St Thomas Blog
Keep up to date with news and views from St Thomas Church!
A Review of The City Is My Monastery
Sunday 3rd May 2020
Yve Taylor
‘The City is My Monastery – A Contemporary Rule of Life’ by Richard Carter Canterbury Press; 2019: ISBN 978-1-78622-213-8 This most compelling book is about the evolution and identity of the Nazareth Community at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Rev Richard Carter serves as an NSM there, among immigrants, the desperate, homeless, and broken. It is lived experience and practice within fully inclusive communities. Filled with beautiful poetry, prayer, Lectio-Divina and autobiographical stories, it is balm for the soul. Rooted in the unconditional, love, mercy and grace of Christ, the community epitomises the simple life of the Melanesian Brotherhood in the Solomon Islands where Carter lived before moving to London. At the heart of their Rule of Life is being with God and…
Easter 4
Sunday 3rd May 2020
Rev David Nixon
If you need to remind yourself of the reality and hope of Easter, read Father David's sermon here or listen to it below
Creative Challenge for the Lockdown
Monday 27th April 2020
Anne Sturt
A Creative Challenge for You! With all of us safely inside for the next few weeks, we would like to suggest some positive ways of using this time. For those of you who enjoy working with fabric or yarn, if you make an 8” square of sewing, knitting, crochet or embroidery, we’ll assemble them all into a final piece of work. Or why not make a clay tile, grow a plant, knit a cardigan, decorate a plant-pot, write a poem, draw or decoupage a picture or take some interesting photos? Be creative! Then when we get back together, we’ll display our creativity and celebrate our achievements. If your creation is too large to bring in, then take photos and we’ll display them…
The Road to Emmaus
Sunday 26th April 2020
Rev Sarah Cumming
Let's join Rev Sarah continuing the Easter message as she reflects on the journey on the road to Emmaus. You can also read her sermon here The Road to Emmaus painting is courtesy of Paintingvalley.com
Easter 2
Sunday 19th April 2020
Philip Baker, Lay Reader
Lay Reader, Phil Baker, reflects on the parallels between today's Gospel (John 20. 19-31) and how we are living during this pandemic, with our churches closed. You can readhis thoughts here or listen to his voice in the video link below.
Jenny goes on giving during the pandemic
Saturday 18th April 2020
Ann King
Jenny is a wonderful example to us and her neighbours, showing how to make the best of our time and think about others who may need a helping hand during these difficult weeks. She's used her very green fingers and set up a plant stall outside her home, generously giving away some luscious house plants to brighten peoples' lives. Passers-by were thrilled by the plants and responded equally generously to Jenny's request for donations to the Community Larder. By the end of the morning, all the plants were in their new homes and Jenny had two big bags of goodies for the Larder and some cash donations too. Well done Jenny!
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!