February, A Season of Reflection

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1 A Season of Reflection THE GOOD NEWS ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1108 Providence Rd., Towson, MD 21286, , or February, 2015 The Season after Epiphany continues into February. During Epiphany, we reflect upon the Light of Christ coming into the world. We began Epiphany with the baptism of two children, and signs of New Life. We end Epiphany with the services of Ash Wednesday, in which we are reminded of our mortality as we impose ashes upon each forehead. We plunge into Lent, in which we reflect upon our own lives: how much light are we shining in this world, and what needs to be renovated in our own walk with Christ? Many people choose to give up something for Lent. Some choose to take on a new discipline. During Lent, we will be offering an opportunity for you to learn a new skill Meditation, or as some call it, Centering Prayer. You will learn by someone who knows meditation well: Annie Umbricht, who practices regularly. You may choose to read a particular book instead, or take up a different spiritual, Many in the Episcopal Church are suggesting that during Lent we fast from alcoholic beverages, since our diocese has so recently been damaged by alcohol addiction. You may choose to do that, or you may decide to look at other addictive practices that keep you from being all that Christ desires: are you addicted to Facebook, your Smart phone, or games on your IPad? What would it look like to let those things go for six weeks, not so that you can look eagerly to resume them, but so that you can learn to discipline your use of them? Lent also brings activities for those who desire First Communion, Confirmation, or are Newcomers to the church. Listed here are some activities that will occur at the church during Lent: Ash Wednesday Services March 18 th at 7:00 a.m., Noon, and 7:30 p.m. Messy Church will be making blankets for the homeless and worshiping with Kings of the Bible on Saturday March 21 from 4:00 6:00 p.m. First Communion Class for those children who desire to celebrate First Communion, our class will be offered Newcomers/Confirmation We welcome all people who have joined St. Thomas in the last year, plus our Confirmation Candidates, to join us on Sundays beginning March 22 nd for The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey. The discovery series gives us a wonderful introduction to the Episcopal Church, plus an opportunity for discussion about St. Thomas, and what it means to be a faithful person in today s world. The class will be offered following the 10:30 service on the Sundays of Lent. Newcomers are invited to be special guests at the Passover Seder on Palm Sunday. Meditation Class taught by Annie Umbricht on May you be open to the voice of God calling you into new things in this new season. 1

2 Lent at St. Thomas: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: February 17, 6-8 This year, we ve added a little Mardi Gras Pizzazz: Entertainment brought to you by St. Tom s talented folk! Come for the food, come for the fun! Want to come but don t drive at night? We will give you a ride! Sign up in the Narthex, or call Dawn in the church office. Ash Wednesday: February 18 th Imposition of Ashes: 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel Noon and 7:30 pm in the Church Confirmation and Newcomers Class We will be watching The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey. for Newcomers/Confirmation. On Sundays after the 10:30 service beginning on March 22nd through Lent. Scouting at St. Tom s Sunday February 8 th is Scout Sunday We hope all boy and girl scouts and leaders will come in their uniforms so that we can acknowledge the good work you do with Scouts. Sunday February 22 nd : Pack 1742 Blue and Gold Ceremony Our own Scout Pack will be giving awards at the Blue and Gold Ceremony, 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come and support them! Peace Service: Sunday February 22 nd at 7:00 pm. We are hosting the Ecumenical Peace Service begun by Fr. Charles Cloughen on Sunday February 22 nd. Please plan to come. Bring refreshments for a short reception afterward. First Communion Classes and time to be announced. 2

3 St. Tom s Cordially invites you to: MessyChurch Blankets for the Homeless Saturday February pm in the Fellowship Hall All ages welcome! 4-5 Activities including: Blanket Making Creating Crosses and Crowns Lego building Knitting and Crocheting 5:00 Worship with the Kings of the Bible! 5:20: Dinner together. Fun for Everyone! St. Tom s 1108 Providence Road Towson, MD

4 Feb 1st: Hairspray (the Original!) Feb 8th: traces of the Trade Feb 15th: The Long Walk Home Celebrate Black History month With Movies and Tom s Sundays in 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall Questions: Contact (631) or kpollack.stthomas@gmail.com 4

5 Mission & Outreach: Supper Bowl Sunday (And Beyond) St. Thomas' will again celebrate the Super Bowl with SUPPER BOWL SUNDAY on February 1st. On Super Bowl Sunday and the remaining 3 Sundays of February, you are asked to bring in a bag of groceries to feed hungry men, women and families in the Towson area. It is St. Thomas' responsibility to provide the food for the food pantry at the Assistance Center of Towson Churches for February. The hungry in Towson are counting on us. 1 can sweet potatoes/yams (23-29oz can) 2 cans meat/main dish (example: beef stew or chili-15-24oz cans) 1 large can fruit (20-30oz can) 4 cans vegetables (example: green beans, peas or corn-15oz cans) 1 cranberry sauce 2 pkg. macaroni & cheese 1 box instant mashed potatoes 1 cake or brownie mix 1 bag or box of stuffing mix 1 lb. bag or box of rice 2015 Men's Retreat at Claggett February 6-8, 2015 Friday 5 p.m.- Sunday 11 a.m. Theme: "The Divine Indwelling" Keynote Speaker: The Reverend Daniel Webster, Canon for Evangelism, Ministry Development and Environment for the Diocese of Maryland Much of our church architecture points heavenward. Spires, windows, archways all seem to point to God as up there. There s a long Christian tradition of believing in the presence of God within. It has been practiced by saints of ages past and saints around you today. Let s spend a weekend exploring the implications of living our lives with the sure and certain knowledge that the God of all creation also lives within each of us. Lodging in the new Inn at Claggett! Fees: Cost: $ Single Room in Inn, 5 meals and program = $230; Double Room in Inn, 5 meals and program = $205; Commuter, 5 meals and program = $130 5

6 The following altar memorials are available for March: wafers, wine, branch candles, Eucharistic candles, sanctuary candle. If you are interested in a memorial, call the church office at , or put your request in a plain white envelope marked Altar Guild and place it in the offering at any Sunday service. The cost of each memorial is $25. Altar Flowers Flowers on the altar are frequently available to be taken to homebound or hospitalized parishioners. If you are interested in taking the flowers, please come to the sacristy following the 9:00 AM service. We will honor our Scouts on Scout Sunday on February 8th. We invite all of our children, youth and adults to wear their uniforms to both services. February The Supper Bowl month! Bring food to feed those who otherwise would go without. February 1st 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s-hairspray (the Original) February 8th Scout Sunday 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s-traces of the Trade February 15th 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II 10:30 AM Family Service, Rite II 12:00 Noon Vestry 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s-the Long Walk Home February 18th ASH WEDNESDAY 7:00 AM in the Chapel, Noon and 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist February 22nd 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Quiet Service 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 6

7 February 1 9:00 AM Traditional Worship Rite II 10:00 AM Hospitality Hour 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s-hairspray (the Original) 8 Scout Sunday 9:00 AM Traditional Worship Rite I 10:00 AM Hospitality Hour 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s Traces of the Trade 2:00 PM Sudanese 3:00 PM Scouts in the Undercroft 15 9:00 AM Traditional Worship Rite II 10:00 AM Hospitality Hour 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist 12:00 Noon Vestry 12:15 PM Movies and Tom s-the Long Walk Home The Laying on of hands and prayers for healing offered at all services. 22 9:00 AM Traditional Worship Quiet Service 10:00 AM Hospitality Hour 10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat :00 PM Fit Club- Undercroft 16 President s Day Office Closed 23 7:00 PM Fit Club- Undercroft 7:30 PM EfM 10 4:00 PM Oak Crest Eucharist 7:30 PM EfM Deadline for March Good News Submissions 17 Shrove Tuesday 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Pancake Supper 7:30 PM EfM 24 7:30 PM EfM 4 7:30 PM Leadership Class 11 7:30 PM Leadership Class 18 ASH WEDNESDAY 7AM in the Chapel, Noon and 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist 25 7:30 PM Leadership Class 5 6:00 PM Zumba Class 7:30PM Parish Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Worship Band 12 9:00 AM Paul s Place 6:00 PM Zumba Class 7:30PM Parish Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Worship Band 19 6:00 PM Zumba Class 7:30PM Parish Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Worship Band 26 6:00 PM Zumba Class 7:30PM Parish Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM Worship Band Vestry Retreat 7:00 AM-11:00 AM Work Day 9:00-11:00 AM Fruit 28 Vestry Retreat 7

8 St. Thomas Good News St. Thomas Episcopal Church 1108 Providence Road Towson, MD Time Dated: January 21, 2015 RETURN SERVICEREQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Timonium, MD Permit 246 VISION St. Thomas Episcopal Church is a diverse and loving family confidently dedicated to God, and his Word and boldly striving to seek, to serve, and to reach out to those in need. MISSION We focus our response to God and to the community in joyful worship, compassionate outreach and relevant service. Through fellowship, music, study and prayer, we seek to strengthen our faith, each other, and our love for God. 8