Christian education is the teaching of God's Word and its application in our lives. The aims of education are to increase faithfulness and knowledge of God, to become like Christ and to equip individuals for Christian life and work.

Adult Education

Adult Education at St. Matthew's offers the Fellowship Room Bible Study, Parish Hall Class, Young Adult Class, Alpha, Thursday Night Fellowship and many other special series. The wide variety of programs is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the parish. It offers enormous potential for enrichment and growth.

Children's Education Committee

The Children's Education Committee and staff provide Christian education and child care services for children ages infant through fifth grade. During the school year, an average of almost seventy children attend Christian education classes on Sunday mornings.

The Children's Education Committee meets six times yearly to plan for the Sunday School year, to organize events such as Vacation Bible School, the Christmas Pageant, as well as to provide workshops and fellowship activities for teachers and staff. Hundreds of volunteer hours must be solicited and coordinated. The children of St. Matthew's also support two children through the "Christian Children's Fund."

The committee feels strongly that the future of our church's economic and spiritual growth will be linked directly to the vitality of our children's programs and the outreach opportunities that they offer.

Christian Men's Fellowship

Christian Men's Fellowship (CMF) initiated the Wednesday WakeUp Men's group. Their goal is to build vital relationships to become godly influences in our world. They spend one hour every Wednesday morning beginning at 6:30 am praising the Lord, in prayer, Bible study and Christian accountability. CMG has hosted a Mother's Day Brunch and assisted with Angel Tree deliveries at Christmas.

Sunday Morning Bible Fellowship

Meeting at 9:30 Sunday Mornings in the Fellowship Room, this good-natured discussion group studies the Bible and Christian disciplines.

No previous Bible study is required to participate -- just a willingness to read, reflect and share insights about the Bible's meaning for us. Interested lay people facilitate the discussion.

Library

The Library supports the various educational efforts of the church by maintaining a well organized collection. Included in that collection are children, juvenile and young adult non-fiction and fiction plus a variety of reference, inspirational and theological resources.

Youth Ministry

God is blessing us with growth and depth in our ministry to our junior high and senior high school students. We are seeing enthusiasm from the kids in response to their faith. Retreats, weekly meetings, small groups, service projects have all contributed to the strength of our youth group. The most important catalyst in the continuing development of our youth ministry has been the volunteer leadership team and parent support. Leaders have come to understand that the best ministry happens in the context of relationships, not in programs alone. As a leadership team we develop friendships with teens so we can share our faith and lives with them. Jesus modeled this form of ministry throughout scripture. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." God knew the best way to relate with us was to live with us and tell us the way of life. In addition, parent support has been great.

Senior High activities have included a winter ski trip, spring retreat, mountain climbs, horseback riding, St. Matt's renovation, Caritas, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, end of school year picnic, Sunday night youth groups, Virginia Beach day trip, river retreats, small groups, mission trips, water skiing, knee boarding, jet skiing, Rappahannock canoe/camping trip and Christmas party.

Junior High activities have included mountain hikes, canoeing, roller skating, Caritas, Virginia Beach deep sea fishing, youth meeting, outdoor games, Richmond Braves game, fall retreats, ice skating and Christmas party.

Our hope as leaders is through our friendships, programs and meetings our young people will live out the greatest commandment throughout their lives ". . . love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence -- and that you love your neighbor as well as you love yourself" (Message version).

And don't miss our Youth Group On The Web page. Check it regularly for current news on our activities, scheduled events, sign-up forms and more!