 Ash Wednesday, February 22
I invite you, in the name of the church, to the observance of a Holy Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday services at 7:00 am (in the Chapel), 12:00 noon (in the Nave), and 7:00 pm (in the Nave). On this day, it is the ancient practice of the church to invite its members to receive the imposition of ashes on the forehead as a symbol of this season of penitence, reflections, and fasting. Please join us on Wednesday to begin this season of Lent. | | Submitted by Fr. Doug Hahn. |
 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Upcoming Youth Events
Since Lent is traditionally a time of fasting, Shrove Tuesday--the last day before Lent--is traditionally a day of celebrating and enjoying your favorite foods. Please join us this Tuesday, February 21, as our Youth Group hosts our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, beginning at 6:00 pm in All Saints' Hall.
Our Youth also have some exciting opportunities coming up this spring:
+ March (date TBD) - lunch at FDR State Park and hike to view Andrew Slembarski's Eagle Scout project of rebuilt campsite;
+ April (date TBD) - day trip to the Renaissance Fair;
+ Youth Confirmation Class will begin in the fall of 2012 for all youth grades 6-12. | | Submitted by Brantley Lewis. |
 Nominees for the Bishop of Atlanta Announced
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has announced five priests to stand for election as the next bishop of Atlanta, which serves middle and north Georgia.
The February 13th announcement opens a month-long period during which members of the Diocese may petition to add additional names to the ballot. The five nominees are:
+ The Rev. George F. Adamik, Rector, St. Paul's Church, Cary, NC, Diocese of North Carolina, age 58;
+ The Rev. Michael A. Bird, Rector, Christ Church, Bronxville, NY, Diocese of New York, age 44;
+ The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA, Diocese of Atlanta, age 55;
+ The Rev. Canon James H. Pritchett Jr., Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Western North Carolina, age 55;
+ The Very Rev. Robert C. Wright, Rector, St. Paul's Church, Atlanta, GA, and Dean, Mid-Atlanta Convocation, Diocese of Atlanta, age 48.
Candidates will tour the Diocese and engage in a variety of public forums during the week of May 14. Election of next bishop will be on June 2, 2012. We are grateful for the hard work of the nominating committee, especially our local representatives, Lay Member Vicky Partin and Clergy Member Jeff Jackson (St. Nicholas Church, Hamilton). Thank you. | | Submitted by Fr. Doug Hahn. |
 St. Thomas Congregation to Support WNN in February
The Wynnton Neighborhood Network (WNN) is the food pantry and outreach ministry of nine Christian and Jewish congregations in our area. It is housed at St. Thomas Outreach Center, and every weekday morning it welcomes hungry families to receive groceries or utility assistance. Dozens of volunteers make this work possible.
During 2011, the Network served 3602 local families, including 1555 families with children, for a grand total of 8278 individuals served, including 3569 children. In addition, we assisted 629 families with their utility bills. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry. This means that our gifts of food can be found on the tables of 10 families a day. Because the food is meant to last a few days, we know that every night 20-30 children do not go to bed hungry because of your generosity.
This service only touches the tip of the iceberg of hunger in our state. Feeding America's Child Food Insecurity Study, released in August of 2011, revealed that 27.9% of Georgia's children live in food insecure households - more than 700,000 children under age 18. The USDA defines food insecurity as the lack of access to adequate food resulting from the lack of money and other resources. Click here to learn more about hunger in Georgia.
We invite you to join the fight against hunger by bringing your gifts of food or money for WNN to church through the month of February. Needs include: canned products, especially vegetables, fruit, meat, soup, and tomatoes; spaghetti sauce and dried pasta; macaroni and cheese; dry beans; cereal and oatmeal; peanut butter and jelly; diapers and toilet tissue; bath soap and laundry soap; toothpaste and toothbrushes.
WNN is looking for a new volunteer to work on Monday on the food side of the pantry. We also welcome volunteers for other days. If you are interested, please contact the new volunteer coordinator, Vicky Veteto, at vveteto@charter.net. To learn more about St. Thomas outreach opportunities, click here. | | Information submitted by Vicky Veteto and Fr. Doug Hahn. |
 New Faces at St. Thomas
The community of faith at St. Thomas Episcopal Church is always eager to welcome new members. This week, we would like to shine a spotlight on two new members who found their way to our open doors. Welcome, Derek and Lauren Seifrit! Lauren is a Columbus native who works as a stylist at Kerry Mack salon. Derek is a native of Tennessee, has worked as deputy sheriff, and has spent two years helping to train the Afghan National Police. He is currently searching for a permanent job. He studied music in school, and has recently joined the St. Thomas Choir. Derek said they decided to look for a church home, and St. Thomas was a random choice: "From the first moment, we felt welcomed and within a few weeks we felt like we belonged." Thanks, Derek! We're glad you found us! | | Submitted by Rick McKnight, Organist and Choirmaster. |
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 Infusion Program Wins Two Grants for Mission
(Several St. Thomas Teams Have Been a Part of Infusion: Fr. Hahn Serves as Their Spiritual Advisor)
The Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry (CVEM) has received two Episcopal Church Jubilee Ministries grants for its youth leadership program, Infusion. Both grants center around the service and leadership of teenagers involved in the program, and one of the grant proposals was written by Infusion teen Abby Brown, a high-school senior and member of St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church in Hamilton. For more information about Infusion, click here. To subscribe to the Diocese of Atlanta e-newsletter, click here. | | |
 Friends of Finley to Create Honorarium
A group calling itself "Friends of Finley" has been formed to create an honorarium for Finley Williamson's innumerable contributions to St. Thomas. This group has approached the church, and received the blessings of the Property Committee and the Vestry. The honorarium will be a mission-style oak server (pictured), designed and built by artisan Rick Garner. Mr. Garner is asking a discounted price of $5000. To contribute to this project, please make your check payable to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, with the memo "Friends of Finley" written in the memo line of your check. Our goal is to have the project completed by Finley's birthday on June 10. Thank you. Submitted by Friends of Finley. | |
 Ministry Fair Offers Rich Opportunities in Education and Diocesan Fellowship
On Saturday, March 10, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta is hosting its annual Ministry Fair. St. Thomas always brings a sizable contingent of participants, including staff, Vestry, and interested parishioners.
This annual gathering features educational workshops on a variety of topics, including Christian Education, Outreach, Vestry Leadership, and Pastoral Care. This year, one of the workshops will be led by youth and adults from our own INFUSION program. The day consists of a keynote address, and the opportunity to attend 3 of over 40 workshops. This year's guest speaker and topic will be Dr. Stephen Smith of the Center for Disease Control: Knocking Out Malaria - Timing is Everything. The Ministry Fair will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. For more information or to register online, go to http://www.episcopalatlanta.org/. | |
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 Orientation for Worship Participants to be held on Saturday, March 24
Worship Leader and Acolyte Orientation will be held on Saturday, March 24. Vergers, Chalice Bearers, Clergy, and Acolytes will gather at 10:00 am in the Nave for training and orientation. (This does not include Readers). Prospective participants who are interested in this ministry are welcome. Active servers should make every effort to be present. A makeup training will be on Wednesday, March 28. Thank you for your dedicated service to St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
| | Submitted by Fr. Doug Hahn. |
 January Financial Report, and Our Thanks to Donors
Expected Income = $31,854.88 Budgeted Income = $30,284.32
Income Received = $40,307.07
This week, we would like to thank the following donors for their gifts to the following funds:
+ Bruce & Bobbie Getz - Vestry Discretionary Fund in memory of JoAnne Barlow;
+ Bob & Jenny Lind Berry - Rector's Discretionary Fund;
+ Ena Hunt - Flower Guild in honor of Sherry Wade;
+ Our regular contributors to African Mission Fund, Music Fund, and Office Discretionary Fund;
+ All those contributing food and funds to the Wynnton Neighborhood Network. Thank you, all. | | Submitted by Financial Administration. |
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In This Issue
Ash Wednesday Services
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Upcoming Youth Events
Committee Announces Five Candidates for Bishop
St. Thomas to Support WNN in February
St. Thomas Welcomes New Faces
Infusion Program Wins Two Grants!
Friends of Finley Commission Rare Gift
Episcopal Ministry Fair on March 10
Orientation for Worship Participants on March 24
January Financial Report
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