M.O.S.T. (Men Of St Thomas): All men of St. Thomas Church belong to this group and are invited to attend any month they are able. The Men of St. Thomas is primarily a ministry of fellowship. The men gather together on a monthly basis (generally on the 2nd or 3rd Monday at 6PM) to get to know each other better over supper with an interesting program that follows. Several of the men offer their talents to assist with parish projects when needed.
E.C.W. (Episcopal Church Women): Faith, Fun, Food and Fellowship! This is our motto and that is precisely what we do. We meet on the first Monday of each month, including the summer months from 6-8 PM. Our regular meeting agendas include the E.C.W. prayer, recalling and sharing our blessings, special programs each month, fun fines and closing with compline from the BCP. We have held a fashion show for the past five years with all of the monies going to charities. We take trips and enjoy visiting other Episcopal churches in our diocese and the fellowship with other women at Deanery meetings and our Diocesan Annual E.C.W. Meeting at the Cathedral. Every woman attending St. Thomas Episcopal Church is a member of E.C.W. We welcome all new members and invite you to join us in our Faith and having Fun while enjoying good Food and Fellowship.
Youth EYC: Our youth group meets every Sunday including the summer months. Elementary students meet from 3:30 - 5:00 PM and Middle/High school students meet from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. From 5:00 - 6:00 PM we attend the Sunday evening worship service where the kids are encouraged to help with the music and readings. We are a small but dedicated group and we invite everyone in grades 1 through 12 to join us.
The Altar Guild: We are "God's housekeepers" and keep busy not only with our normal weekly duties but also with additional special services and weddings through the year. Thank you to all of the altar guild members for their dedication and devotion in our "behind the scenes" ministry.
The St. Thomas Prayer Chain: Prayer chain members pray daily for anyone who contacts the church office, one of the prayer chain members or Deacon Janet Clarke with a prayer request. If anyone has experienced the support of the Prayer Chain, they will tell you of the comfort it gave them when they were ill or in need of a prayer. All prayer is lifted to God for healing, in His time, in His way.
The Craft Group: Would you like to know how to make baskets and wreaths, decoupage, sew, do artistic painting, knit or crochet, embroider, bead, work with plastic canvas, or a myriad of other crafts? Then join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 ‘til noon. Not only will you learn a craft, but your talents will produce items to be sold at our annual Bazaar in November. This is also chance to make new friends and enjoy fellowship with other ladies from the parish. If you cannot make it on Wednesdays, then do as a few of our ladies do…work at home. Give crafting a try. We know you will love it as much as we do!
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Our purpose is to knit or crochet a shawl (or scarf or lap robe) for someone who is housebound, ill, or in need of spiritual support. Prayers are said while the we are knitting/crocheting. When finished the shawl is brought to the altar and blessed then delivered to the recipient with a note that explains about the shawl. Responses we have received from Prayer Shawl recipients are sufficient rewards to continue this good work.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors: The mission of our St. Thomas Lay Eucharistic Visitors is to take the parish experience to those unable to join us in church. A Lay Eucharistic Visitor is trained at St. Thomas Church and is licensed by the Diocese to bring Communion to shut-ins and to those who are temporarily unable to join us at our Sunday services. The L.E.V. is given a prepared Communion kit at the Sunday worship service which is taken directly to the recipient.
Acolytes: The Acolytes can always be counted on to help make sure our services run smoothly. This ministry requires much hard work and devotion. Our young people have stepped up to volunteer their time and talents week after week to continually meet the challenge.
Greeters: We serve as "welcomers" on Sunday mornings at our church services. It is a vital ministry since newcomers often make the decision whether or not to make a church their parish home based on the friendliness of the people they meet. Greeters stand at the entrance to the church and pay particular attention to new faces. Their ministry is to welcome newcomers and invite them to the coffee hour to meet other parishioners and to answer any questions newcomers may have.
The Food and Comfort Committee: Our members bring cookies which we pack up to distribute to shut-ins. We will also provide to those in the Parish who have been ill or had a death in the family during the year. We meet four times a year (October, December, February and April).
Coffee and Fellowship Hour Hosts: Our purpose is to offer coffee, tea and a sweet to eat (doughnuts, Danish, cookies etc.) on Sunday mornings between the 8:00 and 10:30 AM services (Coffee Hour) and after the 10:30 AM service (Fellowship Time) to all who come to worship at St. Thomas.
The St. Thomas Thrift Shop: Thrift shop hours are: Thursday & Friday 9 AM-3 PM & Saturday 9 AM-noon. We need donations of quality items – new/used – clothing, jewelry, knick-knacks…..bring them to the side porch of the church office at any time! We are staffed by volunteers and donate 100% of our proceeds to outreach. Please think about joining our team even if only once a month.
The St. Thomas Gift & Bookstore is located in the Parish Hall and it features a marvelous selection of religious-themed gift items to suit any occasion – weddings, Fathers’ Day, Graduation, etc. Please visit the store between services or after the 10:30 AM service!
Crossroads: Crossroads is a full-care facility located in Davenport, Florida. Our Ministry is to provide the residents with our cheer and with those often-used, often-needed items such as toiletries, stationery etc. At Christmas a special trip is made by St. Thomas parishioners to bring gift items and everyday-use items to the residents. Through our parish newsletter and Sunday bulletins we ask the parishioners of St. Thomas to help provide the items through their most generous donations.
Hearts and Hands Ministries: Hearts and Hands Ministries is a food distribution program to the needy and low income in Eustis, Mt. Dora and Sorrento. It is in partership with the United Way and Salvation Army and is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in Eustis. Free grocery bags of food are distributed to clients who have previously qualified and registered. St. Thomas participates by collecting food items and delivering them to the center each month. Food items of any sort are greatly appreciated.
Anthony House: St. Thomas Church supports Anthony House which is a nonprofit, community-based interfaith organization. Their mission is to provide shelter and ongoing services for homeless families and individuals, thereby enabling them to achieve increased independence and direction in their lives. Items of everyday use by the residents and any monetary donations can be brought in to the church for the residents throughout the year. Their needs are always great and continue through the year.