Welcome to St Thomas's Church

St Thomas's is an encouraging community of Christians in Lancaster. We welcome enquirers and people who are just looking. We also respect the fact that not everyone may wish to stay, but we hope you will.

Our longing is to know Jesus Christ better, to see his kingdom reign and to see growth both here and in the links we have with other churches locally and overseas. We do hope to be able to welcome you into our large lively all-age congregation.

Church Next Report

Following Jon’s presentation of the Church Next report on Vision Sunday (21st April – available online if you missed it), the full report can be downloaded from the church website, www.st.tees.org.uk.  A summary sheet is also available from the welcome desk.  Upcoming events to note for the diary:

Open Evenings for discussion / questions - Thursday 16th May, 7.45pm, main church.

Church Next weekend with Nick Cuthbert, Sat 15th / Sun 16th June.

Launch of new congregations planned for Sunday 22nd September.

St Thomas's Events

Run For The World - R4TW

R4TW May 11th – The Run (10am) – The Ball (7:30pm)

Please sign up with on the welcome desk or online for the run on May 11th (www.R4TW.org). It helps to know t-shirt sizes Volunteers needed, email if you can help on the day, contact Jane via the office.

Buy your tickets NOW for the first ever R4TW Charity Ball! Tickets are £12 and will be available from Alice, Ele, Pete, Ruth or Chris in the 20s+30s after both services. We have live bands, a DJ, canapés, licensed bar & more! This is a 16+ event.

20-30’s.

Sunday 12th May. A chance to meet other people in 20s and 30s over a drink at the chosen pub for the evening. Meet a 20s and 30s representative after the evening service.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

This training session on May 14th has had to cancelled. Another date will be chosen in due course.

Walking Group

Our next walk will be on Thursday 16th May, 6 miles and some ascent, a circular walk from Beacon Fell country park, going through the blue bell woods along the River Brock and back. We will set off at 9.30am from the church car park and you will need boots, waterproofs drinks and a packed lunch. Please contact Sally Pidd if you can offer or need a lift via the office.

New Wine Kids Workers Training Days

18th May at St Thomas’s, 9.30-16.00, Cost £10. Find out more/book at www.new-wine.org

Book Club

Saturday 18th May 11am at the Storey Café. The book being is discussed is Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.

20-30’s Bible Study

Looking at an overview of the Bible and how God fulfils His promises.  Meeting fortnightly on Mon evenings, 7.45/8pm, next on 20th May, in the upstairs centre. Then 3rd June and 17th June

Shekinah EAP

Are you interested in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and would like to know more? If so there will be a taster session where you can experience EAP, to be held at Shekinah Stables,  Morecambe, on Saturday 25th May. The cost is £30 and places are limited to those 18 and over. Applications to be received by 18th May. For more details contact Angela Letchford.

Confirmation and Baptism Service

9th June, 6.15 pm. At this special service, we will be offering baptism by immersion, and also confirmation, with Bishop Geoff, Suffragan Bishop of Lancaster.

Baptism – Anyone who has not already been baptized and who wishes to affirm publicly their commitment to Jesus Christ may ask for baptism.

Confirmation is an opportunity to affirm your baptismal vows, receive prayer through laying on of hands, and commit yourself to Christian ministry in the wider church and world. This is for those of secondary school age and upwards, and adults.

Baptism and Confirmation preparation sessions 12th, 19th May and 2nd June.

Forms are available on the welcome desk. If you are interested, please have a chat with Jon Scamman, Craig Abbott, Ian McGrath or Sarah Evans.

Lancaster Churches Together, Benefits Reforms

Speakers from Christians Against Poverty and the Citizens Advise Bureau are coming to explain how these reforms will affect people. 8.00 pm at St Thomas’s on June 13th.

Lakes Gospel Choir

The Lakes Gospel Choir will be giving a concert in St T’s on Saturday June 22nd, to raise money for the E4L trip.

Vaccine Appeal

If you would like to donate to education for life's vaccine appeal, you can donate (and gift aid) on line at www.justgiving.com/savealifehpv , or text HPVM88 to 70070, or leave with the church office marked 'vaccine appeal'. Thank you.

Exploring Faith Accompaniment (Spiritual Direction)

Every two weeks on Tuesday for 12 days 10am-4pm 14th Jan-1st July 2014. Supported by the diocese of Blackburn. For anymore details or a booking form please speak to Jon Scamman

Events Elsewhere

Big Day Out at the Farm

Sat 18th May at Farmer Parrs Animal World Fleetwood. Details on noticeboard at the back of church.

Songs of Praise Lancashire

May 19th and 20th in Blackburn Catherdral. Free to attend but you must have a ticket. Details from www.bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise.

Quiet Garden Days

Guided days in the Bishop’s Garden at Shireshead, £5 per day inc lunch. Details via the office. Next one Sat June 22nd.

Enough Food for Everyone ‘IF’ rally in Hyde Park

Sat June 8th. Join the group from going from Lancaster. Details from lfjc at talktalk.net The IF is supported by over 100 charities & NGOs, including Tearfund & Christian Aid.

New Wine Discipleship Year

St Thomas’s Church and Christians Alive Church are together launching an internship scheme in Sept 2013, in partnership with New Wine.

Interns: If you are aged 18-24 and would like to explore giving a year to serve in a church (12 hours a week), grow in your Christian faith and experience, and get some great training in theology and leadership (8 hours a week), then this might be for you!  The leaflet on the welcome desk gives more information about the scheme, and if you want to know more, just ask the clergy, Jon and Craig.   

Host Families: If you would be interested in hosting an intern for a year in your home, please speak to Jon or Craig.  The church will make a modest contribution towards the cost of bed and board.

Notices

Wanted

Socks, underwear, t-shirts, trousers, shoes, tents and sleeping bags are continuously needed by Homeless people. Please leave your donations under the welcome desk labelled "ARK". Clean good condition only.

Assistant Pastor Wanted

Assistant pastor wanted by Lancaster Free Methodist Church closing date for applications Monday May 13th. Full details and application form are on www.lfmc.co.uk if you are interested.

Eurovision Evening

on May 18th at Fathers House Church (scoring cards will be provided!) The TV show will be on the large screen in the main hall. Please bring your own snacks, drink, what ever you wish...Tea and Coffee is self service on the night!

Mental Health Training Day

Saturday 8th June, 9:00-3:30 Lancasterfmchurch Queen Street, Lancaster. LA1 1RX. To register and reserve your place, contact info at lfmc.co.uk / 01524 841941 by Monday 3rd June 2013. £5 voluntary contribution per person. This training day is being delivered by Positive Futures North West, who have a lot of experience working in the community with people with mental health issues. It is designed for churches—ministers, pastoral care teams and carers, to come and receive some specific training in how to care for some of our most vulnerable people.

Urbun Saints Purbeck Venture 2013

6th – 14th August. Are you aged between 11 – 16 and looking for a camping holiday that brings together beautiful beaches, a host of activities (wide games, water fights, midnight swims) & thought-provoking themes. If you want more information contact Ele Kinchin-Smith via the office.

Royal Lancaster Infirmary

Churches Together in Lancaster have circulated details of an e-petition against the closure of the A&E, Maternity and Intensive Care units at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.  If you wish to sign this petition, details can be found at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44891. The petition closes 25/07/2013.