Fellowship & Adult Formation
Lenten Bible Study & Walking Meditation
UPCOMING
February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25
Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.–Noon in the library
Join us as we journey through Matthew’s Gospel, listening for how Christ calls us more deeply into relationship with God and one another.
As part of our Lenten journey, Yvonne Lamey invites you to join her for a half-hour silent walking meditation on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., beginning at Medina Park. Participants will gather in front of the church, walk together across the street to the park, and enter into a quiet, prayerful time of reflection. Afterward, those who wish are welcome to return to the church to share their thoughts — or simply hold them close to their hearts.
Come walk, pray, and keep a holy Lent together.
Confirmation/
Episcopal 101
Interested in being confirmed or received as an Episcopalian? Feeling like you are in a time of your life when you’d like to renew your faith or learn more about the Episcopal Church? Join Mother Liz for a four-session class that will explore the building blocks of Anglican/Episcopal identity and spirituality. This class is being taught to prepare adults for Bishop LaBelle’s visit on June 7, when he will do confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations of faith. All are welcome to attend it.
All classes are held at 11:30am in the Library at St. Thomas.
April 26: The Anglican Way
May 3: Reading the Bible
May 10: Prayer
May 17: Living Out of Faith (Practice & Witness)
Lenten Series: Praying with the Poetry of Ann Weems
UPCOMING
Join us for a four-week Lenten series centered on the poetry of Ann Weems, drawn from her collection Kneeling in Jerusalem. Each week we will read one poem together and reflect on it as a form of prayer.
Sessions will be facilitated by parishioners and held in the library at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays (February 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15).
February 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15 at 9am in the Library
A Series on Christianity with Dr. Phil Ballinger
UPCOMING
February 22, March 22, April 19, and May 31 after the 10am service in the Library
Philip Ballinger, Ph.D., S.T.D., is an Emeritus Associate Vice Provost at the University of Washington. He came to the UW in 2003 from Gonzaga University, where he was a faculty member and long-serving Dean of Admissions. Philip was born in France, raised in Alaska, and educated in Washington, Kentucky, and Belgium. He holds a doctoral degree in theology and religious studies from Louvain (Belgium) and was an affiliate faculty member of the Comparative Religion department at the UW and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California. His primary teaching focus is early Christianity. Philip is also the author of a book on the theology and aesthetics of the Victorian Poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.
All are invited to join Dr. Philip Ballinger for a short course in Christianity. Sessions will meet once per month after the 10:00 a.m. service in the library. The course will take an academic approach, offering thoughtful engagement with Christian history, theology, and practice.
February 22, 2026
Session 1: The Rise of Christianity
Starting as a small group of Aramaic-speaking believers in the backwaters of the Roman Empire, by the year 350 Christians probably numbered around 30,000,000 and comprised over 50% of the empire's population. How did this happen — especially within the context of state and public opposition? Using long-time University of Washington Professor Rodney Stark's book 'The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History' as a touchstone, and referring to primary sources for examples, we will learn how practical consequences of Christian faith and practice fueled this astounding growth, and why the same dynamics apply today.
March 22, 2026
Session 2: The Spoken Word, the Written Word, and the Rise of the New Testament
The 'scripture' of most Christians in the 1st century was some version of the 'Old Testament' (a term first used in the mid-to-late 2nd century). Considering that the literacy rate in the Roman empire around the year 100 was probably less than 10%, why and how were written texts used by early Christians? What texts were used by early Christians? In short, why and how did the New Testament we use today arise?
April 19, 2026
Session 3: A User's Guide to the 'bible' within the Bible: The Psalms
The Book of Psalms is sometimes referred to as 'the second Torah' in Judaism and, for Christians, is arguably the mostly widely used and beloved book of the Bible. We will look at the centrality of the Psalms in the prayer and worship of the Church from its earliest days. We will focus on how early Christians understood the Psalms, and how their approach can be helpful to us today as we use them. We will look at different types of Psalms together in light of what early Christians — especially Augustine — can teach us.
May 31, 2026
Session 4: Is Poetic Language the Best God Language?
Our use of language is a human highlight...with a significant dark side. Words can convey us to the heights of human experiences of love and joy, but also to the depths of human evil and darkness. Therefore, shouldn't we be full of trepidation in using words to speak of God? It's a quandary that we will look at in this session. We are going to get a bit theological but end up being a bit artistic. Perhaps the language of poetry is the best God language. The theological aesthetics and poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins will be the highlight of this session.
Introductory
Icon Class
DATES
Sunday, April 26 12-3pm
Monday, April 27-Saturday, May 2 9am-3pm
Ever wondered what makes an icon more than just a painting? Icons speak a unique visual language, steeped in theology, spirituality, and beauty. Come learn that language firsthand in this introductory icon workshop, where you will paint your own icon under the guidance of a seasoned iconographer.
Throughout the week, you’ll explore how icons draw us into prayer, connect us with the saints, and invite us to grow in holiness. You’ll discover how these holy images—rooted in Scripture and the Tradition of the Church—help us recognize God’s presence in our own lives.
The workshop will run Sunday, April 26 (12:00-3:00 p.m.) and Monday, April 27 - Saturday May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m, at St Thomas Medina. In-person attendance will be required for the full week to complete the icon.
The cost will cover all materials—boards, paints, brushes, gold leaf, and other supplies—so you don’t need to bring anything but yourself.
❓Interested, but have questions? Join us for a Zoom chat on Tuesday, March 31, 6.30-7.30pm PT, where Kathy and Joseph will answer all of your questions! Register here.
QUESTIONS?
Breaking Bread
Small Groups
Looking to meet people at St. Thomas beyond a Sunday morning “hello”? Breaking Bread Together groups gather in friendly settings for food, conversation, and connection. Whether you're brand new or have been around for years, this is your invitation to join a circle of 6–8 others for shared meals and meaningful moments.
Coffee Hour
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
To be announced
Each Sunday after both the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eucharists, our community gathers for Coffee Hour—a relaxed time to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, meet new people, and catch up with friends. It’s one of the simplest and most cherished ways we practice fellowship each week.
From time to time, Coffee Hour becomes a special celebration, with potlucks or festive treats for occasions like Halloween, weddings, baptisms, or New Member Welcome Sundays. However you join in, Coffee Hour is an easy and welcoming way to connect and belong.
Men's Breakfast
The men of St. Thomas are invited to breakfast on the first Saturday of each month for fellowship and to discuss upcoming service opportunities. Meet in the Library.
UPCOMING: MARCH 7 @ 9AM