Please try to keep your pledge payments caught up. Thank you.
*A complete financial statement is displayed on the bulletin board next to the Vestry Meeting room.

The Endowment Fund

Thanks to the following for their contributions to the Endowment Fund:

Willie Mae Adkins, Jimmy & Scott Trotter, Marian Safriet in honor of Harriet & John Garrett

HEALING SERVICE with Anointing and the Laying on of Hands and the Holy Communion, every Wednesday at noon in the chapel.

On Wednesdays beginning September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Church, an additional service will be added.

Everyone is welcome!

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Thoughts on Stewardship

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Today I'm breathing a sigh of relief, mainly because I have finished another session with one of the most unhappy people I have ever known. This person comes to see me whenever she's annoyed with her job, her co-workers, or supervisor. She is always finding fault with something or somebody. She claims to be the only one in her department that ever does any work, but has never thought about how our plant continues to operate quite well during the days when she is off or on vacation. She continually dredges up events from the past and blames much of her present difficulties on whatever happened in her life years ago. Needless to say, she has presented me with more opportunities to be gracious than I could ever wish. I know more about this person than I really need to know. The fact that her husband left her some time back and she is not on good terms with her children doesn't come as a big surprise. As difficult as she can be, I feel badly for the fact that she is pretty miserable most of the time. I rarely see her smile or seem to enjoy the company of her fellow employees. Knowing that I am not by any means a therapist, I am very cautious about what I say to her. But today, I told her that she needed to be able to let go of just a few of her disappointments and some of the anger she is feeling about certain situations in her life. I told her that "letting go" is not easy, but if she continues to carry all of her burdens around with her, they will become so heavy that she soon won't be able to move. At one point I even told her about the solution described in Ann LaMott's spiritual autobiography, Traveling Mercies. The author says when she has a problem or trouble that is more than she can reasonably handle, she writes it on a piece of paper and puts it in her 'God box." It is her way of turning worries over to someone much greater than herself. Sometimes it is so easy to see the "speck" in my brother or sister's eye but ever so difficult to realize when I "get off track." All of this makes me wonder how I mirror Christ to others. I am even reminded of a quote by baseball great, Joe DiMaggio. He once said during the latter years of his career, "I feel that every day I need to do my best because there is someone in the stands who has never seen me play." As Christians we need to remember that we are the only Christ some may ever see. We won't always be able to solve the dilemmas in our lives or the lives of others. But, as Christians, hopefully we can live in a way that reflects Christ's light. The people who have helped me the most are those who quietly and peacefully go about doing good and loving other people. As our friend, Nelson Hodgkins, emphasized on several occasions, "Maybe others can see what we have and desire to have the same peace, love, and happiness for themselves." Tom Balsley

ECW News

ECW Morning Chapter meets January through May and September through December on the Second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
January 10
February 14
March 14
April 11
May 9
September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12

Induction of ECW Officers - Sunday January 6 at the 11:00 a.m. service

General Membership Meeting - Sunday January 27 following the 11:00 a.m. service in the Parish House

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Vestry News

The Vestry meets on Monday January 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Vestry Room.

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January Birthdays:

	2: Butch Trent, Jr. 3: Dale Fulton 4: Gerry Montaigne, III 7: Lee Isley, Jr. Betty Melchert 8: Amy Newman Stephanie Trent 12: Judith Cardwell Dot Ferneyhough 13: Johns Martin 16: Ross Haigler Clark Turner, III 21: Mildred Cummings 22: Mary Jane Ham 23: Cheri Barrett Alan Campbell Laura Felts Brent Irvin 24: Mark Jenkins 26: Donna Van Ness 27: Tara Bradford 28: Cindy Teague Jeffrey Kinnarney

Food Donations for the Reidsville Outreach Center

Fourth Sunday Each Month! - January 27

Tiny Saints

Tiny Saints will be meeting every Sunday of each month in the Parish House. Children ages 2-6 are invited to participate in this 45 minute session on Episcopalian traditions.  The children sing songs, have a child's version of the day's lesson and a litany.  There is also craft time and a snack.  The children are returned to their families during the Peace for communion.  Questions?  Call Leslie Phipps.

Junior & Senior High Youth Activities for January

 

St. Thomas' and Rev. Powell wishes to thank each and every one who designated their time and effort preparing cookies for the prison ministry Christmas Party. One hundred and thirty dozen cookies were picked up by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14th and well received.  

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To our friends at St. Thomas',

Thank you for all your kind words and support this year during our times of sorrow.

Lou Ann Joyce & Family

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Thanks to everyone for the wonderful baby shower. Thanks to Kathy Smith and Anne Donecker for organizing this special event. Also, thanks to the Pastoral Care Committee for providing us with dinner during the recent birth of our son.

Thanks and God Bless,
Peace,

Penny, Mike, Matt, and Reid

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The Reidsville Soup Kitchen would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere appreciation for your recent expression of goodwill ($294.74). Support such as yours ensures the continuation of this much needed community project.

Thanks,

Stephanie

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Dear St. Thomas',

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the Christmas gifts and cards given to me during this holiday season. Your kind generosity was greatly appreciated. Also, I am grateful to those of you who have given so graciously your time and efforts with your assistance. I look forward to spending 2002 with all of you, and I would like to extend a blessed New Year!!

Again, a heartfelt thanks to you all.

God Bless,

Tammy Dillard

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Dear Members,

On behalf of all the Meals on Wheels clients to whom you delivered a Thanksgiving meal - THANK YOU!!!

As Thanksgiving approaches each year, I receive many calls from my clients wondering if the "nice people from the church will bring a meal." They look so forward to the food and the few minutes that your fine volunteers spend with them. More importantly, they know that they are cared for and thought about during the holiday time when they can be so lonely.

So again, a hearty thanks for remembering the elderly shut-ins that are so deserving in our community, and for all the good works that your fine congregation do.

Very truly yours,

Janet Roe
Nutrition Services Coordinator

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Thank you very much for the bag of goodies and for your kindness in remembering me.

Phil Simon

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Dear Friends at St. Thomas',

Thank you so very much for your continued support of the Reidsville Outreach Center. Our requests for food are increasing and your contributions have been very valuable to our food pantry. Thank you for helping with this ministry.

Peace,

Anne Donecker

Beginning in September, newsletter articles need to be in our office by the 20th of each month. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.

Counters Needed! - If you would like to volunteer contact Steve Worth or Marian Safriet or the church office.

Ushers Needed! - If you would like to volunteer contact the church office.

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