It is a New Year for the church and the celebration of the birth of Christ is just a few weeks away. May you all have a most blessed Christmas and a most Happy New

Year. St. Thomas will have services on Christmas Eve: a traditional Christmas Ser-vice with Holy Eucharist at 5:30 and a Candle and Music Service at 10:00. Please plan to come to both if you can as they are different and both are meaningful as we

lift our voices in joy to his birth.

Advent is a time to reflect on the light that comes out of the darkness. It is also a time when the sky goes dark much earlier and stays dark much later in the morning.

Clear nights provide a wonderful time of year to look into the heavens as the stars and planets seem to just jump down and ask us to grab hold of them. Enjoy the darkness knowing the light is coming. Hope is evident in this Advent season and the

little ones bounce around in anticipation.

My wish for all of you is that you have a most blessed Christmas. If you are travel-

ing, or for those who travel to see you, may you and yours be safe.

The greatest gift we receive is love and our God gave us His Son out of His love for

us. May you share that gift with all around you, both now and always. We are one in

His spirit and one in His love. A Blessed Christmas to all, Fr. Cliff

Cliff Notes: Cliff Notes: Cliff Notes: Cliff Notes: Episcopal 101 at 9 am on Dec. 15th! Episcopal 101 at 9 am on Dec. 15th! Episcopal 101 at 9 am on Dec. 15th! Episcopal 101 at 9 am on Dec. 15th!

Do Not Forget “A Night to Remember” !! Do Not Forget “A Night to Remember” !! Do Not Forget “A Night to Remember” !! Do Not Forget “A Night to Remember” !!

On Saturday, December 8th, we all need to gather to focus on what is at the heart of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and where our hearts will lead us on the journey that fulfills God’s will for us as a Christian body of believers in Dubois, and the world around us. Last month’s newsletter informed you about the expert help we will re-ceive from the Rev. Margaret Babcock in this look at our treasured past and pre-sent. The meeting will start at 5:00 pm. We will break around 6:00 pm for supper. We have some Crock-Pot entrees coming from some parishioners that will give us a good hot meal. Others are invited to bring salads and bread/rolls. Desserts are wel-come, but we have plenty of Esther’s wonderful Carrot Cake left from Sunday as well! Our older parishioners are asked to bring stories and memories of what St. Thomas has meant to them, and new folks are asked to share what has brought them to worship here. It is wonderful to know how we are seen in new eyes. Please come and fellowship together as we look at the future, and appreciate each other. A Sunday lunch meeting after

church will be for Vestry members and the nominees for 2013.

Please see the complete story of this wonderful class posted on the Coffee Room

bulletin board, and sign up for it with Sylvia Crouter—call 455-2925 or e-mail her at mtnwalker@wyoming.com. It will begin on Saturday, January 12, at 9:30 am in the Community Room. The indepth study will include the sharing of slides by Fr. Cliff

from his Holy Land visit, and a dramatic film narrated by Christopher Plummer at the final session on February 23rd. For those who have not experienced a class led by Sylvia in the past, you will find it extremely exciting and fulfilling, with much infor-

mation well organized and also “time to share how what we have read relates to our own lives, both our history and our spirituality.” You won’t want to miss this explo-

ration into the life of Christ as attributed to John in this Gospel. Sign up now!

ALL ARE WELCOME!ALL ARE WELCOME!ALL ARE WELCOME!ALL ARE WELCOME!

Sunday Services ~ 10:00 am

Wednesday Evening Prayer at office~ 5:30 pm

Every 4th Sunday, 4:00 pm at St. Helen’s,

“Serving Others as Christ Serves Us”

St. Thomas Episcopal Church NewsSt. Thomas Episcopal Church NewsSt. Thomas Episcopal Church NewsSt. Thomas Episcopal Church News

December 2012 - Vol. 12, Issue 2

Dubois Youth Activity students along with their new Americorps volunteer, came to help our members pack the Thanksgiving Food Boxes this year. On December 21 we will start at 10 am to pack for Christmas—More adult volunteers are needed as there will be no student help. Speak with Mary Ellen about what you can do to help!

December 8 & 9~ all Parish meeting on

Saturday evening, 5:00 , in the Community Room.

Crock Pot supper with sides! “A Night to remember”

our Church! Vestry and Nominees will all meet the

next day with Rev. Babcock over a soup lunch to look

at possibilities for our future. Be a part of this!

December 15 & 16 – Episcopal 101 @ 9

am on 15th; Vestry Meeting after coffee on 16th

December 21~ Pack Christmas Food

Boxes starting at 10:00 am with organizing do-

nations In the Community Room—Volunteers!!!

December 23 & 24th—Special Services

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

John’s Gospel to be studied in January John’s Gospel to be studied in January John’s Gospel to be studied in January John’s Gospel to be studied in January

9 S o u t h 1 s t S t . � PO B o x 7 3 5 ~ D u bo i s , WY 8 2 5 1 3 � ( 3 0 7 ) 4 5 5 - 2 3 1 3

Ema i l : s t om@d t ewo r l d . c om � www . s t t h omasd u bo i s . d i owy . o r g

Christmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve Services————Bring Friends!Bring Friends!Bring Friends!Bring Friends!

At 5:30 pm we will celebrate a wonderful Eucharistic Family Service on Christmas Eve in the sanctuary, complete with sto-

ries for children and Silent Night sung in candle light.

At 10:00 pm there will be a community gathering in the sanctu-ary with much shared with members of other Dubois churches; poems, music, and the Gospel of Luke Christmas story, ending again with candles and Silent Night music taking us into the

dark with expectation of the birth and the morning light!

The St. Thomas Acolytes met for Training and a Pizza Supper with Fr. Cliff. Watch for them to be more ac-tive in the Services in coming weeks. LESSONS and CAROLS is a won-derful Service in Advent—this year on December 23rd. Special Music, Carols and Scripture Readings Prepare us for the coming of Christ Notice our waiting empty crèche at the base of the altar—long a part of St. Thomas history. It will be occupied with the help of children’s hands as the season progresses through to the arrival of Kings and camels!

QUESTIONS about anything

you see here or want to vol-

unteer? Give Mary Ellen a

call at 455-2313.

Please return your pledge cards as soon as you can—time and

talent as well as any financial support possible—this will allow the

Budget Committee to look at our future realistically!!

The St. Thomas Christmas Altar will be festive with Poin-settias as always. The sign-up sheet is out, and you may take home your plant or plants to enjoy after the Christmas Eve Services.

Share His love by shopping for a child from our Food Bank’s

“Chrismoose” Trees in Kathy’s Koffee and Tammy’s Coffee Haus.

Ring the Red Kettle Bell for Salvation Army Dubois funds to help

local and transient folks in need. Ask Mary Ellen—help needed!