this awesome event at St Thomas’s; let’s show him how we let our light shine (literally…with a huge bonfire in the parking lot).

See all Carpenter’s Helper newsletters and announcements.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Carpenter’s Helper news for week of December 8, 2019

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Please see the Carpenter’s Helper news for this week 

IT’S BAZAAR TIME!  After months and months of planning and behind the scenes work, it’s finally here!  Come in Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 from 9-5 and Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 from 9-4 … and bring a friend!  Lunch will be available from 11:30-1 p.m. and a breakfast buffet on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. 

Here are a few other Save-The-Dates for you:
*Fri., Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.- Poets’ Corner
*Sat., Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. – Altar Guild in-service
*Sun., Dec. 8 at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology in the classroom
*Mon., Dec. 9 – Christmas Flower Dedications are due
*Dec. 1, 8, and 15 at 6 p.m. – Advent Evening Prayers
*Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. – RESCHEDULED Property Meeting
* Dec. 15 – Coffee Hour Speaker Dorothy Thayne
* Dec. 18 – Ladies’ Night Out at Skipjack
* Dec. 22 at noon – Greening of the Sanctuary
* Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Pageant & Advent Prayers

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Carpenter’s Helper news for week of December 1, 2019

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As November comes to a close, we enter into what can be the busiest time of the year. Before your calendar fills up, please take the time to consider, “What activities and traditions help me build positive memories, centered on Christ.”  You will see below that there are many opportunities here, at St. Thomas’s, to find those moments this Advent. Thank you to all who are working hard behind the scenes to make these special moments happen!

  • On Sunday evenings  December 1, 8, and 15 at 6 p.m,: Advent Evening Prayers will be offered. Even if you cannot make it to church to pray in the evenings, look for electronic versions, as well as booklets that you can take home.
  •  Friday, December 6, 2019: Poets’ Corner 
  •  Friday and Saturday December 6-7, 2019: St Thomas’s Annual Bazaar 
  •  Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10 a.m.: Altar Guild In-Service  
  • December 8, at 9:15 a.m.: Novel Theology NOW MEETING IN THE CLASSROOM
  • December 15, 2019 from 12-2 p.m.: Artist and teacher Dorothy Thayne will speak about creating iconography
  • Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 6 p.m.: Ladies’ Night Out at Skipjack
  • December 22, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.: Children’s Christmas Pageant  

Carpenter’s Helper link: https://stthomasnewarkde.church/news/2019/20191201.pdf

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman