|
Ordinary Time |
July 15, 2012 |
|
Spiritual Adventures at
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
News and Events
|
|
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! |
|
General Convention concludes in Indy
The triennial General Convention, which began July 3, ended today in Indianaopolis. Fr. Doug attended as an alternate deputy, Vicky Partin worked in Jubilee ministries, and John Partin served as a volunteer. Rev. Sandy McCann also attended.
 Among the highlights: The June election of the Very Rev. Rob Wright as the 10th Bishop of Atlanta was approved.
You can read General Convention stories by Episcopal News Service by clicking here. At the Media Hub, you can view worship services as well as other media. And, more locally, you can see the news from our delegates and bishops.
Rev. Dr. Sandy McCann in photo |
 |
|
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 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.
Twelve people attended the course Wednesday night.
--Fr. Doug |
|
 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. |
|
|
 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. |
|
|
 St. Thomas Youth Group!
The youth will meet from 2-3 p.m. Saturday at City Falls Coffee for a relaxed "let's catch up" session. If you are in town, please come join us. City Falls Coffee is located in the old bank building at the corner of West 11th and Broadway in UpTown Columbus. We hope to see you there!
-- Brantley Ford |
|
|
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.
|
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!
|
|
 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. |
|
 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
|
|
 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 |
 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 weekThe following St. Thomas members have birthdays today through July 20: Sonya Boyd (Sunday); Christine Slusher and Lauren Kent (Monday); Grif Morpeth (Tuesday); B.J. Landen (Thursday); and Hunter Mullen (Friday). Happy birthday, all! |
|
Allison Kennedy Owen, Spiritual Adventures editor |
|
|
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. |
|
