Save the Dates....
- Jazz Mass this Sunday, September 29 at
10:00 a.m.
- Youth Choir begins this Sunday, September 29 at 11:30 a.m. See Youth Ministry article below for details.
- Pet Blessing on Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m. on the front lawn or in the Great Hall if it rains.
- Celebrate Stewardship, October 6 after the 10:00 a.m. service. See Stewardship article below for details.
- Enneagram workshop with our own Emily Pelkowski on Sunday, November 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See article below for details
- Communications 101 with our own Kathleen Merritt, Parish Office Manager on Sunday, November 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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A note from the Rector
This week I emailed a letter highlighting ministry updates. If you did not receive it please contact the parish office with your updated email address. Here is a summary of that letter.
1. A new Pastoral Visitor Ministry will work in mutual ministry with me to care for our parish needs. They will serve as an extension of me to help us become a stronger community of care and love.
2. The Rev'd Krista Cameron will be serving as a part-time assisting clergy during our staff transition.
3. Lastly, we have formation opportunities throughout the 2019-2020 year devoted to living “The Way of Love”… (see Parish Weekly for details and to register)
- Through “Rule of Life”: a class series in October &
November 3.
- Through “Self-Understanding”: an Enneagram workshop
with Emily Pelkowski on November 3
- Through “Healing and Wholeness”: a three-week grief
group on Wednesday evenings November 7, 14, 21,
clergy led.
- Through Advent study: Advent for Everyone: Matthew,
by N.T. Wright, clergy led.
- Through “Seeing God in Everyone”: includes two
workshops and a book study February, March and
April 2020, co-facilitated by Dr. John Cullen.
Peace,
Amma Leslie+
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Attitude of Gratitude
This Sunday we will have a special Jazz Mass with our own, Clay Jenkins and his colleagues from the Eastman School of Music. Thank you, Clay for sharing your talents with us as we praise and give thanks to God.
I give thanks to our new Pastoral Visitors: Gila Balman, Connie and Peter Barker, Johanna Bond, Allen Blair, Denise Eshenaur, Carolyn Mok, Susan and Chuck Pickhardt, Larry Savino, Dawn Shumway, Pat Smith, along with Deacon Andrea. It is a diverse group of gifted people.
May we all use our gifts to the glory of God!
Amma Leslie+
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Youth Ministries News
Youth Choir Begins
The first rehearsal of the St. Thomas’ Youth Choir will be this Sunday, September 29, following the 10:00 Eucharist. We plan to rehearse on Sundays alternating with Youth Group events and hope to sing in church when the Bishop visits on November 10. Each rehearsal will start with lunch (usually pizza) at 11:30 and conclude no later than 12:45.
We welcome all youth of high school or middle school age. Prior musical experience is not required—just a love of singing!
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Stewardship Commission News
Celebrate Stewardship – October 6th
Please come together in community following the 10:00 a.m. service on October 6th! We’ll be “Shining the Light” on improvements to our beloved church, as we mark the closing of the capital campaign and launch our 2020 pledge drive. Lunch, cake and fun will be provided. To help with the meal: last name A-F please bring bread, last name G-P bring cookies, last name Q-Z sparkling apple or grape juice.
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Adult Education News
Living “The Way of Love: Rule of Life”
Classes begin next Sunday, October 6. It is a 6-week class. The options for classes are Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday at 12:30; each class is 45 minutes long. Please RSVP by clicking here or call the parish office.
Oct. 6; Oct. 9 - Class 1: Way of Love: Rule of Life and Turn
Oct. 13; Oct. 16 - Class 2: Way of Love: Learn
Oct. 20; Oct. 23 - Class 3: Way of Love: Pray and Worship
Oct. 27; Oct. 30 - Class 4: Way of Love: Bless and Go
Nov. 3; Nov. 6 - Class 5: Way of Love: Rest
Nov. 10; Nov. 13 - no class
Nov. 17; Nov. 20 - Living the Way of Love - optional final class
You can purchase the books or borrow them from the church library located in the lounge. Please keep in mind that this class is not a book study; the books are used as a resource. All are welcome, book or not, to join in learning and growing in the way of love!
Living “The Way of Love: Self-Understanding” – an Enneagram Workshop
Led by Emily Pelkowski on Sunday, November 3; 11:30 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. “The Enneagram is an ancient, unique, in-depth tool used for self-discovery. It gives language around the age-old question: “Why do I do the things I do?” It helps you to wake up to your life and better understand who you are, those around you, and the world. In this introductory workshop, you'll learn more about what the Enneagram is, an overview of each number, and how to incorporate this tool into your life to better understand your relationships and yourself."
Part of working as a faith community is understanding ourselves. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about ourselves, learn about others and find better ways of living and loving and shining God's love in our world! Please take the enneagram test online:https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com/ to learn your number before attending the workshop. The workshop is free! Some resources are: Sacred Enneagram and Wisdom of the Enneagram; we will have a copy of both books in our church library.
Please click here to register for the workshop and lunch.
Giving thanks for Emily's many gifts and the opportunity to learn, in order for us to be stronger together.
Peace,
Amma Leslie+
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Prayer for Daily Life
Grace Before Meals
As we begin this meal with grace, let us become aware of the memory carried inside the food before us: the quiver of the seed awakening in the earth, unfolding in a trust of roots and slender stems of growth, on its voyage toward harvest, the kiss of rain and surge of sun; the innocence of animal soul that never spoke a word, nourished by the earth to become today our food; the work of all strangers whose hands prepared it, the privilege of wealth and health that enables us to feast and celebrate.
To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue
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Worship Ministries
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
Our weekly Eucharists at Noon on Wednesdays will resume on October 2.
All are invited to join us for this half-hour celebration of Holy Communion, with anointing and laying-on of hands for those who desire it.
Saint of the Week
- Wednesday, Oct 2 - Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, Bishop
- Wednesday, Oct 9 - Winifred Thomason Grenfell, Medical Missionary
- Wednesday, Oct 16 - Teresa of Avila, Nun
- Wednesday, Oct 23 - Saint James of Jerusalem, Brother of our Lord Jesus Christ and Martyr
- Wednesday, Oct. 30 - John Wyclif, Priest and Prophetic Witness
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Property Commission News
Calling All Gardeners
Saturday, October 5, at 9:30 am. Take a busman’s holiday from your own lawn chores and spend some time doing the same thing at St. Thomas! Cutting back and trimming will be involved, so bring cutters and gloves. Coffee will be provided.
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Outreach Ministries News
Brighton Food Cupboard Needs for Sept/Oct
We're collecting canned yams, cranberry sauce and instant mashed potatoes for the Brighton Food Cupboard for September and October. Please place your items in the donation baskets located at the Winton Road and Highland Avenue entrances. We are doing this to assist in collecting for the upcoming holiday meals for people in the Brighton area. Thank you so much.
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Sharing our Joys and Concerns
Congratulations to Karolina Zibuck on her recital at Hochstein! We are proud of you!
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Financial Statistics & Information
Weekly Financial Report 9/22/19
Budget Pledges Year to date: $291,302
**Actual Pledge Payments Year to date: $275,741
Thank you for your support!
Year to Date Financial Report to 9/25/19
Year to date Revenue: $400,542
Year to date Expenses: $421,581
**Net loss to date: $( 21,039)
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