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In This Issue:
Advent Luncheon Series
Other Events During Advent
Children's Events During Advent
Cathedral Bookstore to Host Sale at St. Thomas
Children's Workshop Was a Big Success!
Trimming the Tree at St. Thomas
Flower and Music Dedications for Christmas
Poinsettia Fundraiser Information
Thank You, Donors!
Vestry Elections to Occur on December 11
Mark Your Calendar for Christmas Services
A Message from Fr. Hahn |
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Greetings!
Please enjoy this week's edition of Spiritual Adventures. Please check your e-mail each week to read more of the news and events happening at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. We wish you a hopeful and expectant Advent. |
"Expressions of Hope" Advent Luncheon Series Begins on Monday, December 5
 "Expressions of Hope" Advent Luncheon Series - Mondays, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, on December 5, 12, & 19, in All Saints' Hall.
+ December 5: Words of Hope - Dr. Larry Dooley, Chair, CSU Dept. of Theater, using multimedia
+ December 12: Sounds of Hope - Don Tipton and members of the Columbus Jazz Society
+ December 19: Images of Hope - Ms. Michele McCrillis, CSU, Associate Professor of Art History |
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Continue to Observe Advent and Prepare for Christmas
 + The Greening of the Church, Saturday, December 17, at 10:00 am. All are welcome to lend helping hands in decorating the church.
+ Advent Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 18, at 10:30 am.
+ The Feast of St. Thomas and Holy Baptism, Wednesday, December 21, at 5:30 pm, followed by Wassail and a special dinner hosted by the Parish Life Committee. The cost of the meal is only $5 per plate. Diners are asked to bring their favorite festive dessert to share. Our regular weekly diners may sign up for this dinner at Wednesday supper on December 14. All others may contact the church office to sign up. |
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EPISCOKIDS! - Children's Events during Advent
 + Wednesday, December 7th: Children will be practicing for Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve. We *may* have a surprise visit from St. Nicholas...remember not to wear "Holy" socks because we will be placing our shoes on the fireplace before Children's Choir rehearsal in hopes of getting treats in them. We will also be making a St. Nicholas Apple craft that you will not want to miss. They are so cute! On the same date, the Cathedral Bookstore from Atlanta will be set up for Christmas shopping. They will have lots of gift giving ideas, and 10% of all sales will go directly to our Episcokids!
+ Sunday, December 11th: "Polar Express Pajama Party" with the Youth Kids! Wear your jammies to church and join us for lunch in All Saints Hall following the 10:30 worship service. We will then carpool to the IMAX theatre at the National Infantry Museum. We will be attending the 1:15 showtime. We have set up a group rate for $9.00 per person. This will be the price of admission to the movie and include a snack pack (small popcorn and a medium drink). Make your reservations for each attendee (child, youth, or adult) with Erin Redden or Brantley Ford by Wednesday, December 7th.
+ Sunday, December 18th: The Children's Choir will be singing in the Advent Lessons and Carols during the 10:30 worship service. This is a special event that you will not want to miss! The kids will be singing "Arise and Shine" and "The Lion and the Lamb".
+ Wednesday, December 21th: Children's Choir practice, Wassail Celebration (a family event), and trimming the tree. Continue reading this e-newsletter to read more about these parish events.
+ Saturday, December 24th: Christmas Eve Family Service/Children's Christmas Pageant at 5:30pm. All children who want to participate can do so, and no practice for the pageant is necessary. The Children's Choir will be singing at this time. This is a special time for our church and you will not want to miss our celebration of the birth of Jesus!
Submitted by Erin Redden, Director of Children's Christian Education and Children's Choir |
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Support a Worthy Cause with your Christmas Shopping!
 Get a gift this year that is meaningful for friends and family, and help the EPISCOKIDS Children's Christian Education program at the same time! A sales representative from the Cathedral Bookstore will be here this Wednesday, December 7, with lots of items to purchase for those special people in your life, as well as a present for yourself! The sale will be set up in All Saints' Hall from 5:30-7:30pm. The Episcokids Children's Christian Education program will receive 10% of all purchases that night. Thank you!
Submitted by Erin Redden, Director of Children's Christian Education and Children's Choir |
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EPISCOKIDS! - Children's Advent Workshop on November 27 was a Big Success!
 Our Advent workshop, "Preparing the Way", was an inspiring beginning to the Advent season. We had 28 children, 8 youth, and 6 adult volunteers help with last weekend's workshop for our parish children. Check out the pictures for a look at some of the activities in which they participated.
Submitted by Erin Redden, Director of Children's Christian Education and Children's Choir |
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Trimming the Tree at St. Thomas - Wednesday, December 21
 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Nave
Hosted by: Erin Redden
More Info: Parishioners, friends, and family of all ages are invited to trim the Christmas tree in the Nave. Cookies, coffee, and warm cider will add to the good cheer. You don't have to be an interior decorator to help. It's such a large task that every pair of hands is welcome. This year we will be decorating the tree with fresh fruit as we have done in years past. We will need lots of commitment to make this a reality. Thank you!
Submitted by Erin Redden, Director of Children's Christian Education. |
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Altar Flower and Music Dedications for Christmas
 Christmas is the perfect time to make a dedication in honor or in memory of a loved one. You are invited to make this dedication with a gift to our Altar Flower Fund or Music Fund. For Christmas, the Flower Guild is offering a lower minimum for Altar Flower dedications, at the rate of $25 per every four honorees named. There is no minimum nor maximum for dedications to the Music Fund. Please contact the church office to make a dedication to either fund. The deadline is Monday, December 19. Thank you. |
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Poinsettia Fundraiser Information
 The poinsettias will be delivered to the church on Thursday, December 1. Pick up times are as follows:
+ Thursday 5-7 (Volunteer: Erin Redden); + Friday 10-2 (Volunteer: Jack and Nicole Ceccato); + Saturday 10-1 (Volunteer: Erin Redden). |
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Thank You, Donors!
 At this time, we would like to thank Bob & Mary Jane Wadkins, Jim & Kristie Sholtis, and John Powell for donations to the Choir Trip Fund, to be applied towards the choir trip to New York City in 2012. Thank you!
Submitted by Financial Administration. |
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Vestry Elections to Occur on December 11
 The Vestry is the governing board of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. It contains nine members fulfilling staggered three-year terms in office, which means that three members leave the Vestry each year, allowing us to elect three NEW members each year. You are eligible to run for election to the Vestry if you are a confirmed member of St. Thomas, and if you made and fulfilled a pledge in 2011.
Submitted by BJ Landen, Senior Warden. |
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Mark Your Calendar for Services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve Services, Saturday, December 24: 5:30 pm and 10:30 pm
Christmas Day Service, Sunday, December 25: 9:00 am only |
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A Message from Fr. Hahn
Dear St. Thomas Friends,
Grace and Peace in the Name of the Coming Lord Jesus!
Kaye and I continue to give thanks for your many emails, notes, and well wishes, and especially for your prayers.
I continue to heal and rest - getting less sore and stronger each day. I am able to take pretty long walks once or twice a day and otherwise get out of the house about once a day. The main challenge is fatigue, and this is getting better every day.
I saw my doctor in Atlanta just before Thanksgiving, and he tells me that all cancer seems to be gone, and that I am recovering from surgery at the pace I am supposed to be. I would like to be on the fast track, but Advent reminds me that this is the time of patient waiting. I see my doctor again after Christmas, at which time we will confirm that there is no evidence of cancer; then we monitor my PSA with a simple blood test every three to six months to assure I stay cancer free.
I plan to be back in worship with you on Sunday, December 11, and gradually be back in the office the week prior to that.
I am grateful for the continued good work of staff and Vestry; I hear very good things about the Sunday services and the rest of our common life, and look forward to being back with you very soon.
Feel free to pass this update on to anyone you wish.
God's Peace,
Come, Lord Jesus!
Fr. Doug+ |
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Office of the Rector, St. Thomas Episcopal Church
2100 Hilton Avenue
Columbus, GA 31906
706-324-4264
office@stthomascolumbus.org
www.stthomascolumbus.org |
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