WEEKLY E-NEWS

www.stthomaslouky.org

GeneroUS CourageoUS JoyoUS E-News March 12, 2020

We Join God to ​Create Community That Respects the Dignity of All

The Very Rev. Katherine Doyle Rector

A Message from Just Katherine

do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

March 12, 2020

Dear St. Thomas family,

These words are important to remember as we navigate the days ahead. The truth is we are building a car while we are driving it. There seem to be far more questions than answers, more uncertainty than knowledge, and more suppositions than certitude.

At our baptisms, and every time we reaffirm our baptismal vows we are/were asked, “Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?” And we respond, “I do.” The final prayer is this,

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen. (BCP, p. 308)

We do indeed put our trust in God’s grace and love while at the same time acknowledging the inquiring and discerning heart, and I’ll add mind that God also gives us. It is utilizing all of this prayerfully that I in consultation with Bishop White, other clergy in the Diocese, the executive committee of the vestry and experts in the community have decided to cancel services this Sunday.

This decision did not come easily or hastily. Gathering for worship and prayer is at the heart of our mission as Christians. It continues to be at the heart, but for this week we will gather virtually. On Sunday morning I will live stream a service of Morning Prayer. This will be live-streamed from our Facebook page. You do not have to have a Facebook account to see the live stream. The link is https://www.facebook.com/StThomasEpiscopalChurchKY/

Margaret Bond, our parish administrator will have all links on our webpage. She will also keep the webpage updated with information as we receive it. I will continue to send out updates through video, email and Facebook posts.

In addition to canceling services this Sunday, I have closed the building for any St. Thomas groups. I have already created a Zoom meeting time for Tuesday morning Bible study. (Zoom is a video conferencing tool.) People can join a Zoom meeting via computer, tablet, or phone. If you would like the link to join on Tuesday, please contact me. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I will continue along with the vestry to evaluate, and we will make all necessary adjustments.

I will continue to make pastoral visits to those who are not quarantined or in isolation. If you would like me to visit and bring Holy Eucharist, please let me know.

The vestry is meeting tonight (March 12) via Zoom to talk about how we can reach out and be Church outside of our building. There have already been and will continue to be many needs that arise, and we want to be prepared to respond.

Now is the time for prayer. We need to pray for those who are impacted in the many ways they are—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and economically. Let us pray for those who care for others and those who are vulnerable. Let us pray for the medical field and those who seek to find solutions. Let us pray that our leaders, myself included, will make wise decisions on behalf of all God’s people.

…”whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you…..” Psalm 56:3

Here is a prayer that came in an email a week ago from the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (western Washington state), adapted from a prayer by Kerry Weber, American Magazine, March 3, 2020:

A Prayer for COVID-19 Healing Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations and all public officials. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks.

Whether we are home or abroad, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace. Jesus Christ, heal us. Amen.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Faithfully,

The Very Rev. Katherine Doyle

WEEKLY SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday Services will be Online until further notice

March 15: 10am Morning Prayer on our Facebook page.

8am Holy Eucharist Rite I

10am Morning Prayer Online

Tuesday 8am Holy Eucharist (cancelled until further notice)

4:30pm Online Compline on Facebook

______

THE E-NEWS

Submit announcements and ideas for future articles to the church office. [email protected]

BIBLE STUDY TUESDAY, MARCH 17, WILL BE ONLINE

Join us on Zoom, a free video conferencing tool, for Bible Study. From your favorite browser, use the link below to access Zoom. You will be asked to download Zoom, and then you are set! https://zoom.us/j/3011611583

Meeting ID: 301 161 1583

WE MAY BE SMALL... St. Thomas is a small parish with a large heart. We see a need and work diligently to meet it. Shrove Tuesday, under the leadership of Molly Rauh, we cooked and fed almost 100 people raising money for a dishwasher for Robison Hall. Last Sunday we put together almost 100 personal care bags for The Healing Place. We still hold the record of the most volunteers at a Laundry Love.

When we have a project, we show up and we show up in force. It is a joy to be part of this community that was described by one vestry member to Bishop Terry White as the “Can- Do” community. We are blessed with such a giving community that continually volunteers to help the life of St. Thomas and the community we serve to thrive.

With all that is accomplished on a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule, sometimes it is easy to forget that we have a very small staff. Just Katherine+ is full-time, Margaret Bond is part-time, and Kyle Penn is very part-time. Each week we plan and prioritize what needs to be done, but sometimes those are simply best-laid plans and other, more urgent, needs get moved to the top of the list.

We want to serve everyone and as quickly as we can, but the reality is sometimes it just can’t be done as quickly as one would like. Please be patient; your understanding is greatly appreciated.

All that being said, if you see a need at St. Thomas and would like to tackle a project, volunteer for a committee, or organize a ministry, talk with Katherine+. Your Can-Do attitude and willingness to see the best for our church will always be welcome!

EASTER FLOWERS It's time to think about ordering flowers for the Easter altar. Tulips, hyachinths, and lilies will all be available. Click HERE for an order form.

Forms and payment can be mailed to the church office

ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS

Did you know the Episcopal Church has prayer beads similar to the Roman Catholic rosary? Anglican prayer bead sets consist of thirty- three beads divided into groups. There are four groups consisting of seven beads with additional separate and larger beads separating the groups. The number thirty-three signifies the number of years that Christ lived on the Earth, while the number 7 signifies wholeness or completion in the faith, the days of creation, and the seasons of the Church year On Sunday, March 29, following the 10 am service Julie Patterson will lead a workshop in Robison Hall helping us to make our own set of prayer beads. What a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week!

EASTER EGGS

Please bring plastic eggs filled with wrapped candies, stickers, fun erasers, etc. The hunt will begin following the 10:00 am service on Easter Sunday.

All children are invited to participate in the egg hunt. Bring your children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, Godchildren, and neighbors! If you have any questions, please contact Judy Gradl 502-339-7669 or [email protected]. St. Thomas Episcopal Church 9616 Westport Road Louisville, KY 40241

The Very Rev. Katherine Doyle, Rector

(502) 425-3727 - [email protected]

Visit our web site at this link: stthomaslouky.org

STAY CONNECTED

​ ​