As we begin our 51st year of worshipping, learning, serving, and welcoming in the Episcopal tradition, we are pleased to present a new logo to represent our identity, tradition, and mission.
The new logo, deeply embedded in the Episcopal shield, highlights our specific geography and heritage. The Episcopal shield honors St Andrew, represented by the X-shaped cross in the upper left quadrant, patron saint of Scotland. Shortly after the Revolutionary War, foundling America was in need of bishops and England would not consent to consecrate one for their former colony. Scotland, whose patron saint is Andrew, consecrated Samuel Seabury, provided he would incorporate the Scottish Rite for the Eucharist into the first American book of common prayer. He did in 1789 and the patronage of Scotland is represented in the Episcopal Church of America to this day, both liturgically and emblematically.
Our parish’s patron Saint, Thomas the Apostle, is represented by the carpenter’s square and arrows and appears in the Episcopal shield. According to tradition, Thomas built the first building used exclusively for worship; the carpenter’s square marks his patronage of architecture, knowledge, and the ministry of connecting communities in building. Tradition also holds that Thomas was martyred with either a spear or arrows.
Our physical proximity to Clear Lake is represented by the waves at the bottom.
We are excited to stand united in ministry- to learn, serve, welcome, and worship- as a church and school and intentionally live into the community that the vestry of St Thomas envisioned 50 years ago. Recognizing the need for an education based in the Episcopal tradition that nurtures knowledge alongside faith and wisdom, the church delayed the construction of Krist Hall, the original sanctuary, to complete a school wing in time for the academic year in 1966.
Here’s to another 50 years of mutual ministry in Clear Lake!