It is with heavy hearts, but out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of all groups, that we have decided to put St. Thomas’ Preschool on hiatus for the entire 2020-2021 school year.
Preschools are all about socialization and learning how to be in the world. At this time, and going into the current school year, we don’t think there is a safe way to provide this for our students, teachers and families. We will miss them all more than we can say.
For more information, please call St. Thomas at 541-343-5241 or e-mail at stthomaschurcheugene@gmail.com
http://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pre-School.png120156Lindy Moorehttp://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/logo.pngLindy Moore2020-09-11 18:52:092020-09-11 21:07:18St. Thomas Preschool Going on Hiatus for the 2020-2021 School Year
The 11th Bishop of Oregon Search and Transition Committee is pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. In her own words, Bishop Akiyama said:
I am honored and truly humbled to be amongst those you are considering to be your next Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon. Throughout my discernment for the vocation of Bishop of Oregon, I have become increasingly energized and drawn to the innovative ministries currently underway in the Diocese. I believe this growing connection is rooted in my diverse experiences as a priest, and in my longstanding belief that the Church is being called to respond to a changing world.
My roots in Oregon are deep. I was born in Wheeler, Oregon and grew up in the Japanese-American community in Hood River. My mother was drawn to the Episcopal Church through her experience at Good Samaritan Hospital’s Nursing School. My father was baptized in the Methodist Church in response to the internment of Japanese Americans. I was baptized and grew up at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hood River.
I was ordained to the priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey in 1989 and since that time I have continually been inspired and nurtured by the ways my ministry has evolved and deepened. The call to serve as dean of religious life in two different higher education settings allowed me to combine my love of learning with my curiosity about those who do not identify with a religious tradition. The spirit of Christ always came alive when I was able to voice or demonstrate radical love and inclusion in spaces where great suspicion about Christians was the norm.
Here is my dream, were I to become your next bishop: to walk alongside the faithful and diverse people of the Diocese of Oregon with joy and hope as we explore how God is moving in our neighborhoods, and to embrace the unique qualities of Oregonians in creative and innovative ministries.
http://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Bishop-Diana.jpg12001200Lindy Moorehttp://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/logo.pngLindy Moore2020-09-11 18:47:412020-09-11 18:49:40Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama Elected 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon
Here is the story of Jacob and Rachel. It is a love story, but it’s also a story about making promises and keeping them. Please read the lesson by yourself or ask someone in your family to read it to you.
JACOB AND RACHEL: A LOVE STORY ABOUT KEEPING PROMISES
Our story today is about Jacob and a journey he took to a place called Paddan Aran. Along the way he saw a beautiful woman standing near a well. He dropped everything and stared at her. It was love at first sight! The beautiful woman’s name was Rachel and she was the younger daughter of Jacob’s Uncle Laban. (What a coincidence! ) Rachel had an older sister named Leah, but Jacob only had eyes for Rachel. Jacob was so much in love with Rachel that he asked Laban if he could work for him just so he could be near her. Laban answered, “Yes, you can tend sheep for me, but you must tell me how much I should pay you for your work. Even though you’re a relative, I must pay you something.” (That seems fair, right? What a good guy)
Jacob answered, “I will work for you for seven years if you will let me marry your younger daughter, Rachel. “Laban answered, “It’s a deal!” At the end of the seven years, Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. I have kept my promise and have worked for you for seven years.” So Laban threw a big party to celebrate and when evening came, he took his daughter, Leah, to Jacob instead of Rachel. (Not such a good guy, I guess.)
Jacob said, “Why have you done this to me? I kept my promise. Why haven’t you kept yours?” Laban answered, saying,” It is not our custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. You can have Rachel only if you stay and work for me another seven years.” And Jacob did just that. He stayed and worked another seven years and finally was able to claim Rachel as his wife.
Dear Lord, you have promised good for your children. We know that we can trust you to keep your promises. Help us to be faithful to keep our promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Once you’ve read the lesson, ask yourself if you’ve ever made a promise to someone that you didn’t keep. Maybe you promised your mother that you would clean your room, but you went out to play instead and forgot about your promise. You may have even made a promise to someone that you had no intention of keeping. Unfortunately, most of us have made a promise that we didn’t keep. In today’s story you’ll learn that Laban was not very good at keeping his promises.
What this story is trying to teach us is to be like God, not like Laban. When God makes a promise, you know that promise will be kept. God wants us to keep our promises, too. Here are some of the promises God has made to us:
To love us forever.
To comfort us.
Can you think of more promises?
Your Sunday School teacher,
Sue Colvin
http://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sunday-School-15.png182276Lindy Moorehttp://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/logo.pngLindy Moore2020-07-29 06:51:062020-07-29 07:11:04Summer Sunday School
So many people are planting gardens lately, maybe you have been, too. The lesson for Sunday, July 12th is a parable that Jesus shared with his disciples using a farmer who was planting seeds. Remember a parable is a simple story that teaches a moral lesson. What kind of soil do you want to be?
Here are some activities you might do:
SEED ART: Find some small seeds and glue them on a piece of colored construction paper to form the words, GOD’S WORD! Remember the “seed” in the story represents GOD’S WORD!
SOIL AND SEED WALK: Take a WALK outside to plant some seeds.
Most of all, have a good time and remember that you are loved by God and St. Thomas.
One of your Sunday School Teachers,
Holly Spruance
http://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Seed-Picture.jpg480640Lindy Moorehttp://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/logo.pngLindy Moore2020-07-08 00:26:172020-07-08 00:30:28St. Thomas' Summer Sunday School
Welcome to Summer Sunday School!
We are providing booklets to send to our Sunday School children for summertime reading. This week, we are reading the story about Abraham and Isaac and learning to trust in God. Think about what you put your trust in. Things like, the sun rising every morning or rain in the winter or food on the table at dinnertime. What else can you think of? Do you trust that your parents will provide for you like God provided a ram for Abraham? Do you trust that God will provide for you, too? I hope that you do and that you realize that God will never stop caring for you. The booklet also has a coloring page, a word search page and a multiple choice quiz. Here are some other activities for our kids:
• Take a TRUST WALK around your home and look for all the things you place your trust in. Things like chairs (will they hold you up or break?) or refrigerators (will it keep things cold?) or your own eyes (will they let you see?) What else can you find? Once you’ve completed your walk, talk about things we can trust God to do every day in our lives.
• Make a TRUST NECKLACE. String the plain and lettered beads onto the necklace cord to make a colorful necklace that says T-R-U-S-T-G-O-D Give the necklace or bracelet to someone you trust. In case you want to make a second necklace, I’ve included an extra necklace cord, lettered beads to spell out the word P-R-A-Y and some more plain beads. You could make a bracelet, instead, using string. Simply tie the two ends together once you’ve arranged your beads.
I pray for you every day, praying for your health and well being and safety. I miss seeing you all.
We are beginning to have conversations about what reopening the church might look like. Bishop Hanley, in much consultation with medical professionals, the governor, clergy, other bishops, and so forth, has issued guidelines. They are quite extensive. I am attaching them for your perusal, and I welcome your input! We at St. Thomas will start reopening very slowly and carefully, keeping the safety of everyone as paramount. The theology behind wanting to keep people safe is simply: “Love thy neighbor.” And no matter what, we will continue to provide on-line worship. That’s one of the reasons we want to carefully approach reopening: we know we need both to figure out how to do church together in a very small way, but also how to use technology to live-stream the service. Keri Davis, Deacon Mike, and I are doing You-tube tutorials, Zoom meetings, and on-line conferences in order to figure out how best to move forward.
http://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Eagle-4.jpg225225Lindy Moorehttp://st-thomaseugene.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/logo.pngLindy Moore2020-05-21 03:10:032020-05-21 03:17:29On Eagle's Wings - A Message from our Rector, Ann Gaillard
St. Thomas Preschool Going on Hiatus for the 2020-2021 School Year
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy MooreIt is with heavy hearts, but out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of all groups, that we have decided to put St. Thomas’ Preschool on hiatus for the entire 2020-2021 school year.
Preschools are all about socialization and learning how to be in the world. At this time, and going into the current school year, we don’t think there is a safe way to provide this for our students, teachers and families. We will miss them all more than we can say.
For more information, please call St. Thomas at 541-343-5241 or e-mail at stthomaschurcheugene@gmail.com
Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama Elected 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy MooreThe 11th Bishop of Oregon Search and Transition Committee is pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Dr. Diana Akiyama as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. In her own words, Bishop Akiyama said:
I am honored and truly humbled to be amongst those you are considering to be your next Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon. Throughout my discernment for the vocation of Bishop of Oregon, I have become increasingly energized and drawn to the innovative ministries currently underway in the Diocese. I believe this growing connection is rooted in my diverse experiences as a priest, and in my longstanding belief that the Church is being called to respond to a changing world.
My roots in Oregon are deep. I was born in Wheeler, Oregon and grew up in the Japanese-American community in Hood River. My mother was drawn to the Episcopal Church through her experience at Good Samaritan Hospital’s Nursing School. My father was baptized in the Methodist Church in response to the internment of Japanese Americans. I was baptized and grew up at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hood River.
I was ordained to the priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey in 1989 and since that time I have continually been inspired and nurtured by the ways my ministry has evolved and deepened. The call to serve as dean of religious life in two different higher education settings allowed me to combine my love of learning with my curiosity about those who do not identify with a religious tradition. The spirit of Christ always came alive when I was able to voice or demonstrate radical love and inclusion in spaces where great suspicion about Christians was the norm.
Here is my dream, were I to become your next bishop: to walk alongside the faithful and diverse people of the Diocese of Oregon with joy and hope as we explore how God is moving in our neighborhoods, and to embrace the unique qualities of Oregonians in creative and innovative ministries.
Summer Sunday School
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy MooreWelcome to week six of summer Sunday School!
Here is the story of Jacob and Rachel. It is a love story, but it’s also a story about making promises and keeping them. Please read the lesson by yourself or ask someone in your family to read it to you.
JACOB AND RACHEL: A LOVE STORY ABOUT KEEPING PROMISES
Our story today is about Jacob and a journey he took to a place called Paddan Aran. Along the way he saw a beautiful woman standing near a well. He dropped everything and stared at her. It was love at first sight! The beautiful woman’s name was Rachel and she was the younger daughter of Jacob’s Uncle Laban. (What a coincidence! ) Rachel had an older sister named Leah, but Jacob only had eyes for Rachel. Jacob was so much in love with Rachel that he asked Laban if he could work for him just so he could be near her. Laban answered, “Yes, you can tend sheep for me, but you must tell me how much I should pay you for your work. Even though you’re a relative, I must pay you something.” (That seems fair, right? What a good guy)
Jacob answered, “I will work for you for seven years if you will let me marry your younger daughter, Rachel. “Laban answered, “It’s a deal!” At the end of the seven years, Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. I have kept my promise and have worked for you for seven years.” So Laban threw a big party to celebrate and when evening came, he took his daughter, Leah, to Jacob instead of Rachel. (Not such a good guy, I guess.)
Jacob said, “Why have you done this to me? I kept my promise. Why haven’t you kept yours?” Laban answered, saying,” It is not our custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. You can have Rachel only if you stay and work for me another seven years.” And Jacob did just that. He stayed and worked another seven years and finally was able to claim Rachel as his wife.
Dear Lord, you have promised good for your children. We know that we can trust you to keep your promises. Help us to be faithful to keep our promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Once you’ve read the lesson, ask yourself if you’ve ever made a promise to someone that you didn’t keep. Maybe you promised your mother that you would clean your room, but you went out to play instead and forgot about your promise. You may have even made a promise to someone that you had no intention of keeping. Unfortunately, most of us have made a promise that we didn’t keep. In today’s story you’ll learn that Laban was not very good at keeping his promises.
What this story is trying to teach us is to be like God, not like Laban. When God makes a promise, you know that promise will be kept. God wants us to keep our promises, too. Here are some of the promises God has made to us:
To love us forever.
To comfort us.
Can you think of more promises?
Your Sunday School teacher,
Sue Colvin
St. Thomas’ Summer Sunday School
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy MooreSo many people are planting gardens lately, maybe you have been, too. The lesson for Sunday, July 12th is a parable that Jesus shared with his disciples using a farmer who was planting seeds. Remember a parable is a simple story that teaches a moral lesson. What kind of soil do you want to be?
Here are some activities you might do:
SEED ART: Find some small seeds and glue them on a piece of colored construction paper to form the words, GOD’S WORD! Remember the “seed” in the story represents GOD’S WORD!
SOIL AND SEED WALK: Take a WALK outside to plant some seeds.
Most of all, have a good time and remember that you are loved by God and St. Thomas.
One of your Sunday School Teachers,
Holly Spruance
St. Thomas’ Summer Sunday School!
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy MooreWelcome to Summer Sunday School!
We are providing booklets to send to our Sunday School children for summertime reading. This week, we are reading the story about Abraham and Isaac and learning to trust in God. Think about what you put your trust in. Things like, the sun rising every morning or rain in the winter or food on the table at dinnertime. What else can you think of? Do you trust that your parents will provide for you like God provided a ram for Abraham? Do you trust that God will provide for you, too? I hope that you do and that you realize that God will never stop caring for you.
The booklet also has a coloring page, a word search page and a multiple choice quiz. Here are some other activities for our kids:
• Take a TRUST WALK around your home and look for all the things you place your trust in. Things like chairs (will they hold you up or break?) or refrigerators (will it keep things cold?) or your own eyes (will they let you see?) What else can you find? Once you’ve completed your walk, talk about things we can trust God to do every day in our lives.
• Make a TRUST NECKLACE. String the plain and lettered beads onto the necklace cord to make a colorful necklace that says T-R-U-S-T-G-O-D Give the necklace or bracelet to someone you trust. In case you want to make a second necklace, I’ve included an extra necklace cord, lettered beads to spell out the word P-R-A-Y and some more plain beads. You could make a bracelet, instead, using string. Simply tie the two ends together once you’ve arranged your beads.
Have fun!
Your Sunday School teacher,
Sue Colvin
On Eagle’s Wings – A Message from our Rector, Ann Gaillard
/in Frontpage Article /by Lindy Moore