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 on the first floor hallway in our new church home (105 Timothy Place, Athens). Soon, our newly renovated hallway upstairs will be ready with even more classroom space!
This Fall, we offer 4 multi-age classrooms for children 3 months to 10 yrs (as of 9/1/25). 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, 2025 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 – 3 yrs
Explorers for 4 – 6 yrs
Navigators for 7-10 yrs
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
View and download this month’s NEWSLETTER .
Events and Registrations
We offer seasonal gatherings for St. Thomas Kids and their families outside of Sunday morning.
Fall Retreat
On October 25th St. Thomas Kids is having a retreat focusing on the sacrament of Baptism for children in the Explorer and Navigator classes. It will be a fun morning with many activities including a special scripture presentation, crafts, singing and snacks. The retreat will take place at the church from 9 am - 12:30 pm. Parents are invited to join us in the sanctuary at noon to participate in a time of reflection as we conclude our morning together. Please let us know that your child will be attending by registering.
Children’s Choir
This season the St. Thomas children’s choir will be preparing songs to spread joy throughout the season of Advent. Rehearsals for the Children’s Choir will begin Oct. 26th and meet each Sunday between the services from 10:15-10:40am. Children 4 and up are invited to join. Please use the link below for more information and to register your child.
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.
Weekly Resourcces
A great way to stay connected is by joining our St. Thomas Kids group on Facebook or following us on Instagram. Reminders about upcoming events, pictures, and weekly parent resources are shared within these closed groups.
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!
We have spent most of the Summer in our Family Worship format with all of the renovation work going on. For the remainder of the year this will only occur on special holiday weekends.
Our Family Ministry clergy contact is Fr. Bill Stanford, our Associate Rector.
St. Thomas Kids is led by Dana Finocchio.