Children and Youth Programs
Nursery
During this pandemic time where we are closed to in-person worship, we will not have Sunday morning nursery. When we are able to meet again in-person nursery will be available.
The journey of faith begins very early, and children are always welcome in the worship services. We do have a little activity area in the Sanctuary on the far left side where young ones can quietly colour or play during worship. If parents think their little ones would be happier playing or being cared for by a volunteer (with Babysitting Certificate), our Nursery provides a safe and fun place for newborns to three year olds. The Nursery is available each Sunday on a drop-in basis. If there is no volunteer, parents can also stay in the Nursery during worship services; the service is broadcast to the Nursery space so that parents or volunteers don’t miss out on what’s happening in the Sanctuary. There is also a lending library with both children’s and adult books available for use.
Sunday School
During this pandemic time where we are closed to in-person worship, we will not have Sunday morning programming for those aged 3 – grade 1. However, we are offering several opportunities for kids and families to engage with one another either in-person, following all safety protocols. or via zoom. Please check the bulletin or weekly email for updates.
Just as God speaks to us through the pages of the Bible, God also speaks to us thorough our day-to-day lives.
St. Thomas’ Sunday School program is interactive where. We explore the themes and interpret the meanings behind biblical passages through a variety of activities, including drama, art, science, games, music, and cooking. Children from three years through grade six are encouraged to creatively develop an understanding of the Bible.
The children leave for the Sunday School area to engage in their own activities after the worship service starts. Each week, they learn about a different Bible story from a variety of angles, focusing on active, fun ways to experience it, and wondering about what it teaches us. We have dedicated volunteers who lead Sunday School in two groups – the three to five year old’s in one group and the six and older in another.
Hi St. Thomas Sunday School families!
If you have children in Grade 6 and younger, we would LOVE your help with the Kids, Carols, and Chaos service on Christmas Eve at 3 pm. Check out the Video to the right. She hopes many of you are able to participate and be a part of our Christmas Eve worship services, even if they’re virtual. If you have any questions, please email, call, or text Rev. Tracy:
tracyrobertson@stthomasunited.ca Office: 403-241-0366 Cell: 403-870-3930
Junior Youth Group
Junior Youth Group is for Children in grades 4, 5 & 6. We continue to offer monthly virtual meetings and hope to offer some in person ones as well.
Virtual Junior Youth Group meetings will occur at 6:30 on Fridays Feb 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13. They will include the opportunity to chat and play some games. An email will be sent from junior-youth@stthomasunited.ca with a zoom link to join the meeting. If you are not on the distribution list, are in grades 4 – 6 and would like to join in, email junior-youth@stthomasunited.ca for details. All are welcome. Evangeline looks forward to seeing you!
If you have not registered for the 2021/2022 season yet, please complete the following registration form. The registration form will ask you to upload the photo release form and the Parent Approval Form found below.
Youth Group
All youth in grades 7 through 12 are welcome as are their friends. Sunday morning youth group is a time for learning about the day’s scripture, discussion on a variety of topics of interest to the youth and catching up. There is youth group each week from the Sunday after Labour Day until late June. In addition to in person programming, the Sunday morning program is being offered online through zoom from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.
We have a weekly social activity that includes youth from both St. Thomas and Symons Valley United. They will be alternating between Friday evening and Sunday afternoons. A combination of in person and online events will be held. Some will be indoors and some will be outdoors. Activities may be at one of the Churches or another venue. Friday evening activities will typically run from 6:30 – 9:00. Sunday activities will typically run from 1:30 – 3:30. For events held at St. Thomas we start in the upper hall or parking lot, and for events at Symons Valley, we start in the foyer or parking lot. Variations to event days or times will be communicated in weekly emails.
If you have any questions or would be interested in receiving emails regarding social activities, check out the youth group registration and information package, talk to Caitlin, Jacqueline, or Isaac or email youth@stthomasunited.ca. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When youth who have not already registered arrive at a social event by their own means, the parent approval form must have been completed by a parent or guardian and brought to the event.
Leaders Caitlin, Jacqueline, and Isaac look forward to seeing you!
For the youth registration package please Click Here
For the parent approval form please Click Here
Sunday Morning Activities:
- In addition to in person programming during the service, the Sunday morning program is being offered online through zoom from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. If attending in person, masks will be required in the Church and physical distancing will be practiced. In addition, we have set up a WhatsApp group chat. This group is for ongoing discussions throughout the weeks, and each week we post a prompt, questions, challenge, photo, etc. to help get the conversation rolling. If you would like to be added to the group, please email youth@stthomasunited.ca. The prompts, questions, challenges, etc. will also be sent out in the weekly email so those who don’t have access to WhatsApp can participate as well
Social Events:
- We are returning to in person events this fall recognizing the possibility that we may need to shift back to online events if required due to new health restrictions. Social events include youth from both St. Thomas and Symons Valley United Church. We will be alternating between indoor and outdoor events. The location will alternate between the two Churches. We recognize that not all youth will be comfortable being indoors at this time, so a zoom link will also be available for indoor events so youth can participate virtually instead if they wish to. Masks will be required indoors and physical distancing will be practiced. The youth leaders will send out an email at the start of each week to let you know what activity will be taking place, time of the event and the location for in person events and digital connection information for online participation. If you wish to be included on the weekly email, please email youth@stthomasunited.ca
Check Out the Naked Faith Band – a worship service for all, specifically youth and young adults