Newark Community Day Volunteers Needed

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Newark Community DaySunday, September 17, 2023, is our town’s annual Newark Community Day. And, because we love participating in our community, St. Thomas’s will once again have a booth. This year, we will have a double-sized booth, and our neighbors from St. Nicholas will be joining us.

Please, please consider signing up to help out. There will be an awesome t-shirt for all of our volunteers…and it is always a great time seeing our friends and neighbors out on the green.

If you are attending the event, but not working the booth, please stop by and give our volunteers a high five and some encouragement!

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Worship and weekly news for September 3, 2023

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Fourteenth Sunday after PentecostHello faith family! This is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 3, 2023.

This week we celebrate David Pendleton Oakerhater: also known as O-kuh-ha-tuh and Making Medicine, was a Cheyenne warrior and spiritual leader. He later became an artist and Episcopal deacon. In 1985, Oakerhater was the first Native American Anglican to be designated by the Episcopal Church as a saint. Captured in the Indian Wars and imprisoned in 1875 at Fort Marion (now Castillo de San Marcos), Florida, Oakerhater became one of the founding figures of modern Native American art. Later he attended college in New York State and was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He returned to the West where he served as a missionary in Oklahoma, serving Native Americans.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter. And, see info on our Stepping Up Together Campaign August Update.

There is quite a bit of news coming up as we roll into the fall. Watch for details about all of the EXCITEMENT headed our way!

Outdoor Worship on September 3, 2023
Our fast approaching Health Fair
Blue Hen Bounty food pantry requests
Adult Education resumes next week! Check out the schedule for this year.
Novel Theology meets on the 3rd Sunday each month.

Our weekly Worship schedule

Outdoor Worship Sep. 3This Sunday’s Schedule

Today we will enjoy musical guests: THE CAPITOL BRASS (founded 1985 by Donald Baunschbach, Dover, DE) is delighted to return to St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church for this festive event. They recall several uplifting collaborations here for services in the early 2000s. Current members serve on faculties at UD, DE State U, West Chester U (PA) and area orchestras. Please welcome Patrick Hoffman and Will Gregory, trumpets; Heidi Lucas, horn; Frank Gazda, trombone; and Jonathan Fowler, tuba.

Growth and Fellowship

  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services. Resumes in September.
  • Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology. Resumes September 17, 2023
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room.
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program. Program suspended during summer and resumes Sep. 10, 2023.
  • Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – adult education. Resumes Sep. 10, 2023.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries. Resumes in September.

Other Parish Events

  • Sat., Sep. 9, 2023 – St. Thomas’s Health Fair
  • Sun., Sep. 17, 2023 – Newark Community Day. We will have a booth.
  • Sun., Oct. 8, 2023 – Blessing of the Animals
  • Tue., Oct. 31, 2023 – candles in the cemetery
  • Sat., Nov. 4, 2023 – All Souls special service

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Worship and weekly news for August 27, 2023

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Hello faith family! This is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – August 27, 2023. This week we celebrate John the Baptist: s revered as a major religious figure in Christianity, Islam, the Baháʼí faith, the Druze faith, and Mandaeism, the latter in which he is considered to be the final and most vital prophet. He is considered to be a prophet of God by all of the aforementioned faiths and is honored as a saint in many Christian denominations. According to the New Testament, John anticipated a messianic figure greater than himself, and the Gospels portray John as the precursor or forerunner of Jesus. Jesus himself identifies John as “Elijah who is to come”, which is a direct reference to the Book of Malachi (Malachi 4:5).

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter. And, see info on our Stepping Up Together Campaign August Update.

There is quite a bit of news coming up as we roll into the fall. Watch for details about all of the EXCITEMENT headed our way!

Outdoor Worship on September 3, 2023
Blue Hen Bounty food pantry requests
Our fast approaching Health Fair

Thirteenth Sunday after PentecostOur weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Schedule

Growth and Fellowship

  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services. Resumes in September.
  • Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology. Resumes in September.
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room. Volunteers needed for Mon., Aug. 21, 2023.
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program. Program suspended during summer and resumes Sep. 10, 2023.
  • Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – adult education. Resumes Sep. 10, 2023.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries. Resumes in September.

Other Parish Events

  • Sun., Sep. 3, 2023 – outdoor worship
  • Sat., Sep. 9, 2023 – St. Thomas’s Health Fair
  • Sun., Sep. 17, 2023 – Newark Community Day. We will have a booth.
  • Sun., Oct. 8, 2023 – Blessing of the Animals
  • Tue., Oct. 31, 2023 – candles in the cemetery
  • Sat., Nov. 4, 2023 – All Souls special service

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Step Up Together 2023 Campaign August 2023 Update

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step up together campaignFor every dollar we give, the Diocese gives us a matching one dollar gift up to a maximum of $25,000 for the Step Up Together campaign to fund the repair of our failing retaining wall.

Thank you so much to the parishioners who donated $7,000 so far!

We have until September 30, 2023, to take advantage of this $1 for $1 match.

Will you be able to provide a gift?

Work will begin on the stairwell in mid-September 2023.

This is how we will fund $125,000 needed for the stairwell.

  • We will use $10,000 of our accumulated funds earmarked for property expenses.
  • The Diocese has given St. Thomas’s a grant of $15,000.
  • In addition, the Diocese has offered us a “Challenge Grant” of up to $25,000.
  • The Diocese will lend us the balance, which we will need to repay over time from our annual budget.

Ways to give toward this campaign:

(1) Give via the parish’s online giving site.
(2) Give by check: Write “Step Up Together” on the memo line and bring or mail your check to St. Thomas’s Episcopal Parish, 276 S. College Ave., Newark DE 19711.
(3) Visit your bank’s website, identify St. Thomas’s Parish as a payee, enter “Step Up Together” in the memo line, and send your gift.
(4) Donate appreciated securities from your brokerage account. Contact Amy Keach (iloveoregon@hotmail.com) for details.
(5) If you are over the age of 70½, you may use your IRA tax-free to make a qualified charitable contribution (QCD). Contact Amy Keach or your tax advisor for details.
(6) Or, make a promise to give.

Let’s STEP UP TOGETHER!  Take a step, give your gift, and make a difference!

Feel free to write to us at StThomasChallengeGrant@gmail.com.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Amy Keach, Treasurer and Property Committee member
The Rev. Dr. Howell C. Sasser, Jr., Rector

Almighty God, you bless all our works that begin, continue, and end in you; and you inspire in your people a love for your house: sustain us as we work for the repair of our church building and remind us that we have and hold everything for your glory alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Our steps are directed by the Lord” (Psalm 37:24)

Outdoor Worship on September 3, 2023

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Outdoor Worship Sep. 3Both 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services will be outdoors, but the musicians will only be performing at the 10:30 a.m. service. There will be special guest musicians — Capitol Brass!

This is going to be a FUN occasion! In the event of overwhelming weather, we will move indoors.

We will attempt to live stream with an outdoor camera, so you can still join us online!

We will be kicking off the new season with a Blessing of the Backpacks. Students, teachers, and all those in education: bring your backpack (suitcase, satchel, etc.) for a special blessing, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Please bring your camp/lawn chairs and/or picnic blankets if you are able. We will also have plenty of our folding chairs available for casual seating. We recommend comfortable clothes and shoes. And, maybe bug spray?

Fr. Clay will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. Please pack any other food for yourself, and maybe bring a dish to share. We are a FUN community – let’s play lawn games at the picnic! Bring your favorite game or some friends to join in!
Friends and neighbors are welcome to come to the picnic, for the service, or both!

If you have any questions or suggestions for this day, please reply to this email, or reach out to Fr. Howie. Wouldn’t worship in the grove be a wonderful new St Thomas tradition? What would make this day special for you?

Worship and weekly news for August 20, 2023

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Hello faith family! This is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – August 20, 2023. This week we celebrate Henry Winter Style: the first deaf person to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in the United States. He is commemorated along with his teacher, Thomas Gallaudet on the Episcopal calendar of saints.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter. And, see info on our Stepping Up Together Campaign.

There is quite a bit of news coming up as we roll into the fall. Watch for emails about all of the EXCITEMENT headed our way!

Our weekly Worship schedule

Twelfth Sunday after PentecostThis Sunday’s Schedule

Growth and Fellowship

  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services. Resumes in September.
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology. Resumes in September.
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room. Volunteers needed for Mon., Aug. 21, 2023.
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program. Program suspended during summer and resumes Sep. 10, 2023.
  • Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – adult education. Resumes in September.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries. Resumes in September.

Other Parish Events

  • Sun., Sep. 3, 2023 – outdoor worship
  • Sat., Sep. 9, 2023 – St. Thomas’s Health Fair
  • Sun., Sep. 17, 2023 – Newark Community Day. We will have a booth.
  • Sun., Oct. 8, 2023 – Blessing of the Animals
  • Tue., Oct. 31, 2023 – candles in the cemetery
  • Sat., Nov. 4, 2023 – All Souls special service

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hope Dining Room volunteers needed Monday, August 21, 2023

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Dear Families of St. Thomas’s and St. Nicholas,

Monday, August 21, 2023,  is our opportunity to serve at Hope Dining Room. Guests at Hope are now “dining in” so we have 2 different short shifts for which you can volunteer. The set-up and cooking shift goes from 10 AM – 11:45.   The serving and clean up shift goes from 11:45 – 1:30. 

If you’d like to help, please bring an apron and a ball cap. We would LOVE to see you! 

All of this takes place at Kingswood Methodist Church kitchen on Marrows Road in Brookside Park. It is a team effort, lots of fun and it makes you feel so good to feed people who really appreciate it. 

Please volunteer for the things we need for the meal and for volunteers we need to carry this out. If you are donating one of those items, THANK YOU! You can bring it to St. Thomas’s, Monday – Thursday from 9 – noon, OR when you come to church on Sunday! If that doesn’t fit into your schedule, give me a call or an email and I will pick it up at your house.

BLESSINGS to you all,
Madeline Johnson    mad1240@comcast.net

Blue Hen Bounty donation requests

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Blue Hen Bounty food pantryIt is time for the students to return to campus and to the Blue Hen Bounty cabinets – which are in need!

Thanks to all of you who have been donating items to Blue Hen Bounty (BHB) food pantry provided by Episcopal Camus Ministry (ECM) for University of Delaware students who are food insecure and cannot provide ample nutrition for themselves.

While you are doing your grocery shopping, please consider purchasing anything that is on sale for Blue Hen Bounty.  

We need canned vegetables, cereal, peanut butter, jelly (strawberry and grape are popular) cooking oil, spices, salt & pepper, personal hygiene products for both men and women, soup, pasta, canned tuna, chicken, salmon and mackerel, canned fruits and applesauce, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.

If you have an overabundance from your garden or bought more than your family will use, fresh fruit and veggies are always welcome.

Donations can be left in the box for BHB in the Great Hall or left in the classroom.

We even get requests for eggs.  (If you donated eggs, please place in the frig with a note saying ” For BHB”)

If you prefer, you can always make a cash/check donation – just indicate funds are for BHB.

Thanks for your support for this important ministry.

The church building is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – noon. There is a bin by the name tag station marked for Blue Hen Bounty donations or put donations on the tables or counters in the great hall classroom. For questions, email bluehenbounty@gmail.com. Thank you.

Transportation ministry is recruiting a dispatcher

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St. Thomas’s transportation ministry is recruiting a dispatcher. This ministry is an established and important one. They provide transportation for parishioners needing help getting to and from doctor’s appointments, Sunday services, and other important errands. This can be such a blessing to those in our faith family who have loved and cared for us in other seasons.

We are looking for someone to step in as a coordinator. There is already an established group of volunteers to do the driving (though we always welcome more). This person would bring together the drivers and those needing rides.

If this is something you feel you could help with, please reply to this email or reach out to Fr. Howie.

And, if you are in need of rides, do not hesitate to let us know!

Community Health Fair 2023 – August Update

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2023 Health FairThe Second Annual Health Fair at St. Thomas’s is fast approaching.  It will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  We have a wide variety of organizations committed to come and provide health education and information, there will be flu and COVID shots available and Narcan (Naloxone) administration training at 11 a.m.

We need help from volunteers to make this event a success. Most importantly, we invite you to attend and support the event, but we also need help getting  the word out to the wider community. Please consider inviting a friend to join you in visiting the event. If you can think of anywhere that would hang a flier for us or help spread the word electronically, please let the office know. 

We also need people to help the day go smoothly and donations of water and snacks.  If you can help, please sign-up to volunteer

We are also providing outdoor children’s activities. If you have any lawn games you could lend us for the day, please let the office know.

If you would like to learn about how Narcan administration can save a life, please sign-up for Narcan training

If you have any questions please, contact the office at (302) 368-4644.

Thank you for your help.
Philippa Sunnergren