Happy Sixth Sunday of Easter, Everyone, 

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

I hope this finds you and your family well and safe. I miss seeing you all but I know that our stay at home efforts are helping keep our communities safer.

I pray for all of you who are still working in the public, that God may keep you safe. I thank God for your dedication and service to your families and our community.  

This week, we continue with stories of Jesus’ appearances to his friends after his Resurrection. I have posted a lesson which includes the story of Jesus Appearance at the Sea of Galilee on YouTube.  Here is the link to that video:  https://youtu.be/1RszWylJcuA

The scripture for today, according to the Revised Common Lectionary, actually goes back a bit further and tells of Jesus’ promise to the disciples during the Last Supper that He will send the Holy Spirit to comfort them after he is “gone”.  I have attached a kid-friendly version of that scripture as well as activities that correspond to both stories. Please use what works for you and your family. There is something for everyone.   

Blessings,

Ms. Belinda, Children’s Ministries

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hello Everyone,

I pray you are all doing well on this somewhat cloudy but promising Saturday, March 21, 2022. And, I pray you know you are in my thoughts and prayers each day. In this uncertain time, there are still wonderful things happening. For example, the Quinones family (AKA the family of Ms. Tori and “little lucas”) welcomed a new member, Noah Michael, this week.

As you know, we will not be meeting at St Thomas’s tomorrow for Sunday School due to COVID-19. However, here are some lessons, stories and activities that would have been the basis of our work and worship in each of the classrooms this weekend:

• RCL-IN-Leader-Guide-Spring-Lent-4-A
• RCL-PR-Leader-Guide-Spring-Lent-4-A
• Zacchaeus Lesson

I encourage you to try a few of the activities with your children, depending on their age or interest. Here is link to a video of the Jesus and Zaccheus story. I chose this one because it conveys the message that I hope “our children” would get from the story.

I hope to see you all soon. Please let me know if and how I can be of service to you in the meantime.

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Children’s Ministries

Hello Everyone,

Sunday, March 8, 2020, Second Sunday of Lent, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 am. Sign up for your turn at  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday. We still have openings on  3/15, 3/22, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19.

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we begin our exploration of the story of Jesus and the Children in our PreK-K classroom and explore God’s care for us on our journeys through the stories of  Nicodemus traveling to see Jesus and of Abraham’s and Sarah’s travels in the 1-3 and 4-6 grade classrooms.  This will be a very interactive day for stories so don’t let the kids miss a moment if you can help it!

Looking ahead, keep and eye out  for news of the upcoming Teen-Tween Lock-in Palooza!!  All I can say now is Glow in the Dark eggs!!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Children’s Ministries

Sunday, March 1, 2020, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m. Sign up for your turn to bring breakfast at  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday. We still have openings to provide breakfast on 3/08, 3/15 and 3/22.

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we begin our exploration of Lent, of the story of Adam and Eve, and the story of Jesus in the desert in each of our grade level rooms.  This will be a very interactive day for stories so don’t let the kids miss a moment if you can help it!

Looking ahead, keep and eye out  for news of the upcoming Teen-Tween Lock-in Palooza)!!  All I can say now is Glow in the Dark eggs!!Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Children’s Ministries

On Sunday, February 16, 2020, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 am. Don’t forget to sign up for your turn: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday. We still have openings on 3/01, 3/08, 3/15, and 3/22.

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we hear and wonder about the Parable of the Sower in the PreK-K classroom and as we listen to a story about two angry brothers and explore the angry feelings that we cope with as well as ways of making peace together in grades 1-6.  

Looking ahead, you should save the date of February 25, 2020. We will have our usual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at St. Thomas.  During the evening, we’ll also have other fun activities and lots of beads to add to the party atmosphere of Mardi Gras!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Children’s Ministries

Hello Everyone,

On February 9, 2020, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m. Thanks to the Sausville family for hosting!  Don’t forget to sign up for your turn at   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday
We still have openings on 2/16, 3/01/3/15 and 3/22.)

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we hear and wonder about the Parable of the Good Samaritan in the PreK-K classroom and as we  wonder about how we can change the world by being salt and light to those around us in grades 1-6.  

Tomorrow after the 10:30 a.m. service, there will be a prayer bead workshop!  All ages are welcome.  Hope to see you there!

Looking ahead, you should save the date of February 25, 2020. We will have our usual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at St. Thomas’s.  During the evening, we’ll also have other fun activities and lots of beads to add to the party atmosphere of Mardi Gras!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
Belinda, Children’s Ministries

Tomorrow, February 2, 2020, Candlemas, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m.  Don’t forget to sign up for your turn: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday.

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we hear and wonder about the parable of the mustard seed in the PreK-K classroom and as we  hear the story of the Presentation of Jesus at the temple, explore the idea of Jesus as the light of the world, and honor the Christ within ourselves and each other in grades 1-6.  

I encourage everyone to attend Candlemas service tomorrow!

Looking ahead, you should save the date of February 25, 2020. We will have our usual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at St. Thomas’s.  During the evening, we’ll also have other fun activities and lots of beads to add to the party atmosphere of Mardi Gras!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda, Children’s Ministries

On Sunday, January 19, 2020, Second Sunday of Advent, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Undercroft at 9:30 a.m. Thank you to the Quinones Family for hosting this week. Don’t forget to sign up for your turn by using this link:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we wonder about the Good Shepherd in the PreK-K classroom and as we  explore the different names and titles for Jesus, the Lamb of God in grades 1-6.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Director of Children’s Ministries

This Sunday, January 5, 2020, Sunday School will begin with Sunday Breakfast Club in the Great Hall classroom at 9:30 am. Thank you to the McGough Family for hosting this week. (Don’t forget to sign up for your turn by using this link:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAA62CAB9-sunday

The education and worship part of our children’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft. If you can, please join us and/or have your children join us as we conclude the cycle of nativity stories, combining the prologue to the Gospel of John with the story of Epiphany, inviting children to offer, with the kings, gifts for the infant Jesus.

Later in the day, join me and my family at 5 p.m. for St. Thomas’s Epiphany celebration.The evening will include Worship, Celebration, Potluck dinner and Burning of the Greens. Ham and pasta will be provided. If you want to contribute, please bring a side dish or dessert to share. And, please feel free to bring a friend or neighbor. Or just bring yourself!   

I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Blessings,Belinda Young-Payne, Director of Children’s Ministries