And Throughout the Year
Advent Adventure is Advent Workshop/Playshop for children and accompanying adults. A great activity for children and grandparents . Takes place on a Saturday morning in Advent. A "hands on" exploration of the events leading up to the Birth of Jesus, creation of an edible Nativity diorama and the gift of a special "Baby Jesus" to take home for Christmas morning.
Christmas Pageant takes place at the early Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist. An "all are welcome" tableau style pageant depicting the Gospel of Luke Christmas Story. Wear your own costumes or select from St. Thomas' vast collection of Nativity-wear. Directions, snacks and encouragement provided at the 3:30 pm rehearsal preceding the Pageant.
Meet the Three Kings at Ephiphany is an interactive exploration of the Feast of the Epiphany. Takes place during the week of this Feast Day.
Worship Class (for children in grades 2 - 4) is a four to six week course held in the Spring where children explore the ways we worship in the Episcopal Church. Usually held during the 9 am and 11 am services after Children's Time.
Lent Course is a Wednesday night program in Lent where children study a topic selected to help nurture their faith. Past topics include: Prayer, Jesus’ Miracles, The Twelve Disciples, What is Lent? , 101 Ways to Pray, Making a Prayer Chair .
Easter Garden begins on Ash Wednesday and continues throughout Lent and Holy Week, the children construct an indoor garden with rocks, dirt, moss and mulch. As they work on this each week they enter into the stories leading up to Christ's crucifixtion. On Easter Morning they discover that their garden has been transformed!
Alleluia Egg Hunt is held on Easter Morning between services. It is a unique Egg Hunt which celebrates the blessings of Easter. Children shout “alleluia” when they find the hidden eggs which contain "alleluias". They use the "alleluias" to make a colorful banner and turn in the empty eggs for a goody bag. The empty eggs remind us all of Jesus’ empty tomb. Children receive goody bags that remind us of the goodness of God’s love. It is a time of fellowship and celebration like the fellowship and celebration we enjoy in the church.
Creation Care Emphasis is an educational experience near Earth Day to emphasize stewardship of creation. Past activities have been planting an herb garden and packaging seeds to share.
Spirit Fair is an intergenerational and interactive Pentecost fair where participants learn about the birth of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit in sharing God's love.
Shrine Mont Summer Camps are sleep-away camps sponsored by the Diocese of Virginia for children and youth age 8 and older. Click here to see a video of the "Mountain Experience". St. Thomas' provides financial support for camp attendance when children write a letter expressing that they would like to attend one of these camps.
Mission Mini-Camp for rising 3rd through 5th graders is a way for older children to begin exploring mission experiences in and out of the church. In 2011 the theme was: "Taste and See: God is Good ". Each day began and ended at St. Thomas' and the children participated in a daily mission outreach experience involving food provision ministries. These included the Central Virginia Food Bank, Shalom Farm and St. Thomas' own Food Pantry. Participants had hands on opportunities to serve the hungry in our community while exploring the connection between this action and Jesus' teachings. Times for reflection were built into each day and the camp ended with a Candlelight Noonday Prayer service.
Vacation Bible School is a week-long program of Bible study, mission action, learning games and worship.
Backpack Blessing takes place in worship on the Sunday before school begins. It is a time and token of blessing for students, teachers and others going to school and work.
Shrine Mont Parish Retreat includes a children’s faith formation program tied into the theme of the retreat. Past themes have been "Catch the Spirit" , "Be Bold: God is With You" and "Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord".
Saint Walk is an intergenerational All Saints Sunday event where participants meet “Saints” of the church and learn of their contributions and inspiration.
CARITAS is an outreach ministry where children help as our church hosts homeless families, providing meals, shelter, activities and laundry service. Children participate in the preparation as well as the week of CARITAS. St. Thomas' usually hosts before or after Christmas.