To borrow a phrase from Monty Python: And now for something completely different! We thought it might be helpful to preview the main events for the rest of the year……so…..taking it month by month:

Spotlight
On
Upcoming Events
Fall 2005


September:

11th: RALLY DAY!! Combined 9:30 a.m. service followed by a 'Pot Luck' reception. Bring friends, family and your favourite covered-dish. What a great opportunity to 'meet-and-greet' the newer members and enjoy some of our St. Thomas fellowship.

12th: Our chapter of the Daughters of the King meet at 7 p.m. Our DOK group usually meets on the first Monday of each month. More details available from Hazel Hiott.

14th: The 10 a.m. Wednesday morning services resume. Join us in our beautiful little chapel for a refreshing meditative service. (Please note: there will be no Wed. service on October 5th.)

14th: Choir practice resumes! We meet each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Church. New voices always welcome. It is NOT necessary to be able to read music.

15th: YOUNG AT HEART! Lunch with entertainment. Open to all. A wonderful opportunity for fellowship. More details available from Deacon John Lantz or Doris Coker. Young at Heart is a monthly event.

18th: Our regular schedule of worship resumes:
     8:00 a.m. - the beautiful music-free meditative service
     10:30 a.m. - the equally beautiful service with music
     Christian Education resumes for ALL ages. Join us each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m.

September also sees the beginning of our nominating committee's work to present the slate of candidates for the Upcoming Vestry Elections. This year we will need to elect 5 people.

October:


2nd: STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY - Combined service at 9:30 a.m.

7th-8th: Mondo Retreat for the Youth. This will be held at Myrtle Beach. More details available from Kim Horton.

9th: Bishop Bill Skilton will stand-in for Fr. Jim at both services. The newer members might not be aware that Bishop Bill used to be Rector of our church until his elevation to Suffragan Bishop. It is always a treat to welcome him home to St. T. (Should you happen to wonder where Fr. Jim will be, the answer is: at the Seminary where he studied. Bishop Eames - author of the Windsor Report - will be their guest speaker.)

15th: St. Thomas will be the host church for the ECW Fall Ingathering. We will be welcoming members from Charleston, Charleston-West and Orangeburg. Nancy Allen will be the keynote speaker and leader of the Flower Workshop. Other workshops will be offered. More details as they become available from the Diocesan ECW leader.

16th: The start of our SHOEBOX MINISTRY!! Denyse will have a sample shoebox in the Narthex. Last year we gathered almost 50 shoeboxes full of special treats for children around the world. The boxes will be collected until November 13th.

19th: Prayer Breakfast at the Convention Centre. Keynote speaker: Andrew Young. At last count, there were still a few seats available at the St. T. tables. Please contact the office if you would like to attend.

29th: The clocks go back one hour as daylight savings ends

30th: After the 10:30 a.m. service, we will have our PUMPKIN LUNCHEON / AUCTION Details available from Denyse Steen. Good food, good fellowship, good fun!!!

The 30th is also the 5th Sunday, which means that we will have our 5th SUNDAY OUTREACH : This time we will be collecting sweatshirts. More details later.

November:

6th: All Saints Sunday. We remember all who have died during the past year. Our young people make banners honouring various saints.

11th - 13th: Regenerate!….for the youth. More details available from Kim Horton.

12th: Road Trip!!! To see the Rockettes Christmas Show at Myrtle Beach. We will first dine at the Sea Captains Restaurant. At the time of writing, there was still time to sign-up for the trip. Please contact the office for more details.

20th: Combined Thanksgiving Service. We give thanks for our many blessings, and gather non-perishable foods for those who are less blessed. Please bring canned goods, or other non-perishable items, to the service.

27th: The first Sunday in Advent The start of the Church's year. We decorate the church with greenery and the blue colours representative of Advent. Fr. Jim gathers the children at the front of the church at the start of the service, where they listen to simplified teachings about Advent as we await the Birth of the Lord. One of the children will light the first candle in the Advent wreath.

December: Always a very busy time!!

3rd: Park Circle Christmas Parade

4th: Our Advent Dinner: W e gather together at 6 p.m. to share an old-fashioned turkey and dressing meal. The turkey and dressing is provided by the ECW. The members of our parish family bring covered dishes. This is one of the most popular events of the year. Entertainment has been provided by the wonderful singers from the School of the Arts.

10th: Christmas Party at the Rectory. Fr. Jim provides the beverages, and we take simple hors d'oeuvres (finger foods, to use the slightly less up-market expression) as we join together for a fun celebration.

13th: Vestry Dinner with Father Jim Father Jim and his mum, Ms Yvonne (not me!!) provide dinner at the rectory for members of the vestry. Always a fun time.

18th: Bishop Salmon joins us for, what will probably be, the last time before his retirement. There will be a reception following the 10:30 a.m. service. This will also be the Confirmation Service.

24th- Christmas Eve:
     5 p.m. The Pageant Last year's pageant was wonderful !!
     10:30 p.m. : Carol singing as we prepare for the      11:00 p.m. Candlelight service A beautiful service, and, in my opinion, the most special part of Christmas.

25th: Christmas Day: One service at 10:00 a.m.

And just to finish things off, a couple of notes about 2006:

January 1st: The combined service of Lessons and Carols Parish members of all ages read the lessons and sing the much loved Carols.

January 15th: Annual Parish Meeting. Election of new Vestry members. Election of Delegates to the Convention.

I tried to include all of the main events, but if I have omitted items that you feel should have been included, I offer apologies. Please remember that all events are listed in the weekly Bulletin and the monthly newsletter, the Builder.