Parish Life
These are some of the recurring opportunities for fellowship and service in the parish life of St. Thomas. For more general information about service, see the Get Involved page.
Shrine Mont Parish Retreat: Annual parish retreat at Shrine Mont Conference Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Fellowship, worship, community, and fun for everyone. To assist in planning, publicizing, organizing, and facilitating the Shrine Mont parish retreat. Contact June Hardy Dorsey (321-9548, ext. 12 / jhdorsey@stthomasrichmond.org).
Supper Clubs: St. Thomas' supper clubs are an integral part of our parish life, and we encourage anyone interested in becoming a part of St. Thomas' to join a group. Supper clubs usually consist of 10–12 parishioners who meet for a meal once per month at each others' houses on a rotating basis from October through May. Everyone is assigned a dish to bring. You do not need to commit hosting in order to participate. Contact Radcliffe or Michelle Burt at 804-353-1951 or use our contact form to contact them by email. See this years supper club groups here.
Gala Auction: St. Thomas’ annual Gala Auction is held before Lent begins each year. We offer a silent auction, during which heavy hors d'oeuvres and light spirits are served. A live auction finishes the evening. Auction items range from attic treasures, collectibles, and jewelry to trips, one of a kind artwork/crafts by local artists, gift baskets, and furniture. The funds raised support the ministries of St. Thomas' Church. There are opportunities to help in many ways--including soliciting items to auction, decorating the week before, mailing invitations and /brochures, setting and cleaning up, making hors d'oeuvres, and "working the evening" as a member of the wait staff. Contact Stacy Hull (304-3909), Ann Dickson (213-3828) or Susannah Raine-Haddad (266-5395).
Winter Street Festival & Service of Nine Lessons and Carols: St. Thomas’ Annual Winter Street Festival takes place on Walton Avenue between Chamberlayne and Hawthorne Avenues on the last Sunday evening before Christmas. It is preceded by our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The night is a celebratory outreach gift to the community in honor of our patron saint, St. Thomas, whose feast day is December 21. The festival features entertainment, crafts, singing, a live nativity, and refreshments. A horse-and-buggy and a decorated trolley have joined the celebration in years past. Contact Rev. Susan Eaves (321-9548 x11).
Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, is the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It gets its name from the word “shrive,” which means “to confess.” Traditionally it is a day for partying and consuming items that you plan to give up in Lent. At St. Thomas’ we observe Shrove Tuesday by hosting a fund-raising pancake supper in support of our youth. The adult leaders prepare pancakes, the youth offer a program for children, and all of the accompanying goodies. Parishioners and neighbors join together for a time of food and fellowship before Lent begins. Contact John Royster (321-7119).
Annual Lenten Suppers: During Lent, the forty days preceding Holy Week and Easter, the regular programs of the church are supplemented by some that focus on the season. These may include daily Bible reading, fasting on Fridays, times of prayer, taking a course of study. Each Wednesday in Lent, a fellowship supper is held followed by a study series for adults, and one for children and youth. Contact June Hardy Dorsey (321-9548 x12 or jhdorsey@stthomasrichmond.org).
New Member Ministry: Participants in this ministry contact, welcome, and help nurture new members to our parish. Contact Susan Eaves (321-9548 x11 or seaves@stthomasrichmond.org).
Coffee Hour: The fellowship times that follow our worship services benefit from the efforts and generosity of many volunteers. Sign-up for a Sunday in the coming months. Volunteers provide light refreshments as they desire (coffee and cookies are already provided) and set up in the parish hall. Contact Amy Harr (321-9548, / aharr@stthomasrichmond.org).
Did you know that St. Thomas is now using Bishops Blend Fair Trade coffee exclusively? This coffee, imported and roasted by Pura Vida Coffee, is sourced exclusively from growers who have environmentally and socially responsible growing practices and who are paid a fair price for their coffee. In addition, a portion of the sales of the Bishops Blend label goes to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. For more information about Pura Vida and its programs, go to http://www.puravidacoffee.com/. For more information about the ERDF and its programs, go to http://www.er-d.org/. Check out how the money we pay for our coffee is being used!
Yard Sale: Assist in the set up, pricing and facilitation of the annual yard sale. Contact Ann Fuqua (746-5244 / afuqua@stthomasrichmond.org).
Saints In Touch (SIT) Ministry: Participate in caring for parishioners and guests in times of need. Contact Susan Eaves (321-9548 x11 or seaves@stthomasrichmond.org) or June Hardy Dorsey (321-9548 ext. 12 or jhdorsey@stthomasrichmond.org)
Parish Nurses: Caring Congregations along with HCA Richmond Hospitals (HCA) sponsors the parish nurse program in the city of Richmond. We are fortunate to have two parish nurses, Jay Douglas and Lorraine Norton, in our congregation. They are available for consultation, referral, health education, and visitation. The parish nurse is a professional member of the ministry team (volunteer or paid) who combines professional nursing expertise with faith concepts to facilitate the healing mission of a congregation. A parish nurse is a link between faith and health, helping people connect what they believe with life choices. Contact Jay Douglas (329-1620) or Lorraine Norton (269-4168).