ST. THOMAS LIFELINES. Dear St. Thomas Family

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1 ST. THOMAS LIFELINES VOLUME 25, NO. 6 JUNE 2018 Dear St. Thomas Family It is a bit strange that this time of the year, when the world is back to life, warm and green again, that many of us complete school and program years, perhaps even graduating with degrees and diplomas. I finished classes about a month ago, but I have been busy with end-of the-year activities and ceremonies for my daughters. However, I did take some time for myself, thanks to St. Thomas and the Episcopal Church. During my first week of summer break, I went to the Barbara Harris Conference Center in New Hampshire for a clergy wellness conference called CREDO. This conference, which clergy are invited to every ten years or so, is a service of the Church Pension Group and is designed to give us a chance to examine our lives from the perspectives of vocation, physical health, mental health, and financial well-being. About 30 clergy from all over the country participated, and we were led by a team of lay people and fellow clergy who are considered to be experts in the areas we explored. The conference was a great experience, and it helped me appreciate what a wonderful congregation I am a part of and what amazing opportunities for ministry are possible at St. Thomas. I thought back and reflected on the rich and fruitful year and a half we have had since I came to be your rector. Earlier this year, the Reverend Canon Jonathan Harris facilitated some reflection with the vestry on our shared ministry. The result of this reflection was a document known as a Mutual Ministry Review. This was, from my perspective, a very positive experience. One sentence in the report that stood out for me was this: There is a desire to look forward to see what God might be calling them (us) to do or where God might be leading. Now that I have settled into my role as rector, and we have sort of reached a new normal, it seems like it may indeed be time to discern a move forward into the future. I would first say that we are already doing a number of things right. We are participating in a number of important ministries and there is a lot going on from week to week at St. Thomas. At the same time, I think there is a feeling that we could perhaps do more or at least that we could be even more effective. Our Mission Statement says that we will serve and nourish our community with the gifts that God has given us. Our job now is to prayerfully consider what shape that service and nourishment will take. I look forward to finding opportunities in the weeks to come to reflect with you on where God may be leading us and who God may be calling us to serve. Thanks for your continued prayers for and support of St. Thomas s Church Family! In Christ, Mark Vacation Bible School July 10, 11, and 12 5:30 8 pm At Our Saviour Lutheran Church For more information, contact Susan Bathgate. BACKYARD BIBLE STUDY This year St. Thomas will host the backyard bible study! We will meet at 6 pm for a potluck supper. Supper will then be followed by the bible study. We ll meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, and our first meeting will be Thursday, June 21st. Stay tuned to the announcements in the bulletin and for more information on the topic and details for the potluck.

2 PAGE 2 Service and Prayer! Yes! The Order of the Daughters of the King, and the Ann- Frances Chapter at St. Thomas took vows to be active in Prayer and Service to God. Recently we were invited to help in a Service Project, selected by our Diocesan DoK Board, and part of a Province III DoK Assembly to make contributions to Grace House in the Mountains, our Diocesan Mission. They asked for winter clothes for all ages, as their cupboards were bare, and for school supplies for next fall for the children they help. The 125 women at the Assembly in Maryland were generous, and many carloads of donations were brought to us, since we are nearest [150 miles] to Grace House, and it seemed like we could help. And not only the members of DoK helped, but many others, too. Thirteen members of the parish and DoK members packed a van; DoK member Liz Swinfen and her husband Graham drove it. A car full of DoK members also drove down last week with our contributions, and to visit and see the great work that Grace House does in the coal country of Appalachia. We were impressed with their rustic facilities, their outreach into the life of those in need there as they house and sponsor work camps for people from all over the East Coast to live there and help in any way they can often replacing roofs, building porches and wheel chair ramps, teaching women and children, leading Bible Schools, and providing a network of support and prayer in the communities. We pray more work can be done to help. If you want more information, ask Mary Stuart Cosby, or another DoK member. From L to R: Jo Kelley, Rebecca Mays, Mary Stuart Cosby, Jane Carper, Liz Swinfen, Irma Pillsbury. Inside of van filled with donations for Grace House. (Pictures provided by Rebecca Mays.) I would like to thank members of St. Thomas, and especially members of the DOK Ann-Frances Chapter for help with our Grace House on the Mountain winter goods project. A wonderful St. Thomas crew stored, reloaded and transported a large collection of warm items and school supplies that will help many individuals this winter. It was a wonderful effort and I am most appreciative. There are loving, caring people at St. Thomas, Christiansburg! For His Sake, Jo Kelley President, Daughters of the King, Diocese of SW VA Backpack Program On Pentecost Sunday Crystal Fentress was the guest speaker at the adult forum class. She is a pre-school teacher at Christiansburg Primary as well as the coordinator of the Backpack program for CPS and Christiansburg Elementary School. She explained how the program has been very successful because of so many different organizations that have come together to make it work. Once a month a group of volunteers gather together and make up the backpacks for the month. Every Friday of the month a backpack is sent home with the child, which includes two breakfast items, two dinner items, some fruit and granola bars. (St. Thomas donations!) Thanksgiving dinner boxes and Christmas boxes were distributed as well. On average, 100 backpacks went out weekly. With the school year coming to a close, Crystal offered a list of pantries and organizations in the NRV that families will be able to access during the summer. What will St. Thomas do to continue in this much needed ministry? Food Pantries & Providers Helping Hands Food Pantry Interfaith Food Pantry Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP) The Giving Tree St. Michael Lutheran Church Plenty! Of Floyd New River Community Action Salvation Army NRV Corps Salvation Army Hot Meals See the brochure on the bulletin board in the parish hall for more information about each organization. Thank you for your donations of granola bars and fruit cups throughout the school year for the Backpack Program! In May, we collected 24 granola bars and 24 fruit packs.

3 PAGE 3 Mollie Ross Straub, Class of 2018 Christiansburg High School Mollie will attend Virginia Military Institute in the fall and also the summer transition program during July. She is planning to major in business. Matthew Sandridge graduates from Glenvar High School on June 8. He is a Glenvar valedictorian and will be a speaker at Commencement. Matthew will attend Furman University in Greenville, SC and plans to major in English and Education. Katie Priest is graduating from Floyd County High School with an Advanced Diploma. She will be going to James Madison University in the Fall to pursue a degree in Nursing. She also volunteers for the Floyd County Rescue Squad Station #1 in addition to have played Soccer and run Cross Country for FCHS. Oge Okoronkwo graduating from Christiansburg High School and will be attending George Mason University. Edy Ndem graduating from The University of Virginia Medical School and will starting her Residency in Plastic Surgery at UNC, Chapel Hill. Kenneth Hagen graduated from the University of Virginia with majors in history and political science. He will attend Indiana University next fall in a masters of public administration degree program.

4 PAGE 4 Anna Marika Frazier is graduating (with honors) from Glenvar High School. Highlights during high school career include logging service hours for Saint Francis Service Dogs and being named the Honors Student for the Early Childhood Education program. This summer, Anna will complete the 9-week PREP work skills/job readiness program at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitative Center. Immediately on finishing PREP, Anna enters Carilion s highly competitive, 9-month Project SEARCH internship program. These programs are just the first steps toward Anna s ultimate goal of a career in nursing. We know that Anna s determination, persistence, and heart for helping others will serve her well as she progresses step by step along her life s path. Emilia Irene Frazier has the distinction of graduating (with honors) from Glenvar High School as their first Governor s Scholar. Other high-school highlights include cast and crew roles in Willy Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Theatre Glenvar productions and singing Soprano I with Roanoke Valley Children s Choir (including their solo performance at Carnegie Hall). Consistent with her passion for understanding the story whether through theatre, art, music, or writing Mia will attend the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, where she plans to double-major in theatre and art history and minor in linguistics. We eagerly await the next installment in the continuing saga of our favorite Renaissance polymath. Servers for JUNE Area of Service Acolytes: Server, Crucifer S-Akan Ndem C-Amara Okoronkwo S-Natalie Miller C-Bridget Miller S-Uche Okoronkwo C-Sara Stauffer S- C-Macaela Richmeier Altar Guild Kathy Pollard Lynn Straub Kathy Pollard Lynn Straub Lora Beeken Judy Koland Lora Beeken Judy Koland Announcements Bill Kennan Val Tweedie Ann Alexander Susan Bathgate Chalice Bearer Val Tweedie Danielle Bland Carol Cummings Rachel Richmeier Cleaning Crews Charlie & Lynn Straub Scott Farmer Mark Priest Mary Stuart Cosby Irma Pillsbury Shirley Sparrow Farrell Doss David Jones Coffee Hour Lynn Straub Barbara Piersol Jennifer Miller Liz Swinfen Lay Reader Ogechi Okoronkwo Jennifer Miller Bridget Miller Mark Priest Nursery Dara Ndem Uche Okoronkwo Marie Painter Macaela Richmeier Dara Ndem Ogechi Okoronkwo Natalie Miller Kelly Stalvey Ushers Gwynn Polidoro Mark Priest Sarah Farmer Scott Farmer Francis & Janet Webster Bev & Greg Moulse Seth Richmeier

5 JUNE 2018 ST. THOMAS LIFELINE S PAGE 5 JUNE 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Rev. Mark s Office Hours Thursdays 4:30 6: The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Hospitality & Food Bank Sunday 10am Holy Eucharist 11:15am Fellowship & Refreshments 10 The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost 10am Holy Eucharist 11:15am Coffee Hour 17 The 4th Sunday after Pentecost Loose Plate Offering~Rector s Discretionary 10am Morning Prayer 11:15am Coffee Hour 24 The 5th Sunday after Pentecost 10 am Holy Eucharist 11:15am Coffee Hour 12pm Vestry School s Out for Summer! Many thanks to all of our Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and adult forum leaders! :30am Holy Eucharist & Healing Service :30am Holy Eucharist & Healing Service 27 10:30am Holy Eucharist & Healing Service The first Sunday of every month is designated as FOOD BANK SUNDAY. In May, 60 food items were delivered to MCEAP. The next Food Bank Sunday is June 3rd :15am DOK 6pm Backyard Bible Study 28 SUMMER, SUMMER! Check the and bulletin announcements for when and where we ll be gathering for our summer Sunday suppers! The summer suppers are once a month on a Sunday evening. It s potluck so bring your favorite dish to share. Don t forget your chairs or blankets to sit on! The choir will be on a much deserved summer break. Thank you for adding so much to our Sunday services! Birthdays 1 Val Tweedie 2 David Jones 6 Evelyn Frazier 9 Tristan McCarty 10 Emily Pasciak 11 Matthew Pollard 15 Dara Ndem 16 Harvey Leist 22 Jon Greene Amy Williams 24 Katie Priest 25 David Oliver 26 Thomas Bland 30 Sam Okoronkwo Barbara Piersol Anniversaries 12 Ann & Mike Alexander 13 Charlie & Lynn Straub

6 PAGE 6 St. Thomas Episcopal Church 103 East Main St. Christiansburg, VA mysthomasoffice@yahoo.com