St. Thomas Kids
We want to partner with parents and families in our church as we raise children to know and love the Lord. We do this through our offerings on sunday Mornings, special seasonal events, and by providing resources to use throughout the week in your home.
SUNDAY MORNINGs
We are delighted to use God’s Big Story (GBS) for the teaching and catechesis of our children on Sunday mornings. GBS invites children to enter into the narrative of God's abounding faithfulness and love for all of his beloved children. Our aim is that children might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and experience the fullness of new life in Christ as part of His body, the church. To learn more check out God’s Big Story.
St. Thomas Kids currently meets upstairs in our own hallway in our new church home (105 Timothy Place, Athens)! You can enter the main building and go up the stairs or enter from the upper level outside near the Fellowship Hall.
Throughout the academic year, we offer 4 multi-age classrooms for children 3 months to 5th grade. Grouping the children in this way creates developmentally appropriate classrooms for all. Our youngest children, in the nursery have the space to feel God’s love as they are nurtured, play and learn. The older children explore God’s word through the God’s Big Story Curriculum in an environment that promotes wonder and discussion while fostering community within their social peer group as they grow together in Christ. Our Little Ones, Explorers, and Navigators classes follow a yearlong curriculum in which children are invited to join based on their age as of September 1, 2026 and remain in that class for the entirety of the academic year. Below is list of our current class offerings:
Nursery for 3 months- 2 yrs 5 months
Little Ones for 2 ½ yrs – PreK-3
Explorers for PreK-4 - 1st grade
Navigators for 2nd - 5th grade
Our Navigators class joins the service for communion and can be picked up from their classroom after The Peace. Parents will need to show their printed security tag when picking up any child in our care. Children in the other classes may also be picked up to join us for communion, but they can also remain in their classroom for the entirey of the service.
communication and Event registration
Monthly Newsletter and Curriculum Overview
Events and Registrations
We offer seasonal gatherings for St. Thomas Kids and their families outside of Sunday morning. STAC Kids families are invited to join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition on Wednesday, June 17th from 6 - 8 pm. Bring your favorite card/board game and snack to share and we’ll provide the rest! For more info and to let us know you’re coming, please register below.
Volunteering
We couldn’t care for our children without the help of our parish family! Volunteers must be members in good standing, have the ability to pass a background check, complete online sexual abuse awareness training through Ministry Safe, and participate in a yearly training specific to serving in St. Thomas Kids. Learn more here: Volunteer FAQs. Reach out to Dana for information on the next training for St. Thomas Kids Volunteers.
Family Worship
While Children are ALWAYS welcome in worship at St. Thomas, there are certain Sundays when we intentionally suspend our Sunday morning programming and invite children to worship alongside their families. Our hope is that by experiencing worship alongside their parents or caregivers, children will grow in their understanding of what it means to gather as the body of Christ and worship Him. We encourage you to bring your children to worship on these Sundays and teach them! Whisper explanations and instructions. There will be materials and books available for Family Worship Sundays but it's always a good idea to bring a few things that will help your child stay engaged and content.
Childcare available for children who would normally be in our Nursery, Little Ones, or Explorers classrooms. We will welcome your children at any point during the service!
Upcoming Family Worship Services:
Family Worship for the Summer: May 31 - July 26