(Fall/Winter Schedule effective August 28, 2011)

8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday

Nursery care is provided at each service

 

Coffee & Conversation

Enjoy coffee or other refreshments while visiting in the narthex/lounge or on the patio. Many regular participants keep their own mugs at the church, but there are always plenty of visitor cups. Our washable mugs are symbols of commitment to care for God's gift to us of the planet and our coffee is from Lutheran World Relief's Equal Exchange Coffee Project.

February 5, 2012 — The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

Lessons

February 12, 2012 — The Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Lessons

Special Ministry Notices

The Lay Care Ministry is seeking donations of cards and postage stamps. This ministry plans to send cards to those who note that this would be welcomed when they contact the church to be put on the prayer list or prayer chain. We are seeking sympathy, get well/illness, thinking of you and blank cards. Please note that we do not need birthday cards at this time. Donations of cards and stamps may be left in the church office. Thank you!

The Sister Parish Delegation to Guatemala is asking for donations of used digital cameras to take to UPAVIM. The cameras will be used in a photography class for young people. They are looking for used cameras with new batteries and new photo cards. Rechargeable batteries are the best, but any new battery will do. Cameras can be dropped off at the church office. Gracias!

Build Hope with Habitat for Humanity! Whether you know a lot about construction or have never held a hammer, you can build a home for a Monroe County family in need. Come join Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County's Midweek Crew! We work Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8-4 (you can come for a half-day shifts too). A small volunteer group of all ages helps complete construction tasks to prepare Habitat houses for the families that will make them homes. The atmosphere is relaxed and no construction experience is required. We will teach you everything you need to know. To sign up or for more information call 812-331-4069 and ask for Adrian Starnes, Construction Leadership Coordinator (starnes@monroecountyhabitat.org), or Megan Ionoff (ionoff@monroecountyhabitat.org), Volunteer Liaison. Thanks!

Please note: The December newsletter has been mailed. It is the last issue that will be mailed to the entire congregation. Beginning in 2012 the St. Thomas News will be sent by email through Mail Chimp. If you are expecting any change in your email address, have a particular address that you would prefer we use, or just need to check to see if we have your address, please visit the table in the narthex and fill out a form.
For those few members who do not have email we will continue to mail your newsletter and there will be a few print copies available in the narthex.
By moving to electronic mailings of the newsletter we will save hundreds of dollars a year in postage, paper and time. It is also better for the environment.

December's Household Energy Task of the Month focuses on turning off or unplugging electronic equipment when it's not in use or unplugging equipment with internal power supplies or external DC power. Turn off items such as computers or entertainment centers. Unplug items with internal power supplies (for example, portable stereos, coffee makers) or external DC power (such as cordless phones, electric toothbrushes). Home office equipment, audio and video systems, and miscellaneous electronics consume almost 20 percent of all electricity used inside the average home and can cost as much as $175 per year.

St. Thomas generous folk sent 321 pounds of food to the MCUM pantry in September. While that amount is greatly appreciated, we KNOW we can do better...especially since the colder months are soon upon us. How about EVERYONE bringing at least one item each week for the food basket in October? We won't be unhappy if we have to make TWO trips to the pantry to carry all the food. The need is great...let's all help those in need in our community. THANKS for all you do!

ELCA Disaster Relief Fund is requesting contributions for the recent earthquakes in Chile, Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan and tornadoes in the US. Much help and supplies are still needed.

Did Santa bring a new washer and dryer last Christmas? How about new beds or other furniture? If your old appliances and furniture are still in good shape please donate them to St. Vincent de Paul, an all-volunteer group that serves our neighbors in need. Remember, donations are tax deductable. If you cannot bring your items in yourself, SVdP will pick them up. Just contact us at 961-1510 or pickup@bloomintonsvdp.org, or St. Thomas members Larry Berg, David Nixon, Gene Laughman.

ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response are providing information on Swine Flu.

The mission committee is considering forming a variety of interest groups surrounding important mission related topics, as a way to encourage broader and deeper participation. You do not need to be a member of the mission committee to join these interest groups. Some of the first potential interest groups being formed are:
1) Sister Parish Interest Group - be involved in discerning the best direction for this relationship with our Sister Parish in Chichipate, Guatemala.
2) Micro Loans Interest Group - help have an impact on poverty by providing direct loans to entrepreneurs around the globe. Consider joining an interest group to discuss and make these investment decisions together, connecting with the entrepreneurs via the internet. To learn more, contact: Chris Ogan;
3) Missionary Interest Group - We are considering forming a Missionary Interest Group to sponsor an ELCA missionary, support them in prayer and learn about what they are doing. If you are interested in helping form this interest group, please contact Lyman Hitchcock for further information.
4) Please contact any member of the Mission Committee if you have other ideas for interest groups.

The newly-formed Mission Committee has a blog for their latest news.

Keep up with the Youth Group on their new website.

Have you remembered to bring your gifts of food to church?
MCUM's pantry needs food: Canned meats (stew, chicken, salmon, etc.), canned and dried fruit, juice and other beverages, crackers and desserts
They cannot accept perishable, home-canned, opened packages, or expired food.
Please don't forget: Socks for adults, bar soap, feminine hygiene products and trash bags
During an average week, the pantry distributes 140 bags of groceries, filled to the rim with household staples and a five-day supply of nutrition for each family member.
You have been generous in the past and we know you will help again. St. Thomas members gave over 6,000 pounds of food in 2011, the second highest amount from city churches. Please continue to bring your donations to the basket in the narthex to support this important service.

Last update: Friday 3 February 2012 13:52