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St Thomas

The Season of Advent

By Christian Formation

This year has been one of waiting. We were waiting for elections to come and go. We are waiting for a vaccine for COVID-19 and to safely be with those we love. And especially now, we wait for the coming of the Christ Child. Many of us know that the season of Advent is the period before Christmas when we, the Church, anticipate the birth of Christ. What is often overlooked is that Advent is also a season of expectation for when Christ will come again to fulfill God’s dreams for the world. As Christians, the first Sunday of Advent is our New Year’s Day. Advent is the mantle of the Church’s year when we consider the kingdom that is both among us and yet to come, and when we—with Mary—ponder these things in our hearts. In light of this season of expectations, your clergy, vestry, and I want to…

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November 20, 2020

Sermon for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

By Rector's Corner, Sermons

Christopher Thomas Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Proper 28 – 11/15/2020 Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation.” – Psalm 62:1 Time, and waiting, at least to my way of thinking, seem to be at such odds. I think that’s because, as I now rapidly approach the marking of 55 trips around the sun, I feel such a sense of urgency around the fleeting nature of this thing called Chronos, human time. It’s a gift; we’re only given so much, time. It’s the one commodity that we cannot manufacture more of, steal more of, beg, borrow, or plead more of. We are given, by God, what we are given, this lifetime, and that, as they say, is that. And so, I am disquieted, anxiety-filled, even at times overwrought, by waiting. I think what…

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November 15, 2020

“I Moan Like a Lonely Bird on a Roof”: The Broken Mirror of Lamentation and Grief

By Sermons

Stephen V. Sprinkle, Ph.D. Professor of Practical Theology Brite Divinity School, and Theologian-in-Residence The Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle November 14, 2020 Hear the words of the Psalmist from Psalm 102: “I have become like a pelican in the wilderness, like an owl in desolate places. I lie awake and I moan like some lonely bird on a roof.” And again, from the Letter of Paul to the Romans: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit has to say to us in our mortal condition: The truth is that we mortal beings are in acute consciousness of loss. It is as apparent as the latest reports of mounting viral infections and fatalities—there is no reason…

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November 14, 2020

Virtual Toy Drive for 2020

By Outreach

Parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle have supported Community Partners of Dallas’s Annual Toy Drive for several years. These toys go to children in need throughout Dallas. The CPD Toy Drive for 2020, as you might expect, is virtual. You aren’t being asked to get out and shop for the toys which will probably be disappointing for many of us who love shopping for toys. Please go to https://www.helpcpdkids.org and select the wishes you would like to fill. It’s super simple to do! Wishes this year range in price from $10.00 to $34.00 each. Please go the website and share the love by December 11. Once you’re on the checkout page, please find the spot that asks if you are filling wishes for a group. Enter “St. Thomas the Apostle” so we can see how many of us participate. Every year, the Pillowcase Guild, headed by Kathy Carson, makes custom…

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November 12, 2020

Support Honduras Threads Virtually

By News

Honduras Threads has traditionally had a Pop-Up shop in the Parish Hall during St. Thomas’ Thanksgiving Potluck luncheon. This has been a perfect opportunity to do a little gift shopping while supporting a good cause. Like so many things this year, if you are interested in supporting Honduras Threads please do so virtually via their website: https://hondurasthreads.org/collections

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November 12, 2020

Cost of COVID-19 – It’s Impact on the Impoverished

By News, Upcoming Events

There is no single corner of our society that has been left untouched by the effects of COVID-19, Coronavirus. The impact is particularly significant on those who live below the poverty line. The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas (EDOD) and UNITE are hosting an on-line interactive event meant to raise our awareness of COVID’s effect on this particular group of our marginalized neighbors. Understand how COVID Impacts people in Poverty. In an interactive discussion on the elements of holistic human flourishing, our certified Facilitator shares expert explanations of the impact of COVID on people living in poverty.  Experience Their Stories.  In small discussion groups, participants experience real families’ and individuals’ stories and make complex decisions while navigating through pre-existing hardships compounded by the pandemic. Help Restore Lives. After engaging real-life stories, participants discuss how to make the most impact through new tools, existing programs, and EDOD resources. Details: Tuesday, November 17, 2020; 7 pm – 8:30 pm…

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November 12, 2020

Next in-person service will be Wed, Nov. 18

By News, Upcoming Events

On Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Noon we will offer our next in-person, indoor Eucharist following plans and precautions our Regathering Committee has studied and put into place. Service will be conducted in the Parish Hall, where all social-distancing and proper ventilation can be implemented. Please enter via the Parish Hall North Doors only. There will be a limit of 20 people. If you are going to attend this service, please email pam@thedoubter.org before Tues, Nov. 17 so that we can adequately prepare. Masks are required. The service will be a spoken (no singing) mass. There is to be no physical touching – hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, etc., during the Peace. The Peace may be exchanged verbally or with a head nod, for example. Please note, bathrooms will not be open during this time. The Sunday Zoom church offering remains our primary gathering of the community body, and we encourage everyone’s…

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November 12, 2020

A Liturgy for Lament

By Rector's Corner

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. – Romans 8:22-23, NRSV Dear Doubters of Great Faith, Back in the late days of June, some time after the 8 minutes and 46 seconds that marked the end of life for a 46 year old African-American man named Mr. George Floyd, and riots, and protesting, and looting, and lockdown, I was in conversation with our Theologian-in-Residence, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Sprinkle, about what an appropriate community response might be to that which grieved (and grieves) all our souls, the racial injustice, violence, and unrest, unnamed, and yet lived out by our brothers and sisters of color all around. This was before we began to study Isabel Wilkerson’s book,…

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November 12, 2020

The Work of Democracy Continues

By Christian Formation

Most mornings, I begin my day by writing in my journal. Many years ago, I learned a practice called “Morning Pages” from Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way. The method is as simple as it is powerful and involves writing stream of consciousness thoughts down in a journal every day for a predetermined length of time or number of pages. One of the Morning Pages practice guidelines is that you don’t share what you write with others. I’m going to break that rule right now as I share a little of what I wrote this past Wednesday morning, the day after our national election. The first thing that came to mind that morning was an extended quote from Howard Thurman. Thurman was born in 1899 and was brought up by his formerly enslaved grandparents. He grew up to be an influential philosopher, theologian, pastor, and civil rights leader…

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November 7, 2020