News Flash!

Sorry it’s been so long since I blogged! Time flies especially when Lent and Easter practically fall on top of Christmas! No excuses, however. Just because I haven’t blogged doesn’t mean there has not been a lot going on. For instance the Vandy 500 was quite a hit! Thanks to a special donor at the Daytona 500 we had fantastic prizes and gifts for all participants including the adults! With about 200 folks in attendance the races were on. As you can see from the pictures, competition was stiff, but the most important thing is – EVERYONE had a good time! Good company, good food, good fun, what more could one ask? And yes, the great and wonderful Rev. Dr. Tom Harp did win the staff race. Did I let him win has been the question. Well, one will never know, will one? Regardless, everyone had a wonderful time.

Of course life here at Vanderbilt is never slow, so don’t even blink or you will miss more fun and excitement in Family Ministries. Coming up is the Egg-Stravaganza and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 15th at 9:00 a.m. This is for all ages—crafts, games, the Easter Story and of course the famous egg hunt! So mark your calendars for that event.

Now, on a more serious note—many of you attended the Ash Wednesday Service here at Vanderbilt. Attendance was wonderful and it was the first time we had made a special effort to include families and children. The children had a time all to themselves when we talked about the significance of Ash Wednesday and why we put ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. The service took a little longer than planned because attendance was so good (a great problem to have), but I think it was very meaningful to the children and to the families. This process continues during Holy Week. It is very difficult to embrace the wonderful news of the resurrection unless we have walked through Holy Week before hand. Palm Sunday will get us started as the children all participate in procession of the palms at both worship services. Maundy Thursday service will also have a special time for children as we talk about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and actually go through that foot washing ceremony together. The Good Friday service is just as meaningful and sets the tone of the crucifixion. It is a brief service in which families will be extinguishing the candles until there is total darkness. We will leave in silence and in darkness to return on Sunday morning in joyful anticipation and excitement over the resurrection of Jesus Christ! (Alleluia!) I know, technically I can’t say “alleluia” until Lent is over—oops!

This is a wonderful season to share together as a family. It is a meaningful season that focuses on the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. Help your children to understand the full meaning of Easter by attending these special worship service and then by talking about it afterwards. Of course, nursery is available at all the services for kindergarten and under, however many preschoolers can understand the tones of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter Sunday. So use this time to impact your family and your children as you grow together in faith.
See ya!