Book Club

Summer 2021

High School students will meet outside and in person to discuss current popular books. The first book we’ll read together is The Faithful Spy, a graphic novel which tells the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the German resistance. It is a story of courage and faith during World War II.

Service Projects

Children and youth at Abingdon focus their time and talents on service projects throughout the year. Some of our  projects have included collecting school supplies for needy children, conducting food drives and bake sales, and helping to restore an old mission church. Other, service efforts include the following.

Confirmation

Confirmation classes for youth are planned to take place in Winter 2022.

Young persons around the age of 16 are encouraged to consider renewing their Baptismal Covenant. However, preparation for Confirmation is ongoing and begins in our middle school and high school youth program. The youth activities at Abingdon lay the groundwork for spiritual discussion, exploration, and development. Formal Confirmation Classes for youth are held every third year and are led by the Rector and mentors from the congregation. A celebration dinner, honoring the students, mentors and families is held at the end of the Class program.

Mission Trips

As part of their confirmation preparation and inquiry, the youth confirmation classes plan a pilgrimage or mission trip.

Our last class of five youth and two chaperones traveled to the Navajo Nation in July. Here's more about the trip.

Previous missions were to the Dominican Republic and to Roanoke, VA.

Support Youth Missions

Please support our youth as they seek deeper knowledge of their faith.

You can support Abingdon Youth missions by shopping on AmazonSmile. Shop as you normally would on Amazon, except on the AmazonSmile website. Choose Abingdon Episcopal Church as your charity and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price to the chuch. Donations to Abingdon Episcopal Church recieved from AmazonSmile are designated for youth mission trips. Start shopping here.

Fundraisers here in Gloucester have included bake sales, dinners at Chick-fil-A and Juan's Cafe, and car washes.

Retreats and Camps

Retreats

Retreats are sponsored by the Diocese of Virginia for 6th and 7th graders, for 8th graders, and for high schoolers. These events are attended by youth from the entire Diocese and Abingdon youth enthusiastically take advantage of these opportunities to worship with and to connect with peers from other churches. For more information, visit The Diocese of Virginia youth web page .

Summer Camp

Abingdon youth are encouraged to attend Shrine Mont Summer camps. Shrine Mont is a camp owned by The Diocese of Virginia and located in the Shenandoah Mountains. Many Abingdon youth have learned, grown and made lasting friends at Shrine Mont. Visit the Shrine Mont website for more information.