Read the Vestry’s Charge to the Search Committee Here
For more information, please contact Marggy Ells.
If you did not receive an email with the survey link, please contact Emily Given.
RSVP to a focus group by contacting the church office (215.233.3970) or via this Google form.Letter from Bishop
December 11, 2018
Introducing Our Interim Rector
We will be joined in time for Christmas by our Interim Rector, The Reverend Paul Briggs. Paul’s first Sunday with us will be on December 23rd. We look forward to many opportunities to meet and know Paul, including his first three 
Sunday forums.
We are in great hands with Paul’s leadership. Paul’s gifts and experience make him the ideal priest to lead our congregation to listen for where we are called next to serve the Lord. Paul will help us to create intentional space for purposeful, active listening about hopes and dreams.
Our Vestry was highly impressed with the reports we received from lay leaders at St Andrew’s in Yardley, where Paul concluded his most recent interim role. Paul shares with us that his joy in ministry is working with congregations, where “commitment to vitality in worship and Christian formation. That provides a deep sense of God’s mission, which draws people into a sharing of their gifts to reflect the love of Christ in all we do.”
Paul is married to The Rev. Barbara Briggs, who is also an Episcopal priest. Paul and Barbara have four children: Meghan, Joshua, Matthew, Caleb, and three grandchildren: Henry, Wilder, and Clive. Please visit with Paul during the forums on Dec. 23rd, 30th, and the Epiphany all-parish breakfast on January 6th.
Please view a video greeting from Paul, below.
With gratitude for your ministry,
Jim Pasquarella, Senior Warden
November 27, 2018
Letter from Jim Pasquarella, Senior Warden
Dear friends:
In the last issue of Parish Call, Marek challenged us to “strive to follow Christ Jesus as faithfully as we can.” “Please count on my daily prayers, and I will count on yours.” We respond together in unison with a strong, heartfelt: We will!
Recent months are emblematic of our identity as faith community that shows love and appreciation for those we hold and those who hold us. Our celebration on October 28th marked the end of our shared ministry with Marek that spanned more than two decades. Its beautiful liturgy and the reception that followed were like the music of a fine orchestra; products of ever energetic, creative leaders of generous spirit that serve on our staff, on our commissions, committees and within our dozens of meaningful ministries. It touched Marek’s heart.
We turn now together to our hope-filled future. Our next chapter began with our recent parish breakfast, where our Wardens and Vestry, joined by diocesan transition minister, The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph, previewed our transition process. We examined the introspective work that we will do together as a parish to prepare for our discernment process, lead to the election of our next rector, and conclude with our celebration of new ministry.
Our work will be made stronger by our mindful commitment to communications throughout this parish, which will be marked by consistent frequency, ample listening, and creating inviting space that welcomes differing views. The people of St. Thomas’ hold these skills in high importance and purposefully endeavor to demonstrate these skills on a regular basis. I am confident that our continued adherence to these practices during the next couple of years will be very rewarding. In anticipation of the Spirit working through all of us, our Wardens and Vestry are setting about to create intentional space for good listening, which will push us towards God’s plan for our best future.
This month, we celebrate the return of The Rev. Tim Steeves to our staff. Bishop Daniel will soon appoint another wonderful priest who will lead us as our Interim Rector. Our future is bright indeed!
In the spirit of November, we give thanks for the ordained ministry of The Rev’s Liz, Tim, and Bruce, and for the lay ministry of Michael, Erika, Emily, Don B, Sue, Anita, Judy, Shari, Lisa, Don S, Paul Rob, Juan R. and Juan C., and Giuseppe Talese.
With gratitude for your ministry,
Jim Pasquarella, Senior Warden
November 4, 2018
Rector Transition Presentation
October 1, 2018
Festivities Planned for October 28th!
Celebration With Marek
Sunday, October 28th at 10am!
Please join us on Sunday, October 28th at 10am for worship with reception following at 11:15am in MacColl Auditorium, as we celebrate the ministry we have shared together under Marek’s leadership and mark the beginning of a new chapter in the life of St. Thomas’, a story that is 320 years in the making.
September 14, 2018
Letter from our Accounting Warden regarding a Gift Purse collection for Marek
Dear Friends of St Thomas’,
It is an Episcopal Church tradition to present a financial gift purse to the Rector upon his/her calling to another Church or retirement. To thank Marek for his ministry we are offering the opportunity for parishioners to contribute towards this purse. This donation honors the many years of service Marek has given us at Sunday services, pastoral visits, baptisms, weddings and overall support within our church community. He has bestowed a tremendous legacy and watched over our beautiful campus, for which we are eternally grateful.
If you would like to participate please make your gift payable to: St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh **Please write “Purse” in the memo line Forward to: Sue Kovalcik in the Parish Office, P. O. Box 247, Fort Washington, PA 19034.
Warm Regards,
Nat Taylor, Accounting Warden
September 1, 2018
All Parish Breakfast will feature a Town Hall with our Vestry
Sunday, November 4 at 11:15am in MacColl Auditorium
Join our Vestry for a town-hall style meeting on Sunday, November 4, 2018 during our all-parish breakfast at 11:15am. We will detail our search process and provide a forum for questions and answers. You can stay informed of our process by periodically reviewing the information on this page.
August 29, 2018
How to share farewell correspondence with Marek during the transition
Our Vestry has established a special mailbox to collect farewell correspondence to goodluckmarek@stthomaswhitemarsh.org
August 23, 2018
Marek announces his departure after 23 years at St. Thomas
Letter from the Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez
Letter from the Rev. Marek Zabriskie
Letter from our Senior Warden
