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Dear St. Thomas’,
The COVID numbers have been rising sharply, and St. Thomas’ has not been unaffected. Multiple people who attended last weekend’s liturgies have confirmed or possible cases of COVID-19. I am one of those people!
In retrospect, I’m glad we were all masked. In a situation like this, there’s no telling where the virus came from or whether we all caught it at church or elsewhere. But we know how to respond: with loving care for one another and all our neighbors.
Our Saturday services continue indoors for the moments, with masks required. Our Sunday services will be outdoors starting this week. Wifi is a little spotty, but our valiant video crew will do their best to livestream one or both services.
Please take care of yourselves. Stay up to date on the vaccinations recommended for you, wear a mask in public, and be thankful in all things.
I’m actually out of town at the moment, quarantining in North Carolina, where I tested positive. For the next two weeks we have excellent lay leaders, members of our own community, leading Evening Prayer on Saturdays and terrific supply priests lined up to celebrate the Holy Eucharist outdoors on Sundays: you don’t want to miss them!
Faithfully,
Todd+
The CDC COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH. This means masks are required at any indoor gatherings at St. Thomas’, including gatherings for worship.
Our Sunday worship gatherings have moved outside for the summer! Bring a chair and dress for the weather!
The USPS is offering another round of free Covid at-home tests. You can apply for your free tests here.
Thank you to everyone who helped with Kitchen of Hope last week! Out next giveaway is 11 June.
Sunday School is cancelled for 29, May 2022 for the Memorial Day weekend.
On 22 May 2022, the Sunday School will be holding a Community Clean Up Fund Raising Event with Gloucester County. Come out and not only help clean up our community, but also the Sunday School. We will be leaving the parish hall at 12:00 pm to head to our designated area to clean up.
The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing recently put on a special program for *Asian American & Pacific Islander month.* Our friend from the Diocese of New Jersey, the inimitable Canon Barbie Bach, was a featured panelist. See the recording here: https://youtu.be/0jvLfz7Cy_8
We want to hear from you! The Strengths and Interests Committee is conducting a survey so we can learn more about our parishioners – what are your strengths or talents? What are your interests? Your prompt participation is appreciated, however, please submit no later than June 5th.
- The survey is streamlined and takes no more than 10 minutes to complete
- Each family member should complete the survey individually
- Easily completed on a computer, mobile phone, iPad
- A summary of responses will be shared (anonymously) after survey completion
- Survey Link: https://forms.gle/SWExgCWmUucGXBKr7
- You may scan the QR code below to access the survey
- If you require a paper copy to complete the survey, please contact Jo-Ann T. at (856) 889-7855 or Devin D. at (856) 745-0291.
In celebration of Pride Month, join us for a new Adult Formation offering, Hearts Unbound. The overwhelming message of the Bible, in story after story, is that of God’s radical love and welcome. Every time we think we know who’s in and who’s out, God does something to challenge those assumptions, to unbind our hearts and minds from old ways of understanding, and to draw the circle ever wider. This is setup in a fun, informal reader’s theater – no costumes or props! Readers needed! Contact Sarah T. for questions/more info. Starting 5 June at 9 AM in the Parish Hall.
Help Wanted: due to several reasons, the Sunday School will be cancelling it’s Spring Flea Market indefinitely. The Fall Flea Market is scheduled for 17 September (rain date of 24 September) and we are looking for and organized person to spearhead the planning of this event (a position formally filled by Debbie L.). Interested candidates should be able to copy and mail out sign-up forms, keep track of those who want to rent tables, collect funds and be the contact person by either phone or email. Forms, maps and contacts are already completed. Contact Barbara K. if interested.
Wednesday’s Outdoors Eucharist is on summer hiatus. Join us when we begin again in September. Please note that Sunday Eucharists (10.30am) will be moving outdoors (weather permitting) beginning with the Feast of Pentecost on 5 June.
Centering Prayer (Mondays, 4pm) will be online only through the end of May. If you would like to host the in-person portion of Centering Prayer occasionally through the summer, and connect it with our online cohort, please contact Father Todd.
Our COVID protocol is following the CDC guidelines for Gloucester County. Masks are presently required. Please be sure to stay on top of your recommended vaccinations and masking to protect all those you love.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Episcopal Relief & Development serving refugees from Ukraine, you can donate here.
Lectionary readings for this week: Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, John 13:31-35, Psalm 148
Lectionary readings for next week: Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 14:8-17, (25-27), Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Please continue in your daily prayers for: Dennis, Marge, Joann, Jennifer, Lou, Mary Esther, Chuck, Marie, Ruth, Craig, Ethan, Erin, Jason, Michael, Catherine, Kimberly, Lois, Hope, Jack, Ginny, Cheryl, Steve, Eddie, Chase, Kathy, Jack, Stacey
Announcements for the parish email are due via email by noon on Wednesday of each week. You can email them to announcements@stthomasglassboro.org
The church calendar can be seen at https://www.stthomasglassboro.
Are you serving in liturgy? Check the rota!
Prayer requests can be sent to prayer@stthomasglassboro.org
Watch our livestream here Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 10:30am!
Full-text of the liturgy is available at https://www.sharedprayers.net
The Great 50 Days of Easter at St. Thomas’
- Holy Eucharist Outdoors and Streaming online: Sundays, 10:30am
- Centering Prayer Online: Mondays, 4pm
- Holy Eucharist in the Nave and Streaming online: Saturdays, 5:30pm