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Faithweavers Friends, the mid-week Bible Study at the Methodist Church, is growing almost as fast as the kids! Last week, 33 kids attended FWF and more than 110 children, parents and others came for the free hamburger dinner afterwards.

Last Wednesday was truly a “Glory Hallelujah” moment. Everywhere you looked, there was joy, excitement and, most of all, love.

It starts like this. Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers bring their kids for the program. They come holding their children’s hands and you can see the anticipation on everyone’s faces. The caregivers are happy that the kids are happy. And, the kids are happy because they know Faithweavers is the coolest place to be on Wednesday afternoon—or at least that’s what they tell us.

The volunteers love it when new children show up. Some of the newcomers are hesitant—they don’t know what to expect, where to go, etc. The volunteers (folks like Debbie Millican, Cherry Kay Lange and Mindy Cantu) engage each child, making sure they have a snack and introducing them to the other kids. They approach each child with such a welcoming attitude, the newcomers become one of the gang before they’ve had a chance to take their first sip of lemonade.

The real fun starts when the group heads inside to soak up some of the love Miss Monica (Shahan) dispenses. The group makes joyful noises as they go through a variety of songs and motions that help them learn Bible verses. Everyone has fun learning the Bible verses. Really, they do.

Then, the kids are divided into groups and rotate through several stations that give them an opportunity to learn the day’s lesson (last week it was “Put God First”). The learning comes through a variety of crafts, games, puppet shows and skits. It’s so much fun the kids don’t realize they’re learning. Each group has a leader who makes sure each child stays safe, feels loved and has the opportunity to fully participate. Group leaders are Melanie Mathis, Carol Littlefield, Nettie Oma Carpenter, Hollee Ragsdale and Tracey Thomas.

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Discovery Leaders provide the activities at each station. These creative folks make every effort to present material that’s stimulating and enjoyable and which reinforces the main theme. Trish Warren plays the hapless puppet, Theo, who always needs a lot of help from the kids to understand the day’s lesson. Theo (like a lot of us) just doesn’t “get it” and the kids have to use their strongest vocal chords to help Theo UNDERSTAND!! Lee and Kelly Murray operate the “Surprise Station” and, boy, do they come up with some fun stuff. Everyone likes surprises and they’re never disappointed at this station. Misty Everett manages the games outside while Brandi Easterwood and Ann McElroy use food to reinforce the lesson. As everyone knows, there’s no better way to show real love than feeding people!

Speaking of feeding people, the people of the Methodist Church hosted a free hamburger dinner for the FWF, their parents and friends. Linda Parks organized the celebration with help from an energetic group of volunteers including Klela & Richard Waldie, Bob & Debbie Millican, Owen Parks, Tracey & Mike Thomas, Margaret Rice, Barbara & David Gilger, Peter Hald, Carolyn & Mike McDowell, Danna & Joe Pete Smith, Deborah & Lee Ragsdale and many others who eagerly pitched in.

It was a love fest last week and everyone got a chance to get and give the gift we all need most. Won’t you come join us? Faithweavers is for kids ages 4 through 4th grade and meets every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church (come around back). The cost is $15 (which includes a t-shirt) and scholarships are available. Call 372.3120 for more information or just show up. Everyone is welcome!