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Ordinary Time |
July 8, 2012 |
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Spiritual Adventures at
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
News and Events
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Dear St. Thomas friends,
Please enjoy this issue of our E-NEWSLETTER! Please check your e-mail each week to read our news and events. To read more information, you can now find us on Facebook! |
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General Convention meets in Indy
Tuesday kicked off General Convention, which continues through July 12. The Episcopal Church meets in General convention every three years. Bishops and four "deputies" from every diocese gather to vote on myriad issues which broadly shape the life of the church over the next three years. Issues include budget, healthcare, the structure of the Church's ministry, and a proposed liturgy for the blessing of same-sex partners. This last one will include educational and historical materials about this issue.
There will be many programs which highlight everything from outreach to stewartship to young adult ministries.
Fr. Doug is attending as an alternate deputy, Vicky Partin is working in Jubilee ministries, and John Partin will be serving as a volunteer.
The Church has created an online "Media Hub" which will allow anyone to observe and learn virtually all of the Convention"s activities. |
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How to share, save, spend
Dear Friends,
These are tough times economically, and none of us seem to be able to do all that we would like to do with our money. All of us would like to spend more wisely, share more generously, and save more for our future needs and wants.
A steering committee of your St. Thomas friends wants to offer four evenings of conversation about these issues, using the very popular and well-regarded series, Share, Save, Spend.
This program is endorsed by the Diocese of Atlanta, and has been used by a number of colleges and non profit groups. It is designed to help us think of our own money habits in light of our own values and to facilitate meaningful conversation about money without being invasive.
This program will not try to sell you anything (other than the $11 curriculum). It is a chance to look in faith at this big reality in our lives: money.
The one hour programs will be Wednesdays after supper, July 11 through Aug. 1. They will start at 6:45. Various parishioners will facilitate conversation. No one person is an expert; we will all bring our wisdom.
Please respond with your interest in this class so we can order our curriculum.
Share, Save, Spend Steering Committee: David Brandenburgh; Ray Capo; Matt Landreau; Roger Redden
Malinda Shamburger; Chris & Patty Slembarski; and Gary
Wortley.
--Fr. Doug |
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 Speaking of money ...Wilson Ford is conducting a "Pennies for V.I.P." project during the month of July. In order to assist the V.I.P. program and help the families involved, we ask that you drop your pennies in the coffee cans in the Narthex and in All Saints Hall. At the end of the month the pennies will be given to Malinda Shamburger who will donate them to V.I.P. , a local ministry for homeless families. St. Thomas is one of the host congregations. |
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Candidates' videos posted
Dear St. Thomas Friends,
I have appreciated all of the ongoing prayers and encouragement during the discernment process that will select the Seventh Bishop of Lexington. As most of you know, I am one of five candidates being considered for the Aug. 18 election.
Some have asked me how the "campaign" is going - an understandable question given that our nation is in an election year, but a bishop election is more of a call process than a campaign.
Heres a reminder of how this works in our church. The Diocese of Lexington called for a bishop election when the Sixth Bishop, Stacy Sauls, was called to serve as C.O.O. of The Episcopal Church in New York.
The diocese selected a nominating committee of eight persons - priests and laity - who led the diocese through a series of "Holy Conversations" discerning its future needs, followed by a several month process of gathering names and winnowing the list. Through a process of interviews, written material, and recommendations from people across the Church, the committee came up with a final list of five candidates.
I met the other candidates when we gathered with the nominating committee at a retreat in Kentucky in May. I can say of them that they are a very fine group of priests and an enjoyable group of people. We are very diverse, giving evidence again of the Apostles claim that "there are a variety of gifts, and a variety of ministries, but the same spirit and the same Lord" (1 Cor. 12).
Our written materials, and now introductory videos (see below) have been distributed to the diocese. Next we will spend the first week of August in the diocese, gathering for formal presentations, question/answer sessions, potluck dinners and meet and greets. All of this gives the diocese a good introduction to us all.
On Saturday Aug. 18, the priests and lay representatives from the diocese will gather to pray, sing, share Holy Communion, and vote. The inner wisdom given by the Holy Spirit will lead that body to choose which of us best meets the needs of the Diocese of Lexington.
I am excited about this possibility and am open to this ministry.
However, as I said earlier, in The Episcopal Church no one is called to be bishop until the appropriate body elects them. For now, I have only one call in the church, and that is to serve as Rector of the finest parish anyone could serve.
Keep Kaye and me in your prayers, as we keep you in ours during this season of discernment.
Christ's Peace
Doug+ You may watch the videos here. |
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Prejudice Reduction Series comes to close
The third and final session of the One Columbus Prejudice Reduction Seminar Series on the Middle East is 6-7:30 p.m. today at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. The speaker is Dr. Amira Jamarkani from Georgia State University who will speak on gender justice in the Middle East and Islamic feminisms.
Dr. Denny Clark, who regularly worships at St. Thomas, kicked off the series.
The event is free. |
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Auditions for 'Next Fall' this summer
The Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of Integrity at St. Thomas is having auditions for the play "Next Fall" at 7 p.m. Aug. 2 and 2 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Outreach Center. The playwright is Geoffrey Nauffts. Larry Dooley, a St. Thomas member who leads the theater program at CSU, will direct the play. Auditions will be informal. Please bring something to read that shows your expressiveness(maximum three minutes). The material doesn't have to be memorized. The cast includes six characters, male and female, ranging in age from 20-50.
The play is scheduled for Sept. 14-15.
Read a synopsis here.
For more information, call B.J. Landen at 706-566-1198.
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Wright to be ordained
at MLK Chapel , Morehouse
The ordination of the Rev. Rob Wright as the 10th bishop of Atlanta has been moved from the Cathedral of St. Philip to the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the campus of Morehouse College.
The decision was made after consultation with Bishop Alexander, the diocesan Standing Committee and Transition Committee.
Bishop-elect Wright said he is grateful for the Cathedral's hospitality, noting that the decision to move the service was made only after it became clear that more seating will be needed than the 1,500 people the Cathedral holds.
Click here to read the full story from the Diocese of Atlanta. |
How to join the Summer Choir
All are invited to be a part of the Summer Choir. Under the direction of organist and choirmaster Rick McKnight, the Summer Choir gathers for a brief rehearsal at 9:50 a.m. every Sunday. No auditions necessary!
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 Where in the world is St. Thomas Parish?
As you travel this summer, many of you will worship in other places. It is a joy to see the diversity of our wonderful Church. Drop us an email about any church you visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and we will start an ongoing list of links to the places we have encountered God.
Recent visits include Kanuga Chapel and Zion Church in Talbotton.
Click here to see some of the other places we've been, and also learn how Episcokids can send their vacation photos. |
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 McMichael to keynote kickoff Retired local TV newsman Dick McMichael will speak at the kick-off for St. Thomas Readers Book Group. The event follows supper at approximately 6:35 p.m. on Aug. 15 and will be in the parish library. All are welcome.
McMicheal is the author of "The Newsman," his memoir It is available at all Columbus area public libraries and convener Sonya Boyd has two copies which she is willing to part with for a $10 donation each to the St. Thomas Youth Program. Contact Sonya Boyd at janjulau@aol.com or phone 706-563-6161 if you are interested in one of these.
The books may also be ordered through Exlibris.com on a print-on-demand basis. However, copies are no longer available through local book stores. The book is an excellent read.
McMichael will speak on many of the events of his life and career.
--Submitted by Sonya Boyd
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 Wednesday suppers
Join these smiling faces! Everyone is invited to Wednesday dinner at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost is $7 Adults/Youth; $4 Children; $20 Family maximum. Reservations are needed by Monday afternoon. You may call the church office: 706-324-4264 or e-mail office@stthomascolumbus.org |
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Day School has second summer camp
St. Thomas Day School has its second summer camp Monday-Friday. This is a "Time for Travel" camp. Call 706-324-1268 for more information, including cost. |
 Hymn requests sought
What is your favorite hymn in the Episcopal Hymnal 1982? Let me know and I'll be sure to schedule it sometime this summer. Contact me via email music@stthomascolumbus.org, cell 706-575-8900 or drop a note in the collection plate.
-- Rick McKnight |
 Birthdays this weekWe celebrate the following St. Thomas members who have birthdays between Friday and July 12: Shirley Traugh, Janet Mapel and Jennifer Gray (Friday); Robert Amon, Lowell Jergins and Sue O'Dell (Sunday); Wayne Henly and Edward Bayne (Monday); Jack Ceccato and Messina Akyempong (Tuesday); Marge Henly and Christine DiFeliciantonio (Wednesday); and Peter Anderson and Taylor Lewis (Thursday). Happy birthday, all! |
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Allison Kennedy Owen, Spiritual Adventures editor |
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St. Thomas Episcopal Church
2100 Hilton Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31906
Office of the Rector,
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
706-324-4264
office@stthomascolumbus.org
Weekly Services:
Sundays at
8:00 and 10:30
Wednesdays at
5:30 p.m. |
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