The parish mission at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna will be led by ValLimar Jansen, who is a musician, singer, storyteller and workshop and mission presenter who has led events at the parish in the past. The mission will take place nightly from Monday to Wednesday, April 12 to 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the main church. Each evening the mission will be preceded by a dinner at 6:15 p.m. in the social hall.

Jansen, who began singing sacred music at the age of 5, received most of her training in music and performance at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She holds professional degrees in the arts from California State University, San Bernardino, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Affiliated with Spirit and Song as an artist, she has sung and toured professionally in the United States, Europe and Japan. She co-authored a one-woman musical about the life of Ethel Waters that received a special commendation from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She has led workshops and programs at national Encuentros, religious education conferences and national pastoral musician gatherings.

The parish mission is designed to foster growth and renewal in the faith of parish members, said Michael Okuto, director of adult faith formation. “Nothing less than miracles can happen, miracles of the heart,” he said. “It is during the mission that members of the parish may individually come to realize their calling and be more involved in the ministries of the parish.”

The church is located at 4300 King Springs Road, SE. For information call (770) 432-8579.