- The Episcopal Church in Almaden

May 2008
The Episcopal Church in Almaden
6581 Camden Avenue, San José, California 95120 408•268•0243 www.eca-sj.org
Opportunities at ECA
Worship
May 4 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist
May 11 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist
BBQ after the 11:00 service
May 18 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist
May 25 – 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist
The Episcopal Church In Almaden
Sunday Services
7:30 am and 11:00 am
Rector
The Reverend Stephen Mills
408-802-5347
rector@eca-sj.org
Ministries
Children and Youth Study
Sunday School hour at 10:10 AM
May 4, 11, 18, 25
Acolytes
Taylor Mills & Marc Bond
Altar GuildMargaret Halliwell, Anna Spanjaart
Coffee Hour
Pete Mayo
Folk Choir
Andy Kerr
Greeters
Sharon Mills
Stephen Mills
God Squad
Good Sams Kelli Casale / Brenda McHenry
Hand bell Choir
Maryke Williams
Kids’ Breakout
Leslie Rousseau
Lay Readers
Jenny Hoyt
Amy Griffith
Montgomery Meals
Nursery
Pauline Gilligan
Prayer Vine
Dorothy Willard
Ushers
Dave Byers
Sr High Youth Group
Jon Mills
Hank DeVoss, George Romer
Stewardship
Jr High Youth Group
Bonnie McPherson
Worship
Andy Kerr
Webmaster
Kim Petruzzelli
Youth Sunday Jim McPherson, Bryan Bond
Fellowship
JHYG (Junior High Youth) Meeting May 11 6:00 PM
SHYG (Senior High Youth) Meeting May 4, 6:00 PM
SHYG (Senior High Youth) End of Year Party/Potluck May 18
Men’s Breakfast Thursday Mornings 8:00 AM at Denny’s
Christian Ed. Director
John Leslie
Music Director, Organist
Treasurer
Maryke Williams
Youth Director
Dennis Elliott
Administrative Assistant
Outreach
Montgomery Meals – Friday May 2, 16, 30
Contacting
Adult Study
Thursday Morning Bible Study at Church
10:30 AM May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
May 7 at Betty & Doug Wood’s
Potluck 6:30 PM, Bible Study 7:30 PM
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
May 21 at Mary & Dennis Moran’s
Potluck 6:30 PM, Bible Study 7:30 PM
ECA Staff
May 2008 Edition
Issue Number
05012008
Editor
Alex Dykes
Telephone Number 408 268-0243
Email Address
Theshape@eca-sj.org
The Shape is usually a Monthly Publication
of The Episcopal Church in Almaden
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From Stephen
Easter is the time of new life, new hope, new birth.
In other, colder parts of the country, like Massachusetts that proposition is decidedly and decisively illustrated by nature. After a winter of cold and
snow the first daffodil to bloom or the first robin
to arrive were two of the signs that winter, while
not quite over, at least was on its way out, and that
soon the white and frozen ground would begin to
blossom and burst forth with new flowers and new
life. Here without snow and where there are green
plants throughout the year it is less apparent but no
less true. New growth is here! New life is come!
That is especially true at ECA. Building on the
miracle of Easter I see new life springing up at
ECA. On the Second Sunday of Easter we baptized Megala Caitlyn Raj Kumar. Our attendance
is up. We have new families in the pews and new
children in Sunday School. Our Bible Studies are
growing in numbers and in grace. For the upcoming Cursillo, there are more candidates from ECA
then from any other church. These are all causes
for rejoicing, for celebration and for giving thanks.
It is, however, not a time to rest. In the words of
the old hymn:
“Come, labor on. Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain, while all around us waves the golden
grain?”
Are you wondering how you fit into this scheme?
Are you wondering what God’s plan is for you and
your life? On May 16-17, 2008 at St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church in Saratoga the Diocese will
be sponsoring a workshop entitled the Magnetic
Church (www.magnetic-church.com). This event is
led by Andrew Weeks, is fun, has some great practical ideas and will stimulate lots of thought about
how to effectively be hospitable and welcoming to
those not yet with us. It will be very accessible to
all and a good way to begin our collective work of
empowering our diocese for evangelism.
Why should you attend this conference?
COME FOR YOURSELF ! -- Wondering what
God’s next call for you might be? If it were your
choice, would evangelist be last on your list? Because your images of evangelism are of weepy,
cash-grubbing orators on TV or loud street-corner demagogues? Then come and learn about
models of evangelism appropriate for you! Along
the way, you may discover your gifts as author,
editor, planter, greeter or shepherd, and reap
some of the amazing joy of being God’s instrument in changing other peoples’ lives.
COME FOR YOUR OWN COMMUNITY ! -A staggering percentage of Americans (nationally,
40%) do not attend church. That means so many
of the children in your own community are not
learning the Lord’s Prayer or any of the stories of
Jesus. That means all those adults are stuck with
being able to believe only in themselves. You can
share with them the life-saving gift of knowing
the security of being able to rely on God.
AND ALONG THE WAY. -- You may discover
new ways to apply your talents and skills by helping your property team to make all of your signs,
buildings and grounds more attractive and inviting. Perhaps you will author or help redesign or
edit your church newsletter, Sunday bulletins /
inserts or web pages, and assist in transforming
them from old, maintenance member-oriented
organs to new, evangelism-oriented tools. The
possibilities are endless!
I hope to see you there!!!
Salaam, Stephen +
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From the Editor
I hate to admit
it, but I’m really not an environmentalist at
heart. I know that
I’ll soon be living in Santa Cruz
county and I that
here on the left coast we are all labeled “green” but
when it comes right down to it, I’m cheap. Cost is
really what drives my spending habits, and I think
that really is what drives most people. I make green
choices when it reduces expenses. For instance: better insulation = lower cooling bill, sure it saves the
planet in the process, but what I’m really after is a
meat locker I can call home. As the price of electricity goes up, my interest in efficiency increases.
Similarly, as the cost of gasoline has increased
I have started to do my thing to save the world:
drive slower. In the process I think perhaps I have
become a bit greener at heart. This sounds simple,
but I have discovered that if I adjust my driving
habits, my average economy jumps from 22 to 26
MPG. The only problem with this is that I am being passed by everything: trucks, trailers and even
the odd guy walking his dog… After the first few
weeks of automatic right foot jabs whenever someone was starting to overtake, I have adjusted. Now
I put-put along home in my über-fast Volvo at
62.5 MPH while the world passes me by. It now
seems oxymoronic that my vanity plate implies
something wicked this way comes.
I know that lent is over, but, as the summer arrives,
and with it the every-so-popular gasoline price increase, try taking it a bit easier and you may just
find a more relaxed state of mind. Along with saving 126 gallons of fuel each year ($522 at $4.15
per gallon) I have also been able to regain some
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modicum of sanity on my daily commute. This
has even lead to hitherto unthinkable actions: not
swearing when someone cuts you off, or quelling
the desire to zip around that slow car: because you
are that slow car.
Of course, this lead me to question other things.
Why do we have a station wagon that can scoot
to 60 in a Mustang GT besting 5 seconds if I’m
just going to cruise down 101 at an economical 62.5 MPH? Why is our other “car” an SUV
when the station wagon can tow 4,000lbs and get
better mileage in the process? Why am I driving
around 3,800lbs of steel just to get one person to
and from work? Why do people buy SUVs just to
haul kids around when cars are safer and better for
the planet? These are all questions I haven’t found
an answer to yet, but when I went to the Smart
car dealer on Stevens Creek, I realized my eyes are
now open to new possibilities that my former state
of mind precluded. I sat there in a car that looks
like a tennis shoe (and is about as big as one) and
thought to myself, this is all I really need every day.
(www.smartusa.com for those interested. )
As I plodded home in my wagon, I thought to
myself: If Jesus drove, what kind of car would he
drive? Would he have a Lexus because the resale
value is good and they are quite reliable? Would he
have a Prius so he can exude “green” as he drives
down 101? Or would he have a bio-diesel school
bus so the disciples can tag along? Would he drive
a VW Polo TDI which seats 4 apostles and get 76
MPG? Would he drive a Volvo because they are
safe? Either way, you know he’d be driving along in
the slow lane, allowing others to pull in front, not
tailgating, taking his time to get where he was going; something we might try now and then.
Alex Dykes
From the Senior Warden
It’s all about community. Yes, that was the answer
given as to why we have been here at ECA as long
as we have, 27 years. And community was the
answer given by others in the group in which we
found ourselves chatting recently. How does such
a community relationship happen that keeps many
of us here year upon year no matter how the wind is
blowing within the Episcopal Church? Very simply
– community begins with participation and growing relationships while serving with one another.
ECA offers so many opportunities to participate
and begin growing within our community. Opportunities abound related to worship, fellowship,
study and outreach. The catch, if there is one, is
that YOU have to take a step. Either you need
to take a step to participate or you need to invite
someone to participate with you. There is a role for
each one of us, no matter which side of the fence
we are on.
Coming up this summer we have several new opportunities we would like to try here at ECA to
build and strengthen our community. We need
help getting them organized. We need people willing to try these new activities with us – participate.
And we need people willing to invite others to join
in and participate with us. How about YOU?
First, we want to try Son and Sun Days. Come and
worship with us, celebrate and honor the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, and then enjoy the Sun as a
church community with lunch and activities, hiking, biking, walking, and more. How could you
participate? Of course, you could come on those
days and join in. Or you could help us put these
days together. We need some lunch planners to develop ideas whether we go “brown bag” or picnic
or some other plan. We need activity planners to
scope out our treks from the church. Won’t you
consider joining a Son and Sun Team? We would
like to have a Son and Sun Day in June, July
and August. We could use 3 teams, one for each
month.
Next, we already have calendar dates in July, Friday the 18th, and in August, Friday the 8th, for an
event for all ages, to include a BBQ, a movie under
the stars and for those bold enough, camping in
the tree lot. (Yet to be determined is a catchy title
for this fun.) Would you consider helping put part
of this package together? We could use 2 teams,
one for each month, to include fire masters, film
masters, and of course, some overnight adventurers.
I hope many of you will consider being part of a
team to put together one of these events for the
summer. It is a sure fire way to get to know other
church members better, whether young or mature,
and become friends. It is a great way to share in the
success of an event as well as to share your talents
with us all. Your help is a gift to us all. Let me
hear from you during May if you are interested and
willing to help with any of these events. We want
to get our teams together and get things in motion
for some special fellowship and fun.
Susie Ferguson
Senior Warden
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April Reflections
I missed the cedar waxwing migration this year.
Some time in early March, the flock visited my
backyard and ate all the pyracantha berries. On the
previous weekend, the tree was full; by mid-week
the tree was stripped bare. You see, I leave those
berries for the birds. The tree is big enough to hang
over the barbecue, and could scorch or catch fire.
But I don’t want to trim the tree until the birds
arrive. So any barbecue dinners at the Axtell’s wait
for the birds to clear the tree, then I can trim it
back.
I have a mark on my calendar that the flock arrived
in April in 2005. And in succeeding years they have
arrived in March. Warmer weather in their winter
grounds must force them to migrate earlier.
While I am always happy to see the hundred-plus
birds feasting in my backyard, I wonder about the
decisions I make about my lifestyle. Should I lower
the thermostat during the winter, or not have
wood fires? Should I suffer a bit when the
ambient temperature soars above 90
degrees. Should I choose local produce more often, reducing the
truck miles my fruit and vegetables need to travel to my local grocery? Should I eat
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less meat, or go vegetarian more often. What about
the debate over plastic or paper? Shorter showers,
fewer lights on at night. These choices face us all
every day – and more then my physical comfort is
on the line.
The flock of birds that visits once a year has no
defenses against climate change. They too, must
make different decisions in order to survive. Obviously, they have chosen to migrate sooner to take
advantage of the fruit left hanging on trees to sustain them on their journey north. Which pushes
the questions and choices that stand before me to
a different level. The question is not what things to
buy that will help the environment - consumerism
will not save our environment. What it takes is for
me to realize that I am embedded in a web of life
that reacts to my daily decisions. I need a change
of heart. Which leaves me with this question: how
do I change my heart so that there is enough room
on this planet for both me and the birds to survive?
...whatever you have done for the
least of these, you have done it
unto me.
Matt. 25: 40b
Kimberly Axtell
Montgomery Meals
I joined our volunteers on Good Friday to discover
firsthand the impact that one of our outreach programs has on the community.
When I arrived at ECA at 4:45pm I found Craig
Stephan and Mark Ciccarello suitably clad in
aprons, putting the final touch to the hot entree
of Chico Chili. Craig insisted that I sample a small
bowl of the delicious chili mixed with crushed tortilla chips. It was scrumptious!
As Amy Griffith finished mixing the salad and
Marilyn Wendt completed dish washing, Maryke
Williams completed her tasks and left. Pete Mayo
and Brennan Hall, having finished their yard
work, came in to help transport the food downtown. Ron Howie was ready with his truck and
supervised the loading of three big pans of Chico
Chili, three large bowls of salad, bags of chips, orange segments, bread, butter, as well as pies and
cookies. Other items such as serving spoons and
aprons were also loaded onto the truck.
Ron drove Pete, Brennan and me to the shelter.
I was delighted that Brennan, as part of his high
school freshman service requirement had elected
to share this work with our church group. Once
we arrived, every thing was taken into the kitchen,
where the food was to be served. Margaret Allvey
and Ann Avoux joined us to help set up and serve
the meal. At 6pm we began serving approximately
one hundred people, who were all most appreciative of the meal.
By 7pm all the food was eaten, our clientele were
happy and well-fed, and our dishes had been
washed. We were ready to return to ECA. It was
heartening to witness this dedicated group of
people, working with such joy to serve the needy.
Many thanks go to all our volunteers who participate in this ministry.
If you would like to serve in this important program please call Pete Mayo or Amy Griffith. ECA
feeds the homeless every other Friday all year long
and you are welcome to join in this outreach project.
Your vestry member,
Sam Sarmecanic
Anniversaries
Earl & Amy Griffith
John & Helen Beacher
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Birthdays
Genie Yomtov
Trace Rimroth
Jennifer Majors
Jerry Ferguson
Jim Ward
Corrin Degnan
Jon Mills
Mary Beth Majors
Terry Stonehocker
Michaela Fahlen
Pat Fox
Miriam Lueck
Warren Willard
Tom Fahlen
Kerry Sisler
Danielle Petruzzelli
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4
7
9
9
10
10
11
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12
14
15
20
23
24
26
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Fellowship - Chili Cook-Off
ECA’s first Chili Cook Off and Family Game Night
was a “hot” evening on more than one front. First,
the weather was super. It was one of our first evenings when we could be outside in our shirt sleeves
and very comfortable. Arnold Moore set up a fun
game on the patio that attracted all ages before and
after dinner. Not only is he an expert on bocce, but
he does a mean bean bag toss, as well.
all of you who participated. Without all our chili
entries and our salad makers our cook off would
never have got off the ground. You were all vital to
this event’s success and we thank you.
ECA’s Fellowship Team
Inside it was hot with 10 pots of chili to taste and
judge. Imagine 10 pots and every one of them different in very unique ways. What fun it was to try
to figure out the ingredients in some of the pots.
Temperatures ranged from mild to red hot. The first
place “Beano” prize went to Bryan Bond, whose
chili was definitely the Hottest! After the tasting
and judging we filled our bowls with our favorite
for dinner along with salad and corn bread. Surprisingly, most chili pots went home empty, except
for the winner. Could it be super hot is great for a
taste, but too much for a bowl?
Desserts were cool to our palates with ice cream,
cookies, and assorted sweets by the younger cooks
(teens and kids.) Judging on these tasty treats was
very hard so it was called a “tie” and all entries were
awarded a prize, B&R coupons.
Special thanks go to our event planners, Donna
and Tim Miller, and Bryan Bond. They did an
excellent job organizing and leading this fellowship event. We want to thank Susanne Moore for
helping with the set up & centerpieces and giving
our event some style as only she can do. Of course,
we want to thank all of you who helped with the
cleanup and getting Fellowship Hall put back to its
every day look, and especially Suzanne Mayo for
our kitchen cleanup, and Peter staying to lock up.
Our thank yous aren’t complete without one to
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Beneficio Coffee
Please contact Phyllis Chai for questions about
Beneficio More Than Fair Trade Coffee or to place
an order. If you enjoy the coffee and supporting
the mission, you may want to make your request
at least two weeks before you need the coffee; for
me to place an order I need to have requests for 24
bags, including the needs of our Joint Venture.
Thank you for you support of Beneficio!
Phyllis Chai
Gifts of Gratitude
Donna & Tim Miller, & Bryan Bond: Thank you
for introducing us all to a Chili Cook-off at ECA.
We appreciate all your organization and energy behind this event.
Suzanne and Pete Mayo: Thank you for your tireless commitment to ECA. Your support of our
events and hands on help is so appreciated.
Susanne Moore: Thank you for your “hostess with
the mostest” skills. Fellowship Hall looked great
for our Chili Cook-off.
Arnold Moore: Thank you for your wonderful patience with all the young people who joined you
for games on the patio at the Chili Cook-off. You
were a gem.
John Leslie & the Choirs: Thank you for a glorious
celebration of Easter day and the moving Maundy
Thursday service.
Disaster Preparation
In Two Hours You Can Learn:
-About hazards you should prepare for in San Jose
-Ways to reduce the risks of loss and injury before
disaster strikes
-How to create a family disaster plan
-What you should include in your personal and
family disaster supplies
-About opportunities to become even more involved in disaster prepared
MAY 8, 2008 5:30 pm
Almaden Community Center
To attend, Call (408) 277-4598
or e-mail sjprepared@sanjoseca.gov
Ron Howie: For bringing the Light of Christ to the
sunrise service with his blowtorch.
Katie, Alex, Rob & the others: For putting up the
drapes in the youth center.
Andy Kerr & the Folk Choir: Thank you for enlivening our glorious Easter sunrise service.
The Bell Choir & David & Elizabeth Hoyt: Thank
you for enhancing our Easter celebration.
Cursillo: For an enthusiastic, organized and thoroughly Christian Cursillo team. Prayers for the upcoming weekend, May 2-4.
John Leslie & the Committee: For the workshop
for the summer musical.
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Reach
Chick Flicks
Reach Up and grow closer to Christ. Reach In and
grow a stronger faith community. Reach together
at an Adult Bible Study at ECA this month.
If you have ever been invited to share a meal with
Susie Ferguson, you know that she will have some
great idea to share with you. Soon after sitting
down, you will have been swept away with her enthusiasm and understanding of how the Lord works
in our lives. This has happened again!!!
The Rector’s Bible Study on Wednesday evenings
is offered the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday evenings of the month. The evening begins with a
potluck supper at 6:30 PM for those who want to
start with dinner. The Bible Study begins at 7:30
PM and goes until 9 PM. Every one is welcome
and encouraged to join the group whenever and
as often as they are able. We are currently studying
the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.
Come and grow with us in fellowship and spirit.
We usually meet in someone’s home for our time
of fellowship and study.
Wed. May 7 at Betty & Doug Wood’s
5911 Kyburz Place
Wed. May 21 at Mary and Dennis Moran’s
3778 Norcliffe Court
Thursday mornings... Are you a morning person?
If so, you may want to try our weekday Bible
Study. Whether you are an old pro, or a novice
who’s never done it before, you are invited to study
the Bible with an informal, lay-led group. The only
requirement is a willingness to engage in reflection
on the Bible’s meaning for our lives today. This
group meets each Thursday morning beginning
at 10:30 am at the church. Everyone is welcome.
Come when you can.
The class is studying the Book of John this year.
You can print out a syllabus for each class to use
for your study. Go to eca-sj.org and choose the link
education and then adult.
May 1st – John 20
May 8th – John 21
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For many years, Amy Griffith has organized museum and garden trips, dinners on the town, and
excursions to wonderful places. We have all been
blessed by her leadership and creative mind. To carry on this great tradition and fellowship need, Susie
has suggested that we begin a “Chick Flick Nite”
which will include Faith, Fellowship and Fun for
our ECA ladies.
The meal will be followed by a movie with spiritual themes applicable to any woman’s life. There
will be discussion questions to think and talk about.
The movie themes are powerful and will be stepping
stones for teaching about God and how to follow
him better. Have you seen Fried Green Tomatoes?
While You Were Sleeping? Steel Magnolias? Whale
Rider? The Princess Bride? Casablanca? These are
just some of the titles that we have an opportunity
to view through a “different lens.”
Plan to be a part of this new ladies fellowship adventure. Mark your calendars now! A sign-up sheet
in the Fellowship Hall will be available in June.
Thursday, July 10th 6 PM
The planning team for the first event is Susie Ferguson, Nancy Romer and Susanne Moore. It promises to be lots of fun.
Call Nancy Romer (408) 268-4435 for questions or
suggestions or to volunteer!
Nancy Romer
Faith Formation
On the first of March, the Diocese of El Camino
Real held a Faith Formation Event at St. Marks
in Santa Clara. Sandie Mueller, The Rev Stephen
Mills and I attended the programs.
The morning classes included the Eucharistic
Minister Licensure Training, Safe Guarding God’s
Children and Eucharistic Visitor Licensure Training. They also held a class titled, Praying in Color.
I was told that well over one hundred and fifty people attended and the positive energy was palpable.
Sandie and I attended the Eucharistic Minister Licensure Training and Visitor Licensure Training.
“Licensure” formal training or licensing and is traditional in the Episcopal Church for certain ministries, these ministries are not to be taken lightly
and there are certain procedures the Church would
like to have followed.
of work she does as a TEC Executive Committee
member on the General Convention committee.
These were good insights on the broader church.
Our Bishop Mary Gray Reeves led us in a short
dance as her opening words: “Stand up please:
Put you left foot in, put your left foot out, put
your left foot in and shake it all about, You do the
hokey pokey and turn yourself around.” It was
her light-hearted way to help us shake the kinks
out from sitting for so long.
The classes covered how to prepare ourselves before
we visit a parishioner. We reviewed the proper ways
to handle the sacraments, and discussed having respect for those who were receiving communion
and those who are caretakers. We both agreed that
it was a valuable training and we each gained new
insights.
Bishop Mary listed the kinds of things she does
as bishop and she also covered a number of topics
that she knew we wanted to hear about including
that she is looking forward to attending the Lambeth Conference in England this summer. She believes it is important to be there so that she and
many of the other new bishops can have a chance
to be in community with the other bishops of the
Anglican world. She was direct and clear about
her positions and point of view on a number of
issues. That she came to the Santa Clara meeting
to greet us, was very impressive and an example of
her caring. I am truly impressed. She is grounded,
loving and direct, and fun to be with. I feel that we
are in very good hands.
The class “Safe Guarding God’s Children/ Sexual
Abuse Prevention” is presented with good reason
as churches must create a safe environment for our
children. This is a very important topic and we take
this subject seriously. It is recommended that more
of us be trained in this topic.
She has scheduled more training sessions like this
one in other parts of the Diocese. If you have
an interest you can call Susan Altig at (831) 3944465 at the Diocesan office for the schedules and
locations. You might consider inviting others to
go with you to make it more fun.
The morning was taken up with the classes and
after a generous lunch, we heard The Rev. David
Breuer gave a short presentation of the history
of the Episcopal Church in America. Deacon Jo
Weber discussed the history of deacons from Biblical time. Dottie Fuller discussed the wide range
Pat Fox
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Catacombs
On March 15th, the SHYGS played “Catacombs”
which is a modified game of sardines where everyone must gain entrance to the “catacomb” as did
the early Christians in order to worship Christ.
During the persecutions the early Christians would
secretly celebrate the Eucharist in the catacombs in
Rome. The most famous of these is the Saint Callixtus catacombs which consist of 90 acres 45 of
which are multiple levels under ground.
In our game, the catacombs were the closets in the
church. The Christians had to locate three pieces
to a puzzle hidden around the and find the entrance to the catacomb. The chosen catacomb for
each game session is marked by the fellow Christian inside holding a candle flashlight and reading
a bible passage as each person gains entrance. The
obstacle to finding the pieces to the puzzle and
looking in many closets are the Roman “guards”.
If a guard pulls your flag (worn at the waist), you
are then escorted up to the “prison” where you
must wait your turn to perform a task or compete
in a game to gain your freedom. Every time you
were “arrested” you lost 5 points. If you made it to
the chosen catacomb and stayed there you would
earn 30 points.
Each game lasted about 25 minutes. This is long
enough to complete the task plus there is a lot of
running involved and everyone needs to cool off.
Upstairs, in “prison,” several competitions were
going on simultaneously to keep the game going
downstairs especially when the guards were super
efficient. The only lights that were on were upstairs. We covered the stairwells with black plastic
sheeting to block any light coming from the sanctuary so that downstairs it was dark except for the
glow sticks marking corners and tables, a few night
lights and the lit exit signs. Surprisingly, once your
eyes adjusted to this type of lighting you could see
quite well. However, if a guard was standing by the
water fountain or sitting on a bean bag very still,
well, several flags could be pulled as the Christians
ran by.
Everyone was gathered in the sanctuary at the end
and a hand was given for all the guards and adults
helping to create the scene. We awarded the first,
second and third prizes and gave a hand to all 21
Christians who participated. Several kids had a
brainstorming session afterwards on some changes
that could improve this event. After cleaning up,
the movie marathon and Apples to Apples began
for everyone staying over night.
Major thanks everyone who helped with this event,
Eric McCormick, Bonnie McPherson, Kieva McCullough, (Eric’s girlfriend), Mary McPherson,
Rob McClaine and Alex Dykes.
Here’s to our Christians who made this whole night
a success: Kristen, Danielle, Faith, Caitlin, Alex,
Josh, Isaac, Peter, David, Chris, Brenan, Doug,
John, Matt, Sean, Steven, Stevie, Ricky, Mike,
Cameron and Marc.
Katie Taplin