January 13
On Eagle’s Wings: Northern and Southern Christians Collaborating

The Rev. Lee Berry, Pastor/Executive Director of On Eagles Wings, a ministry which serves Christians in remote villages of Canada’s Northwest Territories, will discuss how ecumenical partnerships of OEW make it possible for Christians from many cultural and denominational traditions to serve together.  Volunteers lead Bible studies in northern Saskatchewan, Alberta and other areas.  Parishioner Wendy Zabriskie serves with OEW. 

January 20
This is Our Story…This is Our Song

Marti Rideout, Interim Minister of Music, will lead us through hymns of the ages and hymns of today that reflect our faith, tell the Christian story, awaken our spirituality, transform our lives, and connect us with all God’s children.  Hymns are our “take-home theology” and have a vital role in our community worship experience and in our personal lives.  Bring your voices and the hymnal number of your favorite hymn.

January 27
What Do Gregorian Chant, Reggae, R&B, Jazz, Pop & Jewish Music Have in Common?

Jewish music over the last 3,000 years has reflected the culture and society that Jews have lived in.  We will explore common links between Jewish music and world cultures over the centuries with the help of Cantor David Green from Congregation Beth Or.

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  Marti Rideout, Interim Minister of Music, will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, January 27.

February 3
Unraveling a Mystery: Making Sense of Diocesan Finances

Management of diocesan finances has posed a major problem for the Diocese of Pennsylvania and pitted the Standing Committee against the Bishop over financial matters and other concerns.  Robert G. Rogers Jr., the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese, will discuss the audit, financial condition, budget, legal matters, Camp Wapiti, the Cathedral complex, closed churches and parish pledges.  St. Thomas’ plans to offer more volunteer and financial support to the Diocese as longed for changes take place.

February 10
All Parish Valentine’s Day Breakfast

February 17
Tale of Two Cities and the New Economic Context

In March of 2007, the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board released a new study on Philadelphia’s labor supply and our changing economic context.  The report titled A Tale of Two Cities outlines the opportunities to transform the local economy through strategic investments in education and workforce development.  Sallie Glickman, the founding Executive Director and Corporate Secretary of PWIB, will discuss the significance of the report’s findings in our contemporary economy and share ways that faith-based partners can help address the challenges we face.

February 24
What Does the Gospel of Thomas Tell us about Jesus?

The Gospel of Thomas is the most important gospel outside the canon of the New Testament.  It consists of 114 sayings of Jesus in Coptic probably translated from an underlying Greek text.  Deirdre Good, Professor of New Testament at General Theological Seminary, will examine sayings from the Gospel of Thomas and assess their importance for Christian tradition.

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  Deirdre Good will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, February 24.

March 2
Jeff and Liz’s Wonderful Chilean Adventure

Parishioners Jeff Wojciechowski and Liz Drusedum will speak about their recent mission trip to Chile, where they worked with Maupche women in three villages to help them revitalize their native weaving cottage industry and become self sufficient. They were taught the use of spinning wheels, natural dying techniques, and additional tools to compliment their weaving.  Jeff also addressed overcoming adversity to the people of these villages having been treated poorly by the last political regime.

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  Andrew Schielke will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, March 2.

March 9
Annual Meeting and All Parish Breakfast  (No Rector’s Forum)

March 16
Palm Sunday  (No Rector’s Forum or Church School)

March 23
Easter  (No Rector’s Forum or Church School)

March 30
The Adolescent Beloved Disciple

Art makes evident the long-standing belief that the Beloved Disciple was young.  He always appears beardless, a drastic difference from the other disciples.  But what if the Beloved Disciple was really young, on the cusp of making his Bar Mitzvah?  Join Mother Whitney as she leads an exploration of John’s Gospel and the references to the Beloved Disciple found in the text.  After looking at these scripture references, you’ll have the opportunity to share how reading the text in such a way changes or challenges not only your understanding of the scripture but of your understanding of adolescent spirituality as well.  Bring a Bible.

In 1577, the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci set out from Italy to bring Christian faith and Western thought to Ming dynasty China.  Our Rector Marek Zabriskie will speak about China’s most famous Jesuit missionary and Ricci’s work, writings and intellect and how Ricci adapted to Chinese life in order to spread Christianity.  As China prepares to host the Olympics, he will also discuss the growth of Christianity in China today.

April 13
Why I am an Anglican

Using sacred stories of Christmas and Easter and the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, the Rev. Pittman McGehee, former Dean of Christ Cathedral in Houston Texas and the Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Psychology and Spirituality, will frame Christianity’s world view and the unique place that Anglicans enjoy in the body of Christ.  

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  The Very Rev. Pittman McGehee will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, April 13.

April 20
From Country Church to Suburban Parish

Dr. David R. Contosta, professor of history at Chestnut Hill College and author of numerous books has been commissioned to write a definitive history of St. Thomas’ Church.  He will chronicle the fascinating history of our 310 year-old church, which has ministered to the spiritual needs of a changing community and nation, from its hill overlooking the Wissahickon Valley.  In the process he will show how St. Thomas’ can be seen as a microcosm of the Episcopal Church in America.

April 27
American Saints

American Society has been shaped by a wide variety of deeply committed Christians: teachers, preachers, missionaries, social activists, reformers, artists, scientists and more.  The Rev. Christopher L. Webber has compiled the stories of 365 of these men and women in a book called A Year with American Saints.  He will tell some of their stories.  Webber, who served for 22 years as Rector of Christ Church, Bronxville, NY, is author of numerous books about church matters and the first sequel to Beowulf.  

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  The Rev. Christopher Webber will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, April 27.

May 4
Our Little Roses: Education is the Escalator for a Positive Future

Education is the only vehicle that will enable girls in Honduras to have a successful future.  Only 1 to 2% of the nation’s university graduates are women.  OLR is changing that statistic and making a positive impact on society.  Our speaker is Diana Frade, Founder/President of OLR Ministries in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, will share an amazing story of hope about the home and school for 75 impoverished and abused girls.

SUNDAY'S GUEST PREACHER:  The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, will be our Guest Preacher this Sunday, May 4.

May 11
Interim Minister of Music

Jim Litton, St. Thomas' Interim Minister of Music, will be our speaker.

May 18
The Spiritual Path of the Labyrinth

Come learn how labyrinths are tools that can help us on our spiritual path.  Robert Ferre, the world’s most prolific maker of hand-made labyrinths, will teach us about the history and use of the labyrinths.  St. Thomas’ hopes to construct an outdoor labyrinth as part of our strategic plan in order to utilize further our property for spiritual purposes.

May 25
Labor Day
(Church returns to the 10:00 a.m. worship schedule)