Parent's Day Out a rousing success

By late afternoon on Saturday, December 17, twenty-eight children, twenty-five volunteers, and one Children & Youth Ministries Coordinator were tired but happy with the success of the first Parent's Day Out at Lebanon First UMC.

Aubrey Pieper had scheduled a full day of learning and fun for the children, who ranged in age from three years to 6th grade. Using cutouts representing the Christmas story, the children learned about how Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Volunteers staffed five different craft stations - beads ornaments, cookies in a jar, jingle bell wreath, ornaments in a bowl, and a candy cane reindeer.  After the children finished their crafts, they placed them in a large bag to take home for Christmas gifts.

At 5:30 pm, when parents returned, the children "performed" the Christmas story by holding up their cutouts as volunteer Susanne Campbell read the story of the Nativity. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed pizza, soda and juice.

"This event was a great success, especially for the first time," exclaimed Pastor Peter Wehrly. "We learned a lot about the best way to organize and execute the day. Aubrey did a fantastic job with the organization of the day, and the volunteers were terrific."

During the two worship services on Sunday, December 18, Rev. Wehrly asked the volunteers to stand and they were given a sincere thank you from Aubrey and the congregation. 

December 19, 2011

More photos below...