Children Create Story Stones, Hunt Eggs
A new twist to hunting Easter eggs was a success last Sunday evening. About 53 children and their families (more than 100 people overall) created “story stones” in the Worship & Event Center before scouring the darkened sanctuary for treat-filled plastic eggs.
Each child was invited to decorate a set of 12 stones to recount Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to his ascension to heaven. Much like using a nativity set to tell the story of Jesus’ birth, the stones help children learn and recall the events surrounding Christ’s resurrection.
Every set of stones came with a booklet sharing the scriptures so families can retell the story. Volunteers helped the children place the illustrations on the prepared stones, and families sat around tables to color the pictures or draw their own images to illustrate the story.
While the activity was happening in the WEC, volunteers hid more than 500 eggs in the Sanctuary for the children to find. At registration each child also received a chance to win one of five “prize baskets,” the most popular of which was a giant golden mystery egg. Prizes were awarded before the egg hunt.
As the evening grew darker, three separate age groups of children gathered in the Sanctuary to find the eggs. Flashlights were flaring as the oldest group ended the hunt in the dark.
Thanks to the volunteers who helped to make the event a success—April Ditzler, Sue Lines, Doug and Donna Lunger, Giny and Bob Mackey, Alex Nye, Madelyn Riedel, Wendy Young, and Dee Zimmerman. Youth helpers were Ziedon Ditzler, Hope Dunbar, Alan Ferreras, and Braedon Siegel. – Linda Byers, Director of Children & Youth Ministries