St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
Dover, NH
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"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."
~
Hebrews 13:2
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Bishop's Visitation On Sunday, November 19
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On November 19, St. Thomas’ will enjoy the privilege of a visit from The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, who will join us for both Sunday services. This is the Bishop’s bi-annual visit to St. Thomas', and it is a great opportunity both to celebrate the activities of our parish and to meet Bishop Hirschfeld.
It's also a time for anyone interested in being confirmed or received by the Episcopal Church to be blessed by the Bishop. Please contact the office at
603-742-3155
if you are interested.
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Interested In Learning More About
The Episcopal Church?
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Join us for a four week book study group and discussion beginning Wednesday, October 25 at 5 pm. Whether a newcomer to the Episcopal Church, a seeker beginning a faith journey, or a seasoned church goer, this book study is for all (and all ages) who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church and exploring its relevance to our busy lives and changing world. It's also a great exploration for those who are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.
A simple soup/salad potluck dinner begins at 5 pm. Book conversation from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, ending with an evening prayer service. Join us for both the potluck and discussion, or if your schedule doesn't allow, we'll look forward to seeing you at 5:30 pm.
Please call the office at 603-742-3155 or
email to reserve your spot. Cost of book is $12.
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Consecration Sunday ..... It's Coming!
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Many Americans live with two opposite feelings. On one hand, they want to experience meaning and purpose in their lives. On the other hand, they often feel that they are running on empty.
In his classic novel, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo tells us how to eliminate that second feeling. The bishop befriends Jean Valjean and gives him lodging. Valjean repays that kindness by stealing the bishop’s valuable candlesticks. After the bishop reports the theft, the police magistrate questions Valjean in the bishop’s presence.
As the interrogation progresses, Valjean seems headed for jail. At that point, the bishop unexpectedly retracts his charges and offers a plausible reason for why the candlesticks are missing.
Jean Valjean is amazed. When he and the bishop are alone, he says, “Why did you do that? You know I am guilty.”
The bishop replies, “Life is for giving.”
Why do churches receive an offering in their worship services? Some people say “because the church needs the money.” That is only part of the answer. Even if a wealthy benefactor fully underwrote our congregation’s expenses, we would still need to provide people with the opportunity to give an offering in our worship services. Weekly giving teaches us—and reminds us because we keep forgetting—that life without unselfish giving is life without meaning and purpose.
Victor Hugo is right. Life is for giving.*
We will celebrate giving at St. Thomas' on Consecration Sunday on Sunday, October 29th.
*Excerpted from
Stewardship Nuggets -
"How to Live a Meaningful Life” by
Herb Miller
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There will be a reading of our
Book of Remembrance
on Wednesday, November 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm. This is our way to honor our St. Thomas Saints who have gone before us.
Please join us.
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Harvest Fair - October 21
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Greetings from the busy Fair Committee!
Harvest Fair is only a week away - Saturday, October 21 - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Seems like it dashed up on us!
Cookie bakers,
please bake a batch or three of cookies or bars for the cookie walk - anything from chocolate chip to decorated sugar cookies! Please bring your cookies to Ervin Hall anytime Friday, October 20 after 11:00 am or early Saturday morning.
We hope to see everyone in the St. Thomas community there with family and friends. Our luncheon, pies, cookie walk, crafts, and raffles will be tempting as always!
Please contact
Gwen
or
Georgia
with any questions about our pie making sessions or the Harvest Fair in general.
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BBQ - Good Food, Good Time, Good Cause
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Saturday, October 7, was a beautiful day for our 3rd Annual BBQ in support of End 68 Hours of Hunger. People not only enjoyed the food but also the bluegrass music provided by the Chicken Shack. Thank you to members Tim Hedlund,
Craig Pessina, and Valerie and Paul Smith all of whom volunteered their talent.
Church members were behind the grill, greeting people, and selling tickets before and during the event. Many parishioners made salads and desserts to accompany the hot dogs and burgers.
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A special "thank you" to our underwriter
Thank you also to Hannaford and Market Basket for their support again this year.
The event raised over $1,800.00 for End 68 Hours of Hunger, which puts nourishing food in the hands of school children to carry them through the weekend. Each bag of food provided every week supplies two breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners for a child, with some left over to share!
The BBQ was held in conjunction with Dover's Apple Harvest Day held throughout the downtown area.
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We Welcome
Crew Wheeler Yarborough
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Crew Wheeler Yarborough was baptized at the 10 AM service on October 8th. Baptisms always make me cry and this baptism was no different, perhaps because baptism services were always my favorite growing up. I remember singing “I want to walk as a child of the light,” as a child and watching Rev. Ervin baptize children in the old fount.
I’ve always loved baptisms; the promise of God’s everlasting love and the commitment that we make as a community to help raise each child in God’s community is an incredible moment to witness. Crew’s baptism was filled with such joy for our family. The promise that we made, and that our faith community made with us, was beautiful and, at least in my mind, is one of the best gifts that we can give our children — the opportunity to know, love, and serve God.
I am grateful to be a part of the St. Thomas’ community and to know that this beautiful baptism service is only the beginning of Crew’s faith and his place in our God-loving, faithful community.
--Elle Yarborough
"Mom"
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October 21
- Harvest Fair 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
October 25 - Four week book study group and discussion begins -
The Episcopal Way -
5:00 pm pot luck - 5:30 to 7:00 pm discussion
October 28 - St. Thomas sponsored Blood Drive
October 29 - Consecration Sunday - 9:00 am service only
November 1 - All Saints Day - Reading of our Book of Remembrance at 7:00 pm
November 19 - Bishop's Visitation at both Sunday services
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Kids 3 Years Old T0 6th Grade Are Welcome -
Session starts at 9:30 am each Sunday!
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Sunday Services are at
8 am and 10 am
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New Age Music Enhances Service
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Cynthia Chatis joined St. Thomas' on Sunday, September 24th with her shruti box (a small wooden instrument of Indian origin that works on a system of bellows to provide a drone), a flute, and her beautiful voice. Passionate about building community through music, Cynthia plays all sorts of flutes: concert, piccolo, alto, Native American, tin whistle and shakuhachi--a Japanese end-blown flute and has been a part of many local groups, including Voices of the Heart and Con Tutti. Her new recording is a solo album, WIND, featuring original instrumental compositions for yoga and meditation.
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If you have news to share about the St. Thomas community, please contact Larissa in the church office at 603-742-3155 or reach her by
email.
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5 Hale Street
Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Phone: 603-742-3155
Web: stdover.org
Email: sttomas@stdover.org
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