The Words of St. Thomas

Words from our Rector This past month I broke one of my cardinal “rules.” I made a change to the liturgy without consulting anyone. First let me tell you why it is one of my cardinal rules. Liturgy is by definition “the work of the people” so I feel very strongly liturgical decisions should be, whenever possible, dis-cussed and decided by the people. And yet I didn’t discuss this with anyone. The truth is I don’t know why, except to say that it hit me so strongly I just had to act.

Now I’ll decipher the above.

Our Sunday liturgy is divided into two distinct parts—the liturgy of the word and the liturgy of the table. The liturgy of the word is to proclaim the Gospel of God and to respond to it. The liturgy of table is to participate in the foretaste of the heavenly kingdom. In some respects it is the ultimate response to the liturgy of the word. The two parts make up the whole of the liturgy, but they are two distinct and important parts.

God came to us in the incarnation—God took human form which means God experienced all of our senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing. For months there has been something which has niggled at me, and I didn’t know what it was until…..

(Do you love how I keep the suspense mounting? Well mounting for liturgi-cal geeks….)

Anyway, two weekends ago during our parish retreat I was talking to a deacon who also happened to be at All Saints. We were talking about how deacons move from church to church and different priests have different ways of celebrating the Eucharist. We were talking about those differences and it suddenly hit me. I needed/craved/felt responsible for differentiating the parts of the liturgy so that each held it’s own significance and it’s own importance.

That night as I tossed and turned thinking about this I thought to myself, “If we just came to church on Sundays to receive the Eucharist, then we could have true drive by communion. I could stand in the parking lot and y’all could just drive up.” We actually have a good parking lot for that. Then I started thinking about the incarnation and the senses. Put those together (and possibly a sleep-deprived but wanting to be a faithful priest’s mind) and I realized it needed to be clear for all of our senses. The music for the

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Inside This Issue

Meetings & Announcements P. 2, 3, 6, 7

Volunteers/Lay Leaders P. 4

Youth News P. 5

Worship Schedule

Sunday 8:00 am Holy Eucharist

10:00 am Holy Eucharist

2nd & 4th Sundays 2:30 pm Holy Eucharist

Magnolia Springs

Monday 6:00 pm Evening Prayer

Tuesday 7 am Holy Eucharist

Thursday 12:15pm Healing & Eucharist

October 2018

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church A nurturing community with open minds and hearts.

The Mission of St. Thomas is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church 9616 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40241

(502) 425-3727 stthomaslouky@gmail.com

www.stthomaslouky.org

The Very Rev. Katherine Doyle Rector

GeneroUS CourageoUS JoyoUS

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PUB THEOLOGY Tuesday, October 2

6:30pm at Mimi’s Cafe Join the discussion every

month! All are welcome (invite your friends!) as we discuss a wide variety of topics.

Coming up: Why do we have different denomina-tions? Does it matter? How do denominations differ? How can we work across denomination lines to help bring about the Kingdom of God?

We’ll see you on Tuesday, October 2, for what promises to be a lively conversation. BEGINNER TAI CHI CLASSES STARTING OCTOBER 1

For the past few months, Tao-ist Tai Chi has been holding classes in Robison Hall. If you have ever wondered if this

practice is right for you, now is your opportunity to try it out! Beginner tai chi classes will start October 1. This is a 12-week course; classes meet once per week, Mondays at 7:00pm

Everyone is welcome—people of all ages and physi-cal abilities enjoy tai chi! Start on the path to a healthy body and mind. For more information visit taoisttaichi.org or call (502) 614-6424.

Some of you have watched her grow from a small child to a sassy teen (I’m just guessing on that) to a young adult and a member of the St. Thomas community by her own choice. You often see and hear her as she is a regular lector, and now you see her on Sunday mornings singing in the choir. But did you know she’s also the clerk for the Vestry? The clerk is not on the vestry

but rather attends meetings without a having voice (and if you know Caroline you know this is not always easy). Caroline Link attends eve-

ry vestry meeting. She is conscientious and profes-sional. She offers wise counsel, advice or opinion when asked. Caroline takes the minutes and then diligently, effectively, and in a timely way sends them out.

UN-SUNG HERO—CAROLINE LINK

Thank you Caroline for your ministry to St. Thomas.

BUDGET REQUESTS

As we move into au-tumn, the annual budg-et will move onto the St. Thomas agenda. Committee and pro-gram leaders are asked to pick up and fill out a budget request form (forms are in the narthex). Please be as detailed as possible and turn your forms in to Sheri Boling or the church office by Octo-ber 21.

The finance committee will begin meeting this month to put together the 2019 mission and minis-try budget for St. Thomas.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

All Saints Sunday is Nov. 4—It will be here before we know it!

During the Sunday service that day all names of those in our community who have died and become a part of the everlasting communion of saints in the past year will be read.

If you have other names you would also like to have included, please email them to Margaret at the church office NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 14.

stthomaslouky@gmail.com

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AROUND ST. THOMAS

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS Linda Baltra 10/04 Joshua Ferguson 10/04 Caroline Link 10/05 Alex Gottfried 10/06 Benjamin Gottfried 10/06 Charles Hurley 10/07 Elizabeth Pelle 10/09 Judy Gradl 10/11 Kevin Foster 10/12 Kay Jungbert 10/14 Beverly Gottfried 10/15 Jean Thornbury 10/15 Martha Cooner 10/17 Katie Croom 10/17 Bill Beam 10/20 Rip Tilden 10/27 Bryan Gottfried 10/29 Jim Howard 10/29

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Kathy & Bill Webster 10/03 Molly & Steve Rauh 10/06 Shannon & Sam Hecht 10/08 Nancy Metcalf & Alan Ferguson 10/30

Should Your Name Be Here? Make sure your information is up-to-date. Let the church office know your birthday and anniversary dates. Also, please tell us if you change home address, phone number, or email address. Call the office: (502)425-3727 or email stthomaslouky@gmail.com

PET BLESSINGS

Bring Fluffy, Rex, Lucky, and Nemo to St. Thomas for a blessing in celebration of The Feast of St. Francis. We’ll gather outside for a brief service of blessing and fellowship. There might even be a prize for the most unique pet!

All pets are welcome (even birds) on Sunday, Octo-ber 14, at 3:30pm.

MORNING PRAYER

On Sunday, October 7, when Katherine is away, our Intern, Andrea Bradney, will lead the congregation in Morning Prayer.

If it has been a while since you have experienced the beauty of this once ubiquitous part of the Epis-copal church-going experience, be sure to make plans to be at the 8am or 10am service!

EVENING PRAYER

Beginning October 1, Evening Prayer will be held Mondays at 6:00pm here at St. Thomas. This brief service is a wonderful way to “switch gears” at the end of the day.

All are welcome to join us.

JOURNEYS OF FAITH: A BOOK STUDY SERIES

Our book study series continues in October with Take This Bread by Sara Miles. Miles, who had been raised an atheist, had a transformative experience that brought her to faith through the act of receiving the Eucharist.

Inspired by the visceral experi-ence of God in sacrament, she sought to spiritually and physically care for others by feeding the hungry and sharing meals in community. As we read this book, may we be inspired to think of the many ways that our experience of God in sacrament may help us to live out our call of discipleship.

The meeting dates will be Wednesdays, October 10th and 24th at 6:30 p.m. in the Green Room. Chap-ters 1-13 will be covered during our first meeting on the 10th.

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Thank you to everyone who serves our church

each week—

we could not do all our good work without you!

There is always room for more.. .

Will you help serve your church on Sundays?

Talk with Katherine+

THOSE SERVING THIS MONTH - October 2018

Acolytes Oct 7 John Bowling Oct 14 Nickoli Reed Oct 21 John Bowling Oct 28 John Bowling

Lectors Oct 7 Meranda Phillips, Alan Ferguson, Lanier Siewertsen, Judy Gradl Oct 14 Ethan Moore, Kathy Eigelbach, Judy Gradl, Lanier Siewertsen Oct 21 Meranda Phillips, Kathy Webster, Sam Boling, Lynne Schulz Oct 28 Meranda Phillips, Bob Valvano, Stephen Dennison, Kathy Webster

Chalice Bearers Oct 07 Chuck Warnick, Brenda Strange Oct 14 Tina Link Oct 21 Kathy Webster, Rip Tilden Oct 28 John Strange, Suzy Bowling

Ushers Oct 7 Kevin Foster, Mary Stuart Price Oct 14 Bill Beam, Lanier Siewertsen Oct 21 Sam Boling, Stephen Dennison Oct 28 Bob Valvano, Darlene Valvano

Altar Guild Oct 7 Julea Lawson, Carolyn Warnick Oct 14 Kathy Webster, Kathryn Vauthrin Oct 21 Margaret Ward, Nancy Call Oct 28 Alice Montgomery, Jennifer Lausterer

Tellers Oct 7 Bill Gaunt, Lanier Siewertsen Oct 14 Kathy Webster, Tina Link Oct 21 Mary Stuart Price, Suzy Bowling Oct 28 Kevin Foster, Lynne Schulz

Sunday Fellowship Oct 7 Janelle Foster, Sheri Boling, Judy Gradl, Kathy & Rick Eigelbach Oct 14 Jeanie Fridell, Penny Hayden, Barbara & Earl Trevor Oct 21 Donna Donovan, Suzy Bowling, Bob & Darlene Valvano Oct 28 Molly Rauh, Tina Link, Lynne Schulz, Linda & Lenny Baltra

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different parts of the liturgy change to indicate the change, but visually there is little difference other than where I sit/stand. It suddenly seemed so obvious. The “set up,” if you will, at the beginning of our service needed to clearly indicate this was the liturgy of the word. Thus only the Gospel is on the altar—that is our focal point. When it is time for the liturgy of the table, we present the elements and set the table. At that time the focal point becomes the paten and chalice.

It was such a powerful experience and it felt so right I made the change without notice and without consul-tation.

I want to say thank you to you all. Thank you for trusting me there was a reason, a purpose, a method to my impulsive madness. I am grateful to be a part of this community of faith which pushes me to always think and pray about what we are doing and why. I am grateful to be part of this community of faith that cares.

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YOUTH ACTIVITIES 2018—2019

The Louisville Area Youth meet on the second Sunday of each month.

Youth, 6th through 12th grade, are invited to join in the fun!

Mark your calendars for upcoming Louisville Area Youth events.

(Most regular L.A.Y events take place from 6:00pm until 7:30pm, unless otherwise noted.)

October 13: Peer Ministry training (all day; hosted by Diocese of Indianapolis

(Talk with Katherine+ for information and registration)

October 14: Kick off the year at Calvary! It’s our first meeting of the program year!

October 19-21 : Fall Gathering at All Saints Camp (Friday—Sunday, grades 7 thru 12)

October 26: (tentative) Formation Retreat & Workshops

November 11: St. Thomas hosts. We’ll make “care packages” for college students

December 9: Caroling at the Episcopal Church Home, followed by a holiday party at St. Mark’s

Time TBD

January 13: Lazer Blaze! Laser tag, arcade, mini golf… what more can we say?

January 19: Bishop’s Ball at Christ Church Cathedral downtown (overnight lock-in)

February 10: ?? Watch this space for info coming soon!

March 10: St. Andrew’s hosts

March 22-24: Spring Gathering at All Saints Camp (Friday—Sunday, grades 6 thru 12)

April 14: ?? Watch this space for info coming soon!

August 5-9: Diocesan Youth Mission trip to SW Virginia

Diocesan Youth (grades 7 thru 12)

are invited to the Youth Fall Gath-

ering at All Saints Camp and Con-

ference Center, October 19-21.

Sign up at

https://episcopalky.wufoo.com/

forms/klpuial00ppv53/

Talk with Katherine+ for more infor-

mation.

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READ TO GROW: You Can Make a Difference!

Read to Grow, the summer reading camp, has set the date for 2019.

Mark the calendar for July 22-26 when our campers will be Reading in-

to the Future. (If you are artistic and would like to help out with decora-

tions and other projects around this theme, be sure to let us know!)

Jesus said to his disciples “Come and see.” Our first planning meeting

will be October 25, 2018, at 11:00am in the Green Room. We’re meet-

ing earlier than usual this year to give everyone a chance to learn more about Read to Grow

and see if it is something they might be interested in. Read to Grow is successful each year be-

cause of the generous gifts of time and talent our volunteers donate to the program. We’d

love for you to check us out!

Reading campers are students from Zachary Taylor Elementary School who have been identi-

fied by their teachers as needing extra help with reading and writing. The students’ day is from

8am until 4pm. Mornings are full of study and afternoons are devoted to fun: crafts, games,

and field trips.

Adult volunteers are needed to help with all activities, but you don’t need to commit to the en-

tire time. You can decide what works for your schedule and talents: Half days? Full days? Study

time? Fun time? All week? Only a day or two? We’re flexible and greatly appreciate any time

you can give.

As part of the writing class this past summer, teacher Judy Gradl had campers write letters to

our cook, Lanier Siewertsen, about the food served at camp. Below are some of them. Their

honesty is so refreshing in this day and age...

You can truly make a difference in the lives of these children. We hope you’ll join us to learn

more about Read to Grow and then take the next step: Become a Read to Grow Volunteer!

For more information, please talk with Earl Trevor, Judy Gradl, Donna Donovan, or Lanier Siew-

ertsen. READ TO GROW PLANNING MEETING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 11:00AM IN THE GREEN ROOM

ALL ARE WELCOME!

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2018 Evangelism Retreat at All Saints Center

God’s Story: See It, Name It, Join It Friday-Saturday, October 26th-27th All Saints Center - Leitchfield, KY

Registration Deadline: October 19th Evangelism is the life practice by which we seek, name, and celebrate God’s loving presence in our midst and in the story of all people. Having seen, named and joined with God’s activity, we then hear an invitation and invite others to more. Come, connect and experience this abundance as we learn how to share more in God’s unfolding story.

Who should attend? Anyone who would like to grow in noticing God’s presence in our midst and who would like to learn more how to listen to others stories and share how one is seeing and joining with God in daily life.

Retreat Information: Friday, October 26th beginning at 7pm (all times local Central time) through Saturday, October 27th ending at 3pm.

Retreat style setting with daily prayers and time at our diocesan retreat center. All Saints Center (833 Hickory Grove Rd, Leitchfield KY 42754)

Cost: $95 - includes conference materials, snacks, breakfast, lunch and a room in the Inn (“hotel” style rooms w/ private restroom - N.B. rooms in the Inn are available on a first come first served basis to the first 20 regis-trants)

$65 - includes conference materials, snacks, breakfast, lunch and a room Clingman (dormitory style housing w/ shared restroom).

To register, visit episcopalky.org

AROUND OUR DIOCESE… and Beyond

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE—Deadline October 15

A generous gift from the Kohler family has made funds available for need-based educational scholarships for students affiliated with congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky. The family will designate a com-mittee to review applications and determine awards.Awards are made after a thorough review of applica-tions received.

Qualifying students must be accepted into an accredited course of post-secondary study at a university, col-lege or vocational program at a non-profit institution. The student must show financial need, academic prom-ise, be a resident within the Diocese of Kentucky and have a recommendation from a rector, priest in charge, vicar (or senior warden when there is no clergy person of record) from a parish or mission within the Diocese.

Applications for spring semester 2019 are now available and due October 15, 2018. Ask Katherine for yours. (They are al-so available on the Diocesan website at Kohler Family Schol-arship. )

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St. Thomas Episcopal Church 9616 Westport Road Louisville, Kentucky 40241

Submit Articles for The Words of St. Thomas

stthomaslouky@gmail.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH? Oct 1 New! Evening Prayer (most Mondays) 6pm

Oct 2 Pub Theology 6:30pm Mimi’s Café

Oct 7 Morning Prayer 8am & 10am

Oct 10 & 24 Book Study 6:30pm Green Room

Oct 11 Laundry Love 6:30pm Aunt Bee’s Laundromat

Oct 13 Urban Partnership Picnic 6pm Garden of Goodness Youth Peer Ministry training, Indianapolis

Oct 14 Pet Blessings 3:30pm

Oct 19-21 Youth Fall Gathering at All Saints Grades 7 thru 12

Oct 28 Outreach Offering for Zachary Taylor School Holiday Giving

For pastoral emergencies any time: (502) 526-6413

Church Office Hours Monday—Closed

Tuesday & Thursday—9 am-2pm Wednesday—10:30am-2pm

Friday—9am-1:30pm

other times by appointment; call before stopping by

(502) 425-3727