Parish Activities

Acolytes	Assist the Priest at the Sunday services and at other special services. Candidates must be in the 3rd grade or above.
Altar Guild	Members prepare the altars and vessels for all services. All adult parishioners who have been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church are eligible to join. The 'Tour of Duty' is for one month each year.
Baptisms	Are arranged through the church office and are usually scheduled for one Sunday a month at the 10 AM service.
Alpha Program	Explore the meaning of life. Alpha is a program to help adults make life decisions about their faith. With a meal, video presentation and discussion participants are empowered to ask questions and reach conclusions without pressure or cohersion.
Car Pool	Rides arranged for services and special events.
Cemetery	The parish cemetery is located at the site of the original Saint Thomas Church on Tremont Street. Parishioners may purchase plots for the interment of cremated remains.
Church School	Starts at 10 AM each Sunday in the parish hall. Classes are held for preschool through high school. The program runs from September through May. Godly Play is being introduced for younger grades with future plans for Journey to Adulthood in the Middle School age group.
Coffee Hour	A group of volunteers take weekly turns at preparing refreshments for the coffee hour following the 10 AM Sunday service.
Confirmation Class	Confirmation is held when a bishop is scheduled for visitation. We confirm students who have reached tenth grade, and receive adults into the Episcopal Church who desire to become formal members of the Episcopal denomination.
Cursillo	Cursillo is a three day renewal program of the Episcopal Church, held on weekends at the Marist Center in Framingham. Fifteen "Little Lessons in Christ" are presented in a joyful fun filled experience in order to help the candidates understand the call to be apostles of Christ in their daily lives.
Dinners	Parish Dinners, both pot luck and prepared, are held periodically in the parish hall. These are an ideal opportunity for parishioners to get to know one another. Watch the Sunday Vineyard and Monthly Grapevine for details.
Diocesan Convention	Is the annual assembly of the clergy and lay delegates from the 191 parishes and missions of the Diocese, and is usually held on a weekend in November. Saint Thomas is allocated two lay delegates to the convention, elected each year at our annual parish meeting in February.
Eucharistic Ministers	Are parishioners selected by the Rector and licensed by the Diocese to assist with the services. They lead the Intercessions during the service and assist the priest with distribution of the wine during the Holy Eucharist. Some are also licensed to administer the Sacrament to house-bound parishioners.
Fair	A major fund raising event, held in the fall, includes crafts, country store, religious items, auction, etc.
The Grapevine	Is our monthly parish newsletter which reports the activities and events of the parish. The editor welcomes articles written by parishioners. The deadline for submitting items for each issue is the 15th of the preceding month.
Home Prayers	Are sent out weekly to parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes.
Lectors	Are parishioners selected by the Rector and licensed by the Diocese to read the Scriptures at the services.
Lobster Roll Day	Is Saint Thomas' largest fundraising event held each spring. There is a need for 'pickers' to clean the lobster meat the night before, packers to make the rolls in the early morning, and drivers to deliver the orders. These 'picking and packing' parties are a great place to make new friends and enjoy 'old friends' fellowship.
May Breakfast	Is the Altar Guild's main fund raising event, which benefits selected missions and charities. It is held on the first Sunday in May, from 7 AM to 10 AM and is open to all parishioners and friends.
Memorial Flowers &  Memorial Tribute	As a memorial a name can be listed in our Sunday bulletin by giving a  Memorial Tribute or to have a placement of flowers on the altar on Sunday or Holy Day in the memory of loved ones by a gift to the Memorial Flower Fund. After the services the flowers are distributed to homebound and hospitalized parishioners.
Bible Study	Dates and times pending Father Rich's arrival.
Our Daily Bread	Provides hot meals and fellowship for the needy in the community five days a week in the basement of the parish house. Started by Saint Thomas in 1985 with a grant from the Mustard Seed Foundation, Our Daily Bread now has an ecumenical board of directors and receives widespread community support.
Prayer Group	Some members pray individually each day for the special needs and intentions of parishioners and friends. If you have a prayer need you can cal Lynn in the office at (508) 824-9595 Monday to Friday 9AM - 1PM
Property	We establish task groups to assess and monitor the condition of our property and report to the vestry. From time to time we seek resources to assure the continued maintenance of these valuable buildings. The ongoing maintenance fund collects pennies and other coins on an ongoing basis to assist in this work.
Taunton River Deanery	The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is divided into subunits called deaneries. The deaneries have been formed around watersheds, because baptism and water are so central to our faith. Deaneries are important for the election of representatives for diocesan administration, for pastoral care of the clergy and parishes in the deanery, and for other activities that can be supportive of our life together for our work for Christ.
Scholarships	Each year Saint Thomas awards 'Rev. Thomas L. Crum Scholarships' for higher education, based upon an applicant's financial need and past participation in church activities.
Senior Choir	Sings at the 10 AM service each Sunday, from September through May, and at other special services. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM in the Chapel.
Youth Group	See youth group page for more information
Stewardship	Stewardship is the response to a desire to thank God for the blessings in our life by pledging to support the work of God's church. In the Episcopal Church all funds for the support of the local ministry are gathered from the local collections. Each fall we conduct a stewardship program to seek pledges, but individuals may make a pledge at any time during the year.
Summer Camp	Saint Thomas has pledged support for the Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center now being in full use in New Hampshire.
Ushers	Serve for two week turns at the 10 AM Sunday service and at other special services as required. All adult parishioners are eligible to join, and young people on youth Sundays.
Vestry	Is the elected body of parish officers and representatives which conducts the business of the parish. It is composed of the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Clerk, nine members-at-large and the Rector. It normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from September through June. Elections to the Vestry take place each year at our Annual Meeting in February.
The Vineyard	Is the weekly parish bulletin of information and Order of Service distributed to worshippers each Sunday, and mailed out to housebound parishioners. Short items and notices are always welcome. The deadline for items in each issue is the preceding Tuesday.
Weddings	Are arranged through the church office, preferably at least six months in advance.
Yard Sale	Yard sales are held from time to time as the parish desires. The proceeds benefit the parish's annual budget. Furniture and household items are eagerly sought. Volunteers are needed to clean and price the items during the week before the sale and to set up and sell on the sale day.