The children and Young People met to hear the story of Holy Week and Easter, told in an interactive environment.
Afterwards we made our "Jesus is Alive" banner and Easter Biscuits!
The following is an article written for the Good Times Magazine about our Good Friday work
For some years now I have attended the
children’s activities for Good Friday as an observer. I have been very
impressed by what Ruth and helpers do in order to present the younger children
of the church with the Easter Message. I felt I should share this experience
with the whole church by means of the magazine.
Some may feel that telling the children the
Good Friday story could be too distressing, but for some years Ruth and helpers
have introduced our Junior Church to the story in an imaginative and sensitive
way. It is difficult to convey how well this does come across, and it is
something of which the church should be aware.
At the beginning the children meet in the Lower
Hall and, sitting on the floor, they go back to the happenings of Palm Sunday.
Everyone then walks down the corridor to the top entrance of the Upper Hall
waving streamers (palm branches) as they go. The Upper Hall is divided into
“rooms” using the large screens. Each room depicts an aspect of the Easter
Story, using props and visual aids. The children progress round these rooms
with accompanying explanation as the story unfolds.
It starts with the scene in the temple with the
money changers. There is an upturned table and money scattered around. Then,
moving on to the upper room they are told the account of Jesus washing the
disciples feet. This year, Josh and Sam volunteered to have their feet washed (looked
pretty clean already!) The next move is to the Last Supper, and after an
explanation of the meal the children are offered bread and wine. This is taken
very seriously with no silliness before they move on to the Garden of
Gethsemane and the betrayal. The children are told of the loneliness that Jesus
must have felt. Briefly the group move on to see the crown of thorns and the
whip. Rightly, not long is spent here, but neither is it ignored.
The stage has a cross propped against the back
wall where the children gather round and are led through to the crucifixion
account. They are not left there, however, but moved on to Easter Sunday and
the Resurrection. The empty tomb is realised by just moving aside a screen to
reveal an empty space and a white cloth on the floor. The children asked if
they could walk inside.
This year, we finished with a very appropriate
song sung by Imogen and Sophie. They had not rehearsed at all, but they were
very good. We joined in the chorus with the actions. Apparently this was a song
that they had taught the Young People’s Drama Group.
The children then return to the Lower Hall for
craft work with Ruth and Judianne, whilst Barbara supplies refreshments. I
really felt that I had worshipped and feel that it is an appropriate way to
share this event with our children. Often some parents follow the children
around and I am sure that they feel it is a moving and sensitive remembrance
for Good Friday.
Many visiting preachers comment on how lucky we
are to have children in our church. It is not luck. It is because of the
continued dedication of all who work with our young people, continually
coming up with fresh and interesting ideas of presenting our faith. They are
often our unsung heroes.
