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Opportunities to worship, learn, give, and connect.
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Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
(Blessing of the Animals)
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| FEATURED |
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| This Sunday is Our Blessing of the Animals Service. |
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Bring Your Pets to Church.
(Pet photos work too!)
Sunday, October 5
10:00 a.m.
Outside in the Grassy Circle
Our popular, annual Blessing of the Animals Sunday returns where we celebrate the animals in our lives! This service will not be live-streamed (the 8:00 a.m. will be). In case of rain, please only bring a pet photo, as the service will be inside
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Sundays |
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8:00 a.m.
Holy Communion, Rite I [C] Watch Online >
10:00 a.m.*
Holy Communion with Choir, Rite II [C]
5:00 p.m.
Last Chance Mass [OSB]
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Tuesdays |
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NEW! 5:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer
[OSB]
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Wednesdays |
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12:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist
[OSB]
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Thursdays |
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9:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer
[OSB]
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C: Church | OSB: Old School Building
*You can access the 10:00 a.m. worship bulletin
and the Weekly News & Notes at bit.ly/ST-Online
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| Next Sunday: October 12 |
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| Special Guest Preacher |
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Join us next Sunday at either the 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., or 5:00 p.m. service and hear the Rev. Caroline Stewart preach.
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Join Our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 23
7:00 p.m.
Old School Building
You’re invited to our first Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. We are excited to welcome the following participating institutions: Union Bethel A.M.E. Church in Randallstown, Reisterstown United Methodist Church, St. John’s Church Western Run, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, and Awake Yoga Meditation Center in Baltimore.
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Each Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service is live-streamed and recorded. Watch live or catch up on past sermons.
NOTE: For October 5, the 8:00 a.m. service will be live-streamed since the special Blessing of the Animals service at 10:00 a.m. will be outside.
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Each week, our Music Minister, Jonathan K. Waller, shares a lyric poem from Sunday’s music selections and his reflection on how it resonates with the week’s scripture readings.
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| Attend Children's Sunday School |
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| For children ages 4-12. Children under 4 are welcome with an adult/guardian. |
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Sundays
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Old School Building
Classroom
Parents/Guardians are asked to please escort their child/children to Sunday School. We will have registration forms to fill out.
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This Week’s Children's Activity Links
Click the buttons below to download the Sparkhouse Worship children's bulletins and activities each week for both readers and pre-readers!
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FOR YOUTH!
Sundays, starting October 5
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
Old School Building
Children and youth between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to join the new Junior Choir, led by Rachel Ayers Waller. Rehearsals will begin October 5th and meet weekly following the 10:00 a.m. service. Ms. Rachel will meet kids at the back of church so all can walk over together. A special snack will be provided. Rehearsals will culminate in a performance at a November/December 10:00 am service. To Sign Up: Email Rachel Ayers Waller.
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Young parishioners are invited to participate in the Acolyte Ministry at any 10:00 a.m. Sunday service (and we offer thanks to our youth who currently participate in this important ministry!). No experience required. You will be excellently trained! To Sign Up: Email John Lang or Jane Farnan.
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| Be an Altar or Flower Guild Member |
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Each team works together on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. to set up for Sunday services. Set-up takes about an hour. No experience necessary and training will be provided! To Sign Up: Email Kathy Capp for Altar Guild or Glen Cole for Flower Guild.
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- Those with long-term suffering: For the following people who are struggling with long-term illness, who are in pain, who are under stress, or who are lonely, join us in praying: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We especially pray for: Alex, Amber, Andi, Andy, Bert, Betsy, Blair, Bob W., Brandt, Caroline, Curtis, Dan R., David, Dixon, Elizabeth F., Ellen W., Emma, Eric, Frank, Henrietta, Jim, Jim H., Jim W., JoAnna, June F., Karen A., Kathleen, Kennedy, Laura, Leo, Leroy, Mike P., Morgan A., Morgan B., Nadine, Nancy B., Nancy T., Nicholas, Robert, Sally R., Samuel, Sara, Steve, Su, and Tai.
- Altar Flowers Memorials: We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled. We especially remember Randy Arnot, Jared Jones, and Anthony Jones, in whose memory the altar flowers are given.
- Parish Ministries: In our Parish Ministry Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Parish Staff. If you would like to learn more about this ministry and are interested in becoming involved, please email the Rev. Thomas Murphy.
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Forward Day by Day is a quarterly booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. It's available for free on the table in the Narthex, in the Old School Building, or at prayer.forwardmovement.org/daily-readings.
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A Baltimore memoir with a St. Thomas’ Connection
Saturday, November 8
2:00 p.m.
Parish Hall
Join author Mark Gornick as he discusses his book, Sharing the Crust: A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood. In the book, Mark tells the story of an unbreakable love through the life and witness of Allan Tibbels and a communion of saints in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore.
Sharing the Crust is about the power of small changes, “the little way,” and the hard work of peacemaking in a divided world. It is about the meaning of companionship in this life and the life to come, of who we are to one another. A refreshingly complex story of ministry, church life, and community development, Sharing the Crust is a witness to faith, hope, and love for our times.
Bio: Mark R. Gornik is an American theologian, missiologist, author, pastor, and director of City Seminary of New York. He has researched and written about urban ministry, community development, theological education, and the study of global Christianity, particularly African Christianity in New York City.
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St. Thomas’ Connection
Mark will be joined by residents of Sandtown, and St. Thomas’ parishioners will be invited to share their memories of working on Habitat for Humanity projects in the neighborhood.
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| Join us to study Paul’s letters to the Colossians and the Thessalonians |
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Mondays
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Zoom
These books offer important insights into faith, love and hope, and practical guidance into Christian living, helping us navigate life’s challenges. Join us for a heartfelt discussion and fellowship. Newcomers are most welcome!
To Sign Up:Email
Jane Farnan.
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| Calling all 8th-graders and up! |
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Starts Saturday, October 18
Volunteering at Fresh Fruits Farm
Registration Required (Details Below)
Those who were baptized at an early age are invited to join in this sacramental rite which leads a candidate to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop—plus have a lot of fun along the way!
To Sign Up: Email the Rev. Amelia Bello.
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| St. Thomas' Annual Greens Sale |
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Orders Due October 31
Fall may have just arrived, but it is time to start thinking about the holidays! Order beautiful Christmas greens and support St. Thomas’ at the same time. Funds raised through the annual Greens Sale support our church directly. Please share with family and friends! Thank you for your support of this wonderful annual tradition!
Items arrive around Thanksgiving and are guaranteed no later than 2 weeks after Thanksgiving Day.
For Questions or More Info: Email Erik & Kristin Nightwine or call the Parish Office at 410-363-1044.
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Order with an Online Form (by Oct 31)
- Browse our greens selections on Sherwood Forest St. Thomas' site by clicking here.
- There is a link to our Tithely site to pay with your credit card (make sure to select the "Greens Sale 2025" option in the drop-down menu).
- Optional: If ordering direct delivery items, add a personalized message.
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Order with a Paper Form (by Oct 31)
- Download order forms by clicking here or picking them up in the Narthex or Parish Hall. (Green Forms are for local pickup items and Red Forms are for direct delivery items to be delivered from our supplier to any recipient(s).)
- Please fill out all of the information in the forms and send back to the Parish Office, along with cash or check (made payable to St. Thomas' Church), or pay online through Tithely by clicking here (and make sure to select the "Greens Sale 2025" option in the drop-down menu).
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Make a Donation to the Cemetery Wreaths!
Please consider making a donation, no matter the amount, to help us purchase 22" wreaths that we will distribute around the Old Cemetery for Christmas. You do not need to order greens to make a donation.
How to Donate: You can donate online through Tithely with a credit card by clicking here (please select the Cemetery Wreath Fund in the drop-down menu). You can also add this amount to your order total on your paper form when paying by cash or check.
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Our 2026 stewardship campaign is underway! Personalized stewardship packets have been mailed to you.
Throughout the campaign, look for weekly reflections from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and “A Story of Stewardship” offered by some of our own St. Thomas’ parishioners.
Over the coming weeks, we hope you will be renewed and inspired to give your time, talent and treasure.
To Pledge: Click the button below or fill out the Pledge Card in your stewardship packet and return it by putting it in the offertory plate, by mail, or by dropping it off in the Parish office.
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| Inspiring Weekly Stories on the Impact of the Spiritual Life |
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| Even Our Bodies Tell Our Stories |
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by Samantha Vincent-Alexander
In 6th grade, I started writing poetry and continued doing so well into my 20s. When I was ordained at age 28 and preaching regularly, I stopped writing poetry. Sermons became my creative outlet. When I started going through fertility treatments, I started writing again. I was taught that we should preach from our scars and not our wounds, and I didn’t want to burden people about my pain about infertility. We are overwhelmed with scripture that tells us that women who were barren but also faithful would one day conceive. I wanted to provide a counter narrative and dreamed of writing a book. While I never wrote a whole book about it, I coauthored a book with three other clergy women. We wrote about doubt, loss, grief, parenting, grace and infertility. Read more >
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Karen Alban
A Genuine Feeling of Fellowship and Family
When our house was being built in Timbergrove, I passed this beautiful little church in Garrison Forest. I would go home each day and say to my husband, Blair, that we would be going to this church. We have been members since September of 1986. We were both cradle Episcopalians and both of us were fond of Rev. Bill Baxter.
I started out teaching Sunday school for three and four-year-olds with Pat Offutt to give Carol Roeder a chance to go to church. I joined Altar Guild in May of 1988 and volunteered to make the boxwood wreaths each December for the inside of the church windows. I continued to do this for many years.
When I had breaks at work, I would volunteer to make casseroles for Paul’s Place. When work was too busy to allow for this outreach project, I volunteered for 2 months of Altar Guild in October and May. We spent many times as a family doing Food for Thought and preparing breakfast between services.
In August of 1993 I started singing with the choir and still love this ministry to this day. I was able to do Lay Chalice for many summers when choir was in recess. Now we attend church on Wednesdays at noon and when possible, we attend Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
Our son went to the Co-op St. Thomas Preschool when he was two-years-old and sang with the children’s choir. He also sang with the adult choir during his high school years.
I love this parish and feel very at home here. When we moved to Westminster in 1994 we could not break our ties to St. Thomas’ and continued to attend here and pledge and volunteer whenever I was able. My husband and I love to help with the Christmas Extravaganza as well.
Now Blair is an usher and lay reader. He looks forward to coming to church each week.
I feel a very strong bond to the community at St. Thomas’. I feel very committed to the Altar Guild and Choir. I look forward to coming to each of the services we attend even though it is about a half-hour ride. It is a genuine feeling of fellowship and family. I love what the church gives back to us and I will continue to grow with St. Thomas’.
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Because of Your Stewardship
Past reflections about the different ministries at St. Thomas’ that benefit from the generosity of our stewardship are available to read.
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| Care Bag Donations Needed! |
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Help us reach our goal of collecting 75+ of each priority item each month
The Community Crisis Center has noted an increase of household items needed to meet the requests of their clients. Every week donations are distributed at the center to support the Reisterstown community. The St. Thomas’ congregation has been asked to lend their support by collecting items for the Care Bag.
How you can help:
Purchase specific priority items:
- Toothbrushes (multipacks)
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss (or floss picks)
- Dishwashing Liquid (large or small size)
Drop them off at the Parish Office during office hours, or in the baskets located in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Please no shampoo, body wash, mouth wash, or Lysol. We are still accepting donations of diapers and feminine hygiene products.
Questions? Please contact Margaret Green.
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| Help Fund Care Bag Items |
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You can make a donation online through Tithely which will be used to purchase priority items. When making your gift, please be sure to scroll down to “Outreach - Community Crisis Center” in the pull-down menu. St. Thomas’ will also be supplementing each Care Bag with laundry detergent. This will be purchased using donated funds.
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| Help the Hungry Get Fresh, Nutritious Food |
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Volunteer with St. Thomas’ at First Fruits Farm
Saturday, October 18
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fresh Fruits Farm,
20431 Middletown Road,
Freeland MD 21053
Join St. Thomas’ Preschool & Kindergarten families at First Fruits Farm, a nonprofit, Christian ministry dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious food for the hungry through volunteer service and community partnerships. All volunteers must sign a waiver before arrival. Please dress for the weather, and expect to get dirty—no sandals or flip flops please! Work gloves, drinking water, and on-the-job training will be provided by First Fruits Farm. For more information about the Farm, visit firstfruitsfarm.org. Questions? Email Nicole Norris.
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| Help Offer Financial Aid to St. Thomas’ Preschool and Kindergarten Families in Need |
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| The Liddell/Hogan Scholarship Fund |
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The Liddell/Hogan Scholarship Fund is a fund in honor of Lucy Liddell and Louis Hogan, and helps families of employees, parishioners, and those in financial need at St. Thomas’ Preschool and Kindergarten. To learn more about our magical preschool, please visit stthomaspreschool.info.
To Donate: Designate to this fund on Tithely, via check, or by contacting Jane Farnan.
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| Make Sandwiches for Residents of Southwest Baltimore |
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| The St. Thomas’ Country Cooks partnership with Paul’s Place |
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Every Other Wednesday
8:30 a.m.
Parish Hall
Join the St. Thomas’ Country Cooks making sandwiches for Paul’s Place—located in Pigtown, a historic neighborhood west of downtown Baltimore. Paul’s Place serves neighborhoods where an average of 39% of children live in poverty. Questions? Email Kathy Capp.
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We are looking for teams of three volunteers to host fellowship in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 a.m. Sunday services each week. Volunteers bring food (either homemade or store-bought) to share. To Sign Up: Email Jesse VanGeison.
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Join for fun, pizza, and prizes
Sunday, October 19
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Following the 5:00 p.m. service
Parish Hall
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| Join “We Gather Together,” Our Grief Support Group |
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Thursdays
October 16 - November 20*
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Old School Building
*Availability to attend all sessions is strongly encouraged
It was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who wisely observed: “There is no grief like the grief that does not speak.” St. Thomas’ will offer a 6-part program for those who have or are experiencing loss of any kind… a death, a relationship, a pet, a job, a miscarriage, infertility issues, etc. Each of these—and other situations—hold the potential for grieving, a ‘normal’ yet hard emotion to experience. To walk this journey with others is a way to navigate some of the challenges.
Dr. Earl Grollman observed: “Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.”
The Rev. Caroline Stewart will join the Rev. Amelia Bello to co-facilitate this offering. Caroline is a long-time member of St. Thomas’ before her call to ministry over 20 years ago. She holds a Masters in Counseling from the University of Virginia, a Masters in Pastoral and Spiritual Care from Loyola University and a Post Graduate Degree in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. She has served a variety of parishes in Maryland, been the Interim Episcopal Chaplain at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, served on the faculty at The Center for Spiritual Support Training at GBMC, and is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
To Sign Up or Ask Questions: Email the Rev. Caroline Stewart.
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“There are three needs of the griever: To find the words for the loss, to say the words aloud, and to know that the words have been heard.”
—Victoria Alexander
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Sunday, October 26
During the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services, hear featured speakers from some of our Outreach partners.
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| A Fun Night Out at the Lanes |
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| You’re Invited to our Newcomers’ Reception |
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Saturday, November 1
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Open House
The Rectory
Welcome all of you who are new to St. Thomas’—we are so glad you’re here! Join us for our Newcomers’ Reception so we can get to know each other. To RSVP: Contact Jane Farnan or call (410) 363-1044.
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| Join us at the St. Thomas’ Craft Sale |
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Sunday, November 16
Following the 8:00 a.m.
and 10:00 a.m. Services
Parish Hall
The St. Thomas’ Craft Sale is a great place for you (or the crafter in your life) to set up a table and share. To Participate: Call Roz Corasaniti at (410) 812-5552 or email Jane Farnan.
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| Join The Thursday Morning Handicrafters Group |
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Thursdays
9:30 a.m.
Parish Hall
Join us for friendship, laughter, and sharing stories, as well as ideas for many different kinds of projects. Come join the fun!
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| Add/Update Your Current Contact Information to/for Our New Directory |
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The St. Thomas’ Parish Directory is in need of updating! We want to make sure your contact information is up-to-date.
Please email the following information to Jane Farnan in the Parish Office:
- Last Name(s), First Name(s)
- Children’s Name(s)
- Home Address, City, State, and Zip
- Home Phone Number
- Cell Phone Number(s)
- Email Address(es)
- Birthday month/year for each family member*
- A high-resolution family photo listing names left to right**
*For our parish records only. Not listed in the directory.
**Photos of parishioners make connections easier when looking through the Parish Directory.
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| Join Us at Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat |
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Sunday, October 26
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
St. Thomas’ Preschool and Kindergarten invites you to come for the fun! Everyone is invited! More details to follow.
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| Sip and Shop at J.McLaughlin to Support St. Thomas’ Preschool and Kindergarten |
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| Not too late to enroll for 2025-26! |
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To Schedule a Tour: Contact Nicole Norris, STPS Director.
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LEFT: In honor of the Junior Choir starting up again on Sunday, veteran choir member Ned Welbourn shared a photo from his time in St. Thomas’ Junior Choir.
RIGHT: Pictured on the left is Ned Welbourn singing in the adult choir in June 2025 with guest conductor Gail Blache-Gill.
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