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Meet St. Thomas' new Minister for Children and Youth
Ministries
Our Ministries at St. Thomas offer many opportunities to become integrated
into our church family. Click on the links below for information about
our ministries!
St. Thomas has a rich history of outreach and tradition of seeking opportunities for members of all ages within our parish community to help others in need. In order to realize the outreach potential of our parish, we will strive to provide opportunities for both monetary and hands-on help at levels both large and small, with a balanced local, diocesan, national, and world focus. We recognize the importance of outreach; when we reach out in service and love to others we strengthen our relationship to God. Our current outreach work includes:
Dungannon, VA Mission Trip – The annual mission trip has become an important event for our youth in particular. Each year the EYC collects school supplies and clothing for distribution to needy families in this low-income community and helps to repair and improve homes. http://www.ddcinc.org/ ($2,000).
SHARE, McLean – This charity operates a food pantry and clothes closet out of the McLean Baptist Church serving needy local residents. Members of St. Thomas donate food and paper goods items throughout the year and transport them to SHARE regularly. Furniture is also accepted. There are also special collections at Thanksgiving and Toys and other gifts at Christmas. ($1,000)
Samaritan Ministries of Washington, D.C. – This charity seeks out people who are ready to change their lives and assists with its “Next Step” program. St. Thomas helps plan and organize a Christmas party and provides gifts for needy children and adults. Volunteers may also contribute in a wide variety of ways including casework and literacy training. St. Thomas also participates in this organization’s “Walk for the Homeless.” www.samaritanministry.com/2006/index.htm ($3,500).
Falls Church/McLean Children’s Center – This center provides affordable quality childcare, especially for low-income working families with children having special needs. Various supplies are also collected and donated to needy families and the church makes a financial contribution. Volunteers may help by reading to children, helping maintain the playground, painting, etc. www.fcmlcc.org ($2,000).
FACETS Hypothermia Program – This program (www.FacetsCares.org) shelters and feeds approximately 60-80 individuals nightly from December – March with the goal of preventing hypothermia related deaths during the winter months. In 2006, St. Thomas made its first grant to FACETS for the purchase of heavy-duty boots and socks, winter hats, long-john winter underwear, and scarves. The items will be distributed to homeless clients who must face the hardship of winter without shelter. ($1,000).
CrossLink International – Is a Christian-based humanitarian-Aid organization that distributes medicines and medical supplies to needy people around the world and in the U.S. Since 1996, CrossLink has shipped more than $32 million in medical materials. In FY 2005, CrossLink provided critical medicines and supplies for 359 mission teams, clinics and/or hospitals which approximately 600,000 men, women and children. Most recently CrossLink has responded to the needs of Gulf Coast residents suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. www.crosslinkinternational.net ($1,000).
Dula Setle Orphan Day Care Center – Located in Botswana, Dula Sentle (meaning “I am well”) is an after-school center serving approximately 60 orphans who come to play, sing, learn and get a hot meal. It is the only home for these children, many of whom live with relatives who refuse to care for them. Initiated by a member of St. Thomas’s youth group, St. Thomas collects and transport children’s books to the Center. www.dulasentle.org.bw
Young’s Memorial Church – St. Thomas collects clothing to be distributed to needy residents in the Southeast Washington, D.C. neighborhood in which Young’s Memorial Church is located.
Acolytes
Boys and girls from age 11 through high school assist with the Eucharist.
Training is provided and a calendar is published quarterly. Obligation
is for twice quarterly.
Adult Choir
All singers are welcome to participate in the choral music of the church
service. Regular rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and before
and after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sundays. Choir director is Walter
Koehler.
Junior Choir
This choir is for children in grades 4 through 8 (not a hard and fast
rule age-wise...) Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m.
Altar Guild
Prepares and arranges the sacraments for services; maintains the linens
and vessels. Training is provided. Calendar is prepared quarterly and
obligation is for twice quarterly.
Flower Committee
Arranges flowers to grace the altar and narthex. Workshops on flower arranging
offered. Calendar is published quarterly with service obligation twice
quarterly.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Assist with the distribution of Holy Communion during the services. By
invitation, administer communion to those who are home bound, and conduct
services at the Sunrise Retirement Home monthly.
Lectors
Read the lessons at services. Instructive materials available. Calendar
is developed quarterly.
Ushers
Arrive prior to services to greet those coming to church, distribute bulletin
and intercessory prayer slips. Identify oblationers. Count congregants.
Collect the offering. Guide communicants.
Children's
Education
Barbara Everhart
Cribbery
Takes care of our very young children during services.
Church School
For children in pre-K through grade 5. Courses are taught by teams of
adults, and commitment is for 6 week segments.
Family Retreat
Church families go to the Shrinemont retreat center in the Shenandoah
valley (Orkney Springs) in May for relaxation and fun in a Christian setting.
Bridge Bunch
Meets once a month for a pot luck supper and bridge in parishioners’
houses. Welcomes both singles and couples
Coffee Hour
Families take turns hosting the coffee hour following the 10:00a.m. service
each week.
Fall Fair
Family festival and fund raiser held in September - games, food, and yard
sale.
Hoe Down
A festive pot luck supper followed by square and line dancing during October.
Y'all come!
Lenten Suppers
Family gatherings each Tuesday evening during Lent to share soup and salad
followed by a short service and adult study.
Parish Picnic
Parishioners gather at a nearby lake on a Sunday in June following church,
to swim, boat, and eat!
Welcoming Committee
Meets to decide how to let people know about St Thomas, and to help newcomers
to integrate into our community.
Greeters
Stand with rector following services to welcome and direct newcomers.
St. Thomas Music Festival
(STMF)
A committee organizes this major June event. The goal of the festival
is to invite families from the wider community to come and have a good,
relaxing time with us and enjoy a great mix of musical styles, food, family
games and fun.
Episcopal
Youth Community (EYC)
Rev. Jane Barr
Members
Youth in two groups (grades 6-8 and 9-12) learn about Christianity, have
fun, and provide service in our community.
Teachers
Teach and facilitate discussions with the teens.
Chaperones
Accompany youth groups on a variety of trips such as skiing, apple gleaning,
bowling, etc.
Missionary
Youth and chaperones go on annual service trips to places such as New
York or Appalachia.
Advisors
Help develop curriculum and direct the activities for the youth groups.
Committee
Coordinates, then monitors the church’s annual budget; assesses
funds needed to maintain the facility and programs.
Counters
Count the offering on Sunday mornings, prepare it for deposit.
Pledge Campaign
Committee conducts an annual campaign to ask parishioners for financial
support.
Committee
Meets periodically to evaluate and implement the various communication
media in use by the church, i.e. website, phone/computer systems, publications,
etc.
Episcopal
Church Women (ECW)
Bonnie Klem
Open to all women of the church, the ECW meets bi-monthly for fellowship and to identify ways to support the various missions of the church.
Christmas
Designs and creates the ornaments for the Ornaments narthex trees.
United Thank Offering
This "ingathering" collects coins given for blessings received.
Money is used for local, national and international distribution.
Bake Sales
Baked goods are sold following services to raise money for outreach and
church needs.
Book Club
Meets monthly at parishioners’ homes to choose and discuss books
in a relaxed setting.
Quilting
This group meets weekly from January to June to make a quilt that is raffled
at the annual Fair. Training provided!!
Education Committee
Meets periodically to organize adult education activities.
Weekday Study Group
Meets Wednesday afternoons for an hour to discuss topics related to scripture
or the Christian life.
Lenten Study
Meets Tuesday evenings during Lent for discussion of a selected study
topic.
Casseroles
Volunteers prepare and deliver home-made meals to ill parishioners, those
who have lost a family member, or those who have had a baby.
Funeral Response
Committee organizes receptions following a funeral at the church.
Prayer Buddies
Each Prayer Buddy prays regularly for the special needs of specific individuals
as requested by parishioners.
Phone Chain
This group informs the parish of bereavements and special needs.
Service for Seniors
This group provides support and assistance to elderly parishioners.
Transportation
This group provides transportation to bring congregants, who need a ride
for medical or other reasons, to services and church events.
Committee
Identifies, maintains and repairs our facility & grounds. A communal
grounds clean-up is held in the Spring and Fall.
Memorial Garden
This group maintains the garden adjacent to the parish hall, planting
seasonal flowers. Clean-ups are held bi-annually.
Play Garden
This group maintains the garden across the parking lot, planting seasonal
flowers.
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