Church School Ends With A Parade

By Jan Howard

The Ecumenical Vacation Church School ended a week of classes Friday, August 18, with a procession from the Newtown Congregational Church House on Main Street to the Congregational Church on West Street.

One hundred twelve children from the Congregational, Trinity Episcopal, United Methodist, and St Rose churches and their teachers and other staff members, carrying balloons and followed by a Newtown police car with flashing lights, made their way up the hill toward the church for their final program of the week.

The grand finale to the week’s program, presented for families and friends, included inspirational words by the Rev Janice Touloukian, associate minister, and songs and skits by children in pre-school through fifth grade.

The skits included the topics “Why in the World Are We Here?” “Transport to Truth,” “God Made the World,” “Hide and Seek,” “I Am the Way,” “Bridge of Love,” “Somebody I Can Count On,” and “Like Father, Like Son.”

The children wore t-shirts reflective of the week’s science theme, “Sonzone.” During the week, the children, their teachers, and other staff members discussed the formula GP4U, “God’s Plan For You.”

Esther Nichols directed the week-long ecumenical church school, which has been held for over 25 years. Robin Binnie directed the final program, and Nannette Maturi provided the music.

Rev Touloukian termed the week’s events “very beautiful and spirit-filled. We were celebrating the Holy Spirit every day.”

Classes from 9 to noon each day included a lesson, crafts, music, skits and drama, recreation, and a snack. Each day a different member of the clergy led a worship service.

Sixty-five people from the four churches were involved in teaching and other roles.