 Stewardship Appeal
Last week our parishioners received a letter from the Vestry explaining the potential shortfall in our upcoming 2012 budget. The Vestry will work diligently between now and January 29 so they can present a balanced budget to the parish at the Parish Meeting. This work will include seeking other funds, and, as necessary, paring back program expenses. As part of this process, the Vestry is asking pledging members to consider increasing their giving to include a 13th month contribution, and asking those who do not pledge to consider a small commitment to the financial support of our mission and ministry.
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 Sunday Music Preview
Music this Sunday includes our annual singing of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition, Rick will play a piece incorporating this tune and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", written to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the "World's Largest Outdoor Musical Instrument" --the pipe organ in the San Diego Zoo. Continuing to celebrate the Epiphany season, the St. Thomas Choir and Ringers will offer a mystical setting of the plainchant "Creator of the stars of night." | | |
 This Sunday: Adult Education Explores Callings
What does it mean to be called by God? One of the accents of Epiphany is Jesus' call of the disciples. The Old Testament readings of the coming weeks introduce us to individuals like Samuel, Jonah, Isaiah, and the
Aramian General Naham , whose lives are shaped by God's call. Our own prayer book suggests we are all called to service. Join us over the next several Sundays as we explore God's calling. Some of the classes will involve outside guests, some will introduce us to parishioners we may get to know better. Hopefully we will all learn about our own calls to service. This week we will look in part at the legacy and call of Dr. King. Join us Sunday mornings in the library. We begin at 9:30. | | |
Images from our Epiphany Celebration
Last Friday, January 6, our parish gathered together for our Epiphany Celebration and Blessing. In remembrance of the Three Kings who visited the Baby Jesus, we crowned an honorary King and Queen among the children of our parish. This year's King and Queen are Wilson Ford and Martha Wade, each pictured below. Children of all ages shared in the festivities. Ben and Brianna are pictured below. | |
 Opportunities for Episcopal Youth
St. Thomas offers our young people a wide range of opportunities to grow in their faith. Whether in worship participation, parish fun and educational events, or through Episcopal community events such as the Thompson-Pound Art Project or the Infusion Program (pictured), we engage our young people in their faith.
I want to let you know about three opportunities we want to make available to our young people.
- Diocesan Acolyte Festival - a day of training and fun for acolytes of all ages, and young people who want to be acolytes. Saturday, January 21, Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. We will leave Columbus at 7:00 am, and return by 5:00 pm. Contact parish office or Brantley Lewis for more information.
- Kids4Peace - This three week summer camp brings together about 20 middle school students from Georgia, Jerusalem, and Palestine --Christians, Jews, and Muslims--to learn about other cultures and practice the ways of peace. We have sent a young person for the last two years, and would like to send one this year. The camp takes place in Camp Mikell in North Georgia, and in Atlanta. Applicants must be in grades 7 and 8 next year. Applications are due by January 31. For more information, see http://www.kids4peaceusa.org/Kids4Peace_USA/Welcome.html.
- Youth Theological Initiative is an opportunity for 50 young people (current 10th and 11th graders) to spend four weeks in July on the Emory University Campus, exploring faith with bright scholars, looking at the issues of the world, and joining a variety of outreach projects in the Atlanta area. Applications are now being accepted. For more information, see http://www.yti.emory.edu/.
Pray for, give thanks for, and support our young people in their faith. Thank you.
Submitted by Fr. Hahn. | | |
 Office Closed
The St. Thomas Church office will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. We will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, January 17, at 9:00 am. Thank you. | | |
 Integrity to meet on January 20
The next Integrity meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, January 20, in All Saints' Hall.
We need everyone to attend this important meeting, since we will be discussing the play "Next Fall", and will hear a presentation from BJ Landon about what is going to be expected of us to make this venture worthy of
producing. Afterwards, we will go to a restaurant of everyone's choice, at around 7:00 or so. We invite your suggestions in selecting the restaurant.
It is very important that all Integrity members attend this meeting to decide
if we would like to pursue the play. It will be produced for members of the church and community for one night, possibly two, depending on what we decide to do. This is one of the ways that we are trying to raise funds for our coffers as a group. These funds are used for various things throughout the year as activities for the group (food, wine, etc.). Please attend if you can! Thank you!
Submitted by David Kirkland and Todd Griffin. | |
 St. Thomas Readers to meet on January 26
The St. Thomas Readers Book Group will meet at 5:30 on Thursday, January 26, at the home of Pat McMahon, 4322 Deanery Court in the Castlewood neighborhood. The book under discussion is Jan Karon's In the Company of Others. A story of family secrets, this latest installment in the Father Tim Kavanagh series (grittier than the Mitford Series books by the same author) is filled with characters who are both sympathetic and flawed. Along with the enchantment of Ireland itself, they bring heart to this novel of forgiveness and reconciliation. Of all the novels that she has penned, Jan Karon calls In the Company of Others her personal favorite. Come join the St. Thomas Readers for a discussion of this engrossing story.
In the Company of Others is available online, through local bookstores, and at the public library. There is also a copy of the novel on CD available through the Columbus Public Library. All are welcome, but please inform Sonya Boyd if you plan to attend the discussion or if you have questions: 706-563-6161 or janjulau@aol.com.
Submitted by Sonya Boyd. | |
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 Annual Parish Meeting to be held on January 29
St. Thomas Episcopal Church's 2012 parish meeting will be conducted on Sunday, January 29. If you are the chairperson or organizer of one of our committees, ministries, or programs, please submit a summary of your group's mission and activities throughout the year. These submissions may be e-mailed to office@stthomascolumbus.org, and the deadline is Friday, January 20. In anticipation of the parish meeting, these summaries will be compiled to inform parishioners of our common work as a parish. Thank you for your continued service. | |
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 Pastoral Care Committee to meet on January 31
The Pastoral Care Committee will meet at St. Thomas Church at 5:00 pm in the Library on Tuesday, January 31. This committee is responsible for ministering to the sick, hospitalized, and homebound. If you would like more information, you are invited to attend the upcoming meeting. | |
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 Help Us Update our Parish Directory
We are continuously updating our parish directory, and we invite you to submit any contact information that has recently changed. You may access our password-protected parish directory from our website, http://www.stthomascolumbus.org/parishdirectory.html, using the password "stec". Please review your own contact information in the current directory, and contact the office to make any necessary corrections ( office@stthomascolumbus.org). Thank you! | |
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 December Financial Report
December income information:
Total Expected Income = $367,873.00*
Total Budgeted Income = $347,762.00**
Total Income Received = $359,529.03
*Includes pledges, non-pledged contributions, and pledges prepaid in full; does not include other, non-contribution income.
**As a financial cushion, the Vestry budgets only a portion of expected pledges. | |
Submitted by Financial Administration, on behalf of the Vestry. |
A Final Health Update
As we enter this new year I continue to be grateful for the many prayers and expressions of concern you offered me in my health challenge last year. You graciously continue to ask how I am doing, so let me offer this (hopefully) final word.
Between Christmas and New Years I received the results of my first post surgery PSA test - the simple blood for test that measures the presence of cancer indicators in the body. I am happy to say I scored a perfect Zero. This means I have no further treatment - only an occasional simple blood test to make sure all is well. Based on statistics, I have a 95% chance of being cancer free for the next 10 years. These are odds I will happily live with. I feel very good all way around.
I am aware that none of us always gets good health news. Every day on earth is a gift, and one day that gift will end. With that in mind I wish us all God's highest and best for the coming year - well aware that we don't always know what that will be. I wish us all good health in the coming year, and more than that, good courage and good company whatever the days may hold.
God's Peace
Fr. Doug | |
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In This Issue
Stewardship Appeal
Sunday Music Preview
This Sunday: Adult Education Explores Callings Images from Epiphany Celebration Opportunities for Youth
Next Office Closure
Integrity Meeting
St. Thomas Readers' Book Discussion
Annual Parish Meeting to be held on January 29
Pastoral Care Committee Meeting
Updating our Parish Directory
December Financial Report |
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