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The CDC COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM. This means masks are not required but still not a bad idea! COVID exposures (being around someone who has COVID but doesn’t realize it yet) are still happening, including at church.

Please note: COVID cases are going around our (St. Thomas’, South Jersey) community. Please take the precautions you need and test if you feel cause for concern. We’re all tired of COVID, but apparently it is not yet tired of us!

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Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Church Picnic!  Special thanks to Barbara and Terry C. for organizing!

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Thanks to all 48 respondents who participated in St. Thomas’ Strength and Talents Survey. Your responses will help us focus on the best use of our resources. While there were many robust responses for all the activities listed in our survey, more than a third of parishioners selected bible study, reading lessons, and women’s and men’s’ groups. The good news is we have ministries that may be meeting the needs of the parish: Bible Study, Lector Group, ECW, and Tuesday night Work Crew.

However, what was most obvious from the survey is that people were interested in helping others. Writing letters, notes, cards, etc.; gardening/landscaping; helping to set up and serve communion; book club; and cooking/baking each received more than a quarter of the clicks.  Groups that may help fulfill these desires include Stewardship Committee, St Thomas’ Garden Ministry, and Altar Guild or Eucharistic Minister, among many others.

We received several responses listing other talents and interests ranging from historical,  technological, financial, musical, and medical areas to crafts and campus ministry.  It is thrilling to see such a variety in our congregation, and we encourage all to listen carefully to what God is calling you to do.  For more detailed information on the survey, please email: stthomassurvey@gmail.com or check the Parish Hall bulletin board to review the Survey Report.

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Ahli Arab Hospital is a hospital owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in the Gaza strip. It is the oldest hospital in Gaza, and as a Christian hospital, it provides care for more than 45,000 Gazans each year without partiality. The recent hostilities in the Holy Land have resulted in many deaths and injuries in two refugee camps, including one very close to Ahli Arab Hospital. Due to the border controls on Gaza, the hospital’s resources are incredibly strained. If you would like to give to support the work of this Christian witness for peace and loving neighbors in the Middle East, you may do so through the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

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Provide relief and help communities recover from flooding and fires

Deadly flooding and fires in southern and western parts of the US are displacing thousands and creating a financial burden on the most vulnerable. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with church and local partners to provide help where it’s needed the most. Your swift response and compassionate gift to the Episcopal Relief & Development Disaster Fund will provide supplies to help communities in Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, California and other places make a full and sustained recovery. Visit episcopalrelief.org to make a contribution today.

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Our COVID protocol is following the CDC guidelines for Gloucester County. Masks are not presently required. But they are still simple and effective protection. Please be sure to stay on top of your recommended vaccinations 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:  Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14

Lectionary readings for next week:  Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-33

Please continue in your daily prayers for: Dennis, Marge, Joann, Jennifer, Lou, Mary Esther, Katie, Don, Jim, Tracy, Ronald, Lee, Ruth, Ray, Ken, Joan, Wayne, Lenore, Connor

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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.org/calendar/ for a list of upcoming events. Please help us keep it current (and avoid hurt feelings) by sending updates to the church office (office@stthomasglassboro.org).

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