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Dear Friends,
Since being with you at St. Thomas' I have spent time trying to know more of who you are as a church and community. It has been a privilege to discover some of our history, and I know that there is still so much to learn. As I reflect on my months with you, the opportunity to meet many special people and participate with you in our worship and ministries, it is clear that we both embrace the incredible heritage of St. Thomas', and yet we also seek to move forward.
So, now that the change has taken place and your new Rector is with you-what is next? Now we need to ensure that we can move with faith and direction. As I have spent time in homes , I have shared some of my own vision for St. Thomas'. There are so many exciting possibilities. Our focus right now is: Moving Forward: Praise, Learn and Grow
Moving Forward: Praise
Our time of worship needs to be central within the life of this church. For members of St. Thomas', and for visitors, there is an opportunity to know that God is with us; to know that we are not alone; and to hear the presence of God in the words, the silence and the music. So many of you have told me how much you value our worship. I urge you to continue with us and to know that Christ is risen as we celebrate our worship. We are moving forward.
Moving Forward: Learn
At St. Thomas' we are developing faith in our lives and Christian Formation gives us a platform to learn more. Changes are taking place within our programs, and many people have participated in the preparation and planning. There has been a strong group of St. Thomas' members who have worked with us to develop these new opportunities. It is now incredibly exciting as we enter this year with programs for children and adults. So much still has to be developed and there are so many possibilities. We have learned, and we will learn. But we are moving forward.
Moving Forward: Grow
Our life and ministry are not about ourselves. We are called to serve our living Lord. There are many in our community who participate in different ministries that go beyond the walls of the church, and yet uphold the presence of Christ. We will continue to bear witness to a hope that touches people in their searching and hunger and pain. We will encourage people to discover faith and to enter the life of St. Thomas'. We will call the people of St. Thomas' to reach out into the world. We will grow in many ways, and we are moving forward.
And so, I urge you to move forward with us. I urge you to display your own support. Allow the ministries that are budding to really burst open. There is so much that God is calling us to pursue. If St. Thomas' has been a part of your history, then allow God to enrich its life now. If you have recently joined us, then continue to strengthen the life of St. Thomas'. Support the ministries of this church through your own contributions.
Join me and the vestry in making a strong financial commitment at this time so that we can increase and spread the blessings of this Church. We are preparing to develop a strong budget for 2010. Be a significant part of it. Be willing to stretch and ensure that the life of St. Thomas' will continue to grow.
We are at a time to move forward. For this we give thanks.
The Rev. Dr. Malcolm A. Ellis
Rector
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Community of Giving 
