St Thomas Blog
Keep up to date with news and views from St Thomas Church!
Praying our farewells to Fr Charles
Friday 17th April 2020
Rev Charles Keay and Rev David Nixon
Fr David has adapted some prayers from the Anglican Franciscan Order to help us appreciate Fr Charles' ministry in St Thomas whilst wishing him well in his new adventure with the Royal Navy. Follow this link to join the prayers.
News from St Thomas Community Builder
Thursday 16th April 2020
Ann King
The Church of St Thomas has been overwhelmed, as your local Community Builder, Chloe Pooley, has too at the great show of community spirit that has been unleashed in St Thomas during the past few weeks of lockdown. Chloe has helpfully drawn together information (correct at the time of writing) about what's happening in St Thomas. It includes information about:- Local services Opportunities to connect Contact details Ideas for staying at home Please take time to read it here Chloe would welcome any updates or new information to keep this document up to date. Let's keep the momentum going!
Farewell Message from Fr Charles
Sunday 12th April 2020
Rev Charles Keay
At this time of our lives when the normal is no longer normal, we are saying farewell this Easter Day to our much loved Vicar, as Fr Charles leaves St Thomas to continue his ministry and joins the Royal Navy. Before he goes, Fr Charles would like to say farewell to us, in this very tech way! We will all miss him very much and all our good wishes go with him. We'll look forward to inviting and welcoming him back for a proper farewell soon! Click here to listen to his farewell message or you can read it here or below: Farewell Message Let me begin by saying 'Happy Easter!' Happy Easter to you and yours! Easter…
Easter Day - Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Sunday 12th April 2020
Rev David Nixon
Today is the highlight of our Christian calendar when we would normally gather to celebrate our Easter faith. Although this year we are not able to be with each other, we can still be united at 10.30 and pray together and listen to Father David's sermon, or read it here. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Sunday Service Sheet
Saturday 11th April 2020
Rev Sarah Cumming
Be ready to join in worship with Christians around the world tomorrow, Easter Sunday, with this service sheet, which you can download and print. You can also download and print Stations of the Resurrection or some Easter Graces to use at Sunday lunch or dinner.
The Stations of the Cross for Good Friday
Friday 10th April 2020
Philip Baker, Reader
Join Philip and the congregation of St Thomas' as we take a virtual journey with Jesus on His way to the cross. This Good Friday will be like no other because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we can still join in this journey collectively, wherever we may be. Follow the journey and join the hymn singing and prayers using this sheet
Holy Week in St Thomas, Exeter
Monday 6th April 2020
Rev David Nixon
Here are Daily Reflections for Holy week, based on seven paintings by Nebiyu Assefa. This second sheet gives pictures, words and activities for families to reflect on and do together during Holy Week. It again uses paintings by Nebiyu Assefa. Find out more about the artist from this link
A Card for you for Holy Week
Sunday 5th April 2020
Rev David Nixon
Your card can be downloaded to print HERE The instructions for the 'origami' card are very simple: 1. print back to back 2. fold in half and half again in such a way that 'Holy Week' appears on the front cover of the booklet 3. the idea is to open up the booklet during the week and use the pictures and bible readings as a prompt for prayer
Palm Sunday
Sunday 5th April 2020
Rev Eliza Getman
We join Rev Eliza on the journey into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. All: Glory to you, O Lord. Matthew 21.1-11 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, "The Lord needs them." And he will send them immediately.' This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 'Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and…
Prayers, Blessings and Poems during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Friday 3rd April 2020
Rev Eliza Getman
Prayer for a Pandemic May we who are merely inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable. May those who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May those who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools close remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel a trip remember those who have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all. May those who settle for quarantine at home remember…