Dear St. Thomas’,

The warnings from the CDC about traveling over Thanksgiving were disturbing, weren’t they? I hope that you found a safe and appropriate path through all the conflicting reasons and worries in order to celebrate a day of thanks. For a Christian, “thanks giving” can be a grateful sigh – or an act of faithful defiance. When the world tells us we’re missing out because things aren’t like you want them, things aren’t like “normal years”: it is those times we can offer thanks for the many good things we do still enjoy, most especially God’s favor and promise of a life that extends far beyond the mortal sphere.

Two changes in our life together are happening in the weeks to come. I want you to be aware of both so that you can make informed choices around both of them.

First, the Diocese has authorized singing as long as we are outdoors and following our standard protocol (minimum six feet apart, wearing masks snugly fitted over mouth and nose). We’re not passing out the hymnals (yet!) but we will begin this Sunday with a couple verses of “O come, O come Emanuel” as we begin our Advent celebration together. You may choose to leave an extra foot or two of margin around you for this reason. We have plenty of space to spread out!

Second, not this week but next we anticipate moving our 8am service from being exclusively online to a hybrid: online and indoors in the Parish Hall. Seating will be limited but not as limited as the nave. If you want to attend by Zoom, you may still do that. For those present, you will be seated either alone or with a single companion from your household, at a distance from anyone else. We will have the windows open and the heat blowing. It won’t be as warm as you’re used to, but neither will it be quite as cold as being outdoors.

Again this additional option for indoor worship will begin next Sunday, 6 December, for the second week of Advent. We will not be singing in this service.

Among all the settings in which we might find ourselves among other people, I have the greatest trust in our gatherings as the church. We have been diligent about cleaning, observing distancing rules, and wearing masks. Thank you for your continued efforts to show up for one another in safe ways that honor each person’s own choices around being careful in this season. These are the ways that we love one another.

Faithfully,

Todd+

St. Thomas’ was there for me when…

I remember my youth growing up in christian community at St. Thomas’ and how disciples like Betsy Rule, Betty Moody, Wally Drobil, Ray Stevens, and many others helped God and Jesus lay a foundation of faith in me. I appreciate what they did and how they taught me in the faith. Also I was blessed to be an acolyte to Father William J. Barnett. These were all true people of God and I am thankful to God for them. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and he uses many workers in the field to bring us all to the knowledge of the truth in Jesus Christ.

(This story was written on the back of a pledge card, to be shared with the parish.)

• Saturday, 6.00pm: Holy Eucharist in the Nave (limited capacity: RSVP here)
• Sunday, 8.00am: Online Morning Prayer with Sermon
• Sunday, 9.00am: Online Sunday School for pre-school to pre-teens
• Sunday, 10.30am: Holy Eucharist Outdoors at St. Thomas’
• Sunday, 6.00pm: Online Sunday School for Teens
  contact Dan O. for connection details
• Sunday, all day: Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas’ (recorded)

• Daily Morning Prayer (Monday through Saturday)
• Monday, 4pm: Centering Prayer
• Tuesday, Noon: Coffee Hour
• Wednesday, 5.30pm: Holy Eucharist (outdoors at Lych Gate, rain or shine)
• Wednesday, 7.00pm: Bible Study with Bishop Stokes

Online events hosted by St. Thomas’ are accessed via Zoom: instructions here.

Advent & Christmas Special Events

• Tuesday 1 Dec 7pm Advent Vespers with Young Preachers* Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle featuring Jeannie Marcucci
• Sunday 6 Dec 7pm Diocesan Lessons & Carols Online
• Tuesday 8 Dec 7pm Advent Vespers with Young Preachers* Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra featuring Aviva Foster
• Tuesday 15 Dec 7pm Advent Vespers with Young Preachers* Feast of St. Nino of Georgia featuring Scott Carr
• Wednesday 16 Dec 7pm Longest Night Mass*
• Tuesday 22 Dec 7pm Advent Vespers with Young Preachers* Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle featuring Rachael Owen
• Thursday 24 Dec 4pm Christmas Eve Eucharist with Carols Outdoors
• Thursday 24 Dec 7pm Christmas Eve Eucharist with Pageant* In the Parish Hall and live on Zoom with pre-recorded Children’s Pageant
• Thursday 24 Dec 11pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Outdoors
• Friday 25 Dec 10am Christmas Day Mass*

All events subject to alteration according to the demands of public health. See the church website for the latest information.

*Indoor events can fill up: RSVP on the church website.

Join the church school in a “Reverse Advent Calendar” providing food for people in need through Kitchen of Hope!

During this season of coronavirus infections, when attending events on campus at St. Thomas’, please demonstrate your love for your friends and neighbors by:

1. Wearing a mask (covering both mouth and nose)
2. Remaining six feet apart from anyone you don’t live with
3. Refraining from touching, hugging and shaking hands – even during the Peace
4. Singing is only permitted outdoors, six feet apart, wearing masks
5. Service bulletins you have touched must be taken home
6. After the service everyone must disperse with no lingering
7. No sharing of common objects such as pens, paper, etc.

Join the Diocese of New Jersey and Episcopal Community Services at an online Summit on Building and Equipping the Beloved Community on Saturday, 12 December, from 10-11.30am. Register at bit.ly/ECSSumit.