At Abingdon Church we know that the children & youth of our parish represent the future of our church.  Our priority is to offer programs that help children & youth come to know God in a deeper way, to encourage fun in fellowship with one another, and to provide opportunities for service and outreach.

Sunday School – 9:30-10:20am
Classes for 2 year olds through high school are located on both floors of the parish hall.  We are using a curriculum called Living the Good News by Morehouse Publishing, which follows our Episcopal lectionary.  Programs throughout the year during Sunday School have included baking Lenten pretzels; creating Easter bonnets, felt banners and Jesse trees; participating in the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox outreach; making palm frond crosses & boxwood Advent wreaths; and participating in a Christmas pageant during the family Christmas Eve service.

Nursery – 9:15am-12:00pm
A nursery for infants through age 1 is available during the Sunday School hour, as well as during the 10:30am worship service.

 Children’s Chapel – 10:20am-12:00pm
This worship service for kids preschool and up meets in the parish hall chapel during the 10:30 worship service.  It includes a simple child friendly message or story based on the day’s lectionary reading, and participation in a simple liturgical service.  Following a short play and snack time, the children come in to church for communion and stay until the end of the service.

Vacation Bible School
During the summer months, we conduct our 5-day Vacation Bible School or “VBS.” This program is a fun-filled week of activities and excitement centered on a Bible theme.  Registration is open to all children age 4 – grade six (in the fall), and takes place in the springtime.  Middle – high school aged youth are encouraged to volunteer to help as crew leaders during VBS.  For more information on how you can help and to obtain registration forms for child participants and youth crew leaders, please contact the church office.

Youth Group Sunday Evenings 6:30-8:00pm
The Jr. High and Sr. High youth groups, or EYF (Episcopal Youth Fellowship) meet separately on the 2^nd floor of the parish hall every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and bring friends!  Many events, trips, and service projects are planned throughout the year in addition to the Sunday night meetings.  Youth group meetings incorporate a Bible study program called “YLO” through Interlinc that uses contemporary Christian music, wild & crazy games, and interactive discussion to teach tangible Biblical lessons to youth.  In 2002-2003 the youth group went camping, skiing, hosted a family film night, participated in a Habitat for Humanity outreach project, hosted an Italian dinner for the parish, sold wreaths at Christmas and fudge for Valentine’s Day, participated in several outreaches to the Gloucester community Adult Home, played laser tag, created video scavenger hunts, baked meals for a needy family, and attended music concerts together. 

Confirmation
Annually, with the apostolic Laying-on-of Hands and prayer, the Bishop Confirms persons who, having been baptized at an early age, make their first mature affirmation of faith.  Young persons age twelve and up are invited to renew the Baptismal Covenant after attending Confirmation Classes usually taught by the Rector with the assistance of other parishioners.  You may learn more about Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation by visiting our Frequent Questions page.

The Acolyte Guild
Young people as well as adults may serve in the Acolyte Guild.  This important ministry in Services of worship includes carrying the processional cross and torches, bearing the Gospel Book, and assisting the priest in preparing the altar for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  Deborah Waters trains, coordinates, and schedules the members of the Acolyte Guild.  Further information may be obtained through the church office.