Our Mission
The youth ministry creates an inviting community for youth from 7th to 12th grade, where they can joyfully serve and connect with God while developing meaningful relationships with each other and with adults.

Our Values
With Jesus Christ as our model, these are our values:

RESPECT:  We treat others with care, honoring everyone, no matter where they are on their journey with Christ.

JOY:  We enjoy each other’s company, sharing fun and laughter as part of God’s plan for the church.

RELATIONSHIPS: We nurture strong connections with peers, the parish and our extended community.

COMMITMENT: We participate in a joyful, reliable and consistent manner.

SPIRITUALITY: By our example, we encourage our youth to love and embrace their personal journey of faith.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST:  We are Christ-centered and reflect that in our actions.

The Youth Ministry program at St. Thomas’ Church is comprised of Sunday Morning Sunday school and confirmation classes, bi-monthly youth group meetings on Sunday nights, and monthly special events for Jr. and Sr. High School groups.

BREAKFAST CLUB
Sunday mornings at 10:45am the 7th & 8th grades meet in the lower level of the School House, and the High School students meet in the Youth Room for Breakfast Club.  It is the goal of our Sunday morning education program to teach each student about the Bible, church and worship; help with their personal faith journey; and putting their faith in action through service projects.

Our curriculum plan has Four Pillars that are taught; Bible, Church and Worship, Personal Faith Journey, and Faith in Action. Each pillar is six to nine weeks long depending on the section.

CONFIRMATION
The confirmation program at St. Thomas’ Church is an integral ministry, recognizable by the vibrant participation of youth and their growing and maturing relationship with God, their peers, their mentors, their parents, and the parish. Seeking, learning, practicing and knowing the tenants of our Christian faith and Episcopal traditions strengthen the youth and the parish as a whole. The excitement of youthful exploration of the wonders of God invigorates the entire body of St. Thomas’ to grow and serve the Lord.

FELLOWSHIP
Our Junior Youth Groups meet on Friday evenings, and the Senior High Group meets on Sunday evenings.  This is a time of Food, Fun and Fellowship for the students.  We have movie nights, game nights, and service nights. On Saturdays, once a month, we have a special event such as going to Dave and Buster’s or Go-carting. We have a few big events for the youth each year including Youth vs. Adult Soccer Game — for all youth 7th grade and up. The Sr. High Group goes on an annual ski trip, a paint balling trip, and a newly-added white water rafting trip.

SERVICE
Each year we have a Mission Trip for the Senior High students which is meant to challenge them in their journey of faith, and teach them new skills. The Mission Trip 2007 was to New Orleans to help repair storm damage from Hurricane Katrina. The youth were encouraged to talk with the home owners, hear their stories of Katrina and its aftermath, and share their faith and what it means.

Youth Mission Trip:  June 2007

The Youth Commission is a team supporting the mission and the goals of the Youth Ministry at St. Thomas’ Church.