What's New

St. Thomas' gathered yesterday to honor and celebrate their priest-in-residence's forty years of ordained ministry. The congregation assembled between services to hear the vestry resolution recognizing his contribution to the life of the church (see below). A letter of congratulation from Bishop Lee was read, everyone sang sang an amusing song about Lindon set to the tune of "Morning has broken", and Lindon received a gift of decorated paper socks from the children of the church as well as several real ones too! All ate cake - of course.

"God Appointed a Worm that Attacked the Bush" (Jonah 4:7)

You are cordially invited . . .

 

. . . to attend the 2008 St. Thomas' Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont.  Set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Orkney Springs, Virginia, Shrine Mont is a former Victorian-era resort hotel, which for many years has served as a conference center and the Cathedral Shrine for the Diocese of Virginia, and promises hospitality, rest, and relaxation.

 

 

It was with great regret that Jen Amos' resignation has been accepted by the vestry. She has been a wise and helpful presence since her election in 2007. However, the demands upon her time have changed dramatically since her election with the addition of a new family member and her husband's travel schedule to be balanced against the demands of vestry service. It is our hope that she will have the opportunity to return to vestry leadership in the future and have recorded our appreciation of her ministry in formal vestry resolution.

Sermon by June Hardy Dorsey for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost,

September 14, 2008

 

Matthew 18: 21 - 35

 

Let’s “Step Up” Together.
Stewardship for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
PATIENT LORD, you amaze us each day with your ability to forgive our many sins. You display merciful acts and answer our prayers in profound ways. Help us to be stewards of your mercy and grace. Transform our gifts of talents, time, treasure and creation into active ministries. Multiply the span of these ministries to reach people in new ways. We pray in the name of the one who teaches true forgiveness, Jesus Christ. AMEN. (Based on today Gospel reading: Matthew 18:21-35.)

Despite Nascar bottleneck traffic, the congregation stepped up (over?through?around?) to make Step-Up Sunday a great success.

 

We always think we have more time. What we do not achieve today can be accomplished tomorrow. What will not fit into the schedule now can be postponed until it will. And sometimes the things for which we think we do not have the time are the things that truly matter and the things which do not truly matter become the things that fill up our lives.

Step Up Sunday invites everyone to Step Up to a new or continued ministry at St. Thomas'.  With Holy Eucharist, Fellowship Brunch and opportunities to step up and sign up, this first Sunday of the program year has a place for everyone.  The mission of St. Thomas' is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.  Step Up to be a part of this mission of wholeness!

August 31 was the occasion of Lucia Lloyd's last Sunday at St. Thomas. From her heartfelt farewell to the children and deeply felt sermon to the special anthem from the choir, the applause from the congregation, the food, the cake, the good wishes, and the gifts it was a day of celebration and thanksgiving. Many spoke to her of their memories of her ministry at St. Thomas and their hopes for her leadership at St. Stephen's Heathsville. (Her installation there will be at Tuesday, September 30 at 6.00 pm.)