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We are hoping to tackle the kitchen, bathrooms, outside breezeway (spiderwebs), and the shrubs between the Sanctuary and the education building….
Author Archives: smcalhoon
Update from St Thomas Reformed Church
I used to like to listen to the sound of the birds in the early morning as I sipped my coffee. Nature writes the most beautiful symphonies. Now I cherish the sound of my diesel generator which for 2 hours every morning allows me to make coffee to sip, charge my phone and computer, and to communicate with the outside world. I wish I could run an extension cord to every house on this island from my generator so I could share the blessing of POWER! Speaking of power, we lost… it at the church and cafe again yesterday but the generator at the cafe kept them up and running and they served another fabulous meal to the masses. Next door at STRC we had a group of dedicated volunteers sorting donations and then distributing them to any who had need. (pics). We have large shipments coming into today and will do more of the same. Yes, if you are here and can volunteer, we could use some help! text me 340-227-9696 or just come to church when able.
I received a huge response from the NPR interview yesterday. We are grateful for the media attention. I marvel at how cleverly they can edit out most of what I say about faith, God and Jesus. But that’s ok…God has already blessed that with several donations from all over! Yes, we fixed our website and APP (thank you Steve and Phyllis!) so we can receive donations online again.
I know Amy Nyland at the NY Synod has communicated with our wonderful partner church Marble Collegiate to help raise funds. Thank you for that! The Bouis & Brinns continue to get donations shipped here daily… not sure how but we are receiving it! Thank you. Andy and Anne got us connected to Food for the Poor who is getting a 40′ container together to ship. Bless you! My brother Ken is working the RCA angles for support and getting me connected to FEMA people here (WE NEED TARPS!!!! AND NOW WE NEED MOSQUITO NETS TOO!!!!) Thanks bro! These are just a few of the many bright spots from yesterday. Your prayers and support are so very much appreciated.
Almost time to shut the generator down, cut the power and head out there again…but not before sitting for a moment in the quiet to listen for the sound of the birds singing. Sing to the Lord all the earth!!!
Peace,
Jeff
We are accepting donations for St Thomas Reformed Church!
The following list comes directly for Pastor Neevel at the St Thomas Reformed Church
This is our preliminary list:
1. Drinking water
2. Non perishables
3. Batteries
4. Personal Hygiene kits/Toiletries
5. First Aid Kits
6. Tire Patch Kits
7. Bug Spray
8. Sunblock
9. Formula
10. Diapers
11. Tarps
12. Toys for kids
13. Shoes
14. Clothes
15. Flashlights
16. UHT Milk
Please feel free to drop any donated items items off on Sunday at the 9:30am worship service or call the Church office (340 778-0520) to arrange drop off during the week.
You can follow the St Thomas Reformed Church’s recovery efforts and mission work at the following facebook pages:
Please join us in welcoming our new Interim Pastor. Pastor Tewinkle and family will join us for worship on September 17th!
Message from Pastor Tewinkle:
Greetings from Grand Rapids.
We’re excited to join you all on the island of St. Croix. It feels like we’re moving for good, but the purge of stuff has been good for us. We plan to join you in worship on Sept. 17th. Until then, here’s a little intro:
I like to read, play basketball and golf. I make myself workout. I’m working on a book right now called either “God Is Not the Problem” or “Restoring God’s Image.” You’ll get to (or “have to”) hear all about that during Sunday sermons 😉 I care about conflict transformation, trauma healing, and restorative justice and look forward to bringing these skills to your congregation. I’m passionate about racial justice and reconciliation and hope to learn from the history of St. Croix and your experiences there. All of this flows from my appreciation for Jesus and our God who sent him to rescue us from grief and sadness and pain. I look forward to celebrating that with you.
Julie likes to run, drink wine (which is why she runs), and loves to travel. She speaks French and Spanish quite well and has been teaching both for the last 15 years. She is a budding feminist and anti-racist advocate.
Josh is 9 years old. He likes soccer, board games, museums, and animals. Josh likes to read.
Wil is 11 years old. He likes golf, basketball, math, and card tricks. Wil does not like to read.
They both like to play Clash of Clans, MineCraft, and watch Dude Perfect videos.
Here we are having a little summer fun in northern Michigan. God be with you until we meet…for the first time!
Join us for our Annual Church Picnic on Sunday, September 17th following service
Located at the Fredericksted Country Club immediately following Church
Please bring a dish to share. Don’t forget your bathing suit!
This will be an opportunity to thank Pastor Wakefield for all of his service these past few months and to welcome Pastor Tewinkle and family to St Croix!
Bon voyage Janie! Until we see you again, God bless you!
“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same” – Flavia Weedn
Janie Koopmans, circa 1997
Genesis 28:15
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Blessing of the backpacks 2017-2018 school year!
Blessing of the backpacks
Gracious God, we lift to you today, these students.
They stand here ready to receive your blessings and they commit themselves to study and learning in the school year ahead. We ask your blessing on each of them. Further, we ask your blessing on these backpacks. They will hold the school work of each student and will be carried from home to school and back again. As these students carry these backpacks, may them be reminded of the love and care of this congregation that surrounds them each school day.
We pray as well for the teachers and administrators in our schools. May they also be sustained by your blessing. May they be reminded that this congregation embraces their call to teaching and learning and surrounds them with love and care as well.
We pray in the name of Jesus who we seek to follow day by day. Amen.
Join us as we volunteer the 1st Saturday of the month at the Animal Shelter: Saturday, September 2nd
8:30-10:30am
Wear long pants and closed toe shoes!
*Also remember that we collect newspaper for the Animal Shelter. Please bring them to Church and put them in the laundry basket. We drop them off weekly.
Please join us in welcoming our new Interim Pastor. Pastor Tewinkle and family will join us for worship on September 10th!
Message from Pastor Tewinkle:
Greetings from Grand Rapids.
We’re excited to join you all on the island of St. Croix. It feels like we’re moving for good, but the purge of stuff has been good for us. We hope to be there in a couple of weeks and plan to join you in worship on Sept. 10. Until then, here’s a little intro:
I like to read, play basketball and golf. I make myself workout. I’m working on a book right now called either “God Is Not the Problem” or “Restoring God’s Image.” You’ll get to (or “have to”) hear all about that during Sunday sermons 😉 I care about conflict transformation, trauma healing, and restorative justice and look forward to bringing these skills to your congregation. I’m passionate about racial justice and reconciliation and hope to learn from the history of St. Croix and your experiences there. All of this flows from my appreciation for Jesus and our God who sent him to rescue us from grief and sadness and pain. I look forward to celebrating that with you.
Julie likes to run, drink wine (which is why she runs), and loves to travel. She speaks French and Spanish quite well and has been teaching both for the last 15 years. She is a budding feminist and anti-racist advocate.
Josh is 9 years old. He likes soccer, board games, museums, and animals. Josh likes to read.
Wil is 11 years old. He likes golf, basketball, math, and card tricks. Wil does not like to read.
They both like to play Clash of Clans, MineCraft, and watch Dude Perfect videos.
Here we are having a little summer fun in northern Michigan. God be with you until we meet…for the first time!
Join us Sunday, August 27th for the Annual Blessing of the Backpacks!
Join us for our annual blessing of the backpacks
It’s time for school and the blessing of the backpacks.
May God bless this backpack and the person who uses it.
The school year is off to a great start thanks to the Blessing of the Backpacks!
St Croix Reformed Church 
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