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We are a community of Christians on a spiritual journey. Our worship and life together provides a pathway toward a deeper understanding of the risen and transforming Christ. Through joyful singing, engaging preaching, prayer and silence, we come together to share together in one bread, one body. St. Thomas' is a place to find and be found by God.
We encourage you to consider donating your time and talent to St. Thomas' mission by joining one of our committees. All our committees are equally important in supporting the community of St. Thomas'.
OUR COMMITTEES
EDUCATION & FORMATION
We provide opportunities for education and spiritual formation for all parishioners - adults, youth and children. These include Sunday activities before and after worship, events throughout the week, and special seasonal programs. Members of this ministry serve as Sunday school teachers; we plan and facilitate activities in the areas of education and spiritual formation; and we are responsible for seasonal programs throughout the church year, as well as for preparing persons for confirmation as adult members of the church. Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Guild Room. If you are interested in helping out with this work or joining this committee, please email either of our co-chairs: David Kucharski or Tim Johnson.
GODLY PLAY
Godly Play is a Montessori-related approach to learning which enables children to experience the presence of a loving God and discover how to “speak the language” of their biblical faith. The exercises allow the children to engage their whole being: heart, mind, hands, senses, intuition in the Biblical stories studied. The Godly Play curriculum is focused on both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. It is a discovery method of learning which enables young children to encounter God by using both of their critical gates of knowledge: play and language. Its intent is not so much to tell about God as it is to invite children to experience God’s presence as real and gracious. If you would like to be part of the Godly Play program please contact either: Missy Morain or Brock Thompson.
WORSHIP
The Worship Ministry is responsible for all aspects of worship. This includes the care of vestments and linens, setting the altar and an awareness of the changes called for by liturgical seasons, organizing and training acolytes, chalicers, lectors and ushers. Training for these activities is conducted by the acolyte wardens and the head usher. Teams in this ministry include the Altar Guild, Ushers, Greeters, Lectors, Chalicers and Acolytes. Please email the chair of worship if you are interested in participating in one of these liturgical functions: Jack Reiffer .
PARISH LIFE
This ministry coordinates the non-liturgical fellowship activities within the Church, from coffee hour gatherings after services to dinners and social functions and events that engage parishioners and neighbors in our community. Outdoor activities such as canoe or ski trips are organized through this ministry as well. More than simply a “social” committee, this ministry works to provide opportunities for fellowship, establishes a culture of radical hospitality and promotes a spirit of welcome and God’s generous abundance to the world we reach out to in love. The Foyer Dinner Team, a subgroup of this ministry, coordinates our semi-annual rounds of Foyer Dinners – informal gatherings where 6-8 people share a meal together, getting to know each other outside of Sunday worship. Another subgroup, the Art & Spirituality team, is charged with creating opportunities for the members of St. Thomas’ and the neighborhood to encounter God in the arts, both in traditional and non-traditional media. This is St. Thomas’ innovative ministry…creating new and nontraditional ways to integrate art, culture and worship. If you would like to become a member of Parish Life and assist in this critical ministry, please contact either of the co-chairs: John Johnson or Benny Young.
INCLUSION
This ministry’s charge is to develop strategies to identify, invite and incorporate new members into the congregation. The ministry members are responsible for developing and implementing a ministry of welcome after each worship service. The ministry is divided into two areas:
WELCOMING: Trains and schedules parishioners to serve as Greeters at the Sunday morning services, coordinates follow up with newcomers, plans welcoming socials for newcomers about four times per year, and makes sure that newcomers are aware of the parish’s offerings.
INCORPORATION: the most significant indicator of a healthy and vibrant church community is the active participation of its members in the ministry and life of the parish. This ministry works to ensure that every member of St. Thomas’, new or established, is invited and encouraged to participate fully in the life of the Church. The ministry’s focus is two-fold: first, to work with the Rector to coordinate newcomers orientation sessions; and second, on a regular basis to identify the skills and interests of both newcomers and current parishioners who are not actively engaged in parish life, encouraging other ministries to develop programs with these people in mind or to invite them to get involved. If you would like to become part of the Inclusion Team please contact one of the co-chairs: Phillip Kronstein or Jessie Brewster.
PASTORAL CARE
The Pastoral Care Ministry at St. Thomas' provides support to members of the parish and loved ones who are sick, bereaved, in need of counseling, or who have any other need. The chair coordinates clergy and pastoral care visits, as well as delivery by Eucharistic ministers of Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend regular services. Please contact either of the co-chairs of Pastoral Care if you would like to pursue being a part of this ministry: Clinton Anderson or David Vanneman.
OUTREACH
As a flourishing congregation committed to our baptismal covenant, St. Thomas’ is connected to the social causes that directly affect the community around us. The Outreach Committee serves as the hands and feet for the soul of our parish to expand its ministry of social justice and community outreach to both our city and beyond. Outreach is one of the ways by which we live the Gospel outside the walls of the Church. St. Thomas’ has a long history of involvement in and commitment to area charities, non-profits and special causes. Outreach communicates and promotes the spiritual/theological basis for social ministry, developing priorities of activity and guidelines for giving and coordinating the Church’s involvement locally, nationally and internationally. If you would like to join Outreach please contact the chair: David Swanson.
STEWARDSHIP
Through St. Thomas’ Parish’s stewardship program we have developed a number of resources to assist members in living out this journey of developing their holy habits of tithing, daily personal prayer and study, Sabbath time and weekly corporate worship. This includes educational programs throughout the year, preaching and worship that focuses on stewardship and opportunities to examine your own approaches to personal and corporate stewardship. If you would like to join the Stewardship team please contact either of the co-chairs: Jaye Lopez or Byron Smalley .
FINANCE
This ministry develops, manages and reports the budget for the Church and the individual ministries, teams and/or committees. It is also responsible for monitoring the income and expenses of the parish throughout the year and reflects St. Thomas’ commitment to the highest standards of accountability. If you would like to become a member of the Finance Committee please contact: Drew Boatner.
BUILDING & GROUNDS
Stewardship of a historic property requires respect for the past, attention to the present needs, and foresight for the future. The Property Ministry is charged with the upkeep, preservation and restoration of the Church, the Rectory, the Gardens and all the surrounding grounds. If you would to become part of the B&G team please contact one of the co-chairs: David Perez or Pepin Tuma.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Communications Ministry is responsible for ensuring that the activities, policies and programs of the Church are communicated in a concise and consistent manner through the Phoenix—our parish newsletter—as well as mailings, email blasts, seasonal brochures, etc. Members assist in the writing and production of the Phoenix, promote Church activities to the local media, design signs and banners, edit special mailings, manage parish information technology and systems, and supervise and maintain the parish website. If you would like be a part of the Communications Committee please contact either of the co-chairs: Nate West or Jean Holman .
ARCHIVES
The archives of St. Thomas' Parish collects and organizes information about current and past parishioners and the history of the parish since its founding. Included in the collection are photographs, publications, reports and other parish records. If you would like to assist in our archival efforts please contact: Tim Beacom.
SACRED GROUNDS
Sacred Grounds, a monthly event held at St. Thomas' Parish, invites Christians and those exploring their spirituality in their 20s and 30s to come and socialize with people from around the city. We always have plenty of free food and drink, the occasional movie and plenty of conversation. If you would like to assist in planning these monthly events, please contact either of the chairs: Dustin Cole or Jason Rios .
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