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Dear St. Thomas Family,
As those of you who braved the monsoon to attend the services on October 2 nd heard, St. Thomas is opening up its 2023 pledge campaign. Pledge cards will be made available at the services beginning on October 8, and our campaign will continue through the month of October. As you consider pledging for the first time, or continuing to pledge to the church, ask yourself, what makes St. Thomas an important part of your life and what do you feel called to give to continue its work in the world?
In 2022, we continued to see how a small community that is dedicated to doing Christ’s work in the neighborhood and in the world can shine. Despite the economic hardships we all face, we continue to have a budget that doesn’t rely on invading our savings to make ends meet, and both our giving and our spending have complied with the budget. Giving in the past year, of time, talent, and treasure, bears witness to St. Thomas’ family ability to do its work faithfully and confidently.
I have a skill that I try not to share too often – whining and complaining. The price is too high, the money is too scarce, it’s too hot… the usual litany of complaints that we’ve probably all made at some point. But I can never complain of God letting us down. He’s always provided, gotten us through tough times, and met us at the point of our need. When I think of all He’s done for me, I realize that I want to give; I want to say thanks. God doesn’t need my money, but I need to share it with Him. And together, our sharing can help St. Thomas continue to do what it does best, caring for God’s people.
We hope that you will think about how God has blessed you in the past year, and help your church continue to reach out to be a blessing to others in the coming year.
Faithfully,
Tal Kramer
Kitchen of Hope is tomorrow, Saturday, 8 October. Contact Vivian H. (856-366-8461) if you’d like to help!
Join us for Adult Formation (9am Sunday) as continue a three week series about Angels led by Bobby Kramer and Donna Freidel. Then stay for Coffee Hour at 10am!
The annual Pitman Glassboro CROP Hunger Walk is Sunday, October 16th at 1PM at New St Park in Glassboro. Money or non-perishable food (i.e. peanut butter or jelly) are accepted. Make checks payable to “CWS/CROP”. Part of every donation will help Kitchen of Hope, Samaritan Center, Pitman Pantry, and the Shop at Rowan. Stride along with Saint Thomas’ in Glassboro to raise money and awareness to help feed the hungry near and far! Will you consider joining our team? You can get more info here or by contacting Eric C.
TEC@RU continues it’s Monthly Concert Series on 9 October at 6PM. Come listen to talented Rowan music students and show them that St. Thomas’ welcomes their presence! This month features a Percussion Ensemble, starting at 6PM in the nave.
The My Way of Love Inventory is a series of confidential, challenging, and thought-provoking questions based on the most comprehensive and statistically valid data from RenewalWorks, which works with full congregations to help them refocus on spirituality and discipleship. You can get more information on this process here.
The St. Thomas’ ECW is once again participating in Boscov’s “Friends Helping Friends” fundraiser. For a $5.00 donation to St. Thomas’, you will receive a 25% off shopping pass to be used in most departments in-store only (not online), Wednesday, October 19th from 8 am til 11 pm. Any funds raised by St. Thomas’ will be used to support our ECW’s mission projects for women and children. Please see Linda K. or any ECW member to purchase your shopping pass.
Welcome Fall! The St. Thomas’ ECW is most grateful for the generous support we had in the spring in the collection of toiletries given to Mothers Matter for moms in need. This fall we are collecting women’s sanitary products (pads, tampons, etc.) to be given to the food pantry at Rowan University. Costs of these items has skyrocketed, and we feel we can be of help to the young women of Rowan. Please consider donating sanitary products or a monetary donation for this mission. There are baskets in the church and the first floor of the Parish Hall for your donation or you can put a monetary donation in the collection plate in an envelope marked ECW-Sanitary Products. Thank you!!
Episcopal Relief & Development mobilizes in coordination with local partners to provide assistance to those affected by hurricanes. Please contribute to the Hurricane Relief Fund to support relief and recovery efforts.
Learn more about the Diocese of New Jersey’s observance of “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” here.
We are looking for volunteers to host coffee hour at 10AM on Sunday mornings. Elaborate spreads not needed – it’s easier than you think! Contact Deacon John or Donna F. to volunteer.
October Birthdays
3 Donna F.
4 Dcn Lou D.
5 Jerry C.
8 Wayne C.
8 Bobby K.
8 Jeremy O.
10 Elaine L.
13 Becky F.
15 Monet H.
15 John B.
15 Carolyn T.
15 Dylan R.
16 Joe R.
20 Colette DiM.
27 Tommy L.
29 Bill B.
October Anniversaries
2 Scott & Stephanie W.
9 Bob & Kathy S.
18 Mike & Barbara K.
21 Joe & Sid D.
26 Lou & Marie D.
September pledge: $13,766.33
September given: $12,793.00 92.93%
YTD pledge. $127,916.97
YTD given. $122,435.00 95.71%
Our COVID protocol is following the CDC guidelines for Gloucester County. The CDC COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM. This means masks are not required. But they are still simple and effective protection. Please be sure to stay on top of your recommended vaccinations to protect all those you love.
If you would like to contribute to the work of Episcopal Relief & Development serving refugees from Ukraine, you can donate here.
Lectionary readings for this week: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19
Lectionary readings for next week: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8
Please continue in your daily prayers for: Dennis, Marge, Joann, Lou, Jennifer, Mary Esther, Don, Jim, Cameron, Ginny, Jeff, Barbara, Bill, Ashley, Ruth, Donnie, Chris, Stacey, Joe, Ken
Announcements for the parish email are due via email by noon on Wednesday of each week. You can email them to announcements@stthomasglassboro.org
The church calendar can be seen at https://www.stthomasglassboro.
Are you serving in liturgy? Check the rota!
Prayer requests can be sent to prayer@stthomasglassboro.org
Watch our livestream here Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 10:30am!
Full-text of the liturgy is available at https://www.sharedprayers.net
Fall at St. Thomas’
- Holy Eucharist in the Nave – Rite I (Nave): Sundays, 8:00am
- Special Adult Formation on Angels (Parish Hall): Sundays, 9:00am
- Holy Eucharist (Parish Hall and Streaming online): Sundays, 10:30am
- Holy Eucharist at Lych Gate (most times): Wednesdays, 5:30pm
- Holy Eucharist (Nave and Streaming online – now with music!): Saturdays, 5:30pm