St. Thomas' Tidings
WE WELCOME all who enter these doors, especially those who enter for the first time or after a long absence. May this place be like home to you!
Join us today for refreshments in Parish Hall following the 9:30 Eucharist.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday 9a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Office closed on Friday.
NURSERY CARE is available for pre-Sunday-School-age children. Please ask an usher for directions. Parents of infants are invited to use the chapel if privacy is desired during the worship service.
PEOPLE are available in the Chapel at Holy Communion to pray with you about any need or thanksgiving.
NEXT SUNDAY
• Hosea 1:2-10
• Psalm 85
• Colossians 2:6-15
• Luke 11:1-13
Bible Study 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays, reviewing the next Sunday’s readings. Please note time change .
SUMMER FAIR THANK YOU!
A very special thank you to all the committee chairs for the extra ordinary work that they did in structuring and executing this year’s fair. Special thanks is also given to all the worker bees who did the set-up and clean-up on such an unbelievably hot day. The list includes: Joe Jackson, Steve Vondell, Jim Ebbert, Bill Freeman, Sandy Lyle, Paul Holman, Bert Ryan, Penny and Scott Chrysler, Dan Domench, Jeff Stanclift, Dean Jackson, and Sally and Ed Williamson. If you baked, worked a booth or helped in the kitchen your talents were all very much appreciated. Likewise if you attended or helped in another manner, your participation in this all parish was important in making the day a success. Final numbers for the fair will not be available until all receipts are posted. The gross number is $5,440.30. Alas a special thank you to Jane Schroeder for the inspiring music of “The Church Steps” & “Make a Joyful Noise”. Blessings and thanks to all,-Lucy Ebbert
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, to all who bought, baked, created, sampled & enjoyed all the breads, pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, jams & jellies—and overwhelmed us with incredible delicacies for the Bake Table. Again, you did a marvelous job. And again, you helped in raising over $1000.00 from the Bake Table alone. It was a wonderful contribution from everyone. Thank you Jean, Polly, Jan & Isa—The Bake Table.
EfM PROGRAM INSPIRES US-Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program available locally through our church that is intended to give us a comprehensive and well organized adult Christian education. It is a rich and enjoyable seminar experience because it is the study of Scripture, Church History, and Theology. It is also inspiring because the learning and reflection take place in community. This means that participants not only gain their own new insights and inspiration, but also share in the insights and inspiration of others. They will start again in September, so it’s a good time to consider enrolling for the fall. For more information, contact Rosalee Glass, 236-0656 or 864-5146 rosalee.glass@myfairpoint.net, or leave your name with the St. Thomas’ office stthoscamden@roadrunner.com 236-3680.
SAINTS : We remember St. James, the brother of John on July 26. William Reed Huntington, responsible for the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral which became the criterion for Christian unity at a time of serious disension in the Anglican church is honored on July 27. New to the calendar on July 28 are J.S.Bach, George F. Handel and Henry Purcell . These great composers left us a great heritage in their music which has effected most of us. Who is not deeply moved by Handel’s Messiah or Bach’s Mass in b minor and his many Cantatas and organ pieces. Our hymnal is full of chorals Bach composed or harmonized. Purcell is perhaps less well known but equally fine. The Christian ethos would be poorer without them. Mary and Martha of Bethany are honored July 29; we heard about them in last Sunday’s Gospel and Fr. John’s sermon. On July 30 we honor William Wilberforce , an English parliamentarian who worked hard to promote missions and abolish slavery. And lastly on July 31 we remember St. Ignatius Loyola , founder of the Jesuit Society. His Spiritual Exercises is the than-whicher of all meditation systems. –Sue Voorhies
CAN YOU HELP WITH BREAD DELIVERY FOR THE FOOD PANTRY IN AUGUST? – A small, but important task for St. Thomas’ Outreach work is to transport bread from Hannaford’s in Rockland to the Food Pantry. We share this responsibility with the other Camden churches, so we are called to do it only every fifth month and only on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7 AM. St. Thomas’ next month for pick-up is August. If you can help with this small, but important job on a Saturday or Sunday in August, please contact Rosalee Glass (236-0656 or summer camp 864-5146, or email rosalee.glass@myfairpoint.net).
OUTREACH COMMITTEE LOOKS FOR A NEW CHAIR PERSON -The ministries of our Outreach Committee continue faithfully, but the news about them has been more or less “on the back burner” with all of the other exciting events and activities recently at St. Thomas’. Ted Panayatoff was our Outreach chairperson until last winter; and then, after Ted and Jo moved, Jim Campbell carried on in Ted’s place. Now Jim is no longer able to serve as leader; and so, we’re hoping that someone else in our St. Thomas’ community will feel called to this important ministry. If anyone would like to find out more about what’s involved, please contact Rector John Rafter or Deacon Rosalee Glass, and/or talk to some of the many folks who collaborate in our Outreach activities. –Rosalee Glass
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL we share a Godly Play lesson about God’s creation and all the green and growing things, followed by an activity to develop our own understanding of creation care. Please join us in Sunday School – all children are always welcome! – Manette Pottle