Dear Friends,

Let us continue our observance of a Holy Lent by remembering this Collect which we prayed on Ash Wednesday: "Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

This month will be a busy one for each of us at St. Thomas’. Following three meaningful and well-attended Wednesday night Lenten Programs will be The Rev. Chris Johnson, Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Reidsville, on April 5^th, and Father Louis Canino, Director of the Franciscan Center, Greensboro, on April 12^th. Of course, all Wednesday noon Healing Services and Eucharists will be observed throughout the month.

Additional Holy Week Services at St. Thomas’ include: Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 19^th, Maunday Thursday Eucharist at 7:00 p.m., April 20^th, and Community Good Friday service at Noon, April 21^st.

Other Community Noon-time Holy Week Services are: Monday at First Baptist Church; Tuesday at Zion Baptist Church; Wednesday at Jerusalem Holy Church; Thursday at Woodmont Methodist (which will include Holy Communion). These Services will last about 30 minutes.

Easter, the Sunday of the Resurrection, begins with the 6:15 a.m. Sunrise Service in the Columbarium, followed at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. with the Paschal Eucharist, featuring the musicians who enhanced our Christmas Eve Celebration.

Episcopal Day School’s "Family Fun Night Hoe Down" at 6 p.m., Friday, April 28^th. The motif is western and the program (featuring students’ recitations, singing and hand bells, teachers dancing, and parents roping) is followed by a catered dinner and raffle drawing. The proceeds go to the EDS scholarship fund and for supplies.

The Search Committee has narrowed the field and should be visiting prospective rectors in their present congregations this month. After prayerful deliberation, they will present their selection to the Vestry which may then make a decision to extend a call.

Happenings Next Month:
May 14 Acolyte Appreciation Day
May 21 Episcopal Day School presentation
May 28 Patriotic Observance

Dot Ferneyhough, Chm., Bettie Benton Rhodes, Grace Moffitt, Anne Montaigne

Please try to keep your pledge payments caught up. Thank you.

"Impossible"! they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!" from Matthew 14:17

The feeding of the five thousand is one of the best stewardship lessons ever. When you think about it, however, there are several facets to this narrative. First of all, the disciples wish to dismiss the multitude that gathered around them. Opposing this consideration is Jesus who has compassion on these people and wants to feed them. The part on which we tend to focus is the spectacular and miraculous aspect of this familiar story.

Almost lost in the details is the small boy who packed his lunch for this occasion. The gospel says that all he had were five barley loaves and two fish. I try to imagine how I would have reacted if someone asked me to share my provisions with this crowd. I might have said, "These folks should have planned a little better" and I think how often I have kept my bread and fish for myself.

In reality, this extraordinary event begins with a single, simple act of sharing. When the disciples could see only obstacles as to why the multitude could not be fed, a young lad gave all he had to give. In the hands of Jesus, what we share becomes a miracle. What do you have to share that Jesus can multiply to minister to others?

The BIGGEST Book in the World

The preschool has been busy during the month of March getting into shapes! We’ve done a variety of "exercises" and everyone has really built up their knowledge in this area. We especially enjoyed going to Krispy Kreme to see how these delicious O’s are made and then we went to The Center for Creative Arts and created shapes of our own with clay. We even watched a demonstration with a potter’s wheel. Now we are getting busy working on our Spring Hoe Down on Friday night, April 28. Ya’ll come!

We have had another busy month in our kindergarten class. We are all Reading little books now and working on writing numbers to 100. We are working on our spring program, which will be April 28. We would love for you all to come and join us. Also, we are looking forward to visiting again during the church service in May.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT–from Shelly Ellington

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During the weekend, an Episcopal rector gives a couple of talks, but young people on the team give all the others. Three young girls that many of you know gave incredible talks at Happening #36 – Caroline Lindsey, Lizzie Rhodes, and Lindsay Apple. As I sat and listened to them, I knew that I wanted to share some highlights with this congregation.

The subject of Caroline’s talk was piety. "Piety means that God is a part of everything we do. All parts of our lives – school, work, home, church, and prayer – become parts of our lives in faith…our words and actions follow the example Christ has set for us."

Lizzie’s topic was spirituality. "It’s a mountaintop experience coming to Happening – even still when attending my tenth one. You guys, team, and candidates, whom I love, show me the way, the light, the truth, and the Word. I wouldn’t be the same without any of you. My spirit has imprints of all of you that will remain forever. My spirituality has been strengthened because of the Christ I see in you."