St. Thomas Youth Confirmands at the Cathedral including Brantley Ford & Perrin Nicolson (left), Fr. Doug Hahn (back) & Travis Wade (right rear)
Fourteen youth were confirmed at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010, the culmination of an outstanding year of education and bonding.
Christian formation and education are important for all ages. Clergy, staff, and volunteers at St. Thomas Episcopal Church work together on this important ministry, providing age-appropriate venues for youth to learn about and experience their faith. Sunday Mornings All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend classes on Sunday mornings during the school year. Classes are divided into Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12). Classes begin at 9:15am and conclude by 10:15am, at which time the youth rejoin their families for church. Wednesday Evening: Fun & Fellowship Wednesday evening at St. Thomas Episcopal is a great mid-week break! Be refreshed with the Holy Spirit, and carry it with you for the second half of the week. The evening’s schedule begins at 5:30 with a brief worship service in the Chapel followed by a lovingly prepared supper. The evening programs begin at 6:30pm.
Wednesday programs are based on active fellowship in which the Youth are able to experience their Christian Faith within a relaxing atmosphere with their peers. Fun & Fellowship programs include playing games like kickball or four-square, relaxing and catching up with each other on the comfy couches or recliner, or taking a self-defense class. Whatever the activity, the goal is for the Youth to get to know each other in a Christ-centered environment where they can learn to trust and support each other.
Youth at Foursquare Tournament, Newnan, GA
Weekly Schedule:
Wednesday Nights: Fun & Fellowship Meet in Youth Suite at 6:30pm
Sunday Mornings: Middle (grades 6-8) High School (grades 9-12) Meet in Youth Suite at 9:15am
In front of Christmas tree in Youth Suite
Sunday Evening Programs Throughout the year, Sunday evening activities are planned that bring together fellowship and outreach. A Diocese of Atlanta Four Square Tournament to benefit the Episcopal Charities Foundation and The March of Dimes Walk at Callaway Gardens are only two of the events that the Youth have participated in for 2009. Sunday programming is meant to bring the Youth together in a meaningful way to help others and solidify their commitment to the Episcopal way of life!
Outing to horse farm
Special Events for Youth & Families Programs for families and children occur throughout the year.The Sunday school year begins in the fall with Rally Day, where students and parents can meet teachers and other families.A festive breakfast is held before church and features games, crafts, and fun activities focusing on each year’s theme.The Blessing of the Book Bags will occur at the 10:30am Eucharist on a Sunday in August. Students and teachers are invited to bring their book bags for a blessing as they begin a new school year. Sunday school and Children’s Chapel teachers are commissioned, too.
The Blessing of the Animals is held on the first Sunday in October on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. During an afternoon service on the lawn, children (and adults!) bring their pets and/or favorite stuffed animals to receive a special blessing.Trunk or Treat is when several families get together at our church building, park their cars in the parking lot, open up the trunks of their cars, and kids come around to each car to Trunk-or-Treat. We provide a hot dog supper with lots of fixin’s and goodies to go around. Families also participate in a trunk decorating contest. The Children's Christmas Pageant invites children to tell the Nativity story during the 5:30 Family Eucharist on Christmas Eve through song and drama. The Youth are invited to participate in this family worship event! An Epiphany Celebration is held each year at our church. Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. We celebrate the arrival of the kings to Bethlehem with the traditional eating of King’s Cakes. Kids make crowns and the parish also participates in the Burning of the Greens Bonfire. Learning about Outreach, Sunday School Youth will fill water bottles with coins during Lent. This will support a project which will assist our missionaries in Tanzania build wells and pumps, providing clean water to their village in Africa.
Youth Perform Mexican Hat Dance During a Summer Theme Night Wednesday Night Supper
Jill Sholtis & Zach Grantham get ready for Episcobowl - Convocational Youth Event in Harris County
St. Thomas Episcopal Church - 2100 Hilton Avenue - Columbus, Georgia 31906
