Weekly Announcements

Following a briefing by the Discernment Planning Team (DPT), the Church Council unanimously adopted all of their recommendations at its March 23, 2023 meeting. The Church Council established the DPT in May 2022 in response to the Global Methodist Church launching amid controversy within the UMC related to the marriage and ordination of LGBTQ persons. These recommendations grew out of the LGBTQ discernment framework adopted by the Council in November 2022 and the subsequent feedback given by members of the congregation throughout the process, which began in January of this year. One key recommendation is to conduct an Unofficial Straw Poll. The results of this poll will help inform Church Council decisions about next steps and will be conducted from 8:00 AM on Thursday, April 13 – 11:59 PM on Monday, April 17. It will be distributed through email and available on the church website. However, if you would like a paper version of the poll, please contact the main office. We are asking ALL youth and adults to participate. Questions or comments may be directed to Council Chair, Hunter Lenz, or either of our pastors.

Register for “On the Case”, our detective themed VBS 6/19 - 23/23 from 9am - 12:15pm. Growing spiritually doesn’t have to be an unsolved mystery! Take a five-day journey with kid detectives as they dig into a few of Jesus’ parables to solve the mysteries of how to grow their faith, how to care for, serve, and love others. They’ll discover that the answers have been there all along: spend time with God, spend time with others, use your gifts, and share your story. https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/Y1WZyPKrKP1xCVMLTsir

We would like to celebrate our graduates on Sunday, May 14th (yes, Mother's Day) during the 9 AM Traditional Worship Service! There will also be a small reception with cakes and refreshments in between the two worship services (at 10 - 11 AM) that our church members can stop by and greet with the student and their families. If you or someone you love is graduating this year (high school, college, graduate school, professional school, etc.), please fill out a form by Sunday, April 30th here: https://forms.gle/jnLKqYKPSLkLPu7Y8

START is returning to New Bern, NC to help residents recover from prior hurricane damage.  All skill levels are welcome. Our next planning meeting is Thurs, Mar 30 at 7 pm. 

​This years Easter Cantata will feature selections from different composers to depict the story of our Lord’s final moments on earth; we will be calling it “Scenes from the Passion“. The music will begin by depicting Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city, and will end with his resurrection.

Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! Photos with the Easter Bunny will return along with crafts and of course hunting eggs! Remember to bring cash for our pupusa and bake sale.  Pre-registration is required this year. If you would like to attend the Egg Hunt, please register here.

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You are encouraged to bring blooms from your garden to decorate a barren wire-covered cross on the church Entrance Plaza on Easter morning, rain or shine. The flowering of the cross represents the transition from Good Friday to Easter, from meditation on Jesus' death to joyful celebration of his resurrection. With our colorful living blossoms, we transform a barren cross, a reminder of Jesus' death, into a symbol of the continuing presence of Christ among us. It also makes a beautiful backdrop for photos, if the weather cooperates.

Grace United Methodist Church has graciously invited the congregations of St. Thomas and Haymarket to join them for this holy service. Please plan to meet us there where we will be blessed with music from the combined Grace and St. Thomas choirs.

Bring a chair and one to share! We hope you come join us as we celebrate Christ on Easter morning. In the spirit of hospitality we are asking you to not only bring a chair for your use, but bring one to share with any visitors we have join us for this blessing to our community. We will once again be gathering at the columbarium and hope to see you there!

In April the Tweens will meet to serve at St. Thomas Food Pantry distribution. We will work together to help families in our community. After we serve, we will enjoy an outdoor lunch together.  Click here to sign up.

The next outing will be at Hectors at 12846 Fitzwater Dr. Nokesville on April 28 at 1:00 PM. Hectors, although predominately Mexican food, has a great menu and is sure to have something that everyone will like. Please plan to join us, and bring a friend. Please RSVP to Marian or Lynn, or sign up on the Connect Card, by April 25 so we can give the restaurant a head count.

Please join us for an old fashion hymn sing and a time of fellowship and friendship while enjoying a pot luck dinner.

As we move through this next year of discernment, you are invited to come pray together on Tuesday mornings in the Sanctuary from 8:30 - 9:00 am. We will pray the breakthrough prayer written by our Lay Leaders, they will pray for all those who completed a Connect Card in worship, and for all those who have submitted prayer requests for the past week. All are welcome to participate - just arise and pray on Tuesday mornings!

Volunteers are needed to work at the Food Pantry every Saturday from
9 - 12 pm, every weekday morning from 9 - 12pm or on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.  Donations of canned goods, tomato products,  and diapers are always appreciated.  Contact Jhenny Michalek to sign up.  Jhenny.Michalek@stthomasumc.org

The nursery is hiring a part time worker to care for children during Sunday services and special events. See Kristi Swanson or Pastor Abi for more information. Ages 16+