St. Thomas Ministries
We offer a broad range of ministries both for those within our parish community and to those outside it. There is virtually no talent, knowledge or experience we cannot put to productive use for God; check the following list to see where you fit in!!
(Note: You can email any of the names that underline on hover for information.)
- The Wayfarer Parish Newsletter
- St. Thomas Flower Guild
- Landscaping Committee
- The Ambassadors for Christ
- S.T.A.R. (St. Thomas Adult Recreation)
- The Brotherhood of St. Andrew
- Children's Chapel Time
- St. Thomas Foster/Adopt Cluster Support Group
- St. Thomas "Bread Bakers"
- Weekday Bridge Club
- Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
- St. Thomas Altar Guild
- Daughters of the King (DOK)
- St. Thomas Choir
- Canterbury@BW
- St. Thomas Outreach Committee
- Youth Group
- Nursing Home Service
- Bible Study
The Wayfarer Parish Newsletter
This newsletter is our way of communicating "all things St. Thomas" to both members and the wider community. This newsletter has long served the parish as a one-stop source of information.
The Wayfarer is published on a monthly/bi-monthly basis by season, and handed out in print form to those in church, emailed to those who request it, and mailed to those who would rather receive it that way. It is also available on the parish website.
The Wayfarer is always looking for new ideas/features and updated parish activities as well as suggestions regarding design, etc.
Contact: Editor, Laura D'Amato
St. Thomas Flower Guild
The Guild was established in the 1980's to bring a warm and welcoming atmosphere to our worship, and to give an opportunity for those interested to provide greater creative variety to our flower arrangements. It also provides a more cost-effective means of beautifying the church than ordering through commercial sources.
The Guild provides flowers for church services and special occasions as well as plants for our indoor gardens.
The Guild shops for flowers at wholesale/and or retail stores and then arranges them for our services.
Arrangements are distributed after services to those having birthdays, anniversaries, and to those who are ill, hospitalized or live in long-term care facilities.
Contact: Anita Coleman
The Landscaping Committee
Organized at the request of the St. Thomas Vestry, this committee plans and guides in executing improvements to the church grounds. It is currently involved in a stage-by-stage renovation of the flower and shrub beds surrounding the church building.
Volunteers are always needed on the Committee for planning, as well as for parish "work days" when landscape renovation and maintenance projects are scheduled. In 2008, "work days" are planned for the first Saturday morning of each month (May through September). Planning meetings are held infrequently but as needed.
Contact: Alice Amos
The Ambassadors for Christ
This is St. Thomas' "evangelism" group, dedicated to spreading our Christian ministries to those both inside and outside our church. The Ambassadors meet regularly to plan and discuss ways to use our talents for this purpose. Currently, we run a weekly advertising program in the local newspapers to draw people to St. Thomas, plan and execute events to further our work, sell a variety of St. Thomas logo goods from our "Welcome Wagon" cart, and run the Sunday "greeter program" to welcome and assist newcomers and visitors to the church.
New Ambassadors are always welcome. Contact our Embassy below for information.
Contact: Ambassador Lynn Vincent
S.T.A.R. (St. Thomas Adult Recreation)
Created in 2006, S.T.A.R. serves as a ministry to retired "seniors" from both inside and outside our parish who are living in private homes, retirement communities, as well as assisted living and nursing homes. We plan activities so that these folks can get together on a regular basis to socialize, enjoy entertainment, find spiritual enlightenment and just plain "have fun"!
We hold monthly concerts at the church in partnership with Baldwin-Wallace music students and follow their delightful performance with a hot lunch sponsored and paid for by Berea Lake Towers, with desserts and beverages provided by St. Thomas. Concerts are held the first Wednesday of each month, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Other events generally begin at 1:30 p.m. For an up-to-date schedule, click here.
We hope to soon expand our efforts by having weekly activities with food, games, music entertainment (polka, Barbershop singing) during our "season", running from February through May.
All S.T.A.R. events are absolutely FREE, and everyone is welcome to participate.
All events involving food require a reservation. Please call the church office at 440-234-5241 weekday mornings to reserve a space. We can only accommodate the first 100 reservations for any event.
Contact: Julie Kalbrunner
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew
The Brotherhood was founded in 1883, making it the oldest such group serving the Episcopal/Anglican Church in the United States. As the Brotherhood's symbol indicates, it is dedicated to spreading Christ's kingdom among men and boys through a life of study, prayer and service.
All men and boys in the church are welcome to become part of this ministry.
St. Thomas' chapter usually meets the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Check the church calendar for the latest schedule.
Contact: Dave Miller, Chapter Chair
Children's Chapel Time
Chapel Time occurs during the middle of the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service when an adult volunteer leads the younger children out of the main church and into Ogilvy Chapel for their own "Gospel Talk". The leader tells a story, prays with them, lets them color or play games for about 15-20 minutes in their own setting. That day's Gospel reading is the focus of the activities, which are designed to help the children understand its meaning better (at their own level). When time is up, children are reunited with their parents in the church for the remainder of the service.
This important - and fun - ministry can always use more adult helpers. Volunteers take their turn on a rotating basis. The group leaders will be happy to train interested people.
Contact: Peggy Zambounis
St. Thomas Foster/Adopt Cluster Support Group
Working with Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, the Cluster has been in existence as a "Caravan for Change" since 1997. We serve as educators and support givers for those who act as foster/adoptive and kinship caregivers to children who have been displaced through no fault of their own.
By offering these services, we provide family support through their children for the many foster/adoptive families who do not have familial support or understanding of the unique needs of their children.
We meet in St. Thomas' Harkess Hall on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and at the Engle Road Library on the third Wednesday of each month from Noon until 2:00 p.m.
Examples of our work include a rummage sale to help support orphanages in Central America, a potluck dinner each month, and preparing Lifebooks for our children. These Lifebooks catalog family activities the children take part in to help anchor them in a sometimes shaky world with a sense of continuity and permanence in their lives. In general, we share resources with each other and provide much needed emotional support to each other.
We invite all interested people to attend our meetings. Naturally, we provide the services and support outlined here, but welcome all people to join us and become involved in our ministry in any capacity they desire.
Contact: Deb Sorenson or Janet Coleman
St. Thomas "Bread Bakers"
The St. Thomas "Bread Bakers" are the people who bake the communion (Host) bread used in our services. This is an easy, fun and very meaningful service to the whole church! There are NO meetings to attend, NO money is spent, and there are NO special qualifications needed for this ministry - just a willingness to serve the parish in this special way.
If you are interested in becoming a break baker, contact coordinator, Nancy Braford. The recipe we use for the bread is available from Nancy or by contacting the church office. If you would like individual instructions on doing this, Nancy will arrange to give them to you.
Contact: Nancy Braford
Weekday Bridge Club
Join us every Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in Harkess Hall. We welcome newcomers - as well as beginners - for an afternoon of weekday fun with St. Thomas friends old and new!
Contact: Barb Pertz
Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
This group is the largest organization in the Episcopal Church and is comprised of all active women in the Church. The ECW provides a wide range of services to St. Thomas, the community and the wider Church. Especially popular is the Spring Rummage Sale, usually held in April, which proceeds annually support many ministries at St. Thomas, particularly our youth programs.
ECW meets regularly throughout the year. Check with the Church Office or contact the person below for the latest activity information. All women are cordially invited to attend ECW meetings and to become involved in this wonderful (and fun) ministry!
Contact: Sonia Miller
St. Thomas Altar Guild
This vital ministry continues year in and year out to provide the sacred setting for all St. Thomas church services. Members are carefully instructed in their duties, and then assigned regular days to perform them on a rotating basis.
If you are interested in learning more about this special ministry, please contact the Church Office.
Contact: Marcie Hist
Daughters of the King (DOK)
The St. Julian of Norwich Chapter of the Daughters of the King welcomes new members to their order at monthly meetings, usually held on the third Saturday morning of each month. This national group provides a "rule of life" for its members, who engage in various ministries to the church. The St. Julian Chapter of St. Thomas is currently engaged in knitting "chemo caps" for women suffering from hair loss due to cancer treatment, in addition to many other activities. Meetings are prayerful, spirit-filled and fun! All interested women are welcome to attend any meeting to find out if membership in DOK is right for them.
Contact: Linda Kinsey
St. Thomas Choir
The renowned St. Thomas Choir provides inspirational vocals for most St. Thomas services from September through May. Working under the direction of Organist and Choirmaster, Clifford Hill, the Choir practices on Thursday evenings at 7;30 p.m. in Ogilvy Chapel and before the 10:30 service on Sunday morning.
The Choir is always looking for a few (more) good voices, so if you are interested, contact Mr. Hill to arrange for an audition at your convenience.
Contact: Clifford Hill
Canterbury@BW (Campus Ministry of St. Thomas)
Our Campus Ministry Program is in full swing during "school term" throughout the year. Our Campus Youth Coordinators work with our Rector to provide ministries to college students in the area as well as the community at large.
Sunday Evening Supper is provided each week at 6 p.m. FREE of charge to all college students. In addition, students are encouraged to attend our Sunday Evening Service which precedes the Supper at 5:30, if they choose to do so.
Other activities occur throughout the year too, so please contact the Church Office for a schedule of the latest happenings!
Contact: The Church Office at 440-234-5241
St. Thomas Outreach Committee
St. Thomas Outreach provides support to those in need, whether through offering food, clothing and other resources or just a needed helping hand. Our ministry is Biblically based (Matthew 25:35-40: Jesus said, "Whereas you have done it for the least of these, you have done it for me.").
The Committee meets periodically after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service to discuss current needs and on-going endeavors. Everyone who wishes to help those in need in our community is welcome to become part of this caring ministry.
Examples of our current work include:
- donating food items to the food pantry through Church Street Ministries
- donating food and clothing to the Brookside Center
- sponsoring a monthly community dinner with other area churches (last Wednesday of the month)
- feeding the homeless through the program, A Place at the Table at Trinity Cathedral
- building houses for Habitat for Humanity
- helping those in need through Food for the Poor and in Liberia, Africa.
If you have any ideas for helping those in need, please let us know. We love to say "Yes!" We live Matthew 25!
Contact: Pat Wielinski, Outreach Coordinator
Youth Group
Twice a month, all youth in 6-12th grade gather for service, building community and fun! We participage in the TORCH program, an ecumenical youth service program that meets the second Saturday of each month to serve the poor in Cleveland. We meet again, usually on Sunday afternoon, and do something fun. We encourage friends to attend!
Contact: Bart Hancock
Nursing Home Service
For the past 20 years, on the third Sunday of the month, at 2p.m., St. Thomas parishioners have met at the Berea Center for Specialized Care on Sheldon Rd. The service consists of a shortened version of Rite Two, a great deal of music and the Eucharist. Everyone is welcome to share in this very special ministry.
Bible Study
From four to twelve parishioners meet every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m., to study God's word. From 7:30 to 8:00 we chat, then at 8:00, we begin with individual (but not mandatory) prayers. Usually there is a study guide that assists us as we read and discuss passages of the bible. The study is held at the home of Dody Sandt. Everyone is welcome
Contact: Dody Sandt