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

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.

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

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

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

Happy Friday everyone!  Who’s excited for the hayride and bonfire tomorrow night? Please see this week’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter.  We continue to be lively, engaged, and busy in a good way.  Here are just a few reminders:

• Heeey- the hayride and bonfire at Milburn Orchards is tomorrow night!  Please arrive at 5:30 p.m.; hayride leaves promptly at 6 p.m.
• Novel Theology is having a guest author this Sunday.  They will meet in the classroom (previously in the business office, but concerned about limited space).  Come and meet Michele Chynoweth, even if you haven’t read the book yet, 9:15 a.m.
• This is the last week for the Anglican Way.  “Normal” adult education will pick up next week in the Parlor.
• Mark Burchess will be presenting this Sunday at both the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services.  He will be sharing his #BrownsvilleLove ? experience.
• Creation Care has a great display in the great hall, and we want YOU to be a part of it.  I will be looking for volunteers to strike a pose for the earth.  The get together Home Energy Forum is Wednesday at 10 a.m. – coffee, tea, and conversation about creation care.
• CREW will be running a winter clothes drive starting Sunday.  There will be a collection box in the great hall.  Gently used coats, scarves, and gloves, and new hats and socks are requested. 
• Next Saturday, 11/16 at 4 p.m. in the Nave, poet Claire McCabe will be sharing some of her favorites as a continuation of the Poets’ Corner Series.
• Wow- that is a lot, and I know there is more.  If you want to see your event or note here, or on any form of communication, please let me know.  We are a VIBRANT parish!

See past Carpenter’s Helper newsletters and announcements.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman / Parish Administrator

This is a reminder that your pledge cards are due.  If you have not yet, please turn them in as soon as you can. The Vestry will be working on the budget this week and the more complete the picture is, the better they can be great stewards of these gifts. The budget is based on pledge amounts,

Where Grace happens, Generosity happens.  Thank you for your generosity.

Hello Everyone,I received an invitation this fall to Faith and Family Day UD Football games. Kelly Thompkins and I have identified Nov. 16, 2019, as the day we are able to host a St. Thomas’s Group. We would get discounted tickets ($15-$28 each, I predict), our name on the board, and the youth group would get an opportunity to be on the field with the players. If you are interested in going to the game against Stony Brook on Nov. 16, let me know. If we can get a large enough group together, I”ll arrange the outing.

Thanks!

Belinda Young-Payne

Our annual Hayride and Bonfire!

November 9, 2019

Wagons will leave at 6:00 p.m. Please try to arrive by 5:30 p.m.

$15 per adult and $8 per child, 5 and under are free!

There is a sign up sheet hung on the door in the lobby, please let us know if you plan to come! If you decide at the last minute to come, come on! Just bring your payment with you! We will provide the hot dogs, cider, water and S’more fixins.

Location: Milburn Orchards, 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD 21921

IMPORTANT:
Use the special parking lot designated for Bonfires, NOT the farm market parking lot.This is where your group will gather, the tractor driver will pick you up and drop you off at the end of the evening. The FarmYard is off limits after dark so it is extremely important to use the correct parking area. For a printable map and directions to Milburn Orchards, please visit www.milburnorchards.com

Contact Kelly Tompkins with any questions.

See the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for the week of November 3, 2019.

Reminders: 

• This Sunday, CREW will meet at noon in the classroom.
• Next Sunday, Nov. 10, author Michele Chynoweyth will be visiting with the novel theology group to discuss her book, The Jealous Son.  Even if you have not read this juicy book based on the biblical story of Cain and Able, please stop in this week to join in the discussion: business office 9:15 a.m.
• Do we have a calligrapher in our midst?  Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering for some occasional writing.
• Pop Tabs: the team of students from Teamworks, who keep our sanctuary clean, are taking a field trip to the Ronald McDonald House.  If you have Pop tabs at home, please bring them in this Sunday so the students can turn in our donation as part of their field trip Thursday.
• Hayride and Bonfire is coming up next Saturday, Nov. 9!  I’m so excited!!  The sign up sheet is on the door of the Great Hall and also by the Kitchen.  Even if you miss the sign up, just show up at Milburn Orchards at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.  The cost is $15 per adult, $8 per child, and FREE for 5 and under.  This covers the event cost, as well as hotdogs, beverages, and S’MORES!
• The Creation Care ministry is ramping back up, with a wonderful display in the Great Hall, and the upcoming Home Energy Forum on Nov 13th at 10 a.m.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman

See all Carpenter’s Helper newsletters and announcements.