The food drive was a big success!
The children of the West Suffield Congregational Church spearheaded a food drive! They made posters, gathered cans and food items, decorated the sanctuary and generally had an awful lot of fun doing it. Their Deborah Halladay Pierce Souper Bowl of Caring teaches the children, every year, that they can make a difference in the world. Together, they collected 483 food items for the town’s senior citizens, and they added $350 in donations from our soup luncheon to help those with food insecurity.
Empowering children from a young age means that they will grow up with a heart for making positive changes in the world; seeing their excitement, when we have events like these energizes the entire congregation. It is truly an intergenerational event focused on the children and their ability to inspire.
Onward and upward…I can’t believe Easter is almost here! There are so many opportunities for the sacred during this season. On April 13, during our 10 a.m. service, we will have a joyous Palm Parade, signaling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The next Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m., is my favorite service of the year: Maundy Thursday. It is a solemn, peaceful service, during which the Easter story is read by the Church Deacons. As each scripture is read, a candle is extinguished, until the sanctuary is in darkness, and we all leave in silence. It is incredibly moving.
On Good Friday, we will open the sanctuary from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for reflection and meditation. Members of our choir will fill the sanctuary with solemn, a cappella music. We invite anyone to come into the sanctuary during that time to find a peaceful space.
And then, of course, there’s Easter Sunday! On April 20, we will join in the celebration at the Sunrise Service. Our normal 10 a.m. service will fill the sanctuary with joyous music; we will be uplifted by the Good News of the Resurrection, and there will be a raucous egg hunt for the kids following church.
Please join us. Blessings on your day, Pastor Denise