Our Story and the Holy: On four Wednesdays, May 27 through June 17, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., we will gather through Zoom to discuss various themes from Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark. You can purchase this book through Amazon or listen to it on Audible. Click here to view an article in TIME magazine that talks about the author and discusses the themes in her book. (Please go ahead and read the book on your own as we will not be going chapter by chapter as a book study, but we will use key themes of the book.) You will need to register for the class by clicking here: Our Story and the Holy. (A Zoom link will be shared through a group email once you sign up.) You may attend even if you have not read the book.

EfM (Education for Ministry) – St. Thomas’ EfM group is open for new participants for the 2020-2021 year.
EfM is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small group study and practice. Since its founding in 1975, this international program has assisted more than 1,000 participants in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service. The curriculum comes from Sewanee University of the South, an Episcopal institution. It is an opportunity to learn and grow in faith as you think theologically about everyday life. If you are curious about this program, please contact Marlene Allen, co-mentor with Amma Leslie, at mallen84.ma@gmail.com.

Lectio Divina
The next sessions will begin soon. If you did not participate in May please register for the next sessions by clicking here.

Vacation Bible School: St. Thomas' will hold a virtual Vacation Bible School opportunity for our children this summer. What does that look like? We are still figuring that out. More than likely we will deliver an activity kit for you to do as a family. More information to follow sometime in mid-June. 
 
RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network): St. Thomas' partners with Paul's Place (St. Paul's Episcopal Church, on East Avenue) to feed and care for the guests of RAIHN. RAIHN has reopened by using a local hotel on Monroe Avenue. Our week begins June 1st. Should you wish to provide a meal for this ministry, please contact Deacon Andrea at stritz@frontiernet.net.
 
At Home Worship Resources:
Noonday Prayer on Facebook live with Amma Leslie: Monday - Thursday
Facebook Instructions: To participate you will need an account (it's free!). To find the video of Noonday Prayer at St. Thomas', you must "Like" St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Rochester NY. Click on "Notifications" (it's the little bell icon). You should see the link to the video near the top of that list. Click on it and go directly to the video.
 
Daily Devotional (Forward Day by Day): click here for link
 
Prayers for Gardening and Tending the Earth:
Blessed be the God of all creation, for in your goodness you make all things new.
 
Gracious God, lover of all you have made: Protect and sustain the creatures of our local habitat. Increase their well-being, watch over them with love, and give us wisdom to honor our kinship with them;
 
God, whose Spirit moved over the deep: We thank you for the gift of water. Bless the waters on the ground and under the ground, and the waters that fall from the sky, that this garden may flourish and bear good fruit;
 
God, who alone provides seed for the sower and bread for the eater, you have taught us to ask of you our daily bread: Bless the sowing of the seed this year, grant fertility to the soil, and strengthen the hands of the gardeners who till it, that through their labor your people may be nourished;  through Jesus Christ our Sustainer. Amen.
 
 Bless and protect this garden and all who keep it.  Strengthen and uphold them in their labor, that these plants may bear good fruit and our care for the earth may witness to your love and justice; in the name of the Creator, Word, and Spirit. Amen.
 
Source: Liturgical Materials for honoring God in Creation, Standing Commission for Liturgy and Music, Reports to the 78th General Convention: Supplemental Materials.

 
St. Thomas' cares: Create a safe environment for yourself and those whom you love and live. If you find yourself having difficulty with navigating your feelings or handling your behavior, please stop, breathe, go for a walk/run and reach out for support. Cease from drug or alcohol use completely. Please know that you are not alone! There are professionals available to help you and support you.
 
The following are important numbers for you to have easy access to:
New York State Mental Health provider hotline: 844-863-9314.
Rochester AA support: 585-232-6720.
Rochester Domestic Violence hotline: 585-222-SAFE.
National Child Abuse hotline: 800-342-3720.
National Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255.
The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth (13-14)): 1-866-488-7386.
 
Note: For prayer requests see the link on our website at stthomasrochester.org.
 
The Monroe County Department of Health recommends the following:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Practice physical distancing and stay home when sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your cough or sneeze using a tissue or your sleeve.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched services.

Helpful Links
Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Monroe County Department of Health: monroecounty.gov/health-coronavirus
Episcopal Relief & Development, faith-based response to epidemics: bit.ly/2VMcNuu