Messy Easter Has Hope UCC Youth Learning about Holy Week

The classrooms, fellowship hall and sanctuary spaces were filled with the sounds of adults and youth as Hope UCC hosted our first Messy Easter event on Thursday, March 25. 13 youth and six adults gathered (with proper protocols being followed) to learn about our faith stories connected with Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter.

Kayla Buck and Allison Walker served up “Breakfast for Dinner” as everyone enjoyed pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages. Cathy Evers shared the story, Benjamin’s Box, which told of a young man’s encounters with Jesus throughout the days of Jesus’ life from the entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection.

The youth then learned about Maundy Thursday in a room decorated with items depicting the scene of the Last Supper and our practice of the Sacrament of Communion. Figs, grapes and matzah were available to taste. Pastor Mary Beth shared the stories about Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter in a room that featured a cross, a tomb and several of the paintings done by Mary Nus and our youth. Melena Urbanowski  helped the youth design and make an Easter card they could share with someone.

In another activity, Zoey Evans helped the youth place their painted handprints on a cloth in the design of “palm branches.” This cloth was featured on our communion table on Palm Sunday.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this night of Messy Easter a time of learning, discovery, fellowship and fun.