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Ordinary Time |
July 29, 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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What do we do with violence and evil? Instances like last week's Colorado shooting send us back to this primal and basic question. We sift through information about the shooter in a futile search for motives and explanations - there are none. We look at the lives of victims and survivors seeking a higher reason or purpose for the tragedy - yet we know that suggesting any reason or purpose is an insult to the dead and the living.
The Bible has a name for violence and evil and the dark place from which it comes - Sin. It is the name our faith gives to the broken, dark, death-dwelling, death-dealing part of our human experience. Scripture does not spend much time trying to explain evil and sin; it simply acknowledges it as a fact of our world - a fact shared by us all. The shooter is singularly guilty and responsible for his actions. But as members of a society which allows unfettered access to assault weapons and massive amounts of ammunition we are also guilty and responsible. When it is easier to buy weapons which have no use in hunting or self defense than it is to get a drivers license - something is broken. The name of this violent cycle is Sin.
The Bible does not explain Sin. It responds to it. The death dealing of Good Friday is answered by Easter Day.
How do we respond to violence and evil? Weep for the victims. Challenge our culture to slow down the flow of death dealing weapons. When you think of the Colorado story, look for acts that affirmed life - people who shielded loved ones, staying in harm's way for the sake of others.
None of our hands are clean. But we can link our soiled hands to Christ's pierced hands in redeeming the world. On Sunday, I told you about a song by Ben Harper -
 | | Jack Johnson/Ben Harper: With My Own Two Hands Video |
Take a listen. Make it your prayer. Lift your hands in prayer, then lend your hands for a better world.
Video courtesy of Catholic Health Care
-- Fr. Doug Hahn
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 Auditions for 'Next Fall' happening next week
The Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of Integrity at St. Thomas is having auditions for the play "Next Fall" at 7 p.m. Thursday 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 of "Last Fall" here.
For more information, call B.J. Landen at 706-566-1198. And, you might want to check out St. Thomas' Facebook page about the play. |
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Columbus Jazz Society moves in
The Columbus Jazz Society has moved in with us! Come hear live jazz every second Sunday of the month from 6-9 p.m. in All Saints Hall. The Aug. 12 event features Kenyon Carter, saxophone. $10 admission. Click here for the group's website. -- Submitted by Janet Mapel |
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Four Hands, Four Feet
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Jordan Organ, the Columbus, Georgia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is having a free recital at 4 p.m. Aug. 12 in Legacy Hall, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. All are welcome. |
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Episcokids Announcements
Ms. Erin has a lot planned for our Episcokids! Click here for more details on : - Pool party!
- A Sweet Frog Princess Party! - Movie night at Hollywood Connections - Sunday School teacher training
- Submitted by Erin Redden, Children's Ministry director |
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How to share, save, spend
We are nearing the end of four evenings of conversation about personal economic issues, using the very popular and well-regarded series, Share, Save, Spend.
Twelve parishioners have had lively conversations about money and meaning. Come join us for the last evening on Wednesday. It starts at 6:45.
Share, Save, Spend Steering Committee: David Brandenburgh; Ray Capo; Matt Landreau; Roger Redden
Malinda Shamburger; Chris & Patty Slembarski; and Gary
Wortley. |
 Speaking of money ...
Wilson Ford has been conducting a "Pennies for V.I.P." project during 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. |
 Nets for Life raises $2,416! A big thank you to the people of St. Thomas who raised $2,416 for Nets for Life. This amounts to 200 nets, which will help protect about 600 children around the globe, in places where mosquitoes are more than a menace but a life-threatening reality. At $12 apiece, your gift has gone a long way toward saving lives.
See this page for more about the program, sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development. (Photo by ERD) |
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Youth group at City Falls
The St. Thomas Youth Group and their accompanying chaperones, Sonya Boyd, David Bonaker, and Brantley Lewis, had a great time at the City Falls Coffee Shop last Saturday, where we were all welcomed and treated hospitably. They even provided us with a separate room where we ate, played games and had a fun time. The food was good and so was the service.
-- Brantley Ford, youth director |
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Going to the chapel ...
April Jacobs and Grant Johnson will be joined in marriage at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at St. Thomas. The Rev. Lorna Erixson will officiate. A reception will follow in All Saints' Hall. Everyone is invited. Please continue your prayers for April and Grant!.
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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
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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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.
Click here to see some of the other places we've been, and also learn how Episcokids can send their vacation photos. |
 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 between today and Aug. 2: John Partin and Audrey Hamric (Friday); Robin Snipes and Audrian Ward (Saturday); Debbie Anderson (Monday); Larry Dooley, Ward Loving and Laura Powell (Wednesday); and Joe Mills (Aug. 2). Happy Birthday, all! |
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Allison Kennedy Owen, Spiritual Adventures! editor
Samantha Dansby, Communications Coordinator |
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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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