On Saturday, July 16 the monastery hosted a Youth Day from 10am to 3pm. Parents and children from St Thomas the Apostle in Springfield and Unexpected Joy in Ash Grove enjoyed working, praying and learning together. The project was the cleaning and renewal of a garden area, now to be known as the children’s garden. After removing the weeds and leaves, cedar chips were added. We had lunch and some free time, then we went to the chapel for a lesson on Saint Vasily Martysz and Saint Maria (Skobtsova). The children assisted Mother Alexandra in leading an Akathist and then gathered upstairs for a craft and dessert snacks. Rocks were painted with themes from the monastery and their experience of the day and to adorn their garden. May it grow as well as they are! Many thanks to the generous supporters who donated food and crafts and their time.
