COMING UP SUNDAY-JAN. 1 FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME

Happy New Year!! This is New Year's Day, but in the Episcopal Church it is also the Feast of the Holy Name. This is the 8th day after Christmas and it is the day that male children in the Jewish faith were circumcised and given their name.
We will celebrate our regular 9 am service this day. There is no church school this week. Mite boxes can be brought in this week or any time in January.
Coming up:
Jan 8- Preschool Sunday, Church School, Confirmation Class, Bishop's Committee meeting.
Jan 15-WARM meal prepared, Meeting for lectors and eucharistic ministers after church
Jan 22- Annual Parish Meeting and Potluck brunch

COMING UP-CHRISTMAS

The Christmas Eve service will be on Saturday, at 5 pm. The liturgy begins with the blessing of the creche and the choir will sing.
On Christmas Day, Sunday, there will be one service at 11 am (no 9 am service that day).
On Sunday, January 1, (Feast of the Holy Name) there will be a regular 9 am service.
Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for 2012!!!

COMING UP SUNDAY-Dec.17

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent. The WARM meal will be prepared. Sunday school will meet.
On Sat. Dec. 16, there will be a church clean-up at 10 am to prepare the interior of the church for our Christmas liturgies. All are welcome to come and dust and polish- children, too!
Poinsettias are needed for the Christmas altar. You can bring them to the church this Saturday or Sunday.
Christmas Eve service will be on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 5 pm. The choir will sing and the service will include the blessing of the Creche
Christmas Day service will be on Sunday, Dec. 25 at 11 am. There is no 9 am service that day.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Dec. 11

This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Church school will meet. There will be a Bishop's committee meeting after church.
If you picked a star off of the gift tree last week, the gifts are due this Sunday. They should be unwrapped with your star attached to the gift. If you did not have an opportunity to take a star, you can bring a gift card ($5, $10, $15) from a local grocery store or other retailer. The vicar knows of families who could use these.
Caroling will take place on Tues, Dec. 13 at the Apple (Clipper) Rehab Center in Westerly. We will begin at 6:30 pm in the dining hall. Children are welcome, too.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Dec. 4

This is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Church school will meet and it is also Preschool Sunday. All toddlers are invited to come for a story and activity during church school time.
This Sunday we will host the EFM (Education for Ministry) graduation. There are 4 students who will be graduating, including 2 from St. Thomas'. These people have completed a 4 year course in which they learned about Scripture, theology, church history and spirituality. The ceremony will take place during our 9 am service.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Nov.27

This is the 1st Sunday of Advent. We will have Advent calendars, wreath materials and devotional books available. Sunday school will meet.
Coming up on December 4,at 9 am, St. Thomas' will host the graduation event for the EFM class that is finishing its 3 year journey. St Thomas' has 2 graduates in this program.
Did you know that 1 in 7 Rhode Islanders were living in poverty last year (this statistic is from the recent WARM newsletter).? In December our parish will reach out to help some local families in need.

COMING UP SUNDAY- Nov. 20

This is the last Sunday of the church year- known as Christ the King Sunday. Our worship service and Sunday school begin at 9 am.
The WARM meal will be prepared this Sunday and served on Monday.
There will be Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service this Sunday at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Hope Valley. This is a combined service between St. Thomas', First Baptist and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Hope Valley. All are welcome to come.
If you missed the wonderful Veterans' Day celebration last week, check out the photos under the Facebook tab to the right of this column.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Nov. 13

If you missed our All Saints' celebration last week, check out the photos on the Facebook link at the lower right of this page (you don't have to be a member of Facebook to view them). This week is our annual Veterans' Day Celebration. Bring your favorite vet to church. Our worship service is at 9am followed by the celebration starting around 10am. We will have some special military guests.
Diocesan Convention is this weekend. On Friday evening, there is an opening Eucharist at St. Luke's Church in East Greenwich. All are welcome. The meeting portion of the Convention will take place on Saturday, beginning at 9am at the Marriott in Providence. For more information, visit the Diocesan website (go to the Diocese tab at the top of this page and click on the link for their website)
St. Thomas' will take part in the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service that will be held at First Baptist Church in Hope Valley on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 7pm.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Nov. 6

This is All Saints' Sunday, one of the major feast days in the Episcopal Church calendar. We will celebrate at 9am. Come dressed as your favorite saint and the young children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes. There will be no church school or preschool class this week.
There is a Bishop's Committee meeting after church and we will begin to look at the 2012 budget. The Confirmation class will also meet after church.
Next Sunday, Nov. 13, is our annual Veterans' Day celebration. Following the 9am service, we will have a special reception to honor all of our veterans. There will be live music and some military guests. Bring your favorite vet to church.

COMING UP SUNDAY- Oct. 30

October is stewardship month. This week we will talk about time, treasure and talent and ask parishioners to sign up for some ways to help in 2012.
This week church school will meet.
Next Tuesday, Nov. 1, is All Saints' Day which is a major feast in the Episcopal Church. There will not be a service that day, but we will celebrate All Saints' Sunday on Nov. 6. For some interesting information about the connection between Halloween and All Saints' Day, click on the tab at the top of this page.
On All Saints' Sunday, come to church dressed as your favorite saint. Young children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to church that day (Nov. 6).
The Bishop's Committee will also meet on Nov. 6 after church.
Veterans' Day celebration is on Nov. 13. Bring your favorite vet to church!

COMING UP SUNDAY-Oct. 23

All Saints' Sunday is approaching! We have a new custom at St. Thomas' where we invite people to come dressed as their favorite saint. Last year we were joined by St. Francis, Joan of Arc, St. Thomas Aquinas. Mother Teresa, St. Veronica and St. George the Dragon slayer. Who knows who will appear this year!!
Last week the Domestic Violence Resource Center donated 100 flower bulbs to St. Thomas' and they were planted in the church yard by members of the After-school group. We can't wait until they bloom next April!
Our Veterans' Day celebration will take place on Nov. 13 following the 9 am service. All vets are welcome.
Choir members wanted! We are looking to form a choir for our Christmas Eve service. The choir will hold rehearsals from 8:15-8:45 on Sunday mornings. No experience needed.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Oct. 16

The WARM meal will be prepared this Sunday.
The Prayer Shawl group will meet after church for its first meeting.
Sunday School will meet.
We have 2 big events coming up in November. All Saints' Sunday is Nov. 6. Come to church dressed as your favorite saint! And our annual Veterans' Day celebration is Nov. 13 following the 9 am service. All veterans are welcome to join us. There will be food and live music!
October is Stewardship month at St. Thomas'. Each Sunday during the month we talk about different aspects of stewardship.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Oct. 9

This Sunday the church school class will meet.
There is a Bishop's Committee meeting after church this week..
The WARM meal for October will be prepared next Sunday on Oct. 16
Calling All Saints!!! We will celebrate All Saints' Sunday on Nov. 6. Come to church dressed as your favorite saint. The more the merrier! Rumor has it some famous saints will make an appearance!
Our annual Veteran's Day celebration will take place on Nov. 13 after the 9 am service.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Oct. 2

This is Preschool Sunday. All toddlers are welcome to stay in the parish hall for a story and activity. The Sunday school class will watch a movie this week.
We have started a Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Thomas'. For more information about this, go to the Ministries tab on our web page.
Looking ahead- we will celebrate All Saints' Sunday on Nov. 6. Come dressed as your favorite saint!
And our annual Veteran's Day celebration will be on Nov. 13. Stay tuned for more details.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Sept.25

This Sunday, church school will meet at 9am. There is a liturgy committee meeting following the service.
During the liturgy this week, a married couple who is visiting the US from Germany will renew their wedding vows and there will be a special coffee hour reception to honor them

A special date in history- September 16, 2011 marked the 35th anniversary of the day that the General Convention of the Episcopal Church voted to approve the ordination of women. Today about 20% of the clergy in our denomination are women and there are 12 female bishops- including our Presiding Bishop. (Actually there were 11 women who were irregularly ordained in the Episcopal Church in July 1974. Their ordination was "regularized in 1977)

COMING UP SUNDAY-Sept.18

There will be a Bishop's Committee meeting after church this week. Church School has been postponed for a week and will begin on Sept. 25.
The WARM meal will be prepared after church this Sunday.
The After-School group continues to meet on Thursday afternoons.
Cub Scout Pack 91 will start up again next month. The first meeting will be on Thur. Oct. 6 at 6pm. All boys in grades 1-5 are invited to come with a parent.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Sept.11

This week we welcome The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf to St. Thomas'. She is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of RI. She will preach and preside at the Eucharist beginning at 9am. There will be a special reception following the service. All are welcome!
Last Sunday we distributed 54 filled backpacks to students in our region. This number was down quite a bit from last year, but we those 54 recipients were very grateful.
The After-School Program begins Thurs., Sept 8 at 2:30. All middle and high school students are invited to the church for a couple of hours after school for a snack, socializing and homework help.
Church school will begin on Sept. 18. There will be 1 class combining students in elementary and middle school. Older students are invited to join our confirmation class. Contact the vicar for more information.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Sept. 4

The church survived the hurricane with no damage and no loss of power-just a few branches down.
This week we will distribute school supplies after church beginning at 10 am.
This is Preschool Sunday. All toddlers are welcome to share in a story and activities for the first part of the liturgy.
Bishop Wolf will be with us next Sunday, Sept. 11
Church school will start on Sept. 18 for children in grades K-8. Older students are invited to join the Confirmation class.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Aug. 28

This week we are welcoming Hurricane Irene to Rhode Island! We have postponed the distribution of school supplies until Sunday, Sept. 4.
If you are planning to come to church this Sunday, call the vicar before your leave your house: 860-442-4996

COMING UP SUNDAY-Aug. 21

This is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost. Our school supply distribution begins this week after church. Thanks to all those who donated to make this outreach project possible. In past years, about 90 filled backpacks have been given to the youth in our neighborhood.
The After-School group will begin on Thursday, Sept. 8. It is open to all youth in the Alton area.
Bishop Wolf will visit St. Thomas' on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 9 am

COMING UP SUNDAY-Aug. 14

This is the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. We had a wonderful parish picnic last Saturday with perfect weather. Check out the pictures to the right of this column on our Facebook link.
The WARM meal will be prepared this Sunday. There will be a Bishop's Committee meeting after church.
Looking ahead-School supplies will be distributed on Aug. 21 and 28. A few large backpacks are still needed. The After-School Program will begin Thursday, Sept. 8.
Bishop Wolf will visit our parish on Sunday, Sept. 11

COMING UP SUNDAY-Aug. 7

This is the 8th Sunday after Pentecost. The parish picnic is this Saturday (Aug. 6). Call the vicar if you want the details.
This is preschool Sunday. All toddlers are invited to stay in the back room for the first part of the service for a story and activity.
Have you taken the survey for the new bishop, yet? The deadline is Sunday! Follow the link to the right. It takes 10 minutes or less.
Are you an official Episcopalian? Do you want to be? If you would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal church, classes will begin in September. Speak to the vicar if you are interested.
We still need a few more large backpacks for high school students for our school supply distribution.

COMING UP SUNDAY-July 31

This is the 7th Sunday after Pentecost. The school supplies have been sorted and counted as we get ready to distribute them next month. The only things left that we need are a few more backpacks for high school students. Watch the sales! The parish picnic is coming up Saturday, Aug. 6 beginning at 2pm. Sign up to bring a food to share- we will supply the hamburgers and hotdogs.
The search committee for our new bishop is asking every Episcopalian in the diocese to take a survey to help them in their work. It takes 10 minutes or less to complete. Click on the link to the left of this column to get to the survey.

COMING UP SUNDAY-July 24

This is the 6th Sunday after Pentecost and we continue with the long "Green Season" of the church year (green vestments and hangings).
Three of our young people attended camp at the diocesan camp center in Pascoag and had a great time. A couple of them want to go back for another week in August!
We are looking ahead at school supplies distributions in next month. We still need a few things and they will be posted soon.

COMING UP SUNDAY-July 17

This is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost. We are enjoying summer garden flowers and wild flowers on our altar each week and we are happy to welcome visitors to our parish.
This Sunday the WARM meal will be prepared after church. Volunteers are always needed for coffee hour and grass mowing.

COMING UP SUNDAY-July 10

This is the 4th Sunday after Pentecost. At St; Thomas', we are unusual in the fact that our attendance does not go down during the summer months. We often have visitors that come to us while vacationing in Washington County.
We are starting to think about our annual school supply distribution which will take place at the end of August. Be on the look out for backpacks that are on sale!

COMING UP SUNDAY-July 3

This is the first Sunday of the month so it is Preschool Sunday. Toddlers are welcome to stay in the back room for storytime with some of our older teenagers.
It is time to sign up for the July WARM meal food list.
Did you know that the 4th of July is one of the major feast days in the Episcopal Church calendar? We will not have a service on that day- but we will sing a few patriotic hymns on July 3.

COMING UP SUNDAY-June 26

This is the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and the beginning of the Green Season at church. Our altar hangings and vestments are green until Advent begins in November.
We are looking for volunteers to cut the grass, bring altar flowers and host coffee hour throughout the summer. Sign up at the church.
Mark you calendars now- Bishop Wolf will visit St. Thomas' on Sunday, Sept. 11 at our 9 am service.

COMING UP SUNDAY- June 19

This is Trinity Sunday- read the column to the left to learn about this day. It is also Father's Day. We will recognize all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and father-like men. Special congratulations to the new fathers and fathers-to-be in our congregation.
The meal for the WARM Center will be prepared this week by our senior Sunday school class.
During the month of July, we will help out the new Personal Care Closet at Wood River Health Services by collecting personal care items in our food basket. Of course food items are always welcome, too.
There will be a Fellowship Dinner on Sat. June 25. Sign up in the parish hall.

COMING UP SUNDAY-June12

This is the Feast Day of Pentecost. We will celebrate this day with two baptisms (see the column to the left to learn about Pentecost). It is customary to wear red this day to resemble the tongues of fire that descended upon the disciples this day. There will be a Bishop's Committee meeting following the service. Sign up for the Fellowship Dinner that will be held on Saturday, June 25,
Check out the Facebook link to the right of this column to view photos from our graduation reception last Sunday.

COMING UP SUNDAY-June 5

This is the 7th Sunday of Easter. We had a wonderful Ascension Day service- an informal Eucharist. Then we wrote prayers on red balloons and released them into the sky (the balloons were biodegradable and there were no strings on them). This was followed by a hotdog dinner. Check out the photos on our Facebook page to the right of this column (you don't have to be a member of Facebook to view them). This Sunday we will have a special coffee hour reception to honor our 6 high school and college graduates. This is also pre-school Sunday where the toddlers will have a story session for the first part of the service.

COMING UP SUNDAY- May 29

This is the 6th Sunday of Easter. In honor of Memorial Day weekend, we will use a special chalice and paten that were used during WWII.
Ascension Day is this Thursday (June 2). See the column to the left about our service for that day. Please sign up in the parish hall.
A Fellowship Dinner will be held on Sat.June 27. See the bulletin board at church for more details.
A poster contest called Pictures for Patriots is being held for students in grades K-12. It is sponsored by the organization, Operation Gratitude. If you wish to enter, contact the vicar for more details. Posters should be given to her by June 5.

COMING UP SUNDAY- May 22

This is the 5th Sunday of Easter. Our church school program has finished for the school year, except, we will continue to hold a preschool class on the 1st Sunday of each month.
This week we welcome Ms. Pam Martin from the RI Division of Operation Military Kids as a guest speaker at 9am. She will tell us about her work with military families in southern RI.
We will have a special Ascension Day service on Thursday, June 2 at 6pm. Following the service, we will release (biodegradable ) balloons into the air and have a cookout. Families and children are encouraged to attend. You will be home by 7:30

COMING UP SUNDAY- May 15

This is the 4th Sunday of Easter. It is the last day of church school for this school year. May thanks to our faithful teachers and substitutes who planned lessons and activities for our young people each week.
There will be a Bishop's Committee meeting this week after church.
Next Sunday, May 22, we will welcome Ms. Pam Martin from the RI division of Operation Military Kids. She will talk to us about how their organizations helps the families of soldiers living in Rhode Island.

COMING UP SUNDAY- May 8

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and anyone who has mothered another person!
This is the 3rd Sunday of Easter. Church school will meet. The Bishop's Committee will meet next Sunday (May 15).
Looking ahead- on Sunday, May 22, we will welcome Ms. Pamela Martin as a guest speaker. She is the coordinator for the RI division of Operation Military Kids. This organization helps the families of soldiers who have been deployed. She will talk about her organization and the programs they offer to the families of military personnel.

COMING UP SUNDAY- May 1

Alleluia- Christ is Risen!!! We had a wonderful Holy Week that culminated with an Easter Vigil and an Easter Sunday service. There was 1 baptism on Saturday night and on Sunday morning the church was packed. You can view photos from the weekend to the right of this post on our Facebook page (you don't have to be a member of Facebook to see them).
The Easter season continues until the Day of Pentecost-June 12. The Paschal Candle will burn and our altar hangings will be white throughout this season.
This Sunday, May 1, we will have another baptism. It is also preschool Sunday and there will be a church school class for toddlers as well as the older students.

COMING UP EASTER SUNDAY-April 24

We will celebrate the feast of the Resurrection on Sunday at 9 am. There are Holy Week services all week- Thursday. Friday and Saturday night. Check out the tab at the top of this page for a complete list of Holy Week services.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Apr.17

This week is PALM SUNDAY. We will begin our service outside with a procession with palms. The rest of the HOLY WEEK schedule is posted on the tab at the top of this page. We are having a yard raking session after church on Sunday if you can stay to help out.
Lilies and other potted flowers are needed for our Easter altar. You can drop them off at the church.
We received an update from Operation Militray Kids. They were grateful for all of our Hero Pack donations. They were distributed on March 25 when a recent company deployed. Each child of a deployed soldier was given a hero pack and a medal since they, too, have to endure a hardship while their parent is away. Check out the photos on our Facebook post to the right of this column.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Apr. 10

This is the 5th Sunday in Lent. Church school will meet this week and there will be a Bishop's Committee meeting following the service. Choir will rehearse at 8:15 am. Our parish raised over $500 at the WARM Shelter Bowl-a-thon last week. Thanks to all who bowled, donated and cheered on our team (see the photos on the Facebook page to the right of this column). Information about Holy Week and our services can be found on the tab at the top of this page. Contact the vicar if you have any questions.

COMING UP SUNDAY-Apr. 3

This is the 4th Sunday in Lent, also known as mid-Lent Sunday.
The preschool class will meet this week as well as the other church school classes.
The St. Thomas' Tom Katz will participate in the WARM center Bowl-a-thon this Sunday. The event takes place at Alley Katz in Westerly from 1-4pm.
In April, we are continuing with our food collection for the Feinstein food challenge.
Summer camp brochures have arrived! The Episcopal Conference Center in Pachoag, RI hold summer camp weeks for youth of all ages. Financial assistance is available. Pick up a brochure at the church, or contact the Diocesan office for more information.
Cub Scout Pack 91 is forming at St. Thomas'. There will be an organizational meeting on Thurs., Apr 7 at 6 pm at the church. This pack is open to all boys in grades K-4 in the Chariho and Bradford area. Boys and a parent are invited to attend this meeting.

COMING UP SUNDAY-MAR. 27

This is the 3rd Sunday in Lent. Church school will meet this week. We are in the midst of our Episcopal Charities campaign and your pledges and donations are welcome. The choir will meet at 8:15 am- tenor voices wanted!
The schedule for lectors and acolytes is being prepared. New volunteers are needed. If you would like to take part in one of these ministries, speak to the vicar.

COMING UP SUNDAY-MAR. 20

This is the 2nd Sunday in Lent. The choir will meet at 8:15 am (tenor voices needed!) Church school will meet and the senior class will prepare the WARM meal. There will be a liturgy committee meeting after the service.
This Sunday we welcome Mr. Russ Partridge from WARM as our Episcopal Charities speaker (click on our ministries tab to learn about WARM). You can make a pledge to Episcopal Charities this week.
The Lenten book group will meet on Wednesday nights (see the column to the right).
Our drive for Operation Military Kids was a great success!! We collected 139 items for the Hero Packs. (click on the ministries tab to learn about OMK, too) Thanks to everyone for their great generosity.

COMING UP SUNDAY-MAR. 13

This is the first Sunday in Lent. We make a few changes to the liturgy during the season of Lent. There is a collection of Lenten meditation books for adults and children to use at home and there are also mite boxes available for your Lenten offerings.
The Bishop's Committee will meet this week after the service and Sunday school will also meet.
Our parish is sponsoring a team for the WARM Bowl-a-thon (go to the WARM link under the Ministries tab for more information.) Our team is the Tom-Katz. If you would like to be on the team or if you would like to make a donation to sponsor the team, speak to the vicar.
The choir will rehearse at 8:15 on Sunday morning. A few more tenor voices are needed. No experience necessary!
The Lenten Book group will begin on Wed., Mar 16 at 6pm. See the column to the right for more information.
Remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour on Sat. night

COMING UP SUNDAY- MAR. 6

This week we will celebrate the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. It is the last time we will say Alleluia until the Easter Vigil- and we will sing a lot of Alleluias this Sunday!
Choir rehearsal begins at 8:15 on Sunday morning.
Sunday School will meet and it is also Preschool Sunday. All toddlers are welcome to take part in a "class" session.
We are continuing with our collection of Hero Packs for Operation Military Kids (see the column to the right). We have extended the deadline until Mar. 13.
March begins our count for the Feinstein Food collection (see the column to the left).
Ash Wednesday is March 9. Our service will be at 7pm and will include the imposition of ashes. All are welcome.
Our Lenten book series begins March 16. Read the column to the right for more information.

COMING UP SUNDAY- FEB 27

This Sunday, our Easter choir rehearsals will begin. The group starts at 8:15 and new voices are encouraged to join. No experience is necessary. This is an opportunity to take up a new challenge as part of a Lenten discipline.
There is no church school this week due to school vacation.
Next Sunday church school and the preschool class will meet.
We have joined with Operation Military Kids to collect items for Hero Packs. These are backpacks given to children when their military parents are sent overseas. Next month there are two RI National Guard units being deployed. See the column to the right for what items are needed.

COMING UP SUNDAY- FEB 20

There will be no Sunday school this week or next due to school vacation. The WARM meal will be prepared this Sunday after church.
Choir rehearsal will begin next week, Feb. 27. at 8:15. Newcomers and new singers are welcome to join.
We are looking to increase our group of acolytes and crucifers. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to sign up.
Ash Wednesday is March 9. We will have a 7pm service that evening.

COMING UP SUNDAY- FEB 13

There will be a Bishop's Committee meeting following the service on Sunday.
The church school classes will make Valentine's Cards for the residents of Golden Years Retirement Home in Westerly.
Choir Rehearsal starts soon for our Easter choir. New voices are needed!! Please join us on Sunday mornings at 8:15 from Mar. 6-Apr. 10 for rehearsals.
Check out the pictures from Boy Scout Sunday that are posted to the right of this column. We enjoyed having the group of boys and leaders with us.

COMING UP SUNDAY- FEB 6

This is Souper Bowl Sunday and Boy Scout Sunday. Read the columns to the left and right of this post and you will learn all about them. We look forward to seeing many cub scouts and boy scouts and leaders at our church on Sunday. Come in uniform!!
This Sunday the preschool class meets. All toddlers welcome.
At the annual meeting we elected our officers and Bisbop's Committee members. You can view the list on our "Contact Us" page. Annual Reports for 2010 are available at the church for anyone who wants one.
This is the last week to sign up for a book for the Lenten study group. The book is titled, 40 Days with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This is a day-by-day guide for Lent. The group will meet on Wednesdays in Lent from 6-7pm. You may order a book, even if you are not able to come to the group study.

COMING UP SUNDAY- JAN. 30

This Sunday we will have our annual parish meeting following the 9 am service. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will elect members of the Bishop's Committee and parish officers. We will also review our goals for 2011.
Church School will meet this week.
Next Sunday, Feb. 6, has a few different things going on. It is Boy Scout Sunday. All boy scouts and cub scouts are invited to attend- even if you are not a member of St. Thomas' Wear your uniform! There will be a special coffee hour reception to honor these scouts.
It is also the Souper Bowl of Caring. See the column to the right for more information.
And next week is the 1st Sunday of the month which means our church school class for toddlers will meet.

COMING UP SUNDAY-JAN. 23

This is the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany. Church school will meet and there will be a liturgy committee meeting following the service.
Next Sunday is the parish annual meeting and the following Sunday will be Boy Scout Sunday and the Souper Bowl of Caring- see the column to the right of this post.
The Easter choir will begin rehearsal next month. We are looking for some new voices. Everyone is invited to join- even those who are not experienced singers. More details will follow at the beginning of February.

COMING UP SUNDAY-JAN. 16

This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany.
There is no church school this week because of the Martin Luther King Holiday.
There is an important Bishop's Committee meeting after church. We will develop our goals for 2011. If any parishioner has an idea, speak to the vicar or a member of the BC. The goals will be presented at the Annual Meeting on Jan. 30
We are also in need of a new Parish Clerk.
Looking ahead- we will commemorate Boy Scout Sunday on Feb. 6 at our 9am service. That is also Souper Bowl Sunday (see the column to the right)

COMING UP SUNDAY- JAN. 9

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. Following the 9 am service, we will have a 3 Kings party in honor of Epiphany. We will have serve some Mexican foods and there will be a pinata for the children. All are welcome.
Church school will meet this week
Looking ahead to February- We will recognize our local Boy Scouts on February 6. All scouts are welcome at the 9 am service. More details will be posted on the website soon.