In 2007, our parish marked and celebrated its 215th-year anniversary. Since 1792—and the founding by our first rector, The Rev. Absalom Jones—our church has remained not only alive and active but also vibrant and prosperous, serving God and God’s people. We give thanks to God for sustaining and blessing us for more than two centuries and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to empower us in ministry.
Through prayer and providence, the AECST Express continued its spiritual journey in 2007 to many great destinations. Our yearlong journey celebrated:
… The observance and celebration of the life and ministry of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., where members of Philadelphia area Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity joined our congregation. Mr. Darryl Matthews, the nation president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was our guest speaker.
… The annual observance and celebration of the life and ministry of our founder, the Rev. Absalom Jones, which attracted not only our sisters and brothers from both Christ Church and St. Peter’s but also national recognition. We welcomed and celebrated another first at this occasion, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, the new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, U.S.A., and who is also the first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.
… An expanded knowledge and understanding of religions practiced in the West and the non-West during our 2007 Lenten Series. Each Wednesday evening, presenters of other religious communities shared their spiritual perspectives and practices in the western hemisphere.
… Once again, a salutary Holy Week, processing through the neighborhood on Palm Sunday, led by Pedro, our intrepid donkey. Maundy Thursday of our Holy Week in 2007 featured an Afro-centric theme.
… Our Revival, which has, for the second year, attracted members of our parish, diocese and city to hear the Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago. Like the year before, we were all blessed by his prolific messages.
… The presence of Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop of the A.M.E. Church. Bishop McKenzie delivered the morning’s message to the St. Thomas family and to its honored guests: from around the country, members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
… Our 215th-year anniversary during the first week of November: Friday night featured a musical comprising all of our music ministries; Saturday night featured a black-tie gala celebration and the Hilton Hotel; and Sunday morning Eucharist, where we were pleased to have as our guest preacher, the Rt. Rev. Oris G. Walker, Bishop of the Diocese of Long Island, NY. Highlighting these events, our Church launched its updated website, including vibrant music, graphics and “current events” banners.
… Another salubrious year of Christian Formation. Our bible classes continued to grow stronger in attendance and interest. Our Church introduced two new co-superintendents: Paula Gordon and Alonzo Matthews; and as many as eight dedicated teachers. Together, their efforts have energized and have blessed our children.
… The continued growth in stewardship; in fact, in 2007, the St. Thomas family gave more of their Time, Talents and Treasures.
… Marked growth in outreach. In 2008, we will explore additional, creative ways to better serve our community, focusing more on issues of social justice.
… Sizable membership growth. That is, St. Thomas added more than fifty individuals to its family.
… Legal ownership of the St. Barnabas Episcopal School. In alignment with my vision for our church, acquiring St. Barnabas Episcopal School fosters the beginning of an Early Learning Center for St. Thomas. This is a major accomplishment.
… Continued restoration of St. Thomas’ Parish House for a more commodious, yet practical, ministry use.
… A stronger music ministry, where it maintains its celebrated position as one of the best in the city and the Episcopal Church.
Oh, what a magnificent year we’ve witnessed at St. Thomas’ Church. These were just a few ways that we served God and one another in 2007. We were fueled during our many spiritual stops through the Holy Spirit.
This year, the Rector’s Vision for St. Thomas’ Church concentrates on four goals, comprising:
… To lead the parish in developing a greater interest and comfort in the use of the Bible, the Holy Scripture. We shall become a more bible-centered church.
… To lead the parish in continued evangelism efforts. We must emulate Andrew, the disciple who developed a close relationship with the Lord, and was then filled with so much joy and enthusiasm that he was able to bring others to better know the Lord.
… To lead the parish in the completion and opening of our newly restored parish house. This will become not only the designated space for housing and exhibiting our historical records and artifacts but also the diurnal spiritual administrative headquarters for refueling our various ministries.
… To lead the parish in moving forward the work and mission of our St. Barnabas Episcopal School.
It is my hope and prayer that all guilds, organizations and ministries of our church will espouse, embrace and work toward accomplishing this Vision during 2008. I shall visit all groups in an effort to communicate this vision, to answer any questions and, just as important, to see how your groups plan to bring this vision to fruition.
Of equal importance, I continue to serve God and His church in a myriad of capacities, including: member of the Board of Trustees for the Episcopal Building Fund; member of the Advisory Board for Episcopal Black Ministries; Dean of the 2008 U.B.E. national Conference; Co-Dean of the 2008 Triennial Black Clergy Conference; and, member of the Board of Trustees for the Philadelphia African American Museum.
Thank you so much for all that you did and contributed to our parish in 2007; we truly made tremendous accomplishments last year. I pray that you remain on board the AECST Express train as it keeps us on track with our vision of 2008. May God richly bless you, your family and loved ones. And may God continue to shower His blessings upon this great church as we now celebrate 216 years of ministry. And, as always, please continue to pray for me, your priest, pastor and rector.
“God is good… all the time! And all the time… God is good!”
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