ANGEL TREE PARTY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, NOON

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1 the story St. Thomas Episcopal Church December 2018 Volume 41, Issue 12 All are welcome here! St. Thomas Episcopal Church accepts all people and we commit to: Celebrate the Eucharist regularly Keep a personal and community discipline of prayer and study Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, peace, and love Nurture God s people as we grow in Christ Live with thanksgiving, wonder, and openness to God s love Restore all people to unity with God and each other ANGEL TREE PARTY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, NOON The Angel Tree program blesses prisoners children. Each child receives a gift, a handwritten note from their parent, the Christmas Story, and a party of fun and goodies. Together we will create a merrier Christmas for these children. Please return your wrapped gifts with the tag securely fastened by Dec. 2. The Angel Tree Christmas Party at St. Thomas is Sunday, December 9 at noon. Set-up is Saturday (12/8) at noon. Helpers are needed to bring cookies, goodie bag items, drinks and paper goods. We hope everyone will stay and celebrate. Ann Kieffer is the coordinator of the Angel Tree program at St. Thomas. Contact her at if you have any questions. Preparing Our Hearts & Minds for Christmas ADVENT-CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE SUNDAY WORSHIP, 10 AM Sunday, Dec. 2 1st Sunday of Advent Return Angel Tree gifts Fellowship & Crafts, 11 am Sunday, Dec. 9 2nd Sunday of Advent Angel Tree Party, Noon Sunday, Dec. 16, 10am 3rd Sunday of Advent Greening donations due Sunday, Dec. 23, 10am 4th Sunday of Advent Greening of the church, 11 am Monday, Dec. 24, 4pm Christmas Eve Worship Tuesday, Dec. 25 Christ is born! Merry Christmas! No service on Christmas day. The St. Thomas Reading Group discussion night is Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Read the rest of The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus s Birth. John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg investigate the historical context of the Gospels in order to uncover the rich beliefs of the early Christian Tradition. Questions? Jim Alexander at jalexander@franklincollege.edu.

2 Search Committee News Page 2 Members of the Search Committee met with Canon Kristin White after the service on Sunday, November 11. The Canon walked us through the search process, as well as listened to what we have accomplished so far. She reassured us that we have all the markers of a healthy church. She was positive about St. Thomas' future and its lay leadership. The members of the Search Committee met November 19 to go over the parish profile and discuss the next steps. One of the Canon's suggestions was that we add more of the stories of the life of our church, and we need your help. Beginning the first week of Advent, you will be receiving an from St. Thomas with a survey. We need your stories of how St. Thomas has changed your life. Please take the time to answer as many questions as you wish. For those who wish, we will also have paper copies available. Search committee members will also be happy to have you tell your stories to share. We invite new members to share their stories as well. We need responses by December 23. Thank you! These stories will be used to help tell the vibrant story of our church as it has been, is, and will be. We want to be able not only to give a potential Rector the facts and figures, but show them that we are actively working to restore ourselves and each other to God, and continue to bring the Kingdom of God and Good News in Jesus Christ to the surrounding community. The Search Committee will meet again after the new year to include your stories in our parish profile. The final product will be presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting January 27. We hope to have it to the Diocesan office by the end of February to begin receiving names. If you have any questions, please talk to one of us. We look forwarding to hearing how St. Thomas has impacted your life. St. Thomas Search Committee Pictured left to right: Elyssa Everling & Teresa Voorhees, Co-chairs; Karen Smith, Cynthia Dozier, Marikay Kapke. Not pictured members are Danny Bachman and Maggie Doty Lewis. The 21st Vestry of St. Thomas ( ) Danny Bachman, Robin Kares, Jim Phillips Jim Alexander, Karen Smith Rachel Allen, Cynthia Dozier The Clergy, Staff and Officers of St. Thomas Bishop... The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows Organist... Amy Zeiher Parish Administrator... Carol Macmillan Senior Warden...Robin Kares, Junior Warden... Danny Bachman Clerk... Karen Smith Treasurer... Marti Ramsey Asst. Treasurers... Robin Kares, Mike Ramsey, Eric Smith Pray for the Search Committee and our next Rector. December Vestry Meeting Sunday, December 2

3 Page 3 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 Join us in Halladay Hall for Christmas Crafts after worship on Sunday, December 2. Come join the fun! Suzanne Bachman is leading this activity. Parish Life SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION December 2, 9 & 16 Our Godly Play and Youth classes meet during worship. Start time is 10 a.m. All children will join worship at The Peace. CENTERING PRAYER December 2 & 16 Everyone is welcome to join us at 9 am in the library. See John Dozier for more information. SUNDAY WORSHIP 2 The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay 9 The Very Rev. Robert Giannini 16 The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay 23 The Very Rev. Robert Giannini 24 4 pm Christmas Eve Worship The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay 30 The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP! 2019 PLEDGING UPDATE Thank you to all who returned your 2019 pledge card. We are excited to report the number of pledges increased again this year. If you have not returned your pledge card, please do so by December 9 as Marti Ramsey needs to create the 2019 budget this month. God bless you all for your support to St Thomas. NEED THE STATUS OF YOUR 2018 PLEDGE? Oftentimes one can lose track of what has been given throughout the year. If you have any questions about your 2018 pledge status, contact the office. YEAR-END CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS All 2018 contribution statements will be ed to you if have an on file with the office. If not, your statement will be mailed. If you receive an but would also like to have one mailed, Carol at stthomasepis@aol.com or call the office St. Thomas Annual Meeting & Pitch-in Lunch after Worship Sunday, January 27 Everyone s invited to bring a dish for a pitch-in luncheon after worship. After lunch, we will hold the annual meeting when we vote for new Vestry members, and the 2019 Diocesan Convention delegates and alternate. Who may vote? Members in good standing over 16 years of age have a vote. All ages are welcome to attend the meeting. Mark your 2019 calendar!

4 Parish Life Page 4 ANNUAL GREENING OF THE CHURCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 AFTER 10 am WORSHIP Thanks to everyone who signed up to help decorate the church for Christmas Eve. We will start right after the 10 am worship on December 23. Everyone is welcome to stay and help. Questions? See Karen Smith. POINSETTIA & GREENERY FUND DONATIONS Donations to the Christmas PoinsettiaGreenery Fund may be dedicated to the Glory of God, in memory of a loved one, in thanksgiving, or for an occasion. Donation envelopes are in the pews or call the office at Please turn in all donations by Sunday, Dec. 16. Names will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin. WEATHER CLOSING INFO In case we need to close the church or the St. Thomas due to inclement weather: Watch FOX59 (Channel 11) or WTHR (Channel 13.] Both will have their own listings noted in case of closure. You can also visit these online weather websites and click on the Closings link: SAFEGUARDING IS MANDATORY Clergy, Vestry members, employees, key holders and all who work in children s ministries are required to take Safeguarding Training every three years. Any course taken 2014 or before, needs to be renewed by the end of Call the office to check your safeguarding status. Need a log-in and password? or call the office: stthomasepis@aol.com; Safeguarding is a program administered by The Church Insurance Group and required by the diocese. They check compliance in January. Sending Christmas Cards? If you need a directory, please let the office know. Want to send a card to our priests? Rev. Robert Giannini Lakeland Dr. Fishers, IN Rev. Richard Halladay 448 Freeman Ridge Rd Nashville, IN Some of you have called to ask for Judith Mulinix s new address. It is: 6148 S. Balsam Way #204, Littleton, CO

5 Page st Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis Convention Recap The 2018 Indianapolis Diocese Convention was held on November in Bloomington. Jamison Allen and John Dozier are our delegates, and Rachel Allen attended as an observer. They attended workshops about Congregational Vitality: Experiments in the Neighborhood, Practices for Faithful Innovation, and Evangelism with Integrity. Delegates approved the Diocesan budget for 2019, a handful of resolutions, and changes to the Diocesan Canon. Two of the resolutions allow the Diocese to study and move on matters referred by the National Convention earlier this year. Another resolution designated Trinity Haven, a charity caring for LGBTQ youth in Indy, as a Cooperating Ministry of the Diocese. A fourth resolution permits the Diocesan Executive Council to reconfigure governing structures. For example, deaneries could be reconfigured, and a proposal under study describes these new configurations as neighborhoods with parishes regrouped geographically so that St. Thomas will share a neighborhood with Episcopal churches in Shelbyville, Martinsville, Bean Blossom, Bloomington and Bedford. Another change to the Canon leaves the term of office for parish vestry at three years, but permits vestry members to serve two continuous terms if they wish before they re required to sit out a year. Currently, vestry members are barred from serving more than three years at a time. Next year s Diocesan Convention will again be in Bloomington in November. Parish members are encouraged to seek election as a delegate. It s a lot of fun and a great way to meet the Bishop, other Diocesan leaders and people from other parishes. Talk with me or Jamison Allen to learn more about being a delegate. ~ John Dozier Parish Life ST. THOMAS CLINIC NEWS The St. Thomas Free is for Johnson County residents and by appointment only. The is open on Wednesdays (9am-noon) and one Saturday a month, 9am to noon. See phone numbers below for appointments, prescription refills and dental assistance. December Dates Hours 9am-Noon 5 Wednesday 8 Saturday 12 Wednesday 19 Wednesday 26 Wednesday Welcome to our newest volunteer: Robin Kares! Thanks to JCCF, Key Computers, and HP Corp: The clinic now has five new laptops in addition to the two purchased from funds from St. Marks Catholic church! The internet service and router were upgraded in St. Thomas Episcopal Church & were approved for the State Volunteer Registry, which will provide liability coverage for our providers! January will begin the new year of volunteer training sessions to maintain compliance with the Volunteer Registry and to keep us up-to-date and ready to serve our community. We are grateful for all gifts of support, be they financial, prayerful, or hands-on volunteering! The letter of agreement for Terresa Branham has been extended for another year as Director. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Terresa Branham, Director Appointments: Refill Line: Dental Needs: stthomasclinic@aol.com Facebook: St. Thomas

6 December 2018 Calendar Page 6 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Joy-filled Giver of Life, let the anticipation of your birth fill us with overflowing joy. May our excitement and anticipation be a sign to the world. 1 2 Centering Prayer 9 am Rev. Halladay Christian Ed Christmas Crafts, 11 pm Vestry Meeting 11:15 am 9 Rev. Giannini Christian Ed Angel Tree Party, noon Centering Prayer 9 am Rev. Halladay Christian Ed Deadline Reading Group 7 pm 23 Rev. Giannini Greening of the Church 11 am 24 Rev. Halladay Christmas Eve Worship 4pm 25 Christ is born! Rev. Halladay 31 Joy to the World!

7 Page 7 December 2018 Ministry Schedule DECEMBER 2 10 AM DECEMBER 9 10 AM DECEMBER AM DECEMBER AM DECEMBER 24 4 PM PROPER Year C, 1st Sunday of Advent Year C, 2nd Sunday of Advent Year C, 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C, 4th Sunday of Advent Year C, Christmas Eve 4 pm LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16 Baruch 5:1-9 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Micah 5:2-5a Isaiah 9:2-7 PSALM 25:1-9 Canticle 4 Canticle 9 Canticle EPISTLE 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Philippians 1:3-11 Philippians 4:4-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Titus 2:11-14 GOSPEL Luke 25:25-36 Luke 3:1-6 Luke 3:7-18 Luke 1:39-55 Luke 2:1-20 CHURCH OPENER Karen Smith Danny Bachman Cynthia Dozier Karen Smith Robin Kares CLERGY The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay The Very Rev. Robert Giannini The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay The Very Rev. Robert Giannini The Rev. Canon Richard Halladay MUSIC MINISTRY Amy Zeiher Amy Zeiher Amy Zeiher Amy Zeiher Amy Zeiher GODLY PLAY Suzanne Bachman Kristen Ring Suzanne Bachman No Christian Ed. No Christian Ed. YOUTH CLASS Teresa Voorhees Jamison Allen Teresa Voorhees No Christian Ed. No Christian Ed. FLOWERS For the Glory of God! For the Glory of God! Noel, Emma & Marna Poindexter birthdays For the Glory of God! Gloria in excelsis Deo! ALTAR GUILD Marti Ramsey Jen Tullis Marti Ramsey Karen Smith All Altar Guild Members BREAD MINISTRY HOSPITALITY TEAM Ashley Bachman Ashley Bachman Kristen Ring Kristen Ring Steve & Cheryl Faust Jim & Candace Phillips Ann Kieffer Wilma McDermott Steve & Cheryl Faust Steve & Cheryl Faust SERVERS Kristen Ring Reid Smith Gavin Anderson Ann Kieffer Ann Kieffer READERS Paula Sites Cheryl Faust Jim Phillips Karen Smith Maggie Lewis Jan Skopecek Jen Tullis Paul Jump Paula Sites Cheryl Faust EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS COUNTERS COFFEE HOSTS PANERA BREAD PICK UP Ann Kieffer Mike Ramsey Deirdrè Warrenburg Kristen Ring Cheryl Faust Ann Kieffer Cheryl Faust Eric Smith Phil & Deirdré Warrenburg Karen Smith Rachel Allen Danny Bachman Chuck & April Nemeth Cynthia Dozier Jim Phillips Suzanne Bachman & Sunday School Class John & Cynthia Dozier Jim Alexander Robin Kares The Buchholz family

8 St. Thomas Episcopal Church Address: 600 Paul Hand Blvd, Franklin, IN Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 1 pm Sundays: Coffee/Forum 10am; Worship 11am Phone: stthomasepis@aol.com Website: stthomasfranklin.org Facebook: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Franklin, IN O, come let us adore Him! Christmas Eve Worship 4 pm December Celebrations Birthdays 8 Marti Ramsey 12 Erica McFarland 13 Josephine Foster 15 Phil McIver 19 Shirley Beck 21 Marna Poindexter 29 Ethan Bachman 30 Cynthia Dozier 30 Heleena Ring Baptisms 4 Mike McFarland 13 Eric Smith 24 Marikay Kapke Milly Kopecky 31 David Beck Karen Smith Dennis Thompson Deirdré Warrenburg Anniversaries No anniversaries this month. Are you missing from Celebrations? Please send your information to: stthomasepis@aol.com; or call