Group Finder
"Rise & Shine" Running & Prayer Group
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Dept: Church - General
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship
21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Group
Leader: Maggie Detty (send e-mail)
Day: Sunday
Dept: Church - General
Type: Learn/Education
A Meal & More
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
Serves nourishing meals and provides caring hospitality at lunch time on Sundays and Wednesdays for all in need. The kitchen is based at Christ Church in downtown Rochester. St. Thomas' volunteers on the first Wednesday of each month.
Day: Wednesday
Time: Lunch
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Feed the hungry
Acolytes- Crucifers & Torch Bearers
Leader: Andrea Stridiron (send e-mail)
The acolytes assist priests and deacons in order that the Holy Eucharist and other rites of the Church may be celebrated with simple dignity. Acolytes carry the processional cross, hold the torch candles, hold the Gospel book, and help the clergy set and clear the Communion table. All ages are welcome to serve, and must be able to be attentive to liturgy and faithful in service.
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Area: Church
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Advent Conversations on Love & Hope
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
We will use themes from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's book, "Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times".
Day: Wednesday
Time: Evening
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Share Group
Altar Guild Ministry
Leader: Vicky Rupley (send e-mail)
Working behind the scenes, the Altar Guild assists the clergy and supports all services at St. Thomas' by caring for and preparing the vessels, linens, flowers, candles, and other items used in worship. Members also help tend and prepare the church and chapel areas for services and assist with weddings, funerals and other occasions.
Day: Varies
Time: Morning
Area: Church
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Baby Layette Project
Leader: Jane Andrews (send e-mail)
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Nurture the Children
Bakers Ministry
Leader: Lois Giess (send e-mail)
Bake for Church fellowship receptions, coffee hour, funeral receptions or for an ill parishioner. Can work together with Make-A-Meal Team
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship
Brighton Food Cupboard
Leader: Lisa Hand (send e-mail)
Happy New Year! January 2023's needs are HOT CEREALS and SHELF STABLE MILK BOXES. and FEBRUARY means SOUPER SUNDAYS! The WHOLE month of FEBRUARY Please bring in canned soup and some crackers for our Souper Sunday collection. Let's together fight hunger and food insecurity! Seniors and children especially need our helping hands. BFC serves zip codes 14607, 14610, 14618, 14620 Drop off your soup and crackers in barrel at Highland entrance Our most highly needed items are Peanut butter Canned soups Cereal Unscented soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant Condiments (salad dressing etc) Canned fruit Put in baskets at Church if that's easier for you. Otherwise, head on over to the BFC Mon-Fri 9am to Noon at 220 Idlewood Rd, through Evans Farm in Brighton at the old Brookside School. THANKS everybody! BFC needs us to continue to bring donations directly over to them Mon-Fri 9am-noon. There'll be a cart just outside their door at 220 Idlewood Rd. at the Brookside School in Brighton's Evans Farm neighborhood. Experiencing food insecurity? Call BFC at 585-736-4526 if you live in zip codes 14607, 14610, 14620 & 14618
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Feed the hungry
Campus Improvements Steering Team
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Dept: Church - General
Type: Lead
Children's Chapel Leaders
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Christian Faith and Action
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Community Engagement Ministry Team
Leader: Jane Andrews (send e-mail)
Oversees the whole of St. Thomas' outreach ministries. Along with the Rector and Vestry they help discern Outreach projects that align with the mission and vision of our parish. They communicate to the parish how people can be involved in ministry outside the church walls.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
Conversation on Race
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Using themes from the book, Caste. Wednesdays in March (March 9, 16, 23, 30) 6:30-7:30PM Leaders Andrea and Leslie
Day: Wednesday
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Digital Media Communications Team
Leader: Kathleen Merritt (send e-mail)
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Area: South
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Office
Digital Shepherd
Leader: Fill in Position (send e-mail)
Do you have knowledge and understanding about computers, technology and communication? If so, we have found a space in the church for you to serve! We are recruiting Digital Shepherds: a team of parish members to assist those in our community who need help connecting to our online services.
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Dress-A-Girl Around the World Ministry
Leader: Karen Savino (send e-mail)
Sews dresses that give hope to girls around the world living in areas where they are regarded as having no voice or value. One dress can and does change a life!
Area: Church
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Clothe
EFM-Education for Ministry
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Education for Ministry (a.k.a. EfM) is four-year program developed by the University of the South, an Episcopal school. The curriculum includes study of scripture, spirituality, tradition and history with a heavy emphasis on group theological reflection. Each group is made up of 6-12 adults. For questions or comments, please contact Amma Leslie at leslie@stthomasrochester.org.
Day: Wednesday
Time: Afternoon
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Encompass (SummerLEAP) Partnership
Leader: Susan Pickhardt (send e-mail)
Is a six-week summer enhancement program for our city children.
Type: Nurture the Children
Endowment Fund Commission
Leader: Richard Yates (send e-mail)
Oversees the endowed gifts and funds established to assure the long-term financial health of St. Thomas', advising the Vestry of invested assets as the Vestry seeks to live out the mission and vision of the Church.
Day: Quarterly on Thursdays
Time: Afternoon
Area: Church
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
Episcopal 101
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Episcopal 101 is a series as a preparation for Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation class. This will be lead up to our Bishop's visit on Easter Sunday. The class will meet on Sunday mornings, 9:00am to 9:45am in the Lounge on March 5, 12, 19, 26. Please Reservation is required
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Eucharistic Ministers
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Parishioners trained and licensed by the Bishop to assist the clergy in distributing Holy Communion to the congregation during worship services.
Day: Varies
Dept: Church - General
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Everybody Welcome Ministry
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Welcomes newcomers to St. Thomas' and facilitates their integration into the life of our community.
Day: Saturday
Time: Morning
Area: Church
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Lead
Faith Book Club
Leader: Jane Smith (send e-mail)
This group has selected Allister McGrath\'s If I Had Lunch with C S. Lewis as their first book for discussion. Other titles considered which may be studied later include God\'s Will, Finding Guidance for Every Day Decision" and The Illustrated Life of Paul. Leadership of the discussions will rotate throughout the group. Each meeting will include an opening prayer, discussion of the assigned reading, a brief Bible reading and sharing of Prayer Concerns. It is expected that we will continue to meet throughout the year, with breaks around the holidays.
Day: Tuesday
Time: Morning
Area: Church
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Families with Young Children
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
This group is for families with children who are infants through 5th grade. We get together for monthly lunches at church!
Dept: Children & Youth
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship
Family Promise (RAIHN)
Leader: Andrea Stridiron (send e-mail)
Assists families at risk who are experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence by providing person-centered, holistic services in collaboration with the greater community.
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Feed the hungry
Fiber Arts Ministry
Leader: Jan Gates (send e-mail)
Enjoys prayerful knitting, crocheting, quilting, and sewingm creating prayer shawls, hats, mittens, blankets and other items that are blessed and given to those in need of physical and spiritual comfort.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Clothe
Finance Commission
Leader: Jim Stefano (send e-mail)
Serves in an advisory role to the Vestry, including initial development of the annual budget as well as monthly reviews, reporting, and recommendations regarding the parish's financial activities.
Day: First Monday of Every Month
Time: Afternoon
Area: Church
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
Flower City Habitat for Humanity
Leader: Lisa Hand (send e-mail)
WE'RE BUILDING A HOUSE RIGHT NOW at 179 Baldwin St. Go online to create a volunteer account at: https://give.rochesterhabitat.org/ge/brighton2022 AND... Your unwanted clothes can help fund our NEW HABITAT HOME at 179 BALDWIN ST! Cleaning out your clothes closet? Bring home textiles and clothes in tightly closed plastic bags to our St. Pauly donation shed at Grace Church at 805 Blossom Rd, Rochester,NY The Brighton Churches Coalition in Support of Flower City Habitat for Humanity's mission is to bring people together to build houses, communities, and hope. Since 1984 Flower City Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated over 200 homes in Rochester, helping families achieve their dreams of home ownership and strengthening local neighborhoods.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Greeter/Usher
Leader: Kathleen Merritt (send e-mail)
Day: Sunday
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Lectors
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
Parishioners trained to read the lessons of the day from the Old and New Testaments and the Prayers of the People during worship services.
Day: Varies
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Live-Stream Committee
Leader: Michael McQuinn (send e-mail)
Dept: Church - General
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Living Well Through Lent
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Living Well Through Lent 2022: Letting Go with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind daily devotions by Living Compass. We will gather on Zoom Sundays (March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10) from 11:30 to 12:15 a.m. to reflect on what we are learning and discuss food for thought as we move into the new week.
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Music - Adult Choir Current Singers
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
All singers are welcome (high school through adult) to sing at Sunday morning services as well as at special music programs throughout the church year. Rehearsals are once a week, September-June.
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Music - Joyful Noise
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
Dept: Children & Youth
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Music: Choir - Adult
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
All singers are welcome (high school through adult) to sing at Sunday morning services as well as at special music programs throughout the church year. Rehearsals are once a week, September-June.
Day: Wednesday
Time: Evening
Area: Church
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Music: Choir - Handbell Intergenerational
Leader: Robert Ferris (send e-mail)
A group of middle-school students who practice and perform musical pieces with handbells during special services throughout the church year.
Dept: Church - General
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Offering Stewards
Leader: Mollie McCormick (send e-mail)
A team of parishioners who make an accurate count of the money put in the offering plate during church services and deposit the funds into the bank
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Office Assistants Team
Leader: Kathleen Merritt (send e-mail)
Parishioners who volunteer to work in the church office providing assistance with answering phones, stuffing bulletins and performing other office duties as needed.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Office
Parish Connections
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Coordinates hospitality hours and special all-parish lunches and dinners.
Dept: Church - General
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship
Property Commission
Leader: Brian Eshenaur (send e-mail)
Oversees the repairs and maintenance of our building and grounds and reports to the Vestry. The Garden Ministry is a subcommittee of the Property Commission.
Day: First Tuesday of Every Month
Time: Evening
Area: Church
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
Property: Gardening Ministry
Leader: Kathy Walczak (send e-mail)
A group of parishioners who maintain the gardens on the grounds of St. Thomas'.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Area: Church
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Property
Refugee Resettlement Ministry
Leader: Jane Andrews (send e-mail)
Assisting with housing resettlement and baby layette project for refugees.
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Admin. Care
Saturday Morning Food, Fun & Fellowship Group
Leader: Andrea Stridiron (send e-mail)
The Breakfast Group, open to all, meets for breakfast on the second Saturday of the month for conversation. Bring an appetite, a sense of humor, and (optional) a dish to pass.
Day: Second Saturday of the Month
Time: Breakfast
Area: Church
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship
School #8 Partnership
Leader: Susan Pickhardt (send e-mail)
A volunteer literacy tutoring program that serves students in kindergarten through second grade at which St. Thomas' parishioners volunteer weekly from October through May.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Nurture the Children
Staff-Parish Relations Commission
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
This special vestry commission provides counsel and advice to the rector, other clergy, staff, and the parish regarding policies, procedures, and issues related to employment. Through an ongoing process of mutual biblical and theological reflection, the commission supports the roles and work of the clergy, staff and congregation as they carry out their responsibilities in mutual ministry.
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
STAR (Support to At-Risk Rochester Children)
Leader: Christine Long (send e-mail)
St. Thomas' parishioners volunteer in this Volunteers of America Children's Center and read to nursery-schoolers, donate books, as well as provide clothing, bedding, toys, a birthday party, personal hygiene items to families in the homeless shelter.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Nurture the Children
Sunday School Committee
Leader: Paula Gitlin (send e-mail)
Serve on a team of two during the 10:00 a.m. worship service to provide a safe environment for young souls to be nourished.
Dept: Children & Youth
Type: Learn/Education
The Path - Adult Journey through the Bible
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Meets on the second Sunday of each month in small groups for a brief lesson and discussion.
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
The Path - Family Journey Through the Bible
Leader: Paula Gitlin (send e-mail)
Day: Sunday
Time: Morning
Dept: Children & Youth
Type: Learn/Education
Thurifers
Leader: Kathleen Merritt (send e-mail)
Trained assistants (5th grade through adult) who assist clergy during the eucharist and other rites of the church (carrying the processional cross, holding torch candles, holding the Gospel book, helping clergy to set and clear the communion table, and serving as thurifer for services when incense is used).
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Ushers
Leader: Tim Mabb (send e-mail)
Ushers greet and welcome newcomers and parishioners at the doors of the church at Sunday morning services. Parents and children, couples, individuals are all invited to volunteer to hand out bulletins, offer assistance, bring communion elements forward during the service, collect the offering and help direct those who receive communion.
Dept: Worship Ministry
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
Vestry
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
The nine elected members of the vestry serve in mutual ministry with the wardens and the Rector as the spiritual leadership and governing board of the parish. Vestry meetings are chaired by the Rector. The Treasurer and Secretary/Clerk serve as ex officio non-voting members of the vestry.
Day: Second Tuesday of the Month
Time: Evening
Area: Church
Dept: Church Leadership
Type: Lead
Watch Care: Make-a-Meal Team
Leader: Deb Cougler (send e-mail)
Make a meal for individuals or families who are dealing with an illness, surgery or loss.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Watchcare Ministry Team
Leader: Deb Cougler (send e-mail)
A ministry within the parish that provides care and support to parishioners. Under the Watchcare umbrella: prayer ministry; meals for individual and families in time of crisis; cards and letters to homebound parishioners or those who have an illness or have had surgery; funeral ministry for the family and receptions afterward; and providing transportation for those who need it.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Lead
Watchcare: Card and Note Writers
Leader: Deb Cougler (send e-mail)
Parishioners who send cards and notes to those who need encouragement or who have an illness or who've had surgery.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Watchcare: Eucharistic Visitors
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Licensed and trained eucharistic ministers who take holy communion to parishioners who are unable to be present for worship services.
Day: Varies
Time: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Watchcare: Flower Delivery
Leader: Deb Cougler (send e-mail)
Deliver weekend altar flowers to people who are ill or in need of some cheer.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Watchcare: Lay Pastoral Visitor Ministry
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Admin. Care
Watchcare: Prayer Ministry
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
St. Thomas' Prayer Ministry provides daily, confidential prayer support for the needs, concerns and joys of our parishioners and their families and friends. Members of this Ministry prayer together virtually on the last Sunday of each month to pray in community. Anyone in need of prayer support is welcome to join.
Day: Last Sunday of the Month
Time: Morning
Area: Church
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Watchcare: Transportation & Delivery Team
Leader: Sue Scanlon (send e-mail)
A group of parishioners willing to transport those in need to church services or other St. Thomas' events.
Day: Varies
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Way of Love - Wednesday Book Discussion
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Day: Wednesday
Time: Afternoon
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Way of Love Grief Group
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Watchcare/Adult & Family Needs
Welcome Hosts
Leader: Dawn Schweitzer (send e-mail)
A team of parishioners who, in addition to the ushers, greet all who come to church at the 10:00 service on Sunday mornings and who pay special attention to visitors and people who might like to make St. Thomas their church home.
Dept: Ministry Team
Type: Celebrate:Worship/Music
When the Heart Waits
Leader: Leslie Burkardt (send e-mail)
You are invited to join us for a thematic conversation on Sue Monk Kidd's book, "When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for LIfe's Sacred Questions". Paula Gitlin and Diane Fulkerson will join Amma Leslie in facilitating a thoughtful conversation on the themes of listening and waiting as a people who are becoming. Please register by clicking this link: . A Zoom link will be shared via the STC group. We will meet Wednesdays - July 29, August 5, 12, 26 from 3-4pm.
Day: Wednesday
Time: Afternoon
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Learn/Education
Women of St. Thomas'
Leader: Susan Pickhardt (send e-mail)
Meets periodically for lunch, fellowship and outreach projects.
Day: Friday
Time: Lunch
Dept: Adult Ministries
Type: Celebrate/Fellowship