One ministry or tradition at St. Thomas’ that I pray continues for years to come.

Wandering through the campus of St Thomas’, with its’ gothic style church and surrounding cemetery, it reminds me of an old English church and the traditions of the Episcopal Church’s roots in the Anglican church (the Church of England). One of the traditions that come to mind is the involvement of the church in the community. At St Thomas’ the one ministry that exemplifies this tradition is the Kitchen of Hope. From its founding many years ago, it has been an important part of the life of the church. I dare say, it may well be the heart of the church. Many members of the church have participated in this loving service to the community. The Saturday give away is successful with help of
many, many folks. The once a month Saturday give away is the end results of the Friday before prep. Although the Saturday give away requires many hands, I will be writing about the “behind the scenes” of the Friday before.

It is a time that requires a great deal of manpower and time. Before the pandemic, Kitchen of Hope conducted the preparation of the bags of groceries in the parish hall. All food stuffs were either stored in the ARC or refrigerators/freezers in the hall. All food had to be brought into the parish hall and sorted for distribution. Parishioners like our favorite sisters, Barbara and Jackie “rolled” in to help prepare bags of groceries along with Elaine and Marie. The sisters and Elaine always helped with the donated baked goods and Marie always did the counting of boxes of cereal. Carolyn, Vivian’s sister, did whatever was needed. Nothing was beyond her willingness to get the bags filled. Even students from
Rowan came to help when they could. So many came to help!

During the pandemic, the “Kitchen” had to shut down but not for long! Vivian and John,
managed to get us “out into the air” to continue our give away. This ministry was to endure! As a consequence of the pandemic, Kitchen of Hope shifted to only outdoor prep for the Saturday give away. This practice continues until this day. We sometime think of ourselves like postal workers, “nor rain nor snow…” will stop us from preparing the bags. Whether snow, rain, heat or cold we come to fulfil the mission to feed the needy. Several retired parishioners like Jenny and Juanita come to lend a hand when there is need for extra hands, and even Debbie and Sid, some former members of the church, stop by to lend a hand. And of course, Friday prep wouldn’t be complete without Carl and Linda and their truck load of fresh produce from Bushels of Blessings. And with many of our parishioners moving swiftly into the “golden years”, we have been fortunate to have the help of workers from Atlantic Electric.

But the story of kitchen of Hope is not over. New challenges await but with the leadership of Deacon John and Vivian and, with God’s help, it will endure. It is a ministry that has survived through the pandemic providing food to many. As long as St Thomas’ Episcopal Church lives, Kitchen of Hope will grow and continue to be God’s gift to the community.

Faithfully,
Jim Gibbs

Dear Friends:

Well, it’s that time again. Leaves are turning, there’s a snap in the air, there’s pumpkins and apple cider. It’s that season. And yes, it’s also Stewardship season. More specifically, it’s Pledge season.

Soon you will be receiving a Pledge card. And as you fill it out, think about just how much St. Thomas’ means to you.

Think about all the opportunities we have to worship God and serve our church community. Things like multiple weekend worship services either in person or on line, children’s Sunday School, adult formation, Kitchen of Hope, campus ministries, and a host of other fellowship and service opportunities.

It’s all part of how we honor God. And that is why we are all here.

Think of our buildings and grounds. They don’t just take care of themselves. We at St.
Thomas’ take pride in caring for our campus and our buildings. The vast majority of these
efforts we do with in house volunteer labor. But materials and some outside contracts are also needed, and they cost money.

And then think about clergy. We are currently in a transition period as we search for a new
rector. But also consider that there are at lease 3 other parishes in our immediate area who are in the search for a new rector. Clergy related expenses include salary, Social Security offset, life insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, continuing education, pension, professional, and other expenses. Offering an attractive salary and benefits package will be key to distinguishing us from the others in finding a new rector.

All of these considerations boil down to one common denominator. Pledges.

Pledging your financial support is the only way the Vestry knows how much money it can rely upon to operate the church. Other than your pledges, there is no other major source of income for the church.

We are the people of St. Thomas’. It is our responsibility to fund our church.

I ask you to reflect on that and consider just how much St. Thomas’ means to you. And I ask you to please, Pledge.

Wayne Rowbotham

Dear Friends,

St. Thomas’ isn’t just where we go on Sundays—it’s where we feel grounded, connected, and part of something bigger.  It’s a reflection of our shared faith, our gratitude for God’s blessings, and our commitment to one another.  That’s why we support our stewardship campaign—because we want to help keep St. Thomas’ traditions alive.

Stewardship begins with the understanding that everything we have—our time, talent, and treasure—is a gift from God.  Whether we give financially, volunteer our time, or offer our skills, we are participating in a spiritual practice that strengthens our connection to God and to each other.

St. Thomas’ is our place of welcome and worship, but it’s also a hub of outreach, education, and care. Our stewardship directly supports ministries that serve the local community, including food give aways, youth programs, and events that celebrate the richness of our congregation. It funds pastoral care, music and liturgy, and the upkeep of our campus—ensuring that our doors remain open to all who seek comfort, inspiration, or belonging.

Stewardship isn’t just about money. It’s about giving back to the church that gives so much to us. Whether it’s the warmth of a welcome, the comfort of prayer, or the joy of seeing our kids grow in faith.  St. Thomas’ is a spiritual home.  Supporting the campaign means making sure those blessings continue—not just for us, but for everyone who walks through our doors.  But more than that, it’s a way of saying, “I believe in this church. I want to be part of its future.”

Just as stewardship helps sustain our ministries and spiritual life, it also plays a practical role in keeping our church running smoothly. When we fill out a pledge card, we’re not just making a financial commitment—we’re helping the Vestry plan wisely for the year ahead. These pledges give a clearer picture of what resources are available, allowing thoughtful decisions about programs, staffing, and maintenance. In recent years, our expenses have outpaced our giving, which makes planning even more challenging. If you’re able, we ask you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge this year—not out of obligation, but out of love for the church we all call home.

Ultimately, supporting the stewardship campaign at St. Thomas’ is an act of faith. It’s trusting that our contributions—large or small—will be used wisely to build a church that welcomes, heals, teaches, and inspires. It’s a way of saying yes to God’s call and yes to the community we cherish.

So, when the campaign comes around, please don’t just see a pledge card—see an invitation. To be generous. To be grateful. To be part of something sacred.  

Faithfully Yours,
Carl & Linda Kinsley

P.S.   “Go Birds”