St. Thomas Episcopal

Church accepts all people and we commit to:

Celebrate the Eucharist

regularly

Keep a personal and community discipline of

prayer and study

Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by promoting justice,

peace, and love

Nurture God’s people as we grow in Christ

Live with thanksgiving, wonder, and openness

to God’s love

Restore all people to unity with God and each other

All are Welcome! No Exceptions!

“the story”

St. Thomas Episcopal Church September 2016 Volume 39, Issue 9

TEACHERS NEEDED

TO GUIDE OUR CHILDREN ON SUNDAYS

Teachers are needed to lead our children on Sundays. Training is available. If you would like to teach or want to know more, call Deirdré Warrenburg at 317-736-9043 or send an email to her at drwarrenburg@gmail.com.

We have two classes on Sundays:

GODLY PLAY CLASSES FOR AGES 3-6 Godly Play classes meet during worship. The children meet in the Godly Play classroom. They rejoin their parents during the Peace of the Holy Eucharist.

YOUTH CLASSES FOR SCHOOL AGES 6-18 Youth ages 6-18 also meet during worship. They, too, return to the Nave during the Peace.

LADIES’ LUNCHEON at

VINO VILLAS Saturday, Sept. 17

Noon The September Ladies’ Luncheon is at Vino Villas in Greenwood on Saturday, Sept. 17 at noon. They are located at 200 N. Madison Ave. in Greenwood. We will meet there at noon. They have a varied menu—salads, sandwiches, pizza, small plates, desserts and, of course, wine is optional! Please sign up by September 11 or call the office to sign up so we know how many will be attending. Questions? Contact Fran Thompson: pelt2815@gmail.com; 317-535-4897.

The Clergy, Staff and Officers of St. Thomas

Bishop ............................. The Rt. Rev. Catherine M. Waynick

Organist/Choir Director ................ Br. Steven Viñas-Jamison Parish Administrator ....................................... Carol Macmillan Co-Senior Wardens ...................Robin Kares, Judith Mullinix Junior Warden ................................................. Danny Bachman Clerk ............................................................................... Jen Tullis Treasurer ................................................................Marti Ramsey Assistant Treasurers ......................... Robin Kares, Eric Smith

The 19th Vestry of St. Thomas (2015-2016)

2016 ....................................................... Robin Kares, Jen Tullis 2017 ............................................................................. Steve Faust 2018 ............... Danny Bachman, Judith Mullinix, Jim Phillips

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Vestry of St. Thomas

Vestry will meet

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

ST. THOMAS VESTRY NEEDS YOU!

The Vestry of St. Thomas has current openings for vestry members for full terms starting in January, and partial terms starting immediately. Serving on the vestry is rewarding as the members are highly invested and connected to the business of the congregation as well as to our worship, education and outreach.

But it can sometimes be frustrating. To be honest, in a small church like St. Thomas, especially now that we are in transition, serving on the vestry can become a focus of endless projects, administrative needs, personnel issues. Often, immersion in the business of the congregation can leave vestry feeling separation from the spiritual experience.

But serving on the vestry in conjunction with other vestry members can be rewarding, as members work together to do God’s work. We try to mitigate the frustrations by focusing on building authentic relation-ships, working on our own personal productivity and time management skills, finding others to share the load, learning to be comfortable with unfinished business, incomplete projects and slow progress.

So here’s the job description:

Oversee the finances of St. Thomas & make important decisions about business issues. Participate in personnel oversight & hiring. Support the church financially. (Vestry members have a financial pledge with the treasurer.) Attend church regularly & encourage others to do so. Participate in church activities. Support various areas of parish life. Regularly attend & participate in Vestry meetings (usually once a month) Be willing to express your

honest thoughts and opinions. As often as possible, find a way to ask the question “What are we really about in this congregation?” Pray for St. Thomas out loud, in detail & at least once a week. Take every opportunity to express appreciation, encouragement & gratitude to people who lead &

serve.

Openings available are: 2 partial terms to serve from now until January 2018 2 full three-year terms starting in January 2017

If you are interested or want to know more, see any of the Vestry members listed below. Feel free to attend a Vestry meeting to try it on for size.

In Christ, Robin Kares, Co-Senior Warden

Parish Life Page 3

OKAY, SO WE DON’T HAVE A PRIEST. NOW WHAT?

Priests will come and priests will go, but the people of St. Thomas will still be here. We are the church and we will decide what happens next. Vestry members ultimately make the decision, but they will not do so without your input. Please plan to attend the forum on Sunday, September 11 when The Rev. Canon Debra Kissinger will tell us about what other churches in the diocese are doing. We do have options. Pick up a copy of the “Possible Ministry Models” from the foyer table. We want to take our time to study and discuss our options, look at our finances, and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us.

In the meantime, we will have supply clergy here on Sundays to lead us in worship. Please welcome them and thank them for serving St. Thomas.

TRANSITION FORUM & PITCH-IN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AFTER WORSHIP

The Rev. Canon Debra Kissinger will lead a forum on Sunday, September 11 at 10 a.m. The forum is entitled Transition Today: Trends & Possibilities. Come, see, and hear about the changing church, transition trends, realities and options for our church. Bring a dish to share!

SUPPLY CLERGY LEADING WORSHIP THIS MONTH

God bless our supply clergy! During this time of transition, supply priests will lead us in worship. We hope you all will attend and thank them. Here’s who will be visiting us this month:

4 The Rev. Dr. M. Lorraine Coufal 11 The Rev. Canon Debra Kissinger 18 The Rev. John Barrow 25 The Rev. John Barrow

WHAT HAPPENS IN SEPTEMBER? COFFEE HOUR @ 10AM We reinstate our Coffee Hour on Sundays at 10 am this month and need Coffee Hosts. Please sign up on the bulletin board to host. EDUCATION CLASSES BEGIN Our Godly Play and Youth classes will begin during worship as soon as we have trained our teachers. See page 1 for more information about teachers needed for this school year. Watch the bulletin and parish mailbag for the start date! BOY SCOUTS & GIRL SCOUTS MEETINGS AT ST. THOMAS Boy Scout Troop 229 will continue to meet on Monday evenings. If you are interested in learning more about the troop, see Danny Bachman. Whiteland Girl Scout Troop 580 meets in the building twice a month and will be meeting on Wednesday evenings this year. If you would like more information about the troop contact Eva Coleman at 317-9281. INDIANA ABOLITION COALITION The Indiana Abolition Coalition meets at St. Thomas on the third Saturday of the month. Paula Sites is a member of this group. They recently made a donation to our outreach ministry to thank us for using our building for their board meetings. INTERESTED IN USING THE BUILDING? There is a formal procedure to request the use of the building. Contact the office for a copy of the Building Use Policies and Facilities Use Agreement Request Form. The Vestry reviews and approves or denies all requests. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm stthomasepis@aol.com; 317-535-8985.

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Parish Life

PANERA BREAD PROJECT Getting Food to the People

Ministry in Action

Did you realize that the Panera Bread Store on Southport Road donates their Sunday day-end bread goods to St. Thomas? Did you know that this ministry is then used to help the St. Thomas Clinic patients? Were you aware that St. Thomas has committed to do this EVERY Sunday of the year? And if there is any bread left over after Clinic, the extra bread is taken to the local food pantry.

This vital activity is an on-going ministry and is carried out by those who donate their time and energy to pick up the bread, take it to the church, place it in plastic bags and then put in the freezer. The sign-up sheet is located in the hallway and there is a spot for you! September pick up people are needed now.

Worried about what to do at the church when delivering? There are those who will meet you at the church and help lead you through the process. All necessary supplies are in the kitchen. Thanks to these 'regulars' who help with the Panera Bread Ministry: Jim Alexander, Ashley Bachman, Suzanne Bachman, Dave Buchholz, Steve & Cheryl Faust, Wilma McDermott, Mike & Marti Ramsey, Don & Fran Thompson, and Phil & Deirdré Warrenburg.

Concerned about “forgetting” to do it on a Sunday evening? It’s happened with many of us! Suggestions are set an alarm on your cell phone, have a buddy call you to remind you or, there are neat little lime green reminder tickets on the bulletin board with the sign-up sheet. Tape it where you’ll see it. New to this or want more information? Contact Steve Faust at 317-374-1848.

LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE FORMING

Danny Bachman, Junior Warden, is in charge of the grounds and facilities at St. Thomas. Would you like to serve on a Landscaping Committee? The committee will be looking at what is needed to spruce up the Memorial Garden and the Labyrinth. Please see Danny on Sunday, contact him via email dannybachman@yahoo.com, or call him at 224-500-9024.

IN MEMORIAM

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of

the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.

Maura Archer Jeffrey McIver

William Richards Mary Pat Richardson

Parish Life Page 5

ST. THOMAS CLINIC NEWS

SEPTEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER 10 Saturday Clinic Day, 9am-noon 13 Clinic Steering Committee, 6:30pm 19 Dairy Queen Trafalgar Fundraiser, 5-9pm No coupon needed Thanks to all who participated in the 20th Anniversary Celebration. Here’s to another 20 years!

Thanks to everyone who has participated in our fundraisers. Special thanks to Todd McFetridge and Kim Richhart for their dedication to fundraising for the clinic.

During my time of reflection and prayer, the word endurance came to mind. This took my thoughts to the scripture Colossians 1:11 “… being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”

It takes great endurance and patience for a ministry to endure 20 years, especially one that is operated year to year on donated funds. My prayer turned toward the many volunteers and donors who have found in their hearts the call to help with such a ministry.

As Paul prayed in Romans 15:1-7: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God…”

Congratulations and thank you to all for such a wonderful ministry!

Terresa Branham, Clinic Director 317-535-6057 stthomasclinic@aol.com

SLATE FOR THE 11TH BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF INDIANAPOLIS

The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

The Rev. Dr. Grace Burton-Edwards

The Rev. Canon Lance Ousley

The Rev. Dina Van Klaveren

The election of the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis will take place at the Diocesan Convention on October 27-29. See the candidates at hoosierbishopxi.org and give your input to our voting delegates Steve Faust and Marikay Kapke. Our alternate is Judith Mullinix.

Page 6

September 2016 Calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4 Coffee Hour 10am Holy Eucharist 11 am

Rev. Dr. Coufal

5

Labor Day Office Closed

6

7 Clinic Open

Girl Scouts 6:30 pm

8

9

10

Clinic Open

11 Coffee Hour 10am Holy Eucharist 11 am Rev. Kissinger

Transition Forum & Pitch-In Noon

12

Boy Scouts 7pm

13

Vestry Meeting 7pm

14 Clinic Open

15

16

17

IAC 10am Ladies’ Luncheon Vino Villas Noon

18

Bible Study 10am Holy Eucharist 11 am Rev. Barrow

19 DQ Trafalgar 5-9 pm

Boy Scouts 7pm

20

Deadline

21 Clinic Open

Girl Scouts 6:30 pm

22

First Day of Autumn

23

24

25

Coffee Hour 10am

Holy Eucharist 11 am Rev. Barrow

26

Boy Scouts 7pm

27

28 Clinic Open

29

30

We need a

Sign Changer

Garden Weeder

& a Labyrinth

Mower

this month.

SEPTEMBER 4 SEPTEMBER 11 SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 25 OCTOBER 4

PROPER Year C, 16th Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 18

Year C, 17th Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 19

Year C, 18th Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 20

Year C, 19th Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 21

Year B, 19th Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 22

LESSON Jeremiah 18:1-11 Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Job 1:1; 2:1-10

PSALM 139:1-5, 12-17 14 79:1-9 91:1-6, 14-16 26

EPISTLE Philemon 1-21 1 Timothy 1:12-17 1 Timothy 2:1-7 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

GOSPEL Luke 14:25-33 Luke 15:1-10

Luke 16:1-13 Luke 16:19-31 Mark 10:2-16

WORSHIP LEADERS

CLERGY The Rev. Dr. M. Lorraine Coufal

The Rev. Canon Debra Kissinger

The Rev. John Barrow The Rev. John Barrow The Rev. Whitney Rice, The Ven. Ron Goldfarb

MUSIC MINISTRY Br. Steven Viñas-Jamison Br. Steven Viñas-Jamison Br. Steven Viñas-Jamison Br. Steven Viñas-Jamison Mary Barrett

SERVERS Reid S. Ann Kieffer Isaac B. Danny Bachman, Kristen & Signe Ring

Tel’Lee Clark Anne Kieffer

ALTAR FLOWERS For Elspeth Mirchandani’s Birthday

For the Glory of God For the Glory of God For the Glory of God Marna Poindexter

ALTAR GUILD Marti Ramsey Marna Poindexter Jen Tullis Karen Smith Danny & Ashley Bachman

BREAD MINISTRY Ashley Bachman Elyssa Everling Elyssa Everling Milly Kopecky Marti Ramsey

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Ann Kieffer Judith Mullinix Deirdré Warrenburg Mike Ramsey Marta Pincheira

READERS Karen Smith Mike Ramsey

Ann Kieffer Judith Mullinix

Isaac Buchholz Maggie Doty

Jim Phillips Paul Jump

Marta Pincheira Paul Jump

HOSPITALITY TEAM

Steve & Cheryl Faust Wilma McDermott Judith Mullinix

Dave Buchholz Steve Faust

Candace Phillips Jacob Phillips

Candace Phillips Jacob Phillips

COFFEE HOUR Forum After Worship

COUNTERS Steve Faust Jen Tullis

Robin Kares Steve Faust

Judith Mullinix Jim Phillips

Danny Bachman Jen Tullis

Dave Buchholz Mike Ramsey

PANERA BREAD PICK UP

NEEDED NEEDED Warrenburgs NEEDED Phil McIver

MOWER FOR NEXT WEEK

Don Thompson Danny Bachman Steve Faust Darrell Faust

Page 7

September 2016 Worship Schedule

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

600 Paul Hand Boulevard

Franklin, IN 46131-6922

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 1 pm Sundays: Coffee/Forum 10am; Worship 11am Phone: 317-535-8985 Fax: 317-535-0261 Email: stthomasepis@aol.com Website: stthomasfranklin.org Facebook: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Franklin, IN

All are Welcome! No Exceptions!

Birthdays

4 Gilayne Lange 5 Elspeth Mirchandani 7 Rachel Buchholz 12 Danny Bachman 14 Betsy Schmuck 16 Elyssa Everling 23 Bonnie Johnson Marilyn Thompson 27 Tanya Miller 28 Deirdré Warrenburg

Baptisms

1 Steve Faust Maggie Merriman 5 Betsy Schmuck 8 Mark Anderson 10 Terry Sanders 18 Erin Warrenburg 21 Shelli Anderson 23 Kari Ramsey 26 Shirley Beck 30 Gilayne Lange

Anniversaries

13 Danny & Ashley Bachman 15 Gavin & Maggie Merriman 18 Ed & Marilyn Thompson

September Celebrations

Are you missing from the

Celebrations section? Please send us your information:

stthomasepis@aol.com; 317-535-8985.