ST. THOMAS’ LIFELINES VOLUME 25, NO. 6 JUNE 2018

Dear St. Thomas Family

It is a bit strange that this time of the year, when the world is back to life, warm and green again, that many of us

complete school and program years, perhaps even graduating with degrees and diplomas. I finished classes about a

month ago, but I have been busy with end-of the-year activities and ceremonies for my daughters. However, I did take

some time for myself, thanks to St. Thomas and the Episcopal Church. During my first week of summer break, I went

to the Barbara Harris Conference Center in New Hampshire for a clergy wellness conference called CREDO. This

conference, which clergy are invited to every ten years or so, is a service of the Church Pension Group and is designed

to give us a chance to examine our lives from the perspectives of vocation, physical health, mental health, and

financial well-being. About 30 clergy from all over the country participated, and we were led by a team of lay people

and fellow clergy who are considered to be experts in the areas we explored.

The conference was a great experience, and it helped me appreciate what a wonderful congregation I am a part of and

what amazing opportunities for ministry are possible at St. Thomas. I thought back and reflected on the rich and

fruitful year and a half we have had since I came to be your rector. Earlier this year, the Reverend Canon Jonathan

Harris facilitated some reflection with the vestry on our shared ministry. The result of this reflection was a document

known as a “Mutual Ministry Review.” This was, from my perspective, a very positive experience. One sentence in the

report that stood out for me was this: “There is a desire to look forward to see what God might be calling them (us) to

do or where God might be leading.”

Now that I have settled into my role as rector, and we have sort of reached a “new normal,” it seems like it may indeed

be time to discern a move forward into the future. I would first say that we are already doing a number of things right.

We are participating in a number of important ministries and there is a lot going on from week to week at St. Thomas.

At the same time, I think there is a feeling that we could perhaps do more or at least that we could be even more

effective. Our Mission Statement says that we “…will serve and nourish our community with the gifts that God has

given us.” Our job now is to prayerfully consider what shape that service and nourishment will take. I look forward to

finding opportunities in the weeks to come to reflect with you on where God may be leading us and who God may be

calling us to serve.

Thanks for your continued prayers for and support of St. Thomas’s Church Family!

In Christ,

Mark

BACKYARD BIBLE STUDY

This year St. Thomas will host the backyard bible study! We will meet at 6 pm for a potluck supper. Supper will then be followed by the bible study. We’ll meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of

the month, and our first meeting will be Thursday, June 21st.

Stay tuned to the announcements in the bulletin and email for more information on the topic and details for the potluck.

Vacation Bible School July 10, 11, and 12

5:30—8 pm At Our Saviour Lutheran

Church

For more information, contact Susan Bathgate.

ST. THOMAS’ LI FELINE S JUNE 2018 PAGE 2

I would like to thank members of St. Thomas, and especially members of the DOK Ann-Frances Chapter for help with our Grace House on the Mountain winter goods project. A wonderful St. Thomas crew stored, reloaded and transported a large collection of warm items and school supplies that will help many individuals this winter. It was a wonderful effort and I am most appreciative. There are loving, caring people at St. Thomas, Christiansburg! For His Sake, Jo Kelley President, Daughters of the King, Diocese of SW VA

Backpack Program

On Pentecost Sunday Crystal Fentress was the guest speaker at the adult forum class. She is a pre-school teacher at Christiansburg Primary as well as the coordinator of the Backpack program for CPS and Christiansburg Elementary School. She explained how the program has been very successful because of so many different organizations that have come together to make it work. Once a month a group of volunteers gather together and make up the backpacks for the month. Every Friday of the month a “backpack” is sent home with the child, which includes two breakfast items, two dinner items, some fruit and granola bars. (St. Thomas donations!) Thanksgiving dinner boxes and Christmas boxes were distributed as well. On average, 100 backpacks went out weekly.

With the school year coming to a close, Crystal offered a list of pantries and organizations in the NRV that families will be able to access during the summer. What will St. Thomas do to continue in this much needed ministry?

Service and Prayer!

Yes! The Order of the Daughters of the King, and the Ann-Frances Chapter at St. Thomas took vows to be active in Prayer and Service to God. Recently we were invited to help in a Service Project, selected by our Diocesan DoK Board, and part of a Province III DoK Assembly to make contributions to Grace House in the Mountains, our Diocesan Mission.

They asked for winter clothes for all ages, as their cupboards were bare, and for school supplies for next fall for the children they help. The 125 women at the Assembly in Maryland were generous, and many carloads of donations were brought to us, since we are nearest [150 miles] to Grace House, and it seemed like we could help.

And not only the members of DoK helped, but many others, too. Thirteen members of the parish and DoK members packed a van; DoK member Liz Swinfen and her husband Graham drove it. A car full of DoK members also drove down last week with our contributions, and to visit and see the great work that Grace House does in the ‘coal country’ of Appalachia.

We were impressed with their rustic facilities, their outreach into the life of those in need there as they house and sponsor work camps for people from all over the East Coast – to live there and help in any way they can – often replacing roofs, building porches and wheel chair ramps, teaching women and children, leading Bible Schools, and providing a network of support and prayer in the communities. We pray more work can be done to help. If you want more information, ask Mary Stuart Cosby, or another DoK member.

From L to R: Jo Kelley, Rebecca Mays, Mary Stuart Cosby, Jane Carper, Liz Swinfen, Irma Pillsbury. Inside of van filled with donations for Grace House. (Pictures provided by Rebecca Mays.)

Food Pantries & Providers

Helping Hands Food Pantry 540-731-1755

Interfaith Food Pantry 540-951-8134

Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP) 540-382-1561

The Giving Tree 540-260-3402

St. Michael Lutheran Church 540-951-8951

Plenty! Of Floyd 540-745-3898

New River Community Action 540-382-6186

Salvation Army—NRV Corps 540-394-1037

Salvation Army—Hot Meals 540-394-1037

See the brochure on the bulletin board in the parish hall for more information about each organization.

Thank you for your donations of granola bars and fruit cups throughout the school year for the Backpack

Program! In May, we collected 24 granola bars and 24 fruit

packs.

ST. THOMAS’ LI FELINE S JUNE 2018 PAGE 3

Katie Priest is graduating from Floyd County High School with an Advanced Diploma. She will be going to James Madison University in the Fall to pursue a degree in Nursing. She also volunteers for the Floyd County Rescue Squad Station #1 in addition to have played Soccer and run Cross Country for FCHS .

Matthew Sandridge graduates from Glenvar High School on June 8. He is a Glenvar valedictorian and will be a speaker at Commencement. Matthew will attend Furman University in Greenville, SC and plans to major in English and Education.

Kenneth Hagen graduated from the University of Virginia with majors in history and political science. He will attend Indiana University next fall in a masters of public administration degree program.

Edy Ndem graduating from The University of Virginia Medical School and will starting her Residency in Plastic Surgery at UNC, Chapel Hill.

Oge Okoronkwo graduating from Christiansburg High School and will be attending George Mason University.

Mollie Ross Straub, Class of 2018 Christiansburg High School Mollie will attend Virginia Military Institute in the fall and also the summer transition program during July. She is planning to major in business.

ST. THOMAS’ LI FELINE S JUNE 2018 PAGE 4

Servers for JUNE Area of Service 3 10 17 24

Acolytes: Server, Crucifer

S-Akan Ndem C-Amara Okoronkwo

S-Natalie Miller C-Bridget Miller

S-Uche Okoronkwo C-Sara Stauffer

S- C-Macaela Richmeier

Altar Guild Kathy Pollard Lynn Straub

Kathy Pollard Lynn Straub

Lora Beeken Judy Koland

Lora Beeken Judy Koland

Announcements Bill Kennan Val Tweedie Ann Alexander Susan Bathgate

Chalice Bearer Val Tweedie Danielle Bland Carol Cummings Rachel Richmeier

Cleaning Crews Charlie & Lynn Straub

Scott Farmer Mark Priest

Mary Stuart Cosby Irma Pillsbury

Shirley Sparrow

Farrell Doss David Jones

Coffee Hour Lynn Straub Barbara Piersol Jennifer Miller Liz Swinfen

Lay Reader Ogechi Okoronkwo Jennifer Miller Bridget Miller Mark Priest

Nursery Dara Ndem Uche Okoronkwo

Marie Painter Macaela Richmeier

Dara Ndem Ogechi Okoronkwo

Natalie Miller Kelly Stalvey

Ushers Gwynn Polidoro Mark Priest

Sarah Farmer Scott Farmer

Francis & Janet Webster Bev & Greg Moulse Seth Richmeier

Emilia Irene Frazier has the distinction of graduating (with honors) from Glenvar High School as

their first Governor’s Scholar. Other high-school highlights include cast and crew roles in Willy

Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Theatre Glenvar productions and singing Soprano I

with Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir (including their solo performance at Carnegie Hall). Consistent

with her passion for ‘understanding the story’—whether through theatre, art, music, or writing—Mia

will attend the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, where she plans to double-major

in theatre and art history and minor in linguistics. We eagerly await the next installment in the

continuing saga of our favorite ‘Renaissance polymath.’

Anna Marika Frazier is graduating (with honors) from Glenvar High School. Highlights during high

school career include logging 2000+ service hours for Saint Francis Service Dogs and being named

the Honors Student for the Early Childhood Education program. This summer, Anna will complete

the 9-week PREP work skills/job readiness program at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitative Center.

Immediately on finishing PREP, Anna enters Carilion’s highly competitive, 9-month Project

SEARCH internship program. These programs are just the first steps toward Anna’s ultimate goal

of a career in nursing. We know that Anna’s determination, persistence, and heart for helping

others will serve her well as she progresses—step by step—along her life’s path.

ST. THOMAS’ LI FELINE S PAGE 5 JUNE 2018

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!

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church 103 East Main St.

Christiansburg, VA 24073 540-382-4365

mysthomasoffice@yahoo.com http://www.stthomaschristiansburg.dioswva.org/

ST. THOMAS’ LI FELINE S JUNE 2018 PAGE 6