Dear Members of Saint Thomas’s,

This year, we are doing something a little different for Rally Day, on Saturday, September 15th and Sunday the 16th. Mark your calendar!

Remember: Join us for an Italian feast on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. Join together to break bread, and remember, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:12. Please invite friends, family, and neighbors to this celebration of community. All food and beverages will be provided; but we are looking for help with dishes after dinner.

Renew: Helping others sparks happiness. Renew your spirit by learning about some of the opportunities; it feels great to contribute to the lives of others. There will be information stations set up both at Saturday’s dinner, and after both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday.

Rejoice: Over this weekend, learn about and reflect on all of the amazing possibilities for the upcoming season. “Be truly glad. There is great joy ahead.” 1 Peter 1:6.

Volunteers do not necessarily have lots of time; only lots of heart ?!

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman

Novel Theology group meets at 9:15 a.m. on the second Sunday, September-May.

The reading list for the coming year is:
September – Creek Mary’s Blood by Dee Brown
October – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
November – The Lie: Evolution by Ken Ham
December – Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father’s Questions about Christianity by Dr. Gregory A. Boyd
January – The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn
February – The Centurion’s Wife by Davis Bunn
March – The Damascus Way by Davis Bunn
April – TBD
May – Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalie

In December, 2014 Congress enacted legislation making QCD’s (qualified charitable distributions) permanent. If you’re over age 70 1/2, you can send up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualifying charity — including St. Thomas’s. The distribution is excluded from your gross income making it tax free. For more information, contact Amy Keach, St. Thomas’s Treasurer via the Parish Office or your tax advisor.

See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for August 19, 2018. See all newsletters.

Our Heavenly Creator, who has blessed this dedicated church family for 175 years serving our community in your faith and love, we ask for guidance for our Parish, Search Committee and Vestry as we embark on the journey to mutual ministry with our next Rector. Bless us with your grace and fill us with knowledge and fortitude throughout this process. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN

See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for August 5, 2018. See all newsletters.

Nourished at Christ’s table and stepping forward in faith, we are instruments of God’s love, serving our parish family, the University of Delaware, our community and God’s creation.

The Right Reverend Kevin S. Brown, XI Bishop of Delaware, visited St. Thomas’s on Trinity Sunday, which is the First Sunday after Pentecost on May 27, 2018.

The Bishop met with the Confirmation Candidates at 9:00 a.m., led a forum beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the Great Hall, and attended a reception following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy.

See pictures and his sermon via video from Facebook

See St. Thomas’s Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for May 20, 2018. See all newsletters.

Pentecost Parish Picnic takes place this Sunday, May 20 after the 10:30 a.m. service. St. Thomas’s will provide hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs a well as paper products and drinks. There will also be games and activities for all ages.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to help set up, clean up and help facilitate games. We also NEED YOU to bring a side dish or dessert to complete our celebration meal. (Donations will also be accepted toward the cost of the entrees and paper products.) Signup sheets to get an estimate of how many people are coming, who can help with setup and/or cleanup, and who is bringing what will be on the Great Hall door beginning on May 6.

One more thing … you are welcome to bring chairs or picnic blankets for your comfort and enjoyment. Thanks in advance for your help in creating another great fellowship opportunity for our St. Thomas’s family, especially during, this, our 175th year!! Please feel free to e-mail me at belmar43@aol.com or call me at 302-832-8834 with questions or to volunteer to help plan or facilitate the picnic.

It is never too early to be thinking about St. Thomas’s Annual Holiday Bazaar. This year the fair will be held on November 30 and December 1.

If you have any wine corks or buttons that you could donate, we would appreciate receiving them. There will be a donation box in the great hall.

Our first meeting of the year will be on May 24, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. We will gather at Sister Jackie’s house.

Questions or directions: contact Barb Graham at 302-598-4143.