very year, as Easter approaches, we host our delightful Easter Hat Parade, a cherished tradition here at our church. It's more than just a fun event—it's a heartwarming opportunity to bring families together, especially those who might not regularly attend church. The children absolutely adore this event, and the range of hats—from elaborate creations to simple ball caps—truly captures the spirit of inclusivity and joy.
The process is simple yet engaging. Parents and their children craft an Easter-themed hat at home and join us to parade around with the Easter Bunny. It's a beautiful sight, full of smiles and festive hats, and it serves as a perfect icebreaker for engaging with new families and deepening our connections with the existing congregation.
Beyond just the parade, we leverage this time to connect meaningfully with the parents. After the parade, there's time for conversations, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and just getting to know each other better. These moments are invaluable for building a sense of community and belonging.
Leading up to Easter, we focus our preschool lessons on the Easter story, making it accessible even to the youngest members of our community. We use tools like resurrection eggs for storytelling, although we keep it simple to hold the little ones' attention. It's important that the children go home knowing what Easter is all about, and hopefully, share this with their families.
This initiative has borne fruit; we've seen parents who attended the parade returning for Easter services. Each interaction, each event builds on our community's fabric, strengthening our shared bonds and faith.
As the school year draws to a close, we reflect on these moments with gratitude, looking forward to creating more memories and continuing to welcome all families into our fold.
Debbie Allen,
Preschool Director
