ST. THOMAS LIFELINES. The youth confirmation class composed the following creed in their own words as they prepare for confirmation on July 31st.

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1 ST. THOMAS LIFELINES VOLUME 23, NO. 7 JULY 2016 The youth confirmation class composed the following creed in their own words as they prepare for confirmation on July 31st. Our Confirm not Conform Creed We believe in one, omnipotent Creator of Love, Who is our final Judge Who forgives, loves, knows, guides and judges us with grace. We believe in Jesus, the Bro-God, the Shepherd And Helper Incarnate Who is non judgmental, a missionary. Jesus tells us stories and saves us. He is our Teacher, Rabbi and Messiah. We believe in the Holy Spirit, our Spiritual GPS Who gives us God s guidance, feeling and soul. We believe in Creation, which happened in the beginning God s Time God s creation the Big Bang Theory The whole world is God s world We believe in Salvation where we are saved, undeservedly. We ll get to be with God and be cleansed and we ll be Joyful! We believe in our church, our St. Thomas family. At St. Thomas, we can come together as family and be safe. There we have community and mutual support. We know of the Crucifixion, where Jesus suffered. It was His final countdown. He died for us through his selflessness We know that sin is bad and separates you from God. And we know that forgiveness is needed for us and for us to give to others, even though it s hard and we struggle with it. We tend to be stubborn and bullish, but know that to be forgiven, we must forgive. Amen! We believe in the Resurrection, everlasting life, Where Jesus rose from the dead. SURPRISE! Authors: (2016) Matthew Sandridge, Rachel Earp (who also provided the photos), Katie Priest, Cameron Graham, Sara Stauffer, Akan Okoronokwo, Ogechi Okoronkwo, Chi Chi Okoronkwo, Uche Okoronkwo, Mollie Straub

2 JULY 2016 S T. THOMAS L IF E LINES PAGE 2 Summer Backyard Suppers The June backyard supper was hosted by Liz and Graham Swinfen. There were 38 people in attendance! Although it looked ominous at first, the weather held off and the afternoon turned out to be very nice. Our next summer backyard supper will be hosted by Bob and Joanne Stauffer on Sunday, July 17th, at 4pm. Bring a dish to share and a chair or blanket to sit upon. Join in the fellowship, food, and fun! Our last backyard supper will be Sunday, August 21st at the Jeff and Emily Pasciak s. GLEANING STEERING COMMITTEE Lost Tomato Plant, leaves green, about 6 tall (maybe now!). We have accounted for all but one of our tomato plants do you have it? Please let a gleaning committee member know. Harvest time is coming! If you look at our garden you will see we already have a few tomatoes perhaps your garden is starting to produce at home? We ll have a basket in the parish hall every Sunday to collect fresh produce that we will deliver on Monday morning to local food pantries. Please bring in: anything from your garden that you can t use or want to share, fruit or veggies from your neighbors garden, or maybe you just see something wonderful and inexpensive at the farmer s market or the grocery store and buy a couple extra! No amount is too small or too big. Perhaps you have neighbor s with fruit or walnut trees? Ask them now if we can have a little to share or if they would like us to come and pick the fruit. ~~Submitted by Jon Greene Backyard Bible Study The backyard bible study group meets at 6pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month throughout the summer. Harvey and are our July hosts. Backyard Bible Study begins with a potluck dinner and is followed by a bible study led this summer by Farrell Doss. So, remember your dish to share, something to sit on, and learning heart! Backyard Bibel Study Schedule July 13th & Harvey & s August 10th & Royal & Carol Cummings Back Pack Program News Release Please mark your calendar and plan to attend Eucharist on Sunday, July 10, as we welcome Crystal Fentress. She will speak briefly during announcements on the Back Pack Program that she coordinates at Christiansburg Primary and Elementary Schools. Please give her a warm St. Thomas welcome! The St. Thomas youth are getting closer to being confirmed, and part of their preparation and studies involves taking on a project. Recently one Sunday as they were beginning their Confirm not conform studies I spoke to them about the parish getting on board with the Back Pack Program that assists children in Christiansburg Primary and Elementary Schools. As a group they have agreed to create a poster that will hang in the parish hall to remind us of the need in our community and to support this program. Look for the collection tub, decorated by the youth confirmands. We will be collecting fruit cups and granola bars, ( I recently priced a pack of 6 applesauce cups for $1 at Dollar General Market). A BIG shout out of thanks to all the confirmands for your help with this mission project! Someone once said it takes a village to raise a child, and I know the Holy Spirit will lead us forward and outward to help those less fortunate in our community. ~~Submitted by Danielle Bland Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP page 258

3 JULY 2016 S T. TH O M AS L IF E L I N E S PAGE 3 AREA OF SERVICE JULY 3RD MORNING PRAYER SERVERS FOR JULY 2016 JULY 10TH JULY 17TH MORNING PRAYER JULY 24TH JULY 31ST BISHOP MARK S VISIT Acolyte N/A Cameron Graham N/A Mollie Straub Andrew Earp Crucifer Bridget Miller Casey Graham Akan Ndem Sarah Farmer Amara Okoronkwo Torchbearers N/A N/A N/A N/A Akan Ndem Dara Ndem Lay Reader Lisa Priest Lois Caliri Mary Stuart Cosby Jon Greene Chalice Bearer N/A Joel Hagen N/A Judy Koland Jacquie Graham Ushers Natalie Teel Greg & Bev Moulse Barbara Piersol Gwynn Polidoro Mark Miller Natalie Miller Katie Priest Altar Guild Bev Moulse Bev Moulse Judy Koland Judy Koland Kathy Pollard Lynn Straub Coffee Hour Lora Beeken Jane Carper Cynthia Berthold Danielle Bland Carol & Royal Cummings Jennifer Miller Announcements Harvey Leist Jacquie Graham Scott Farmer Kelly Stalvey Bob Stauffer Nursery Madi Greene Natalie Miller Katie Priest Uche Okoronkwo Kelly Stalvey Mollie Straub Madi Greene Natlie Miller Cleaning Crews Mark & Jennifer Miller Mary Stuart Cosby Irma Pillsbury Shirley Sparrow Charlie & Lynn Straub Carol & Royal Cummings Liz Swinfen Scott Farmer Birthdays 5 Marie Raulfs 8 Judy Koland 10 Mary Stuart Cosby 18 Ogechi Okoronkwo 23 Jennifer Miller 24 Jim Tucker Anniversaries 5 Thomas & Danielle Bland Jon & Elise Greene 17 Larry & Kathy Pollard 19 Joel & Susan Hagen Welcome Juno Soleil D Adamo-Damery Born June 22 at 7:36 pm 8 lbs 13 oz 20.5 inches long Congratulations Phil, Nikki, and big sisters Iris and Anais! Sign up sheets for all areas of service are on the website. You can see the current schedules, choose your days to serve and where, or cancel when you can t serve. If you have any questions about managing your volunteer opportunities, contact the church secretary at mystthomasoffice@yahoo.com. Here s where to sign up: If you are in need of pastoral care, please contact Harvey Leist, Senior Warden, at

4 JULY 2016 S T. TH O M AS L IF E L I N E S PAGE 4 JULY 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat The 7th Sunday after Pentecost Hospitality & Food Bank Sunday 11 AM Coffee Hour; Youth Confirmation Class The 8th Sunday after Pentecost 10 AM Holy Eucharist, Rev. Deborah Hunley 11:30 AM Coffee Hour, Adult Forum, Sunday School, Youth Confirmation Class AM Holy Eucharist & Healing Service 6 PM Backyard Bible Study 7 PM Daughters of the King The 9th Sunday after Pentecost 10 AM Holy Eucharist, Rev. Deborah Hunley Loose plate offering for Discretionary Fund 11::30 AM Coffee Hour, Adult Forum, Sunday School, Confirmation Class 12:30 PM Vestry Meeting 4 PM Backyard the Stauffer s 5 PM Inquirers Class The 10th Sunday after Pentecost 11:30 AM Coffee Hour, Adult Forum, Sunday School, Confirmation Class 5 PM Inquirers Class AM Holy Eucharist & Healing Service 6 PM Backyard Bible Study The 11th Sunday after Pentecost Bishop Mark Bourlakas Visit 10 AM Holy Eucharist 11:30 AM Reception following the service

5 JULY 2016 S T. TH O M AS L IF E L I N E S PAGE 5 THE BISHOP IS COMING! THE BISHOP IS COMING! Sunday, July 31st, Bishop Mark Bourlakas will be visiting St. Thomas. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist in high fashion and witness the confirmation of nine youth and four adults! We will gather for a reception in the parish hall following the service. The Right Reverend Mark Bourlakas was consecrated the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia on July 20, Bishop Bourlakas comes to Southwestern Virginia from Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served as dean. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2012 from the School of Theology at University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee; and a Master of Divinity from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in Before becoming dean of Christ Church Cathedral in 2007, he served parishes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He enjoys painting, walking, playing basketball, and watching auto racing. Bishop Mark is married to Martha and they have three daughters. Bishop Mark recently took a trip to Haiti for the Haiti Connections conference. The visit was made, in part, to learn about schools that are in need of partnerships. You can see a slide show of his visit on the diocesan website, Baked Chicken Salad Casserole 3 c. chicken, diced 2 c. celery, diced 1 T. onion, minced 3 hard boiled eggs 2 c. buttered bread crumbs 1 c. sharp cheese, grated 1/4 c. pimentos 1/2 c. sour cream 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1 T. lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 1 c. potato chips, crushed Combine chicken, celery, onions, and eggs with cheese, bread crumbs and pimentos. Blend sour cream, mayonnaise and lemon juice and fold into chicken mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into baking dish and cover with potato chips. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Recipe from Jane Earp. Check out this recipe and many others from St. Thomas cookbook The Cooks Behind the Red Doors. PARISH RETREAT Our annual parish retreat will be Sunday, August 7th. We will again be enjoying a day of worship, fellowship, and fun at SELU. The day begins with morning prayer followed by a potluck luncheon. The rest of the day is devoted to fellowship, exploring SELU, canoeing, and other fun activities. This year we are going "green." We are requesting that each parishioner bring their own plate, utensils, and cups to eat from. This will help us reduce the amount of trash we accumulate in the landfills. The first Sunday of every month is designated as FOOD BANK SUNDAY. Thanks for your donations in June! 49+ items were collected for the MCEAP Food Bank. The next collection date is Sunday, July 3rd. Help us fill the basket in the narthex with nonperishable food items! St. Thomas Episcopal Church 103 East Main St. Christiansburg, VA Phone: mysthomasoffice@yahoo.com Check out our website!